If you’re cruising down State Highway 75 between Christchurch and Akaroa, Little River Inn is hard to miss, a classic Canterbury country pub where locals and visitors alike pull up a seat for a bite, a pint and a laugh. Sitting in the heart of Banks Peninsula, the Inn pairs hearty Kiwi pub fare with seasonal, local produce, a great drink list (including rotating taps), live music and plenty of outdoor space to enjoy sunny days.
At its core, the Little River Inn has always been about people. It’s a gathering place for the community, hosting fundraisers, supporting local clubs and giving locals somewhere to celebrate life’s big and small moments. That sense of connection extends to the team, the regulars and the many visitors who pass through.
To understand how the venue manages the operational side of a busy country pub while keeping hospitality front and centre, we spoke with Owner Sarah McFarland. Sarah has overseen the Inn through growth, change and the shift from traditional systems to modern hospitality tech, including the move to Now Book It.
The realities of running a regional pub
Running a country pub like Little River Inn is always lively, but it’s also fast-paced and unpredictable. Before switching systems, the team managed bookings with an old-school paper diary.
Between lunch services, dinner rushes and live music nights, the diary was constantly being flipped open, marked up and crosschecked. Double bookings, missed notes and confusion over availability were everyday headaches. Worst of all, the team couldn’t check bookings when they weren’t at the desk, and in a busy pub, staff rarely are.
Lack of remote access made managing reservations on the go almost impossible. If someone called while the crew were serving, there was no quick way to see if a table was free, just lots of scribbles, crossed out times and guesswork. For Sarah, that was a real drag on smooth service and planning.
“We’re never at the desk, especially on busy nights, so being tied to paper made booking management harder than it needed to be,”
That’s when they decided to join Now Book It, and everything clicked. The team moved from paper chaos to a digital reservation system that is made by people in hospitality for people in hospitality. Guests can book online anytime, whether they’re planning a weekend lunch or a Friday night catch‑up with friends. For the venue, that meant fewer double bookings, the ability to access the diary anywhere, and clearer booking visibility.
Where team members used to spend chunks of the week managing the diary, Now Book It handles the heavy lifting, freeing up staff to focus on guests, food and the good vibes that keep people coming back.
“Going from pen and paper to Now Book It has been night and day. Everything is streamlined, clear and far less stressful.”
Support that feels like part of the team
Switching from a paper diary to a full digital system could have been stressful, but with Now Book It, it was anything but. The dedicated onboarding team took the Little River Inn crew by the hand from day one, walking them through the system, answering every question, and setting up everything exactly how they wanted it, from table layouts to booking rules and event settings. The training was hands-on and practical, so the team felt confident using the platform before even taking their first online booking.
The support didn’t stop there. Whenever Sarah or the team have a question, big or small, the Now Book It team is just a call or message away, helping them troubleshoot, tweak settings, or get creative with how they use the system. For a busy country pub where every minute counts, it’s like having an extra team member in the background, keeping bookings running smoothly so the staff can focus on what they do best.
“The onboarding process was a breeze, the team trained us, set everything up exactly how we needed it, and we felt confident from day one.”
Happier staff, happier guests
Now Book It has not only simplified reservations, it’s changed the rhythm of the pub. Staff know exactly what’s happening each day, from lunch covers to dinner bookings and weekend events. Pre-paid events and group bookings are easy to manage, giving Sarah clarity over revenue and freeing the team from chasing deposits or worrying about last-minute cancellations.
The real win, though, is the freedom to focus on people. Guests get a seamless booking experience, staff can provide attentive service without stress, and the Inn continues to feel like the warm, inviting hub of the community that it has always been.
For a country pub where community, hospitality, and fun are everything, moving from paper to Now Book It has been a game-changer. Bookings are smoother, events are easier to manage, the team is happier, and guests leave with big smiles, which, in the end, is what really matters.
Book a table at Little River Inn here
Now Book It tip: Keep an eye on the seasonal specials board, that’s where the magic happens.