The Farmer’s Arms at St Merryn is another Cornish pub within a short distance of Padstow towards Newquay on the coast road. I have not known Mike the current manager for very long, but I do know a great deal about the area.
Local knowledge is a very useful thing when determining a business’s potential and ‘The Farmers’ proximity to the ‘Seven Bays’ is a huge factor in driving in custom during the summer holiday period. Unfortunately, the rest of the year could not depend upon the custom that this very short period benefited from, so that is where we come in.
Much like my discussions with Chris at The Ring O Bells, our preliminary meeting discussed the potential for the business to tap into Social Media and excplore whether a niche could be exploited to drive in new custom.
We drew up the following shortlist:
- The pub had a website already, but it was invisible to the world and Mike was not even sure of the address since it had been set up by a predecessor
- The business was not listed on Google Local listings
- Trade was manic throughout the summer months due to the proximity to the beaches and occupying a main road position on the coast road
- The rooms were amazingly not delivering any return because they were not being advertised
- The restaurant served a variety of carvery meals at very competitive prices
- There was a large function room that could be hired out for Christmas parties etc.
- The pub was attractive and traditional
- There was a huge car parking area large enough for caravans to park in
- There was a games room and pool table
