ACCOMMODATION OWNERS Dartmouth at work
It’s the busiest time of year for Dartmouth’s accommodation busi- nesses. Non-stop bed making, hoovering and dusting (not to men- tion the breakfasts with hundreds of sausages being cooked every morning across the town!) Staff are working flat out in the town’s B&Bs, self-catering apartments and hotels. Steph Woolvin had a chat with three owners and found out how things have changed over the past 20 years and how they have had to adapt...
Alison Johnston - CAPRITIA B&B When did this all begin?
My husband, Ken, took over Capritia in 1989 then I came on the scene a bit lat- er and we re-vamped the place, added en suites and re-opened in 2002.
How many rooms have you got? Three.
How did the name come about?
It was a B&B before Ken took over and the name is an anagram of a previous owner, Patricia.
What three things does a B&B owner need to be?
Sociable, flexible and professional. What is a Capritia breakfast like?
Beautiful! We get so many great comments about our fry up. It’s all local ingredients. We have an open plan kitchen and dining room so it’s easy to cook and chat to the guests at the same time. I love getting to know everyone! We often take our breakfast out and sit with them.
Which nationalities come through the door?
We’ve had people from New Zealand, Australia, France, all over really. The Germans rarely want a sausage with breakfast. I wonder if they think British sausages are a bit weird compared to theirs!
How have things changed over the 17 years you’ve been involved in the business?
The marketing side of things has changed dramatically. When I first started, the doorbell rang all the time. Now 95% of bookings come
from our website. I think things are quieter than say 10 years ago, because a lot more people are going down the self-catering route, and of course there are businesses like Airbnb which are very successful. But I think there will always be peo- ple who like a traditional B&B with a proper English breakfast!
Is it hard competing with Airbnb?
Yes, because anyone can go on there and offer a room in their house cheaply and without having to comply with all the safety checks that we do as a traditional B&B. But so many holidaymakers now check the Airbnb site first - I think we will have to join at some point.
Do you make friends through the B&B?
Yes, we have many returning guests who we have come to know and often go out with when they are here. One couple, Penny and Nige, come every year and bring presents for us and our son Sam.
Any job lows?
One night stays aren’t the best; especially if you get a few at the same time - that means a lot of washing and cleaning!
Is the job part B&B owner, part tourist information officer?!
It can be. I realise I know a lot more about the town than I think when I start talking to people! They want to know the times of ferries, the price of the steam train, where is the best
place to eat. A lot of people will look it up on their phone but there are still those who like a personal recommendation.
Do you have to get up early?
I have to get my 12-year-old son ready for school so I’m up in good time anyway. We are quite relaxed with breakfast times but roughly stick to 8.30-9.30am.
This is your family home – what’s it like constantly living with your guests?
It doesn’t bother me in the slightest. I grew up in a hotel in Swanage in Dorset so I’m used to being around people. We have our own private area, which we lock. In all the years we’ve been doing this we haven’t had any trouble.
What would you do if you didn’t have to work?
I used to draw quite a bit but haven’t for years. I think in an ideal world I would have a house right by the sea and draw all day long!
What couldn’t you live without? Tea and the odd Pina Colada!
How do you relax?
I’ve usually finished my jobs by lunchtime so I pop into town, take my son to the beach, go for a swim with friends, or stroll up to Gallants Bower. On sunny evenings Ken and I like to sit out the front with a G&T and read, we usually end up chatting with people passing by.
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