Absolute Pubs founder Simon Bailey is appearing on Channel 4’s ‘Four in a Bed’ programme all this week, as the Flower Pot Hotel in Sunbury competes against three other B&B and hotel operators.
Bailey and Pierre Cudon, general manager at the Flower Pot, are shown hosting guests to the Flower Pot for an overnight stay with dinner. As required by the show format, Bailey and Cudon visited the three guesthouses and hotels run by the other contestants on the programme, before the final ‘payment day’ episode where everyone pays what they consider fair for their stay.
“When the programme makers approached us, our initial response was to politely decline the offer,” said Bailey. “But when we thought about it, we realised it was a great opportunity, not just to generate some publicity for the Flower Pot, but also to benchmark our standards. We run a mystery customer programme at all our pubs. To receive detailed feedback from three other operators adds a different dimension, which we found invaluable.”
Bailey says filming was ‘hugely enjoyable’ and that all the contestants were genuinely trying to help each other to improve. He says, “The final edit presents a more entertaining version of events, but what matters is that we gained some great feedback and advice, and learned from other hoteliers. It was a valuable experience and I’d recommend it to any operator.”
Absolute Pubs sites
- The Kings Arms Hotel, Hampton Court: Absolute Pubs’ first site, in August 2008. Traditional, 300-year-old pub perched at the Liongate of Hampton Court Palace. Function room and 10 bedrooms.
- The Bell Inn, Hampton: Thameside gastropub, refurbished in 2010 when Absolute Pubs took on the pub. Function room with river views hosts regular events including comedy nights.
- Waggon & Horses, Surbiton: an Absolute Pub since August 2011, completely refurbished in October of same year. Food sales have increased by 10-fold since reopening.
- The Flower Pot, Lower Sunbury: opened as an Absolute Pub in August 2012. Sited near the Thames, with eight en-suite rooms.