Luxury Hotels Refute Recession

In a most bizarre twist of fortunes it appears that many budget hotels are currently seeing a slow down in trade and yet up market venues are enjoying a boom. In times of recession and financial burden for many the budget hotel seemed the likely solution to continuing holidays and leisure breaks. The trend was that people were using these budget hotels as a means of getting away for a cheap holiday in the UK. Ideally placed in many easy to get to places and with no frills rooms the hotels offered an economically pleasing solution for cash strapped holiday makers. Basically you got what you paid for nothing more!

Conversely there is a chain of hotels in Yorkshire currently breaking the mould with the expansion and investment in luxury hotels for holiday makers in the North of England. The stream of thought seems to be that people who are struggling financially are eager to boost their confidence with a luxury break. Even if they have had to save up for the luxury break they feel a certain sense of reward and merit in the break from the everyday to a luxurious appointed resting place.


I think that there is still a place for the cheap and cheerful budget hotels, although there has been a downturn in customers. Whitbread noticed almost 1% downturn on like for like sales over the last 3 months with many cancelled rooms in the Premier Inn range. This has still been overall growth and I just think it's a matter of attracting customers with offers and extras. The budget range is pay for what you get and I do sometimes think that whilst it's financially beneficial customers still like added extras. I think it's easy to go too far the other way - you paid peanuts so you get a room that's dated and service that is shoddy. Some companies give off this feeling - I've stayed in quite a few budget hotels in certain chains and they made me feel cheap - not just the price.

As with most people If I had the choice I would prefer to stay in a luxurious hotel with great service and excellent food but the wallet won't always cover that so there is still room for all types of hotel accommodation. But companies should offer leisure breaks with great value for money but still good service - it's not difficult.  Lets face it people want good value for money not necessarily just cheap prices!

Pubs And Clubs Need To Become Community Orientated To Continue To Trade

Many villages and suburbs used to have a couple of small shops, a pub or two, a social club and a post office to look after communities needs. Now the local out of town supermarket can entice customers to buy everything they need  in one place. The post office has been closed down, likely too the local pub and if the social club still exists it's numbers have dwindled to a handful of hearty followers.

In this dire and dying community scene what can be done to ensure the continuance of the local pub or club? Well it's not all doom and gloom in fact a report released by Pub Is The Hub counselled pub landlords that they need to be a valid and vibrant part of the community in order to help their survival. Some pubs in villages or suburbs have diversified in their type of trade. Some have opened up small post office areas in the pub or set up lunch clubs for elderly residents and have found increased sales and footfall from the local community. It's about bringing groups of people together to boost the role of the pub within the local life of residents. The pub must prove valuable in a community that is struggling with the troubles of modern living.

Other schemes have included allotment clubs or diversifying to create meeting rooms and conference facilities to encourage new business. How much nicer it could be for delegates to turn up to a rural location to escape the hustle and bustle of normal corporate life. Diversification is not a new idea look at any successful business and at some time it has had to adapt to stay afloat. Farming is one area in particular that has moved in this direction with successful farm shops, visitor attractions and holiday accommodation to name a few areas of expansion.

Pub Is The Hub is a non profit making organisation, which was initiated by HRH The Prince Of Wales in 2001. The organisation can offer many ideas and schemes for the evolution of a community led scheme to encourage the continuance of pubs in the community. They involve everyone including local authorities, breweries and the local community itself and even cover training and support for publicans.

In another note of positive community involvement I read news today that a social club in Preston has reopened it's doors after a 14 week refurbishment. The social club had suffered over the years and indeed closed in July 2011 due to lack of profits. The club has had a total facelift and is aimed at serving the locality. Featured cask ales and local sports tournaments have been introduced to encourage locals as well as tribute acts and special priced drinks for members. The local community has taken the club into their hearts and member numbers are almost at 600 to date. Again proof that if pubs and clubs are committed to serving the local community it can be a beneficial movement for all.