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Friday, 3rd September 2010

A winning welcome

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Published Date: 23 January 2009
FROM Australians researching their ancestry to the parents of university students in Lancaster and Preston, Little Stubbins Bed and Breakfast in Claughton gets all kinds of visitors.
But no matter who the customer is and how long they are staying, one thing is always certain - that owner Margaret Richardson will offer them the best service she possibly can.
Margaret has only been running her three-bedroom B&B since March 2006, but she has already won several awards including a Highly Commended in Bed and Breakfast Accommodation from the Lancashire and Blackpool Tourist Board and the Wyre Excellence in Tourism 'Warmth of Welcome' award.
She has also been duly recognised for her gardening efforts, winning first prize in the 'best small hotel' category of North West in Bloom.
But despite her hard work, Margaret says the key to a successful rural business is simple.
She said: "You've got to bend over backwards to make everyone feel welcome, and give them that bit extra. Whether they're spending 10 bob or 10 quid, it doesn't really matter. You've got to give value for money and enjoy what you're doing."
Margaret and her husband Mick bought the property on Stubbins Lane in October 1999, when part of the building was still a barn.
Following a 12-month renovation, the couple decided to turn an adjoining field into a five-van caravan park, which proved unexpectedly successful.
Margaret said: "The property had been a huge farm, dating back to 1786. My husband is a builder and we worked nights and weekends and gutted it completely to turn it into a home. It was a lot of work, but it's a lovely house.
"The caravan site really took off after the first year. We went high-spec with a heated toilet and shower block, and made the site adults only which has been a big selling point. Lots of adults like a bit of peace and quiet."
Margaret eventually decided to give up her job as a mobile hairdresser and open the house up to paying customers as well.
She continued: "I was never in the right place at the right time, and I'd always fancied doing bed and breakfast. I love meeting all the different people. Everybody has a story to tell.
"We get an awful lot of foreign visitors - people from Australia, Sri Lanka, North and South America and all over Europe. It always amazes me that they manage to find us.
"I like having people in my house and I haven't had the guest from hell yet but they're bound to come one day!"
Visitors have included a woman from Canada whose maiden name is Catterall, a lady from Australia whose great grandfather was deported to the country from Lancaster Castle prison, and even a group of Buddhist monks.
And Margaret says everybody falls in love with the area, especially Garstang.
She said: "Not everybody wants to stay in the middle of a town, and Garstang is so lovely. My husband and I are both Garstang born and bred and between us we know the area quite well. We always find out what people want to do and point them in the right direction.
"Guests always say how friendly it is in Garstang. It's like stepping back in time."
Being able to explain the local area is just one of the ways that Margaret is able to offer that extra special service. She has extremely high cleaning standards and supports Made in Lancashire, sourcing all her food from local farmers' markets and shops.
She also makes sure that the rooms are fully equipped with anything a visitor might need.
Margaret said: "I try and treat them as a guest, rather than a paying customer. They can use the lounge as much as they want and often on an evening we'll get a glass of wine out and start chatting.
"We accept dogs as well, and not many bed and breakfasts do."
But the most important thing that attracts people to the B&B is the surrounding area, and all the things there are to do in north-west Lancashire.
Margaret continued: "People are quire surprised by how beautiful Lancashire is. There's such a lot to do round here. Everyone rushes past to get to the Lake District and they're not happy unless they are queuing for a coffee, but I think maybe that's the beauty of Lancashire - that we're not as busy.
"The awards I've got show that we are not just attracting new visitors but retaining regulars as well, and I'm very pleased about that."
Although Margaret has been recognised for her hard work and the value for money offered at her bed and breakfast, she still has plans for the future of the business.
Her ultimate aim is to reach a 4* Silver Quality in Tourism standard in her next inspection, and she has also thought about offering guided walking holidays, with picnic lunches and evening meals included.
Margaret added: "People ask if I've ever thought of running a hotel, but I would have to keep staff then and I find it easier to do everything myself.
"I didn't think I would be as busy as I am and it can get a bit hectic sometimes when six people come down for breakfast all at once and everybody wants something different. I never realised how many ways there are to eat egg on toast! You feel like you're juggling balls in the air sometimes, but I love doing it."

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  • Last Updated: 23 January 2009 10:40 AM
  • Source: n/a
  • Location: Garstang
 
 
 

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