Case Studies

Three Ways House

Three Ways House is a perfect example of the English country hotel. Nestled in the picture-postcard Cotswold village of Mickleton, it offers old world charm and modern luxury, with the added bonus for fine food lovers that it is also home to the internationally famous Pudding Club.

Today the 48-bedroom hotel is thriving, although it was a very different story when co-owners Peter Henderson and Simon Coombe and his wife Jill took over the business in 1995. Then it was heading rapidly towards administration, but the experienced hotel professionals – Peter and Simon as general managers and Jill as a sales manager – could see its huge potential.

A determination to turn every inquiry into a booking and a firm focus on personal attention and customer care have helped to create the Three Ways House success story, while the co-owners also know they can also rely on the expert advice of Paul Salisbury on accountancy, financial and business development issues.

Peter explains: “We were originally with another firm of accountants but decided to change after a couple of years because they were not proactive enough. Murphy Salisbury had done some personal tax work for me three or four years previously so we approached them and another firm to see what they could offer.

“When we met Paul, we were impressed by him and his professionalism. We also liked the size of Murphy Salisbury – not so small that they wouldn’t have the expertise we needed, not so large that we wouldn’t matter and nimble enough to be able to react quickly.”

Murphy Salisbury carry out an annual audit for Three Ways House, something the business is not legally required to do but which the co-owners see as an asset for the future. Peter says: “This gives real comfort and integrity to our accounts.”

Paul and his team also provide personal and business tax matters and Paul’s advice on complex capital allowance issues was particularly helpful in 2004, when a major extension created seven new bedrooms. Peter says: “We had regular meetings to look at how to approach the project in the most tax-efficient way and it was a good forum in which to sit, talk and discuss.”

The hotel has its own in-house team to look after day-to-day finance matters, such as bookkeeping and payroll – from an original staff of 12, the workforce now stands at around 50 – with Paul and Murphy Salisbury on hand to provide more specialist advice. The co-owners meet with Paul a couple of times a year and Peter describes their contact as “an ongoing conversation”.

He adds: “I like the fact that I can ring up Murphy Salisbury and speak to Paul – there are no barriers. And I like knowing that the receptionist recognises my voice when I call. With Murphy Salisbury, I feel that I am cared about.”

To find out more about how our leading firm of accountants in Stratford-upon-Avon and Warwickshire can help you, please contact us.