46 minute read
FLEUR LETTINGS
STOP PRESS – Two properties already reserved! Contemporary design meets timeless elegance – Now available to rent!
These exclusive apartments at Meyson House, in the heart of Wimborne, really do represent Dorset living at its finest!
Each apartment features well designed stylish kitchens, sleek high spec bathrooms, underfloor heating (with remote control app), a video entry system, plantation style blinds and soft grey carpeting throughout.
The kitchens are fully fitted with integral fridge freezers, washer/dryers, ovens and breakfast bars, with styles from modern and glossy to a chic take on the more traditional shaker style kitchen – there is something here to suit every taste.
All of the apartments will be fitted with a flat screen TV in both the living room and master bedroom too. You will love coming home to your new apartment!
Debbie Boyes, Partner at Fleur Lettings says “We are really honoured that Meyson Properties has trusted us with finding super Tenants for their exclusive development.” Debbie continues, “The most beautiful part of this development is that every apartment is completely unique, and the attention to detail in the finish shows how much care has been taken by the Landlords to provide their new Tenants with a very special place to live.”
Rents will range from £925 a month for a one-bedroom apartment with lofty ceilings, and the two-bedroom apartments range from £1,250 to £1,350 a month for a two bedroom, two bathroom apartment with a private terrace! There is also an exclusive Penthouse Apartment at £1,950 per month.
Are you looking for the ultimate Penthouse Apartment? If so, then you will want to live in this Penthouse. This incredible space with its vaulted ceilings, will provide you with two bedrooms, two dressing rooms and two bathrooms over two floors, a personal parking space … and the most amazing private roof garden offering spectacular 360 degree views over Wimborne Minster and the surrounding countryside. The roof terrace even comes complete with its own mature olive trees! If you want somewhere extraordinary to live, then this has to be the property for you!
Feel at home in Wimborne Wimborne is a quintessential English market town overflowing with history, which can be found down every street, in hidden courtyards as well as in the Saxon Minster church itself.
If you are thinking that Wimborne is a sleepy town, you couldn’t be more wrong! Step out of your front door to enjoy an abundance of unique and individual boutique shops, cafes, restaurants and bars. Foodies to history buffs to music lovers will thoroughly enjoy this location with its array of festivals throughout the year to suit every taste. With the Tivoli Theatre just around the corner offering a fantastic choice of entertainment, you will have plenty to enjoy. Or pop to Waitrose, or one of the other local stores, just around the corner for the ingredients to cook up a tasty supper in your fantastic kitchen for a quiet night in!
Even those who are looking for a quieter pace of life will enjoy living here. A mere stone’s throw out of Wimborne and will find yourself in the middle of stunning countryside; head South for the day you and you will discover the beautiful beaches that the South Coast has to offer, East to the New Forest or West where you can discover some of the most beautiful Dorset villages and National Trust properties including Kingston Lacy.
If you are working, you have easy access to Poole, Bournemouth and Southampton and their mainline train stations to London Waterloo. Or why not use the second bedroom in your apartment for a home office!
Wimborne offers an eclectic lifestyle, with natural beauty, history, entertainment and plenty of local produce; could this be the dream location for your new home?
These properties won’t stay on the market for very long, so call Fleur Lettings today on 01202 001080 to book a viewing to choose your beautiful new home at Meyson House, Wimborne.
FLEUR LETTINGS… a fresh approach to Lettings! Landlords, if you don’t love your Letting Agent, then you should be with Fleur Lettings! If you are looking for a personal and professional service, where your Letting Agent knows you, knows your properties and knows your Tenants, then you have found a great Team at Fleur Lettings to look after your valuable investment. Whether you are looking to buy your first rental property or you have a portfolio of properties, our Team is your ideal business partner.
We offer you competitive rates, with a NO VAT guarantee on Fleur’s fees. We will look to either match your current Letting Agents fees and charges, or improve on them. And, of course, you will immediately save on the cost of the VAT.
We are a Team of property professionals, bringing together decades of experience – as Landlords, Developers, Financiers and Letting Agents – so we really understand the property business from the inside out!
Supported by a fantastic network of Trades and Professionals, we can offer you advice and assistance to make your investment run as smoothly as possible.
Don‘t be fooled by our fun and funky Lettings Boards... they have been carefully designed to stand out and make your property very noticeable to prospective Tenants! We work hard for our Landlords, and the TESTIMONIALS we receive are a credit to our wonderful Team! You can see a few of these on our website at fleurlettings.net.
If you don’t feel like this about your current letting agency – you really should be with Fleur Lettings, so call us for a chat about how we can help you.
