Tyneside licensee launches virtual pub tour

24-Nov-2014 - Last updated on 24-Nov-2014 at 15:12 GMT

Publican Hugh Price: 'We are able to let people have a virtual walk round making it more likely that they will make a real visit'

A Tyneside licensee has embedded a virtual tour of his pub on its website, to show off the outlet to prospective customers and display the well-kept cellar.

Hugh Price, owner of the Tynemouth Lodge Hotel, said he decided that a Google Maps Business View tour would be a good way to attract new custom.

“The pub is very traditional with no music or games machines and we wanted to show off the ambience and attract more customers,” he said.

“The Google Maps Business View tour is just like Street View, but inside the business, and anyone with a computer, tablet or smartphone can access it.

“This means we are able to let people have a virtual walk round making it more likely that they will make a real visit.”

'Hidden mystery'

He added: “Pub cellars are a hidden mystery to most pubgoers, so letting them have a virtual tour allows them to go 'down the hatch' and see casks of Draught Bass and Deuchar's IPA maturing and also how clean and tidy the cellar is.

“It was also easy to embed the tour on our own website, which is a bonus”.

Adrian Don of 360DegreesNorth, a certified Google trusted photographer, produced and published the interactive tour.

He said: ''Over 80% of consumers start their search for local services, products and information by using Google and 55% of UK adults already regularly use Google Street View, making Google Maps Business View an invaluable addition to every business that needs to show off what they do.

“New technology such as Business View increases visibility on Google not only with the actual tour, but also by enhancing the appearance of search results and helping with improving search rankings.”

View the tour of the Tynemouth Lodge Hotel here.