New private members gentlemens club perth

[Adventurelife]

Originally Posted by Colin In Perth

Perth does have Hostels for the Homeless which really just doss houses for down and outs. We certainly wouldn't get into that. But for Tourists/Backpackers that is a very good suggestion. For tourists, apart from the coastal roads there is is no other way to the Highlands other than through Perth. It is one advantage that Perth has over most Scottish Towns and Cities is that it is perfectly placed on the road network. Assuming that the kind of Tourists who use Hostels do not do their entire holiday on foot, I guess they must use buses and trains at some point. I myself was a member of the Youth Hostel Association years ago, when I did holidaying in Scotland. As far as I know, like you say, there is none of those type of Hostels in this area.

Hi Colin

The youth hostel association is struggling. It's city center ones do very well and a few more but they all have to support all the ones that make massive losses. They are currently consolidating and selling off a lot.

They also did not see the growth of the private owned hostel coming along. These are much higher quality and being run by owner operators gives the clients a better experience.

I alone place over 6000 bed nights in hostels around Scotland and I am only a very small player. Perth as you say is in a strategic position but a lot of the companies who control a lot of the market drive straight past Perth on route for the highlands. I would suggest that you speak to people like Rabbies Tours. Haggis Tours etc if you did think this was a route worth exploring.

Peter

[Colin In Perth]

Thanks. Your reply has been the most helpful so far. And very encouraging. Encouragement is so much more helpful than just plain critisism. The help really is useful because you are obviously already in that market and being very successful at it, by the sound of it. Our building is located very close to the Train and Bus station and with the right kind of promoting and advertising such as through you kind of business we could make a success of it. Like I said I was a Youth Hostel user back in the 90s. I remember the grade 3 hostels were just rough bunks, in shed like buildings and I had to do a job before going, like mop the floor. That was all part of the fun to me, but I don't suppose many would agree. The grade 2 and grade 1 were better of course. I would need to find out just what a modern day private Hostel looks like and to what standard one has to be equipped. What are the required services and staffing levels etc. The Gentlemens Club to me is a nice idea and something I have a lot of interest in, but realistically I can't see a big enough customer base to profit. One thing Perth does have a lot of is passing through Tourists. True than most will rush through heading to the Highlands, but those who come up from south England usually find Perth is about as far as they get on the first day. If you have any advise regarding the requirements please let me know. The more info the better.

[Adventurelife]

Colin

Here is some examples of the quality ones I use in Perthshire.

thebunkhouse

Adventurers Escape

Culdees

This one is not on my patch but it is good Comrie Croft

From a business perspective you need high occupancy rates to make these pay well. The price per person per night is low so it is all about having bums in beds on a very very regular basis. A lot of the ones who are making real money combine the hostel with another business and you create multiply income streams.

Ideas of top of head

Guided tours of Perth
Bike Tours of Perth
River Tours on the Tay
Tap into the new concert hall it is getting big name bands on a more and more regular basis and tickets can be expensive so people may want a cheap bed when they are in town.
Perth is hosting more and more conferences each year. With these you could get whole hostel bookings. Not suitable for every type of conference but will work for some.
Scone palace tours
Perth Race course packages

I could go on but you will get the idea

peter

[cleaningbiz]

Hi Colin, I am female so I hope you don't mind my input! I am originally from the Perth area so still have lots of family and friends there. I personally don't know anyone who lives there that I think would use it.

I think if you are aiming at businessmen you should perhaps call it something else other that gentlemans club (that name conjures up all different images in my head! And I think its a bit old fashioned for this day and age) Bringing the words Businessmen into the name would be better and you could then contact thousand of businesses in the UK that travel to Perth promoting it. Just a thought, good luck.

[Colin In Perth]

Certainly don't mind input from a lady. The opinions of gentlemens clubs do vary widely amongst women. Some finding the concept sexist, while others realizing that both sexes do need some time apart. Private Ladies clubs I would be all for. There already are women only organisations and set ups whether that be something like a 'Womens Guild', A 'Ladies Coffee Morning' or even an 'Ann Summers Party'.The word Gentlemen nowadays can be regarded as just a name and no more. Being respectable Mr Average will be quite good enough. For sure the old style Gentlemens club, catering for Sirs and Lords and celebs would fail overnight in Perth. We hope to be a lot more diversive than that. Bed and Breakfast, offering a more intimate and cosey environment than the travellers lodge/ holiday inn express style hospitality. Rooms for small business meetings and conferences would be catered for. Facilities to make a stay interesting, whether that be for a member who returns regularly to drop or whether that be a visitor to Perth who may not come back very often.