Mainland Britain’s remotest pub boasts good music, good food and good craic – all at one stop. Proprietor Jackie Robertson took on a challenge when, 20 years ago, she took over a quiet pub that could only be accessed by sea or foot. Her secret is a good product marketed well.
“Twitter is fantastic for the pub – it feeds into the website and gives visitors up-to-date information. We have 1300 followers and the other week a group of 16 sailors came to us based on our Twitter page.”
“At the start of the season we also send our menu to all of the local bareback charters, telling them about improvements we’ve made.”
Listening to your visitors
The Old Forge brings in sailing visitors from the tail end of March through to September, and they make an attractive target market.
“Sailors come in under their own steam and they generally travel in groups of six to eight people. I have 12 private moorings so if they’re full, that’s over 70 additional customers.”
Jackie feels the pub’s fantastic reputation is a result of listening to their market and always trying to give visitors what they want.
“We have a VHF radio at the bar so sailors can call ahead to book a table. We also have a shower, facility to dry clothes and water for the boats. We help with rubbish and recycling where we can. I base our service on what I would look for myself if I were landing by dinghy.”