Cheers to better internet at The Cricketers

Business profile

Nestled at the foot of Hambledon Hill, home to an Iron Age hill fort, and just off the Wessex Ridgeway footpath, a right of way passes straight through the garden of The Cricketers pub in Shroton, Dorset, making it a perfect spot for walkers to rest and enjoy some well-earned refreshments. The Cricketers, managed by tenants Georgina and Neil, is renowned for its delicious food, great selection of drinks, and the warmest of welcomes.

Business challenge

Before upgrading its internet connection, The Cricketers faced significant challenges due to unreliable connectivity. The signal frequently dropped, causing disruptions for customers using the Wi-Fi and for card machines processing payments. This not only affected customer satisfaction but also hindered the pub’s operational efficiency.

The pub’s landline was unreliable, often dropping out and making table bookings and customer communications more difficult.

The solution

Wessex Internet’s full fibre 900 package, which offers download speeds of up to 900Mbps, provided the perfect solution. For Georgina and Neil, the decision to upgrade to full fibre connectivity was straight forward. They recognised that this would not only improve their customers’ experience but also significantly help them with the pub’s administrative and promotional operations.

The results

• Better Wi-Fi for customers: The fast and reliable Wi-Fi throughout the pub has been a big hit with the regulars and new visitors. Whether they're in the bar or out in the garden, everyone can stay connected without an issue.

• Smooth ordering and payments: Thanks to the upgraded connection, taking orders and processing payments is a breeze, even out in the garden. This has made things a lot easier for both the staff and customers.

• Faster service, more sales: With quicker and more reliable internet, transactions are now much faster. This means less waiting around for customers and more sales for the pub.

• Boost in social media engagement: Georgina and Neil have noticed they can now be more active on social media, thanks to the faster internet. They've started posting more on Facebook and even started streaming live reels, which has really helped to engage with their customers.

• Reliable phone calls with VoIP: The new VoIP system has made phone calls simple and reliable. Plus, they get an email notification whenever a voicemail is left, so they can manage messages more efficiently.

Overall, upgrading to Wessex Internet’s full fibre connection has been a game-changer for The Cricketers. Customers are enjoying a better experience, and the staff have noticed a big improvement in how smoothly everything runs.