Archive - Originally posted on "The Horse's Mouth" - 2011-05-29 09:37:23 - Graham Ellis
All the pieces of the jigsaw are coming together today and Well House Manor opens for coffees and croissants, and strawberry cream teas, in just over an hour. Everything seems to have come together well - the menu was planned several weeks ago and supplies ordered and everything has been taking shape. In our absence last week, Rachel, Sarah and Heather have taken on the last minute issues such as ordering and receiving fresh produce and having standby plans in case we get a mad rush - such is my respect and trust in the team that I'm quite happy to be opening even 2 days after I'm back from the USA, and such is my confidence this morning that I've got a few minutes to write about it. Of course, it could turn out to be the lull before the storm, and it could turn out at the dress rehearsal that there's something big we've all overlooked. I'll come back and let you know how it goes.
When you add a new facet to a venture such of ours, it's surprising what extras can get added in - things you hadn't thought of. We tend not to do things "by halves" as you'll have noticed from the menus above, and we've also taken the plunge and bought ourselves a full function cash till. Yesterday, Lisa and I spend quite some time getting to know the beast and programming it to make it quick and easy to tally up bills, and to be able to provide - as a matter of course - clear receipts that provide the VAT information, and a short marketing message too.
* Well House Manor, Melksham - [link]
* Hotel accommodation - every night of the year - checking from early afternoon until late
* Coffee in the library, Cream Teas in the garden - 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily through the summer
All the pieces of the jigsaw are coming together today and Well House Manor opens for coffees and croissants, and strawberry cream teas, in just over an hour. Everything seems to have come together well - the menu was planned several weeks ago and supplies ordered and everything has been taking shape. In our absence last week, Rachel, Sarah and Heather have taken on the last minute issues such as ordering and receiving fresh produce and having standby plans in case we get a mad rush - such is my respect and trust in the team that I'm quite happy to be opening even 2 days after I'm back from the USA, and such is my confidence this morning that I've got a few minutes to write about it. Of course, it could turn out to be the lull before the storm, and it could turn out at the dress rehearsal that there's something big we've all overlooked. I'll come back and let you know how it goes.
When you add a new facet to a venture such of ours, it's surprising what extras can get added in - things you hadn't thought of. We tend not to do things "by halves" as you'll have noticed from the menus above, and we've also taken the plunge and bought ourselves a full function cash till. Yesterday, Lisa and I spend quite some time getting to know the beast and programming it to make it quick and easy to tally up bills, and to be able to provide - as a matter of course - clear receipts that provide the VAT information, and a short marketing message too.