MA300: BII Licensee of the Year reveals seaside trading tips
Price gave a speech at last week's MA300 conference in Brighton in which he described his strategy for managing the Royal Pier in Aberystwyth, which enjoys an influx of about 8,000 students every year as well as tens of thousands of tourists and sight-seers.
The Royal Pier features a pub, brasserie, nightclub, ice-cream parlour, amusement arcade, snooker and pool hall, pizza shop and the recent addition of a café to replace the once-popular video and DVD store.
While Price said it was impossible to ignore the “dehydrated undergraduates”, local trade was vital to his business and he was determined to deliver for them. That all-embracing appeal is key to differentiating the Royal Pier from the competition, he added.
“It’s imperative that we keep all our plates spinning, maintain our balanced offer and don’t alienate loyal customers,” he said.
“Our offering remains diverse but bears little resemblance to times gone by. Seaside tourism is important but the town could survive without it.”
Plans to develop the pier include a two-tier beer garden, fast-food outlet and restaurant extension, as well as a retractable roof so outdoor areas can be traded all-year round. “I can’t add another pier or business so I must get the most out of what I’ve got,” he added.
Price was named Licensee of the Year at the BII Annual Lunch in May.
