Restaurant launches online cookery school after upskilling with DigitalBoost | Business Gateway

About the business

The Inn at Kippen is a traditional village inn based in Forth Valley with accommodation available in the village of Kippen. It was taken over by partners Paul Smith and Laura Carey in November 2019.

When lockdown was introduced, we knew we had to quickly find a way to utilise online channels to reach customers to survive. Fortunately, we had already worked on our digital strategy, with help from Business Gateway and the DigitalBoost programme, and this meant we were in a strong position and confident in our ability to get the most out of our online platforms.

How Business Gateway has helped

Prior to the pandemic, Paul and Laura engaged with Business Gateway and identified that the business would benefit from a digital marketing strategy. They were able to access 1:1 support through DigitalBoost and were introduced to a local expert who reviewed and updated the Inn at Kippen website and provided guidance on using social media platforms.

After lockdown was introduced, Paul and Laura used this knowledge to launch an online cookery school via Facebook Live. They delivered an average of 65 packs a week to customers, with thousands of people watching the demonstration online where Paul showed viewers how to cook and plate a restaurant quality meal.

Alongside this, they also introduced a takeaway service, ‘Inn the Hoose’, a five-course tasting menu promoted through Facebook.

Paul Smith, Head Chef and Owner at Inn at Kippen said: “When lockdown was introduced, we knew we had to quickly find a way to utilise online channels to reach customers to survive. Fortunately, we had already worked on our digital strategy, with help from Business Gateway and the DigitalBoost programme, and this meant we were in a strong position and confident in our ability to get the most out of our online platforms.”