Case Study: The Walnut Tree Restaurant, Suffolk

The challenge

The Walnut Tree, a renowned vegetarian restaurant near Eye, Suffolk, was experiencing a downturn in customers, particularly mid-week, due to the tough economic climate. Owner Jan Wise, despite her successful track record and award-winning cuisine, needed a strategy to attract new diners and boost mid-week business.

The solution

For this campaign, The Walnut Tree opted for our comprehensive gold package. For more details about the gold package, see the example proposal at the bottom of this page.

Ripple devised a comprehensive marketing campaign tailored to The Walnut Tree's needs, focusing on local coverage and targeted messaging. This included:

Print advertising: A half page advert in the Village People magazine was booked, reaching more than 70,000 readers across two editions in both Suffolk and Norfolk.
Magazine coverage: Engaging half page editorial was written in this advert space in every edition of the Village People magazine, reaching more than 70,000 readers each time in the restaurant’s target areas in Suffolk and Norfolk. Articles featured the Walnut Tree’s vegetarian cuisine, seasonal dishes, and customer testimonials. These powerful advertorial pieces were designed to appeal to new diners who have yet to experience the restaurant’s magnificent food and carried more punch than a traditional advert.
Public relations: Secured coverage in prominent Suffolk media including the East Anglian Daily Times, Diss Express and an interview on Premier Radio Diss.
Social media marketing: Regular posts on Facebook and Instagram to keep The Walnut Tree top-of-mind among local people.
Email marketing: Monthly e-newsletters with special offers and menu updates to drive mid-week traffic and encourage existing customers to return more regularly.
Customer feedback: A feedback form to gather customer insights and build The Walnut Tree's email list, encouraging return bookings.

With our tailored marketing strategies, Ripple Public Relations transformed the client's outreach to new customers and engagement. Discover how we can transform your marketing efforts.

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The results

In just two months, The Walnut Tree experienced a significant increase in customer traffic, with some days fully booked. The targeted approach attracted new diners mid-week and boosted business overall.

Increased footfall: Surge in customers, filling tables on quieter days like Wednesdays and Thursdays.
Staff expansion: Needed additional staff to manage demand.

The results speak for themselves. Our strategic approach not only improved engagement with existing customers but also boosted client satisfaction and revenue. Ready to achieve similar outcomes?

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In the press

Curious to see how effective editorial content can be? Explore the articles that helped The Walnut Tree achieve remarkable results.

The Walnut Tree in the East Anglian Daily Times

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Jan Wise shares her experience

See what Jan Wise, owner of The Walnut Tree, has to say about her experience working with Ripple Public Relations Ltd.

Why choose Ripple?

This case study demonstrates Ripple's ability to deliver effective marketing solutions for businesses in Suffolk. Their expertise includes:

Targeted strategies: Ripple crafts campaigns tailored to your business goals and challenges.
Local knowledge: Understanding the Suffolk market and media landscape ensures messages reach the right audience, where your potential customers are.
Integrated approach: Combines print and digital tactics for maximum impact.
Measurable results: Ripple focuses on tangible outcomes that drive growth. We understand that if we don't increase your profitability, there's no reason for you to continue working with us.

Jan Wise

Owner of The Walnut Tree

I’ve now had days where my restaurant is absolutely full and I’m gaining new business on the traditionally quieter Wednesdays and Thursdays too.

I’ve even had to take on more staff. I’m absolutely thrilled with the local expertise and results-driven approach by John and his team.

Our proven approach

A sample marketing proposal

To give you a better understanding of how Ripple develops customised marketing campaigns, here's the outlined proposal we created for The Walnut Tree.

Target

Revitalise your midweek business: Attract new customers and entice existing ones to dine with you more frequently, filling those typically quieter days and boosting your overall revenue.

Why Village People magazines?

75% of readers have visited a pub or restaurant after seeing an advert in this magazine, making it an ideal platform to reach your target audience.

This is an example of our hyperlocal knowledge of the best media to target for your particular industry, ensuring your message reaches the right customers.

Our approach

We combine impactful advertising with engaging editorial content. This multi-faceted approach not only grabs attention but also builds trust and positions your restaurant as a leader in the local dining scene.

Example article topics

How to jazz up your vegetarian dishes: Share creative tips and recipes to inspire readers.
Best seasonal vegetarian dishes: Demonstrate your culinary expertise and highlight fresh, seasonal ingredients.
Why are you vegetarian: Tell your story and connect with readers on a deeper level.
Healthy eating on a plant-based diet: Provide valuable information and position your restaurant as a health-conscious choice.

Each article may include:

Testimonials

Build credibility with real-life endorsements.

Contact Details

Make it easy for readers to find you.

Offers

Incentivise readers to visit your restaurant.

Featured Village People magazine articles

As part of the marketing campaign devised by Ripple, we placed the following articles in Village People magazines to maximise exposure and attract local customers.

Tasty offer from award-winning pub

This article promotes The Walnut Tree’s “meat-free challenge,” encouraging meat eaters to explore their extensive vegetarian and vegan menu.

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Savour the flavour

This follow-up article reinforces The Walnut Tree’s reputation as an award-winning pub and continues the “meat-free challenge” initiative with a 20% discount.