Branding The Smuggler Inn's 200 Years of History into a New Hotel Website, Pub Brand & New Cafe

With an ambitious chef, a world class golf course on its doorsteps and located along the beautiful Kerry Coastline a story and brand capturing the history and potential of this 180 year old restored farmhouse was to be crafted and brought to life. 

Taken over in 2017 by chef Henry Hunt (The fifth generation of Hunt's to run the family owned establishment) the Smugglers Inn, pub and new cafe had huge potential to expand in many avenues. From online bookings to golf packages, weddings to an increase in restaurant bookings; the Inn, pub and cafe had much potential. However, with no brand, online presence or marketing strategy in place everything had to be built from scratch.

Starting at the Start

For both Inn and cafe the name and narrative chosen was 'The Smugglers Inn' and 'The Smugglers Cafe'. Two separate identities were created but designed similar in structure to help customers link their stories and brand. The narrative behind both was the history behind Smuggling and that of the famous local smuggler Theobald Magee, to whom the local area of PortMcGee was named after.

The pub within the Inn was not within our initial contract but as the contract progressed I felt it beneficial to brand the pub as a separate entity. After local research of potential revenue streams and an analysis of local demographics the pub was named 'The Payne Stewart Pub' with a tagline 'Seafood, Steaks & Whiskey'. With the pub adjacent to the world famous Waterville golf course I focused heavily on the 'American Golfer / Golf Tourist Market'.

New Brand(s), New Vision

With stories in place for Inn, Cafe and now Pub - brands and graphics were developed for everything from signage to menus, marketing material to website(s).

Developing Revenue Streams

The main focus of this particular contract was brand development but building a foundation of lead-generation and revenue generating sales pages were also important. Sales pages focusing on additional revenue streams such as wedding packages and golf packages were developed. The pub and restaurant menus were also analysed to maximise selling potential, up-sells and cross-sells.

● Golf Packages

Strategy, sales pages, signage and packages were researched, designed and implemented to increase the footfall of golfers into the restaurant and bar. Sales pages and "Golfing Packages" were also created to move online bookings from booking engines (such as booking.com) to direct booking's via the website.

● Wedding Packages

With the Smugglers Inn being located in a unique location, it offered us the ability to host a unique wedding. The Smugglers Inn had not focused too much on the wedding market in years gone by, but with new ambitions, I wanted to put Weddings at the forefront of its revenue stream potential. Tracked Sales pages, menus and packages were written and designed.

● The Payne Stewart Pub

After an analysis of the overall business I realised the pub had more potential then was being utilised. This resulted in a unique and separate identity being designed for the Inn's inhouse bar. This would help position and market the pub to the local demographic as a stand alone pub (and not a hotel bar).

It also (more importantly) begin a long-term growth strategy of branding the pub as a "golfers" pub. The pub was called "The Payne Stewart Pub" designed to chase the American golf tourist market. Golf memorabilia was purchased to give the bar more of a 'golfing feel' with print marketing advertising golf tours, golf deals and more designed, printed and placed throughout the pub. Online golf packages were also designed and implemented.
 

SEO and Cementing Local Search Results

A selection of keyword rich blog articles were added to the Smugglers Inn website to boost local rankings and cement the Smugglers Inn and Cafe onto page 1 of Google. A solid SEO foundation in terms of Google tools and search results was also implemented.

The Smugglers Cafe

A brand image linked to the overall brand architecture of "The Smugglers" was also developed for the (now called) Smugglers Cafe. Branding, colour scheme, Signage, print marketing, menus and more were designed to ensure a clean launch of the cafe aimed at the correct demographic.

With each establishment targeting very different markets, each Brand Identity had to be unique and tailored to its customer demographic. However, I wanted each identity to also be similar enough to ensure customers linked each business to the overall local brand architecture of 'The Smugglers'.

Coffee cup designs promoting The Smugglers Cafe and The Smugglers Inn