Living near Heathrow, I always feel sorry when I hear the stories of holidaymakers stranded at the airport, whether due to poor weather or strikes. I’ve often wondered if I could do anything to help – but really where would you start? Also, I know that some of the Olympic events are going to be close by my area next year, and I wondered if I could capitalise on that – but again, how exactly do you go about it?
Now, with the aid of a friend of mine, I may have found the answer.
Annabella Forbes has set up Bed and Fed, an innovative website, which allows anyone with a spare bedroom in their house the possibility to run a small business, offering bed and breakfast accommodation
Becoming a Bed&Fed Host is easy: you earn money by sharing the comforts of your house, flat, cottage or castle, by charging anything you like per person per night and ensuring that your guests are fed that evening with whatever supper you had already planned, have a good night’s sleep and a simple breakfast of cereals and toast.
For a small annual membership fee you receive a profile on the website (you become a member of the Bed&Fed Community) with everything you’d expect including, amongst other things, a map where you can mark yourself should you wish to be located on the soon-to-be-released Bed&Fed iphone App. Your business can be as big or small as you want it to be, with Bed&Fed behind you.
The reviews given by guests for this type of homemade hospitality, have been fantastic. But what do the hosts themselves really think? A comment left on Bed&Fed’s Facebook page speaks volumes: “We had a lovely B&F guest to stay last night. Very chatty and fun - and he brought a lovely bottle of wine with him. He was very complimentary about the comfortable bed, our home, the supper and loved playing with our dog. Perfect guest.“
Bed&Fed has survived its first year of business when 99% of start-ups are laid to rest. Why? Perhaps Bed&Fed’s success comes from its personal approach to business, expelling corporate methods in favour of friendliness and interaction with its database of hosts. Belonging to the Bed&Fed Community is fun: a cookbook of ‘Bed&Fed Recipes’ is in the pipeline, the ‘ChiefChick’ (Annabella herself) blogs and tweets , the website has animated videos and a even a catchy jingle. In short - it has spirit.
As part of their 1st Birthday Celebrations, every new host will automatically receive an eligibility to discounts at various food companies and a £40 wine voucher. Plus, this year there is a chance of winning the much coveted ‘Hostess with the Mostess’ award – now who wouldn’t want that on their mantlepiece!
Bed&Fed is now recruiting and new hosts will receive ‘15 months membership for the price of 12. There is a video showing how to sign up – please mention Motivating Mum when they ask how you heard of Bed and Fed.
