Tag: covid19

UK B&Bs need Covid help

Posted on by craig
Fair treatment for B&Bs

Over 10,000 B&Bs in the UK have had their business ripped from under them as the virus empties bedrooms across the land. Guests that would have come to stay would not only have enjoyed their unique accommodation but all the other popular tourism services connected to the area. 

The knock on effect of not protecting these most British of establishments ripples out to the wider UK tourism economy. Fair protection is all we ask, give B&Bs equal standing to larger hotels and businesses that benefit from 100% small business rate relief.

Same job deserves the same grant.

Sign the petition to save the British B&B for many memorable holidays to come.

Follow the cause on Twitter (Bed and Breakfast Association @bandbassoc and @eighteen97bandb who tirelessly campaign for help #saveukbnbs)

Write to your MP and Rishi Sunak telling them how the initial grant and newly announced scheme will not be enough to save or B&Bs.

Update: B&Bs are still not being treated equally even after the government announcement on 2nd May which looked like a lifeline to struggling businesses but turns out to exclude 95% of those than need help.

  1. B&Bs are excluded from grants that the same businesses get simply because they pay business rates. (Unfair because many B&Bs legitimately pay council tax not business rates)
  2. Recent (2May) £600 million grant scheme was headlined as helping B&Bs paying council tax but turns out to exclude anyone eligible for self employed income support.
  3. Small B&Bs do exactly the same job as hotels, and larger accommodation businesses just on a more intimate unique scale.
  4. Failure to protect these infrastructure businesses risks ruining many other local businesses dependent on their guests.    

Working hard for you

Posted on by craig
Keeping Busy

So much is beyond the control of accommodation owners in this difficult time. Yet we hear so many inspiring stories of owners using their extra time to help their community while others offer accommodation to key workers or get on with renovations and tidy ups, ready for a return to business.  

We are positive, inspired and continually asking – What can we do to make a difference?

All working

“… the very best customer service…fees are very reasonable. … this family-run company has good morals and ethics.” (Lochinver GH)

You will be pleased to know that freetobook has ALL our customer service staff working from home helping your businesses where and when you need it.

Just as importantly, ALL of our developers are working from home creating the next generation of technology to make freetobook even better value with even more smart functionality.

Pay-as-you-go

“…we only pay for what we use nothing more, what could be fairer? Thank you freetobook for first class caring support.” (Drinkstone Park B&B)

Our unique pay-as-you-go cost structure means that many customers are paying nothing whilst business is low. We have no monthly charges and all costs are optional, so not only are we keeping going at full pace we are also literally sharing the financial pain in these difficult times.  

Offering real, honest value for money service and technology is at the core of any family business. We will never waver from supporting you to grow your accommodation business at the lowest possible cost.

“Changing over was breeze… up & running in a couple of days. … I appreciate not having to pay extortionate monthly fees.” (Foxhills)

“…very satisfied with their amazing service, and much lower costs. …their support, both online and over the phone, is incredible.” (Tyndale Boutique B&B)

New additions coming soon:

Updated hotel style diary with extra functionality, ability to create unit specific smart messages, split billing so guests can share parts of the same bill, new attachment types for smart messages, cobooking for a new way to find and book direct.

“…so easy to set-up, simple to work round and extremely user friendly. … we believe we’ve found the best and couldn’t rate freetobook more highly.” (Birklands GH)

Stay safe and well.

Price freeze since 2012

Posted on by craig

You might not know this but freetobook’s core functionality is exactly the same price as it was in 2012. Yes, we haven’t increased any of our prices ever.

How have we managed to do this? Well, our loyal customer base has grown to over 11,000 businesses world-wide!

Our paid services are optional and pay-as-you-go ensuring you only use what you need, no pressure from us. There are no tie-ins or set monthly costs regardless of your booking volume. You only pay for what you want, all the way from the free service to an all-in one singing and dancing system that does everything but make your morning coffee.

With many accommodation owners facing difficulties as a result of Covid19 you can rest in the knowledge that we are the best value system on the planet.  

Not only that, it just keeps getting better. Over the same period we have continually developed new functionality. It is in our blood to keep improving so almost every week we’re releasing new and better versions of our service, bringing more benefits to our loyal customers.

How do we do it? A key part is the massive savings we’ve made because we’re lucky enough to have customers who are really passionate about us, they’re our sales force. Hence, we don’t need a pushy sales team but instead can rely on recommendations from existing customers. If you’re not with freetobook…. ask someone you know who is!

A price freeze since 2012 with optional low cost services (pay-as-you-go) that are reliable and secure all make for an extremely compelling case to switch to freetobook. Couple this with our family company’s caring service and our 7 pledges of online booking and you’ll know we’re here to help you through these difficult times.

If you’re not with freetobook just register today – get up and running in a couple of hours.