Self-catering
(using
converted buildings or timber ‘lodges’)
How to use this
interactive guide?
This
checklist looks at some key factors and is designed to help you decide if
opening self catering units is an opportunity for you and your farm or
not.
Taken
overall, if you answer ‘Yes’ to most of the questions posed and like
the broad financials, then opening Self-catering units may well be
feasible.
Your Farm
-
Ability
to create self-catering unit(s) on your farm (space/building for
conversion), with reasonable car access?
It should be noted that gaining planning permission for
‘lodges’ is often extremely difficult.
-
Adequate
utilities can be provided (water, gas, electricity, sewage) to
meet extra demand?
-
Space
to provide private garden attached?
-
Guests
not affected by undue farm noise, smells, mess etc?
-
Unit(s)
located to avoid conflict with farm operation?
You
(and your family)
-
Available
during lets as landlord/problem solver/holiday advisor/waste
unblocker?
-
Prepared
for regular customer contact?
-
Available
to take bookings direct from the public or via a ‘holiday’
marketing bureau?
-
Happy
to have visitors around the farm, particularly children?
-
Prepared
to provide cleaning and maintenance weekly to a high standard (a
few hours at the mid-week changeover and every Saturday)?
-
Willing
to accept pets and provide an exercise area?
Financials
-
Capital
-
Developing
an existing building: £30k-£50k.
-
High
quality barn conversion: £50k-£90k.
-
Timber
lodges: £30k-£40k.
-
Potential
profit per unit per year £2,000-£5,000,
excluding finance charges.
-
Loan
interest/repayment. To repay £10,000 over 20 years @ 8% interest requires
annual outlay of c.£1,000.
What is your initial
conclusion?
Looking
at the above questions under Your Farm and You (and your family) and
the outline Financials -
Is this an option you should be considering?
Would
you like to continue?
Bed
and Breakfast - Self-catering
- Static
caravan site
Camping/Touring
caravan site - Camping
Barn/bunkhouse
Visitor Attraction
- Restaurant/Tea
Room
*This
Guide has been produced by South West Tourism, working through MPA. It
was originally developed with the assistance of DEFRA and EAGGF
funding.
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