MP celebrates the South Downs’ Bed & Breakfasts

Arundel & South Downs MP Nick Herbert visited The Five Bells Inn in West Chiltington to highlight National B&B week (18-24 March).

Bill and Joan Edwards, owners of The Five Bells Inn, welcomed the MP to their traditional pub where they have five en-suite guest rooms for visitors to the South Downs. 

Past guests at The Five Bells Inn have described it as ‘comfortable’, ‘warm’ and ‘great breakfasts’.  A good home-cooked full English breakfast is the staple offering of most B&Bs.

There are over 25,000 B&Bs, guesthouses and small family-run hotels in the UK.  They represent a turnover of more than £2 billion a year. 

In the South Downs, the visitor economy continues to be an important part of the income into the area, making up 10 per cent of the National Park’s businesses including food and beverage, arts and entertainment, and recreation.

Michael Ellis MP, Minister of Tourism, said: “Our B&Bs are world-class.  Four of TripAdvisor’s top five B&Bs in the world are in Britain and this is something that we want to capitalise on.  Britain is open for business and National B&B Week is a great opportunity for us to showcase this dynamic sector.  I hope we can encourage even more people to support British tourism and experience the superb places on offer all across the nation.”

Mr Herbert said: “It was a pleasure to meet Bill and Joan Edwards who provide such a warm welcome to their guests.  The villages in and around the South Downs offer a wonderful variety of accommodation, and the traditional B&B is always a popular choice, not least for the promise of a good old English fry-up in the morning.  I am pleased to highlight the wonderful places to stay here as part of National B&B week.”

ENDS

Notes  

1.     Photograph: Left to right Joan and Bill Edwards with Nick Herbert.

2.     To read more about National B&B Week, promoted by the Bed & Breakfast Association, see www.BandBAssociation.org.