In September this year, we transitioned from being a cosy B&B, famous for its delicious full English breakfasts and generous buffet spreads, to a room-only Guest House. This shift holds great significance for us and I would like to explore the reasons behind this decision and its implications for us and, most importantly, our guests. As with any change, our move to a room-only model comes with its pros and cons, which I will delve into in this blog post.
Let’s start with the good news…
Here at The Chesterfield, we like to look to the future and focus on the positive aspects of our business decisions. There are so many benefits to the room-only journey we’re embarking on…
Positive #1
You get to enjoy the best breakfasts in Torquay!
You get to enjoy the best breakfasts in Torquay!
Hooray! You’re holidaying in the English Riviera so why confine yourself to the same breakfast offerings at a traditional B&B?! Instead, enjoy a leisurely lie-in here at The Chesterfield before setting out to experience all the best places Torquay has to offer! There are lots of fantastic, local eateries and cafes in the area and many of them boast breathtaking views of the marina, harbour and the Bay. Whether you crave a hearty breakfast at The Dock (complete with an exclusive 15% discount during your stay at The Chesterfield), delicious eggs at Otto, or a lighter bite at The Bay (accompanied by a complimentary tea or coffee when you stay with us), the choice is yours!
It’s simple….
Support local businesses.
Live like a local.
Savor the views.
Enjoy our exclusive breakfast deals.
Positive #2
We're enhancing guest experience
Positive #2
We're enhancing guest experience
Our main concern about stopping the breakfast service was the worry that it would impact our ability to engage with our guests. We were reassured, however, by the fact that most of our 2023 bookings have been room-only. Our guests have really embraced the convenience of self-check in; some indeed enjoy a personal welcome but we have found that the majority of our guests prefer a quiet entrance, especially after a long journey. I get it; I am one of those people who does not want to be ambushed as soon as I set foot through the door – even when I’m staying at a B&B! I just want to herd everyone to the room (going to the toilet is probably at the top of the list for the whole family!), unload the suitcases, freshen up and get outside to explore! Going from a B&B to a room-only guest house is a big change though and we know that, for a few of our regulars, the lack of breakfast might be a deal breaker and it saddens us that we may not see them again.
Still, businesses need to adapt if they are to survive and, on a positive note, our guests seem to enjoy the flexibility that room-only brings. We have seen an increase in guests bringing along their furry companions (now we are dog-friendly) and making the most of our new lounge and honesty bar area, which was once the breakfast room. This inviting space has become a place for guests to bond over board games and flick through magazines whilst waiting for their family and friends to get ready. I think it’s loveliest room in the house and it’s my favourite place to sit and tap away at my laptop. So not only do I get to work in here but I get to chat with guests and enjoy a
cup of fresh, hot coffee from the wonderful new Grind pod machine! Happiness all round!
Positive #3
We're taking action for sustainability
We're taking action for sustainability
One of the great things about The Chesterfield is that we’re always looking to make better choices for our business and to be more thoughtful when it comes to the environment. With the breakfast service, we had a pre-order system in place to help curtail waste but there were inevitably times when a substantial amount of food and drink had to be thrown away. Yes, we made efforts to reuse or consume items but it wasn’t always practical; excessive juice and coffee consumption was not appealing for our health plus we’re a family of vegetarians and pescatarians so eating spare rashers of bacon and sausages was a no-go for us! Stopping our breakfast service has seen a marked reduction in both our food and rubbish waste and we no longer have to jump in the car to go to the shops every other day. All in all, this shift is going to play a crucial role in reducing our overall energy consumption; a significant step in our journey towards becoming a greener and more environmentally responsible business.
That's all great stuff, but why have you dropped breakfast?
That's all great stuff, but why have you dropped breakfast?
I did say in my first blog post that I would take you behind the scenes and share both the highs of lows of running a hospitality business. Well, the main reason why we no longer serve breakfast is because we’ve been wrestling with the harsh reality of skyrocketing energy costs. This has been further exacerbated by us being tied into a concerning fixed-rate contract until Spring 2028. Last winter, the financial strain of heating our home stretched our budget and forced us to make tough decisions. Our priority became warming the rooms for our guests, often at the expense of our own comfort, as we turned off our radiators and huddled up with layers and blankets on the sofa. I’m not sharing this for sympathy but to emphasise the challenges that come with running a guest house, especially one in a sizable, old building; I know we are not alone in facing these difficulties.
And this surge in energy costs had a notable impact on our breakfast service. Last year, our hearty full breakfast was priced at £8.50 per person, comprising of a full-cooked English, access to the buffet and unlimited drinks. However, grappling with the rise in both energy costs and food prices, we increased the price to £10. The thing is, the breakfast service uses up a lot of energy; you’re firing up the oven for 2 hours a day and popping on all the radiators in the breakfast room (with its very high ceilings) to make sure it stays warm and toasty for your guests. You’re warming plates, using the dishwasher, boiling the kettle for poached eggs whilst simultaneously scrambling eggs on one gas hob and frying them on another. It quickly adds up and cooking for a full house is almost justifiable; cooking for 2 or 3 people is not – especially when they are at opposite ends of the breakfast run!
As I said earlier though, a significant number of guests booked room-only this year and many either skipped breakfast or grabbed something small whilst out and about. We had no choice but to reevaluate our business model. The truth is, we make very little return on breakfasts and the revenue generated doesn’t come close to the income we get from one of working full time. It was vital for us to ensure the survival of our business and this is why we came to the tough decision to stop breakfast.
The cherry on top...
I thought I’d add this in here just before I hit ‘publish’ to demonstrate what businesses are having to deal with at the moment. We have been completely screwed over by energy companies since we moved into The Chesterfield last February but that awful saga can be saved for another day! Suffice to say, we ended up having to change providers when the market was incredibly volatile; we had very few options open to us and our hands were pretty much tied into accepting a 5-year fixed contract.
How bad are the rates? Well, a few days ago we received a bill for around £830! It was just a gas bill for one month. Now, it’s not usually this high but it became apparent that our energy company had been seriously underestimating our use over the last few months. It was a huge shock. I ended up ringing our energy company and begging them to consider a contract adjustment; to lower our rates even if it meant restarting the 5-year period. They refused on the basis that they’ve already pre-bought the 5 years’ worth of energy at a high rate. I don’t believe that’s true. Anyway, this is the situation that we find ourselves in and we can only hope we can endure these rates for the next few years; it’s not a comfortable place to be but I think we’ll be okay because Dan has returned to his engineering job full time and I have always got teaching to fall back on.
So, there you have it, With businesses being hit with such high bills, it’s not surprising that owners are exploring alternative approaches and trying to find innovative solutions to problems. It’s either that or shut up shop; maybe this is the reason why there’s a flood of new B&B listings on Rightmove in this area. Anyhow, we will try to ride out the storm and see what next year brings; we’re here for our guests and if our decision to stop the breakfast service doesn’t work out then we’ll find another way…
Now excuse me while I go grab a blanket and make a hot drink; I have become the master of not overfilling the kettle!
