Leisure Marketplace
I’m so pleased to share this showcase, my first since joining Carter Jonas.
My team and I have brought to Carter Jonas over 20 years’ experience of the leisure market – from yurts to caravan parks, B&Bs to 5* luxury cottages. We join a national network of agents who specialise in selling and buying farms, land and estates.
One thing that we share is understanding the importance of the right marketing strategy – in many cases both they and I are dealing with not only a property but a business. Sometimes this requires a delicate touch – in some cases even complete confidentiality – and in others the best approach is to get the property in front of as many potential purchasers as possible. In every case, we work with the client to understand their requirements and tailor our approach accordingly.
In our Leisure Showcase, you’ll find a selection of the property that we’re marketing or have sold recently. There is a lot more that we’re either marketing confidentially or are launching soon and if you’re interested in finding out more about any of our properties, just get in touch.
Download our Leisure Showcase >>
All eyes on the market
Before the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic impacted all aspects of the UK economy, the leisure market was on an upward trajectory, the success of 2019 bolstered by the newfound clarity surrounding Brexit.
The travel restrictions and social distancing measures have resulted in many cancellations for holiday-lets. The recent Easter break and bank holidays in May would normally be a busy time for these businesses however the crisis temporarily stalled activity. Should the crisis come under control and restrictive measures lifted by the summer, a spike in domestic trade is expected for September through to December, where premium prices are likely to be charged. This is largely due to an expected increase in demand, with consumers needing to use up the abundance of work annual leave as a result of cancelled trips, and also because many are unlikely to want to travel abroad for the foreseeable future.
In 2008 and 2009, demand to acquire rural leisure businesses increased, due to the short-term spike in trading. If the same principle were to be replicated in the current crisis, sellers will be in a strong position towards the end of the year.
We were finding that many of our corporate purchasers – those looking for a commercial venture – feel that leaving the EU and the current weaker sterling will, in fact, bolster the ‘staycation’ and therefore the market.
Our other key purchaser type is the private individual, typically seeking a change in lifestyle. Here in the South West, we find that a lot of these purchasers are coming from outside the region (mainly London and the South East) and see the business as a way to fund their move longer-term.
Generally, these buyers will be looking for a property that includes owners’ accommodation – sometimes two separate residences to house two generations of family. Frequently, another aspect of their lifestyle change will require some land to keep animals and this is becoming more and more important for many purchasers.
Taking it a step further, some buyers are looking up to 15 years ahead and view the purchase as a retirement plan. Many of our private buyers take the plunge and sell their existing property up front and move into rented accommodation, so that they’re ready to seize the right opportunity when it comes to the market.
The range of properties we’ve had on the market in the last year have ranged from £200,000 to £3,500,000 and all have proved desirable.
If you would like to discuss the leisure market and current market conditions for the sale of your business, then please do not hesitate to contact me.