CONTACT FLEUR LETTINGS Call 01202 001080 Email info@fleurlettings.net
North Gorley, Fordingbridge
A substantial country property situated in the idyllic hamlet of North Gorley within the beautiful New Forest National Park. This five-bedroom family home has been remodelled and extended over the years to provide spacious and versatile accommodation, including a two-bedroom self-contained annexe (which could easily be incorporated into the main house), ideal to let out as a home and income opportunity, or for dual family living. Set in approximately 1.75 acres, the property further benefits from a large, detached garage/workshop, separate studio, landscaped gardens and enclosed paddock with direct forest access.
The quiet hamlet of North Gorley and situated in an enviable position within the magnificent New Forest National Park. Offering excellent access to great dog walking, cycling and horse riding on the nearby Gorley Common.
Energy Performance Rating: E
5 4 3
St Ives Wood, St Ives
Stunning contemporary chalet style house in one of Ashley Heaths most sought after locations. Having been recently refurbished and extended, this family home offers spacious and versatile accommodation over two floors; including four bedrooms, three bathrooms (two of which en suite) and a stunning open-plan kitchen/dining room. The property is approached via a tarmac driveway providing generous parking and a large double garage.
The property is situated in a sought after and established residential road in St Ives, within walking distance of St Ives Primary School. Also nearby is the beautiful Ringwood Forest, incorporating Moors Valley Country Park and golf course. Moors Valley offers a range of outdoor pursuits including walking, cycling and horse riding.
Energy Performance Rating: C
4 2 3 Coach Hill Lane, Burley £1,225,000
Sway Road, Brockenhurst £1,600,000
An impressive five bedroom detached family home set on the popular west facing side of Sway Road. EPR: C 5 3 3 Please contact the Brockenhurst office
An impressive five bedroom detached family home set on the popular west facing side of Sway Road. EPR: C Sway Road, Brockenhurst £1,600,000 5 3 3 Please contact the Brockenhurst officeEmery Down, Lyndhurst POA A unique and rare opportunity to purchase a superb, duplex apartment offering the ultimate London penthouse lifestyle, in the heart of the New Forest. 4 2 3 Please contact the Brockenhurst officeHare Lane, Cranborne A superb opportunity to purchase a sublime, late Victorian farmhouse set in an idyllic location just off Hare Lane near Cranborne. The property benefits from spacious living accommodation, well-proportioned bedrooms and a large open bay car port. The property has a large garden and complete privacy throughout. Historically the property was a small mixed farm set licensed to run as Gold Oak Bar. This peaceful and pretty village has a village shop/post office, a 1st and a middle school (both very highly praised by Ofsted), several good public houses, two hotels with restaurants which also include a Country Club and a Stately Home. Energy Performance Rating: C Please contact the Ringwood office to arrange a viewing £799,950
4 2 2
Copythorne £850,000 A characterful 1900’s detached family home situated in a stunning New Forest National Park location. EPR: D 4 3 2 Please contact the Brockenhurst office Dilton, Brockenhurst O.I.E.O £695,000 An extremely rare opportunity to purchase a smallholding with a detached park home and a substantial agricultural barn set in 3.4 acres of land. 3 2 2 Please contact the Brockenhurst officeCopythorne £850,000 A characterful 1900’s detached family home situated in a stunning New Forest National Park location. EPR: D 4 3 2 Please contact the Brockenhurst officeCloughs Road, Ringwood £399,950 2 1 1 A tastefully fully refurbished two-bedroom bungalow which has undergone complete renovation including new gas central heating, plumbing and rewire. Located within close proximity of Ringwood Town, the property benefits from off-road parking and contemporary kitchen/breakfast room that leads into a low maintenance rear garden. This modern property is conveniently located within walking distance of the town centre including doctors and dentists and all three Ringwood Schools, yet is just a short distance away from the beautiful New Forest offering thousands of acres of natural heath and woodland ideal for walking, cycling and riding. Energy Performance Rating: E Please contact the Ringwood office to arrange a viewing Coach Hill Lane, Burley £1,225,000 A beautifully presented four bedroom detached property, set in an idyllic location, moments from the open forest. EPR: C 4 2 2 Please contact the Burley office Ringwood: 01425 462 600 Lettings: t. 01590 624 814 London: t. 0207 839 0888Ossemsley, New Forest £165,000 A rare opportunity to purchase approximately 1.79 acres of prime equestrian land in the heart of the New Forest National Park. 0 0 0 Please contact the Burley office t.
Emery Down, Lyndhurst POA A unique and rare opportunity to purchase a superb, duplex apartment offering the ultimate London penthouse lifestyle, in the heart of the New Forest. 4 2 3 Please contact the Brockenhurst office Ossemsley, New Forest £165,000 A rare opportunity to purchase approximately 1.79 acres of prime equestrian land in the heart of the New Forest National Park. 0 0 0 Please contact the Burley office www.spencersnewforest.comDilton, Brockenhurst O.I.E.O £695,000 An extremely rare opportunity to purchase a smallholding with a detached park home and a substantial agricultural barn set in 3.4 acres of land. 3 2 2 Please contact the Brockenhurst office
Pickney Lane, Lyndhurst
Thatch Cottage is both characterful and practical, enjoying much of the period charm associated with it’s era with a wealth of exposed beams. Although quaint, the overall accommodation is a useful size with little head height issues having been extended both in Victorian times as well as 1990. The property would now benefit from some modernisation and we understand still offers some potential to extend, subject to the usual consents being granted.
