The Carpenters Arms, Shirenewton
A modern digital presence for a historic Monmouthshire pub
Project Overview
We built a complete digital system for The Carpenters Arms — a photo-led website with integrated booking system, SMS automation, and admin tools. This case study showcases how we transformed their online presence.
Increase Visibility on Google
We implemented comprehensive SEO optimization to help them rank for local searches.
Professional Booking Experience
We built a custom booking system with automated confirmations and SMS reminders.
Easy Management
We created a simple admin dashboard for their staff to manage menus, events, and bookings.
Modernise Brand Image
We designed an elegant site that honours their heritage while appealing to modern customers.
Design & Development Process
Brand & Design
Colour palette inspired by the real pub signage — heritage cream, forest green, and gold. Elegant serif headings with warm, welcoming imagery that captures the traditional country pub atmosphere.
Layout & UX
Photo-led design with clear sections (Home, Menu, Events, History, Find Us, FAQ). Sticky header with quick navigation and social icons for seamless browsing experience.
Accessibility & Performance
Optimised for mobile and tablet use, with fast load times and lazy-loading imagery. WebP image format with compression and caching for lightning-fast performance.
Core Features
A comprehensive digital system built from the ground up
Responsive Design
We built a mobile-first website with flexible image scaling across all devices.
Dynamic Booking System
We created a booking flow where customers select date, time, and party size with instant confirmation.
SMS Messaging Integration
We integrated Twilio to send automated SMS confirmations and reminders with admin control.
Custom Admin Dashboard
We built a login-based dashboard for staff to manage menu items, bookings, and events.
Menu Management
We enabled the ability to add, remove, or edit dishes with dietary tags for filtering.
Events Management
We built a system to schedule and publish events like food nights and quiz nights.
SEO Optimisation
We configured comprehensive SEO including meta tags, schema markup, and sitemap.
Image Optimisation
We converted all images to WebP with lazy loading for fast performance.
Webmail Integration
We set up a dedicated domain-linked mailbox for bookings and correspondence.
Hosting & Domains
We configured .co.uk and .com domains with HTTPS security.
Technical Stack
| Layer | Technology |
|---|---|
| Frontend | React (Vite) |
| Backend | Express.js |
| Database | PostgreSQL (Drizzle ORM) |
| Email Service | Nodemailer + Webmail |
| SMS Service | Twilio API |
| Hosting | Replit |
| Analytics | Google Analytics |
| Optimisation | WebP compression, caching, lazy loading |
SEO & Performance Results
PageSpeed Insights
Optimised with image compression, caching, and minified assets for lightning-fast load times.
Local SEO
Improved ranking for "pub in Shirenewton" and "Sunday lunch Monmouthshire."
Analytics
Traffic tracking, conversions, and user engagement monitoring in GA4.
Business Impact
We delivered a modern, mobile-friendly digital system for The Carpenters Arms that enables customers to book easily, discover events, and explore menus — all while strengthening local search visibility.
- Consistent bookings through email/SMS automation
- Better visibility in local searches and Google Maps
- Streamlined admin workflow for staff
- Improved professional brand image and customer trust
Want to transform your business like The Carpenters Arms?
Let's create a digital system that drives real results for your business.