Conwy B&B has surge in bookings after appearing on Channel 4 show Four in a Bed

Johnny Dough’s, which has six rooms attached to its restaurant on Rose Hill Street, was among the four B&Bs from Abersoch, Nottinghamshire and the Peak District to take part in the latest week-long series of the Channel 4 show. It sees B&B owners stay at each other’s businesses and provide a rating in areas such as hosting ability, cleanliness, breakfast and sleep.

During the second episode, which aired on Tuesday, April 6, Morgan Austin, owner of Johnny Dough’s in Conwy and Llandudno, welcomed guests who were pleasantly surprised by their rooms with views of the 13th century Conwy Castle and quaint Conwy Quay.

Mr Austin welcomes Peak District B&B owner Kadir. Picture: Channel 4/screenshot

They were also delighted with their “quality” English breakfast, while one complained that their bacon and sausage were not cooked to crisp, while their beans were not served in a separate pot.

Mr Austin, 43, said: “It was not a bad experience and, for me, my plan was just to be nice but if anyone was a div I would say so. It is a bit contrived but that is the show, and I have thick skin.”

The Conwy B&B received top ratings, mostly nines and 10s out 10, however a cleanliness rating of six from one guest who said they found “lots of hair on the bed” proved to be a sticking point.

During the show, Mr Austin said the complaint was “malicious” as his housekeeping team had cleaned the room spotlessly.

Mr Austin took guests on a tour of Conwy. Picture: Channel 4/screenshot

“I find that hard to believe,” he said. “In a hotel, hairs and bits are part of it. It is random how they were there as I got the girls to lint-roll the sheets.”

Despite some mixed reviews, all guests said they would stay at the B&B again and all paid the full price of £95 for two rooms and £85 for one.

More importantly for Mr Austin, the show went down well with viewers and his B&B received scores of bookings after it was broadcast.

“We had about 68 bookings from people across the UK for this summer in the first hour after the show,” he said. “The uplift has been big anyway but this has helped. Most of the feedback has been good.”

It was Nottinghamshire duo Sam Harrison and Sophie Germany who took the winning prize for their fabulous Dovecoat Inn, set within a farm-to-table village pub.

“I chose to overpay the people who won the game,” said Mr Austin. “They deserved to win it in fairness. It was a neutral week and nobody fell out.

“People at home misconstrue show because it’s about value for money and you’re there to critique it.

“It is a television show, it’s not reality. I wouldn’t judge someone in their own home for not having matching coat hangers but this is a game show about critiquing hotel rooms.”

As coronavirus restrictions are being eased ahead of a summer return to normal, the show marks the end of a challenging year for Johnny’s Doughs, but it is one in which they have been able to stay afloat.

“It has been a tough time watching bank accounts dwindle, but we are strong enough to open up again now,” Mr Austin said.

“The government stepping in with the furlough scheme has helped a hell of a lot. We had to take out a loan and lockdown has eaten into profits. A lot of businesses have struggled but fortunately we have not laid anybody off during the pandemic.

“The catering industry was struggling a bit before Covid but that is the nature of the beast.”