West Country

Harbour Inn

Porthleven, Cornwall

When Paul and Ellie Pitt took over the Harbour Inn two-and-a-half years ago, the St Austell Brewery managed house wasn't

realising its full potential. Paul explains: "It was a venue for rock bands and was 'run' by a bunch of locals."

He says the food on offer was the freezer-to-microwave variety, which together with rock music thumping away in the bar, wasn't overly inviting to guests staying in the 11 letting bedrooms on the upper floors. Paul and Ellie's business plan centred on changing the Harbour Inn's image away from being a head bangers' pub into one that was inviting for all members of the community.

Embracing the locals

Slowly, the bands and their followers moved to new venues. The food was changed to the home-cooked variety and a different set of clientele soon started patronising the inn. The couple also set about reinforcing the pub's links with the local community via fundraising events. Last year, Porthleven primary school benefited with £1,400 worth of new computer equipment. The Harbour sponsors the annual gig boat race and fishing competition, and runs two darts and two pool teams as well as holding regular quiz and race nights.

Breaking the £1m barrier

Paul says the changes have resulted in the Harbour catering for a wide mix of customers. Last year, these changes were rewarded by turnover breaking through the £1m mark with wet sales up 12% and food sales

up by 20%.

St Austell has also invested in upgrading the letting bedrooms from two-star to a four-star rating. "The rooms were so popular we had to turn people away in the summer," says Paul. Work on adding four new bedrooms is scheduled to start in 2007 and Paul adds: "They are already completely booked for the summer months."

On the look-out

In spite of achieving much, Paul and Ellie are always looking for new ideas to drive the business forward.

Paul comments: "Our latest idea is a regular cocktail night, following on from our cocktail promotions in the summer."