The Business Exchange Bath & Somerset Issue 13: Autumn 2019 | Page 38

CORPORATE HOSPITALITY
Why hospitality makes perfect business sense
People want to do business with people or businesses that they like, feel connected to and have a
relationship with. Retention is considerably cheaper than going after new customers, after all.
A popular way to build relationships and
make clients feel valued is by treating them
to hospitality.
Almost all racecourses offer hospitality at
varying levels but after a multi-million-pound
redevelopment in 2016, including a complete
refurbishment of the track’s nine Executive
Suites and brand-new restaurant – Bath
Racecourse is now one of the South-West’s
leading hospitality venues.
We spoke to Executive Director, Jo Hall,
to find out a bit more about why hospitality
at Bath Racecourse offers exceptional value
for money and unique opportunities for your
business.
What are the benefits of entertaining
clients or prospects?
When do you get the chance to really talk
to the people you’re doing business with?
Hospitality gives you the perfect platform
to develop those all-important long-lasting
relationships with your clients, which,
ultimately, means they are more likely to
continue doing business with you.
What can people expect from
hospitality at the races?
First-class facilities, delicious food and
a thrilling atmosphere! Hospitality at the
races really can’t be beaten; it’s a great
day. Unlike other sports, there are lots of
opportunities for conversation, as each of the
six or seven races last a few minutes, unlike
football or rugby matches where there’s
only a 15-minute interval at half time. For
me, hospitality at the races also appeals to a
really broad range of people.
Why choose hospitality at Bath Racecourse?
Not only do we have superb facilities, we
have a variety of different options depending
on whether you’d like to entertain a smaller
group with fine dining in the Royal Crescent
Restaurant or take one of our executive
suites that offer more privacy. Our packages
range from relaxed summer buffets up to
champagne and canape receptions, three-
course meals and all-inclusive bars, so we
can really tailor the event to the business’s
needs.
How much can I expect to pay?
Less than many other forms of advertising! A
table in the Royal Crescent Restaurant starts
at £63 (+ VAT) per person and our private
Executive Suites start at £80 (+VAT) per
person. If you have high-value clients then I
think the ROI is very easily justified.
Bath Racecourse’s season runs from
April to October and includes a variety
of fixtures across weekdays, evenings
and weekends. The 2019 season
finishes on Wednesday 16th October.
With several racing fixtures taking
place before the season finishes or to
discuss an event in 2020, contact the
hospitality team on 01225 424609 or
visit: www.bath-racecourse.co.uk
How to plan the perfect Christmas
party with Bath Spa Hotel
What do Christmas and employee satisfaction have in common?
No, it’s not a joke from a cracker, it’s a serious question!
A well-planned end of year party is
incredibly important if you want to build
staff morale, celebrate success and show
appreciation for the hard work your team
has put in over the past 12 months.
In fact, highly engaged teams are
proven to show a 21 per cent increase in
greater profitability. Companies who put
employee engagement at the heart of
their business will find that workers are
more motivated, going beyond the call
of duty to contribute ideas, provide great
customer service and win new sales.
So, how do you plan a great Christmas
party that ticks all the boxes? The first
step is to get started now! It’s the season
to be jolly, but it’ll come around faster
than you think, and many places are
already taking bookings. Securing that
all-important venue to give your night a
magical feel needs to be a top priority.
To find a venue with a wow factor, do
your research thoroughly and consider
38
THE BUSINESS EXCHANGE 2019
visiting a shortlist of choices. When you
walk through the door, you’ll immediately
get a feel for the atmosphere, you’ll have
the chance to view each of the small
details that make places extra special and
experience the level of customer service.
A Christmas party only happens once a
year, so this is your chance to spoil staff
by choosing somewhere able to offer a
truly festive experience. Think prosecco,
delicious food, beautifully crafted
decorations and a dance floor where they
can let their hair down by strutting to the
latest tracks and old school anthems.
It goes without saying that we’ve
worked extensively on our Christmas
offering to provide businesses with
an exciting party package. You won’t
be disappointed by our menu. From
succulent roast turkey and pan-fried
fillet, to caramelised toffee apple tart,
we’re offering a mouth-watering range of
different options.
Above all, this is an opportunity for
your staff to relax, to step away from the
office and get to know each other better
in an enjoyable, memorable setting. We
think our stunning Georgian property,
set in extensive grounds, will give you the
perfect backdrop, as well as the chance to
say thank you to a truly valued team.
01225 444424