Occupying a glorious position in the New Forest National Park this charming character property sits centrally in its land and is surrounded by beautiful gardens with open paddock land to the rear direct forest access to the front. Ideally situated for the coast, Forest and the facilities of Lymington, all aspects of the area's enviable lifestyle are on the doorstep.
£1,295,000
4 3 2 Coach Hill Lane, Burley £1,225,000
Sway Road, Brockenhurst £1,600,000
An impressive five bedroom detached family home set on the popular west facing side of Sway Road. EPR: C Sway Road, Brockenhurst £1,600,000 5 3 3 Please contact the Brockenhurst officeEmery Down, Lyndhurst POA A unique and rare opportunity to purchase a superb, duplex apartment offering the ultimate London penthouse lifestyle, in the heart of the New Forest. 4 2 3 Please contact the Brockenhurst office An impressive five bedroom detached family home set on the popular west facing side of Sway Road. EPR: C Sway Road, Brockenhurst £1,600,000 5 3 3 Please contact the Brockenhurst office
Copythorne £850,000 A characterful 1900’s detached family home situated in a stunning New Forest National Park location. EPR: D 4 3 2 Please contact the Brockenhurst office Dilton, Brockenhurst O.I.E.O £695,000 An extremely rare opportunity to purchase a smallholding with a detached park home and a substantial agricultural barn set in 3.4 acres of land. 3 2 2 Please contact the Brockenhurst officeCopythorne £850,000 A characterful 1900’s detached family home situated in a stunning New Forest National Park location. EPR: D 4 3 2 Please contact the Brockenhurst office Copythorne £850,000 A characterful 1900’s detached family home situated in a stunning New Forest National Park location. EPR: D 4 3 2 Please contact the Brockenhurst office Dilton, Brockenhurst O.I.E.O £695,000 An extremely rare opportunity to purchase a smallholding with a detached park home and a substantial agricultural barn set in 3.4 acres of land. 3 2 2 Please contact the Brockenhurst office Coach Hill Lane, Burley £1,225,000 A beautifully presented four bedroom detached property, set in an idyllic location, moments from the open forest. EPR: C 4 2 2 Please contact the Burley office Ringwood: 01425 462 600 Lettings: t. 01590 624 814 London: t. 0207 839 0888Ossemsley, New Forest £165,000 A rare opportunity to purchase approximately 1.79 acres of prime equestrian land in the heart of the New Forest National Park. 0 0 0 Please contact the Burley office Coach Hill Lane, Burley £1,225,000 A beautifully presented four bedroom detached property, set in an idyllic location, moments from the open forest. EPR: C 4 2 2 Please contact the Burley office t.
Emery Down, Lyndhurst POA A unique and rare opportunity to purchase a superb, duplex apartment offering the ultimate London penthouse lifestyle, in the heart of the New Forest. 4 2 3 Please contact the Brockenhurst office Ossemsley, New Forest £165,000 A rare opportunity to purchase approximately 1.79 acres of prime equestrian land in the heart of the New Forest National Park. 0 0 0 Please contact the Burley office www.spencersnewforest.comDilton, Brockenhurst O.I.E.O £695,000 An extremely rare opportunity to purchase a smallholding with a detached park home and a substantial agricultural barn set in 3.4 acres of land. 3 2 2 Please contact the Brockenhurst office Emery Down, Lyndhurst POA A unique and rare opportunity to purchase a superb, duplex apartment offering the ultimate London penthouse lifestyle, in the heart of the New Forest. 4 2 3 Please contact the Brockenhurst office Ossemsley, New Forest £165,000 A rare opportunity to purchase approximately 1.79 acres of prime equestrian land in the heart of the New Forest National Park. 0 0 0 Please contact the Burley office Ringwood: t. Ringwood: 01425 462 600 t. 01425 462 600
Ramley Road, Lymington
This exceptional Grade II Listed house, believed to be the former Rectory to St Mark's Church and positioned on the edge of Pennington Common, offers beautifully presented accommodation throughout with high ceilings, large windows and a layout that is particularly practical for modern life. All principal rooms overlook the immaculate south facing garden and there is also a large gated drive and separate double garage block that currently houses a snooker room with a loft room above.
Conveniently positioned for the open spaces of Pennington Common immediately to the south and the New Forest National Park to the north, the house is also within easy reach of the shops in Pennington Village as well as Lymington High Street.
