Perthshire hotelier’s tech firm streamlines systems for pubs

Global system pared back for bars and self-catering

A Perthshire hotelier’s hospitality tech firm has launched a ‘wee green’ version of the software which has earned its global name as it caters for the pubs and small hotel market.

Hop Software, formed in 2017 by McKays, Pitlochry, owner Richard Drummond and fellow Directors, pioneered an award-winning Property Management System (PMS) capable of running all aspects of hotel operations in one system.

Its PMS and bespoke Booking Engine has seen it secure hospitality contracts across 4 continents, growing over 10% in 2025 whilst also opening a Cape Town office last Summer.

Pubs with rooms will benefit form tailored, more affordable systems

Cutting costs

Now, with smaller hospitality operators turning away from unaffordable systems, Hop has created ‘HopLite’ to cater for the pubs with rooms, boutique hotel and self-catering accommodation markets.

The entry-level PMS will offer high functionality ‘essentials’ for properties with 1 to 15 rooms and will be paper-free, saving hospitality customers 1700 sheets of print annually whilst reducing the sector’s environmental footprint.

The company, which hopes to secure its first 100 small operator clients by the end of 2026, was compelled to act after analysing sector trends and listening to smaller operators on ever tighter margins.

The 2025 Pub Accommodation Review stated that 1 in 6 UK pubs now have rooms as they seek to ‘diversify to survive’ but operators want to cut back on complex systems they don’t need.

‘Paying for unnecessary features’

“Smaller operators are being forced to choose between outdated manual systems or complex enterprise software designed for hotel chains where they are paying full price for lots of features which are not actually relevant to them.

“We have listened to that feedback in developing HopLite which gives pubs, smaller hotels and self-caterers the same digital tools used by larger hotels but at a fraction of the price,” said Richard Drummond, who has overseen significant investment at McKays Hotel Bar and Restaurant on Atholl Road.

Taking heed of sector sentiment, the company’s ‘lite’ version will save on paper and printing costs but will also remove the 15% -25% commission fees charged by third party travel sites on pub and hotel bookings.

HopLite comprises a commission-free Booking Engine which means smaller hospitality operations retain 100% income on direct bookings.

Hop directors launching in 2017

Reducing commission fees

“There is a margins crisis in hospitality. This gives smaller operators a system tailored to their needs at a much more affordable price point.

“Because we are hoteliers, first and foremost, we are seeking to build solutions that deal with the real, everyday problems in the sector,” added Mr Drummond.

“HopLite is aimed at an under-served segment of hospitality. It isn’t fair that high quality digital tools are outwith some businesses purely based on size.

“Our slimmed down PMS still has all the automated guest communications, robust reporting and royalty-free booking engine. It has integrations with all the main online travel agencies and EPOS providers, but it focuses on what is essential for the size of the operation.”