#beatonstearooms: like a 20% voucher for visiting the dentist?

Perhaps it's time you made a hair or dental appointment? If your hairdresser or dentist is part of our 'Friendly 20s' promotion they'll have 50 Beatons 20% off vouchers to give to lucky customers  when they've had their appointment!

Why do we do it? Well, one of our group's practical values is that we believe in '... life lived offline and live with as many senses as possible involved - so we involve ourselves with local community life' That includes supporting our local business community too.

Our 'Friendly 20'promotions first started in Tisbury way back in 2012. Our Founder, Patrick, wanted to find ways to encourage local Tisburians to 'shop local' when it came to those regular professional services we all need: hair, teeth, garage, solicitors and so forth. It was a huge success for local businesses, customers and us as well!

We've definitely made going to the dentist a little more of a restorative experience with the promise of a treat at Beatons afterwards. We've now rolled out 'Friendly 20s' across the group. Ask your local Beatons who are included in their Friendly 20s scheme.

Beatons Blandford have  notched up a first and novel addition to the idea by having a 'Friendly Twenty' running at a school. Clayesmore School were delighted to participate and gave out 'Friendly Twenty' vouchers to prospective parents visiting the school for a tour. 


If you're a local business and want to give added value to your customers this is a great way to reward them for their custom for free!  It's also a little advertising too as they're bound to mention the initiative to friends and family...

#Blandford: Book Event & Cream Tea June 2016

Vicky Straker is joining us on the 19th of June to discuss her new book... Bicycles, Bloomers and Great war Rationing.

She's a talented local author, mixing in her love of history with love of baking.

A regular in Beatons Tearooms, we have already been stocking her last book, which has been hugely popular, Afternoon Tea.

The event will take place at 4.30pm on Sunday the 19th of June, tickets are available in the Tearooms to purchase. Tickets are £7.

Get yours now to avoid disappointment! (The last book events have been sell outs!)

You will also recieve £2 off your book when you present your Ticket to us. And have the opportunity for Vicky to sign your copy.

Come in at 4pm and to order your drinks and maybe indulge in one of our delicious home-made cakes!

We look forward to seeing you there!

#tea: Mr Smooth who likes asthma and eczema sufferers!

What is it?
Zesty Lemon Rooibos is a herbal tea (which means it's caffeine free) with key elements being the finest Rooibos and lemon. Invigorating yet sweet, Zesty Lemon Rooibos has both silkiness of red bush and the citrus kick of lemons. Rooibos comes from the Aspalathus linearis plant growing in South Africa so it isn't actually a tea. It's probably called red bush tea on account of its striking colour when brewed - enjoy the rich red when it pours!

Rooibos (pronounced 'Roy-ee-boss') helps you chill - indeed it's reputed to help with insomnia.  Health wise, being low in tannins means it's one for asthma and eczema sufferers, and contains the rare antioxidant aspalathin which boosts insulin secretion which keeps Diabetes type II at bay!  

Great hot or iced, its flavour marries particularly well with nuts. 

Pop in and order a slice of  our gluten and dairy-free Orange & Apple Almond Cakes to accompany it!

#beatonstearooms: a legacy which franchising makes possible

If you're curious about why a Beatons Franchise is such an attractive proposition - or you know someone who has a secret dream to own a tearooms which oozes gracious hospitality show them this! It's a shortened and slightly updated version of an article which appeared in Making Money Magazine's November 2015 issue.  Franchising provides a much more secure option than setting up a new business from scratch. Indeed, neither of our first two Franchise Business Owners had run their own business before but wanted to take the leap into having their own family enterprises.

'Beatons Tearooms and Bookshop group makes owning a tearooms that delivers generous value and 'gracious hospitality' an affordable reality. 

With its name and styling inspired by society photographer Cecil Beaton and distinguishing itself through table service, loose-leaf teas, home-baked cakes and light meals, the retirement and 'baby-boomer' market is proving hungry for Beatons' offering.

Paul Mitchell, Crowthorne Franchisee left
and Patrick Duffy, Beatons Founder right

Beatons enjoys a 'best of breed' reputation in the South West where the brand is recognised as delivering a sophisticated and contemporary take on the quintessential traditional English tea room. With a values-based ethos to serve the growing swell of people wanting to offset the online-overwhelm with 'real world' engagement in convivial, culturally stimulating and calm surroundings, its model is proving highly successful and is being rolled out throughout the UK.

Founded by Wiltshire entrepreneur, Patrick Duffy, the group capitalises on the continuing growth in the beverage sector and by filling the gap created by the loss of the independent book shop (its 'curated' book choice prompting extra add-on spend).  Mirroring its attentiveness to customers is its full service to franchisees, Paul Mitchell, franchisee said,

'From the outset Patrick allayed my fears - and is turning a daunting challenge into a great adventure.'

