A COUPLE who decided to leave their careers in exports and property management to set up a small B&B in Worcester have reaped the rewards with a second successive award from the hotels search giant trivago.

Terry and Sylvia Smith have been running the five bedroom Manor Coach House, in Hindlip Lane, Worcester, for nine years and last year scooped the trivago best rated hotel in the West Midlands accolade.

This year, the pair have continued their successful run as their B&B has been crowned the best value accommodation in the region by the internet accommodation comparison website.

Terry said they were thrilled to get another award this year from trivago. They were delighted with the first award but to get another one means they are maintaining their standards on a day to day basis.

“We are really pleased but we do not take it lightly. For me this says we are doing something right here and it is about keeping up the standards day by day,” he said.

“I was in exports all my working life, travelling the world and staying in hotels so I have seen it from the other side.”

Terry and Sylvia, who worked in property management, had lived in Cheltenham until they moved to Singapore for work. On their return they decided to move to Worcestershire with a view to running a B&B.

He said they were in the process of buying a property in Bromsgrove but while the deal was going through they both independently saw the Manor Coach House for sale and were drawn to it.

Terry said they did not say anything to each other about the Manor Coach House because they were already buying another premises, but the one in Bromsgrove fell through and they were able to buy the property in Hindlip Lane.

“It is as though it was meant to be,” said Terry. The building needed a major renovation and an extension was added. “We had builders in and it took eight months. It was a big job. It was a part renovation and two new rooms were added.

“Our first year was good and we have grown the business year on year. The location is fantastic. It is semi-rural, close to the M5 and there is loads to do in Worcester. We get a really good mix of business people in the week and tourists at the weekend.

“It is hard work but we enjoy it and we enjoy the interaction with our guests.”

Terry praised his wife and her role in the business. “She cooks a wonderful breakfasts and interacts with the guests. She is the mainstay of the business. She really took to it.”

He added that in the early days they offered an evening meal too, but decided to stop that as there are plenty of local places for guests to eat.