How to turn your spare rooms into a successful Bed and Breakfast – words Alan Woods

In the UK alone, the bed and breakfast market is worth over £2billion annually. Being able to tap into such a lucrative market can be incredibly rewarding, and more and more homeowners are considering such a profession as they enjoy a more relaxed way of life.

If you are interested in finding out more about how you can turn your spare bedrooms into a bed and breakfast, be sure to follow our actionable advice below, and you’ll soon impress even the most discerning of traveller.

Do your research

Although starting your own bed and breakfast can be simple, it’s important that you do your research before opening shop. Take into account the competition in the area, spend time at other local bed and breakfasts, work out the costs and overheads, and have a contingency plan for off-peak periods when you will find trading more difficult. If those statistics look good, then the chances are that your business will be a success.

Read into the relevant legislations

As soon as you offer your rooms for payment, your home becomes a business. Therefore, it is essential that you understand the legislation associated with bed and breakfasts. From bed and breakfasts to fire safety, and from part-time worker rights to data protection, there’s a whole host of rules and regulations which you’ll need to follow if you want to operate within the industry, and reading in advance means you’ll be prepared for launch.

Rely on automated booking software

Even though you’ll be spending a lot of time at home, it can be difficult to manage your bookings throughout the day. Telephone calls, booking systems, room allocations and promotions can all take time out of your day, so relying on automated booking software such as Eviivo is a great alternative.

Undertake quality training

If you’ve ever watched Channel 4’s Four in a Bed, then you’ll know how important it is to get the basics right – and you’ll know how often hoteliers get those basics wrong! Ensuring that you, your family and your employees undergo high-quality bed and breakfast training will allow you to deliver a first class service to your customers. From dining and greeting to cooking and cleaning, you need to be at the top of your game if you want customers to keep coming back.

Think about staff

If you are planning to open your own bed and breakfast, then the chances are that you will need to consider hiring staff. Whether they take on the responsibilities of cleaning, greeting guests, cooking or marketing, it is important that you have a team that you can rely on – especially during busy periods or for when you’d like a holiday of your own!

Opening your own bed and breakfast can be one of the most challenging, yet rewarding, careers on offer. If you are looking for added flexibility and a more relaxed way of life, then dust out your spare room and turn your home into a successful Bed and Breakfast today. Good luck!