Making hay (and rubbish) while the sun shines
We have signed up our new wines and spirits supplier, Matthew Clark, and are particularly looking forward to the training back-up the company has promised us.
On the subject of tendering, a company offered to tender for our waste disposal (we spend about £20,000 a year on skips alone). Although our existing service provider provides a highly professional service at a good price, we are not a closed shop to new suppliers and my view is that most should get a crack of the whip. On this occasion, however, the tender came in at a price that was 25% higher than our existing contractor.
The traditional summer holidays have finished and we are now entering the conference season, coupled with the short-break market. Revenue for the company is 2.5% up on last year, which puts us behind budget, so emphasis is being put on sales and marketing, capably led by group sales and marketing manager Alison Dalton.
We have also embarked on some research, with a view to developing our self-catering arm. However, the response from our customer survey is proving inconclusive - it seems we should not be doing anything radically different.
It seems the demand is for a wide selection of options, be it one, two or three bedrooms, some or all en suite. Some want to bring their dogs, other don't want dogs and some ask for kennels.
The next stage is to reconsider plans by architect James Denholm Partnership, to find the best way forward.
The ramifications of the recent disaster in America have yet to hit home in our business. Thankfully, over the past few years we have been making hay while the sun has shone - we could halt most of our capital expenditure and still be proud of our product.
One recent refurbishment to be proud of is our Victorian Pool, which is for adults only - in other words, peace and quiet. It is proving to be a great hit with guests and leisure club members alike.
Finally, I have completed the practical examination of Yachtmaster, making me a qualified sailor.
In addition, my application to become a chartered director has been successful, which means we have two chartered directors on our board, plus Martin Pedler, a non-executive director. I believe we are the only board in Britain to have this combined qualification.
STEPHEN LECKIE is managing director of the Crieff Hydro leisure hotel in Crieff, Perthshire Next diary from Stephen Leckie: 1 November
