Hoteliers benefit from Freshstart

Operation Freshstart, an initiative to help would-be hoteliers in the West Country, has proved so successful that the scheme is being exported to other areas of the country.

Both the South East Tourist Board and the North West Tourist Board have expressed an interest in taking on the scheme, which is also designed to help recent entrants into the industry.

In the West Country, a total of 130 people have attended either a seminar or workshop, as a direct result of which 10 have bought a property.

"We've found that many people setting up a business in the tourist industry didn't come in with either experience or training," said Gina Woodcraft, a tourism consultant at the West Country Tourist Board.

"The aim of the scheme has been to make a stronger and more professional industry," she added.

The three-phase scheme was set up by the West Country Tourist Board in 1993 with sponsorship from National Westminster Bank, Devon & Cornwall TEC and Bishop Fleming chartered accountants.

The first phase was the distribution of an advice and information pack outlining the steps to taking on a guesthouse.

People were then asked to register for a day-long seminar, where they could meet and be advised by professionals such as property agents and accountants.

The final phase was a review workshop, again a day long, to identify areas for improvement in the business once it had started. Professional experts were on hand to advise.

Each phase was stand alone and participants could attend whichever suited them.

Nigel Stringer, who bought the 15-bedroom Oldway Links Hotel in Paignton, Devon, after attending a workshop in April, said: "People without experience can lose a lot of money on stupid things. On the course we gained from each other's experience."