A TILSTON woman is following in her younger sister’s footsteps by starting her own bed and breakfast.
After 35 years as a PE teacher at Bishop Heber High School, Gail Graham decided she would take her sister Heather Allwood’s lead and open a B&B.
Gail and her husband Steve have now refurbished three rooms in their large house at The Paddock, Tilston and launched their B&B with an open day.
Gail said they have been helped a great deal by sister Heather, who set up her own B&B at Higher Farm in Barton, Malpas three years ago.
Gail said: “Heather has been my mentor, giving me advice and support. It has been great having her support.”
Gail said she had always thought about setting up a B&B but work and family commitments had got in the way.
“Once I retired I found I had the time and space to put my all into our new business and we have had a very successful start.”
Gail held a launch day which saw visitors and potential customers come and look round the B&B. Just last week the AA awarded Gail a four star rating and ranked it ‘highly commended’.
Gail said: “It is fantastic news, we are really pleased to know we are doing things well.”
Gail’s B&B can take six guests at a time and each room has a theme.
Gail said: “We are a very sporty couple so thought we would give each room a theme that represented out interests. So we have a ski lodge room, a boat house room and a mountain retreat room.”
Heather said: “I am absolutely delighted for Gail, she has done really well.”
