The Townhouse in Lymington and the Thomas Tripp in Christchurch win £10,000 bedroom makeover competition run by Camra and Airbnb
TWO local pubs have undergone an accommodation revamp after winning a £10,000 makeover competition.
Pubs across the UK applied to land a transformation on the Airbnb website last year. The three finalists included The Thomas Tripp in Christchurch and The Townhouse in Lymington.
Launched to help pubs deal with the decimating effects of the Covid pandemic and the cost-of-living crisis, the collaboration between Airbnb and real ale campaigner Camra is aimed at helping find other streams of revenue to boost profits.
It seeks to put rooms at pubs into use as Airbnb rentals to help bring extra income for landlords and landladies.
On the judging panel were Culture & Tourism Select Committee chair Dame Caroline Dinenage, Culture & Tourism All Party Parliamentary Group chair Chris Webb, London Standard restaurant critic David Ellis and Camra’s pub and club campaigns director Gary Timmins.
The Townhouse owner Dave King revealed how two “run-down” rooms have been turned into “stunning” bedrooms which are now in demand on Airbnb.
He said: “I’ve worked in the hospitality industry for over two decades and, economically speaking, this January has been the toughest I've faced.
“Pubs need help, we need people to choose local and independent, so as a result of Airbnb’s investment and mentoring, we really hope that people will do just that at The Townhouse. My son is only eight but he wants nothing more than to manage a pub when he’s older and I can’t wait to show him the ropes as we enter what is set to be a busy spring thanks to this renovation.”
The pub now has two contemporary guest suites which boast exposed brick work and “light airy tones”
In Christchurch The Thomas Tripp has turned what was an empty kitchen unit upstairs into a new loft-style bedroom.
Co-owner Dave Burns said: “Like many pubs across the country, the Tripp is an integral pillar of the local community, and has been for generations.
“Whilst the entire industry is feeling the pinch, independents like ourselves have been particularly vulnerable, so Airbnb’s investment into the pub is truly life-changing. Not only do we hope to keep this a place that is special to locals, but now we want to help more unlikely tourists discover the hidden gem that is Christchurch.”
Airbnb’s Luke Impett said: “Pubs are the beating heart of any community and play a vital role in sustaining local economies. We’re proud to support the industry by breathing new life into these three unique, independent pubs that are so loved by their communities, helping them to welcome more guests and ultimately put more cash behind the bar.”
Dame Caroline added: “This initiative is an example of how we can think differently about their dynamic role in supporting local economies and driving sustainable tourism through platforms like Airbnb.”
Mr Timmins said: "We are delighted to see the results of this partnership with Airbnb that has put independent pubs and the value they bring their local community into the spotlight.”
