A FLINTSHIRE bed and breakfast turned to the great outdoors in order to adapt during the covid-19 pandemic.

Like many other businesses, Hope Mountain B&B in Cymau near Llanfynydd was hit hard by the effects of the coronavirus restrictions.

The venue was forced to close overnight and, at the time, had been catering for trainee paramedics from Dobshill who were set to stay for a period of 6 weeks.

Jo Smith, who has run the B&B with husband Rob since 2007, says they 'lost a lot of trade' during the pandemic, particularly at the start.

She added: "We have people who come here from England and from all over the world too, so it was very difficult. We were told to get the paramedics we had staying just before the first lockdown in March 2020 out of here as soon as possible.

"The confusion between different regulations in Wales and England also caused problems. People were saying 'well we'll just go to Chester' as we're only 20 minutes or so away."

Hope Mountain B&B was closed for a period of around 10 weeks after the initial lockdown in March 2020.

Jo says she knew she had to do something to keep it running and to "compliment" the venue during lockdown.

So, she turned to the great outdoors as restrictions were more lenient when it came to people gathering out in the fresh air.

The Leader:

PIC: Paintings from a Hope Mountain B&B painting sessioon.

Jo said: "We initially held a painting session and thankfully the weather was fantastic on the day. Since then, we have hosted Canicross sessions with Your Fitness Buddy and even had people make their own pizzas outdoors.

"With some uncertainty still regarding the restrictions, we are continuing to do this now and will be hosting our first painting session of the year in February, as well as a further dog first aid session in April.

"Further on in the year, we want to host vegan cookery demonstrations, as well as hands-on cookery classes both one-to-one and with families. We want to promote healthy eating here as much as possible.

"We just wanted to put these sessions on during the period of restrictions so that guests continue to come here and we hope that the courses will bring people back and make them remember us.

"Above all, we want people to comfortable with what we are doing in regards to the Covid restrictions and show that we are being compliant with the rules."

Jo has also been chair of the Flintshire Tourism Association for the last 5 years, working to promote all that is great about the region and its businesses.

The FTA will be re-launching through a virtual Microsoft Teams session at the end of this month before a face-to-face session is held, Covid permitting, at the Beaufort Park Hotel in Mold in March.

For further information on Hope Mountain B&B and its activities, visit: www.hopemountainbandb.co.uk