Airbnb has partnered with CAMRA to renovate disused rooms above three independent, rural pubs in Dorset, Hampshire and Derbyshire.
Almost a quarter of Airbnb guests want to explore more of the UK. New guest rooms will allow these pubs to welcome visitors, diversifying their income streams, as well as boosting the local economy and community.
With a 6.7% increase in pub closures — particularly in the South West and East Midlands where 37 pubs shut down last year — the partnership to refurbish and list out rooms in these pubs is extremely timely, say Airbnb and CAMRA.
The three pubs now join a cohort of more than 350 British watering holes already listed on Airbnb. They are:
- The Thomas Tripp, in Christchurch;
- The Townhouse, Lymngton; and
- The Swan Inn, Milton.
“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,” said Gary Timmins, pub and club campaigns director at CAMRA.
“The addition of such striking guest rooms not only helps, through investment, into preserving the use of these important community landmarks as working pubs, but also enriches the UK’s hospitality landscape by offering locals and visitors alike distinctive and immersive experiences.”
The winning pubs were selected by a panel of judges including: Dame Caroline Dinenage, chair of the Culture, Media, and Sport select committee; Chris Webb MP, chair of the Hospitality and Tourism All-Party Parliamentary Group; and Gary Timmins.
