Spikes have been rising and we are about to see more events getting canceled. Maybe this was an easy prediction to forecast. The biggest event of the year is struggling for breath and there is despondency in the air as people cancel their big nights out. This is a great shame for venues, as they rely on this revenue to get them through the next two months. Remember we cannot postpone, New Year’s Eve. Once it is over, it is over.
Colds and Covid infections push a lot of us back to bed, but for those of us left looking out of the window and wondering ‘what next?’ Remember; January and February are completely different stories. There is work to be done if we need to KEEP CALM AND CARRY ON
I once read that February is the most common month for suicides. The party is over. (What party?) The comedown from celebrations started two years ago. Oops, now I am preaching doom and gloom. Tut! Tut! I need to keep motivated.
At my local restaurant, Casa Claudia’s, in the Jalon Valley, Costa Blanca, we have done a variety of events, including Cookery displays, Salad Chats, Spanish lessons, Art Classes, Talks on essential oils, Camino walks, and conversation groups.
In July we had a Latin American Night and recently a Clothes Swap Party to help the environment. Without a doubt, our most successful event was a Five-Day Walking Challenge in September to launch a new healthy breakfast on the menu. This developed into a regular Walkers Breakfast Group and a further 160 extra breakfasts sold. The group is now planning extra activities which should bring more people together.
The events started off smaller in size because of restrictions but we achieved our objective. To get people to feel alive, socialize, and realize there is more to life than a persistent pandemic.
Events work, creating communities that enable each other to develop new friendships is positive action. Over time the businesses will benefit.
Sitting back and waiting for new customers never works. It takes effort to bring people through the door. This has always been about keeping our places of community open in the face of some of the hardest challenges they have ever had to work through.
Social media has been most effective at keeping customers informed. Using Facebook, Whatsapp and Instagram have helped reach a much wider audience of potential customers and we have seen the difference in the footfall. Customers feel more involved and that creates a better atmosphere. Business is hard and in the hospitality industry it can be highly competitive. It is an industry that relies heavily on labour. If somebody gets sick, someone else usually has to do double the work. Most restaurant owners do not have the time to run a social media page but it is essential now if they want to stay in the game. They use it to advertise special offers, menus, and events. It is also will help to keep their customers loyal and involved.
So just so you know, plans are in the making, regardless of last minute changes. I remain positive. Love to hear from you if you have any ideas for events that you would be willing to share.
HAPPY NEW YEAR to you all.
A
