We felt research was key, although a hard job, having to go to loads of different bars, seeing what they were doing, what their customer base was, what tapas they had, what their beer and wine tasted like !!! What a pain ! Such a hard job but someone had to do it !
We spent from the time we first decided to go for the bar until the day we closed, using every opportunity to learn, what worked and what didn't.
One of the key points were children, every bar we went in had customers with children. What was the main out point, the kids were bored ! Okay, a plan, we already had a park behind the bar, fantastic, great start ! But what about the small kids who's parents would need to keep an eye on them or if it was raining !
Kids corner ! This idea came from a restaurant in an airport, soft play area. Happy kids, happy parents = more sales, because the parents aren't being bothered to leave.
Another bonus was that we had two very social able little girls who now where fluent in English and Spanish ready to play !
We set up a tv with videos and a carpenter friend gave me some off cuts of wood that his children used as building blocks. All aged kids love to build !
We set up a table, put plastic draw system with art material from home next to it, colouring books, crafty stuff. Books !
We really needed a sofa, which came along a bit later, to begin with chairs would have to do !
Then we really lucked out, we saw a bouncy castle for sale, we had the outdoor space, when the pool was closed, so why not ! It was an amazing price and became worth its weight in gold ! Kids wanted to come to the bar to bounce and what did the parents do spend, it worked like a dream and led to birthday party's, which I tell you all about later !!
We would be the only English run bar for about 25kms each way, we needed to make ourselves standout, but include the traditional Spanish culture.
What are the things we see in most bars that we didn't like ?
Problem Solution
------- --------
Tv on Tv on with sport and no sound (unless big game) music playing
Not being acknowledged. Greet everyone, even if busy, make sure they know, you know
they are waiting !
Slow service, talking not
Serving. Politely apologise for break in conversation, serve new
customer and return to conversation.
Things we did like about other bars ?
Being greeted
Good tapas
Staff wanting to talk to us
Staff talking to our kids
Staff ready to serve us, when we wanted something
These turned into the base of our business, keep the customer happy whenever possible, of course can't keep everyone happy all the time, as you will see as my blog continues. Some people will just never be happy even if you walk hot coals for them !
These decisions happened before we opened the door and to the best of our ability we kept to those key commitments until that last day and the teary farewell to our final customer!
Sorry I got side lined, you will hear about the Grand Opening I promise ! I am loving writing this blog, but as I didn't keep notes, think of things a little out sequence.
Thank you for your support and all your comments.