Do you know someone who you think might be looking for a change of direction? Please alert them to this article! Is it you?

For full details as to what you get for your investment contact Samantha Clegg, our Franchise Manager on 01747 871819 (opt 2) and she'll be delighted to help.

#beatonsbod: Blandford's Kelsey who only panda's to peace!

What's your role and what do you like best about your job? 

I'm Kelsey and I'm one of the youngest members of the team at Beatons Blandford, usually tucked away in the kitchen. I most enjoy creating delicious food and baking the cakes.

What's your favourite edible or drinkable from our menu?

My favourite drink is our chai latte - the charity version of course where we give 50p to our local charity for the year. It's creamy and spicy at the same time, with a lovely kick to give me some extra energy.

And how about your favourite book from our shelves?

Hmm... there's a book about doing a new thing every day that scares you, by Robie Rogge, I love to challenge myself! I also love dipping in to the graphic novels and children's books we have - they are full of sparkle.

Which of the ways we like to go about things at Beatons means most to you and why? Gracious hospitality without a doubt - because it makes you feel good to be giving, and I love to make people smile!

Kelsey - the lovable panda!

If you were an animal, bird or creeping creature what would you be and why? I'd be a panda because they always look so laid back, calm and peaceful...always useful qualities over a busy lunchtime!

What - outside work - makes your skin tingle? I love creating art, I'm actually hoping to be a tattoo artist one day.

If you could do one thing to change the world for the better what would it be? 
It might sound too obvious but I don't care, it would be really amazing: I'd stop war and create world peace.

#beatonstearooms: Elegant Option for the vegan, gluten and dairy-free

Kelsey enjoys seeing a guest enjoying
our Gluten Free delights at the Soiree
to launch Beatons Elegant Options Menu

Our Elegant Options menu is available in all tearooms. See how we're honouring those who have special dietary preferences below - even the protein rich/low carb lovers...

A special 'elegant options' menu has launched at Beatons Blandford at a Soirée celebrating the Queen's Birthday to meet our customers' 'dietary desires! It adapts as many items from our classic tearoom menus for those with medical or dietary preferences. Included is the  '3G' - our Gracious & Gloriously Gluten Free High Tea.

We've been listening, then concocting and testing in the kitchen in order to serve our gluten-free, dairy-free, protein rich/low carb, vegan and vegetarian customers... almost all our most popular dishes are accessible one way or another although we have drawn the line at sugar-free cakes!  We've also added a few new items to all our menus which Ben - who's in charge of new recipe creation - came up with during this exercise.

So what can you expect to tickle your taste-buds?

Well, we think the Queen - who prefers a protein rich/low carb diet - would enjoy our Prawn & Crushed Avocado or Chicken Caesar Wrap. And Beatons' #tweetmistress (who's blogging this) is relishing being able to enjoy the range of Irresistible GF Rarebits.

We'd recommend 'Cream Free' Scrambled Eggs with 'No Butter' Sausages and Bacon for our dairy-free 'breakfasters'. In fact Breakfast at Beatons has just become a really restorative experience whatever your dietary desires. And we know two gluten-free members of the Beatons team are already relishing being able to enjoy all but one of our  Irresistible GF Rarebits (Worcestershire Sauce and ale include gluten so sadly we can't include our cheesy Rarebit).

For best enjoyment make a date with your diary from 16th May and invite yourself and any of your gluten free, dairy free, Vegan or Vegetarian friends to come in and indulge.

Liz

Beatons Central

P.S. Don't forget when it comes to Afternoon High Tea you can always book to be sure of a table then it will be laid up waiting for you. It would also help us prepare for you if you let us know if you're going to try the '3G' so we can start the delicate GF scone baking process ready for your arrival! 

#Crowthorne: Virginia Macgregor book launch

Virginia Macgregor  (who was Guest of Honour
at our Opening Soiree (left) with Liz, Press Officer

We're delighted to host our first literary event at Beatons Crowthorne mid-morning on 24th May, with our favourite local author - Virginia Macgregor - full details below. 

Both Virginia's books have been best-sellers [reviews here], but this sparkling writer is much more than the sum of her books! Our Press Officer, Liz, went to one of her talks and came away with inspiring life tips as well as writing tips - and her partner was touched by Virginia's deep understanding of the complexities of family life.

We're hoping the Crowthorne novelist might also give us the inside track on what she's scribbling about when she's writing in the tearooms!

When:  Tuesday 24th May 2016 at 11 am - please (as we find works best for these events) order your tea, coffee, soda or/and cake from the counter (you might like to arrive a minute or two early as Virginia will start promptly at 11.15!)

Cost:    Since this is our first event, it's FREE (you just pay for what you eat and drink)

What:  Virginia will give a brief talk about the writing of What Milo Saw and The Astonishing Return of Norah Wells followed by Q & A

Please note! while the event's on we will suspend service, but we'll be back serving lunch by 12.30