£2,750,000
6 5 3
Milford-On-Sea, Lymington
A substantial and versatile period home with over 5000 sq ft of accommodation to include a spacious attached annexe, triple garage and boat store, wine cellars and stunning south facing grounds with swimming pool and croquet lawn. Set in the heart of the beautiful coastal village of Milford on Sea on a quiet leafy "no through road" walking distance from both the safe swimming beaches and village centre.
This rare property has retained many original features and was designed by the renowned architect "Ravenscroft" as one of the local houses of distinction in the early 1900's. Retaining many ornate timber features and large bay windows; viewing is highly recommended.
£2,400,000
6 4 5 Coach Hill Lane, Burley £1,225,000
Sway Road, Brockenhurst £1,600,000
Emery Down, Lyndhurst POA A unique and rare opportunity to purchase a superb, duplex apartment offering the ultimate London penthouse lifestyle, in the heart of the New Forest. 4 2 3 Please contact the Brockenhurst office An impressive five bedroom detached family home set on the popular west facing side of Sway Road. EPR: C Sway Road, Brockenhurst £1,600,000 5 3 3 Please contact the Brockenhurst office Milford-On-Sea, Lymington Positioned in the highly sought after Lymore Valley, the unspoilt countryside between Lymington and Milford on Sea, this idyllic country cottage offers traditional charm that marries effortlessly with modern convenience inspiring a peaceful and relaxing home that is both conveniently positioned for facilities yet only a stone's throw from woodland and coastal walks. A beautifully manicured garden, ample parking, double garage and separate studio completes this rare property. Lymore Valley is an unspoilt backwater where property rarely becomes available. Bypassed by the far busier Lymington Road that carries most traffic between Lymington and Milford, this hedge and tree lined lane is sparsely populated yet conveniently positioned for the beaches and restaurants of Milford and Lymington's Georgian High Street. Energy Performance Rating: D Please contact the Lymington office to arrange a viewing £1,350,000
4 3 3
Copythorne £850,000 A characterful 1900’s detached family home situated in a stunning New Forest National Park location. EPR: D 4 3 2 Please contact the Brockenhurst office Copythorne £850,000 A characterful 1900’s detached family home situated in a stunning New Forest National Park location. EPR: D 4 3 2 Please contact the Brockenhurst office Dilton, Brockenhurst O.I.E.O £695,000 An extremely rare opportunity to purchase a smallholding with a detached park home and a substantial agricultural barn set in 3.4 acres of land. 3 2 2 Please contact the Brockenhurst office Hordle, Lymington £549,950 4 2 1 A charming characterful period cottage providing spacious family accommodation including four double bedrooms, parking and a generous garden. The property is located in the heart of Hordle, a short walk to the popular village primary school. The property is situated in the hamlet of Hordle which is a semi-rural location between Lymington, the popular market town famed for its river and marinas and New Milton, which offers comprehensive leisure and shopping facilities with an excellent range of schools nearby. To the north east is the New Forest village of Brockenhurst which has a mainline railway station providing a half hourly service to London Waterloo with a journey time of approximately 90 minutes. Energy Performance Rating: D Please contact the Lymington office to arrange a viewing Ringwood: 01425 462 600 Lettings: t. 01590 624 814 London: t. 0207 839 0888Ossemsley, New Forest £165,000 A rare opportunity to purchase approximately 1.79 acres of prime equestrian land in the heart of the New Forest National Park. 0 0 0 Please contact the Burley office Coach Hill Lane, Burley £1,225,000 A beautifully presented four bedroom detached property, set in an idyllic location, moments from the open forest. EPR: C 4 2 2 Please contact the Burley office t.
www.spencersnewforest.comDilton, Brockenhurst O.I.E.O £695,000 An extremely rare opportunity to purchase a smallholding with a detached park home and a substantial agricultural barn set in 3.4 acres of land. 3 2 2 Please contact the Brockenhurst office Emery Down, Lyndhurst POA A unique and rare opportunity to purchase a superb, duplex apartment offering the ultimate London penthouse lifestyle, in the heart of the New Forest. 4 2 3 Please contact the Brockenhurst office Ossemsley, New Forest £165,000 A rare opportunity to purchase approximately 1.79 acres of prime equestrian land in the heart of the New Forest National Park. 0 0 0 Please contact the Burley office
Housebuilders must get social… and fast
Social media is no longer an option for developers, it is an essential channel to reach potential homebuyers of all ages, locations and demographics. Having a strong presence on social platforms is hugely beneficial to a developer. A professional looking feed or grid says good things about the company’s approach, well-considered posts help to build a strong brand, to improve brand awareness and targeted ads can help you to attract your ideal buyers, rather than the masses.
Having a social media account isn’t enough; it must feature interesting posts, opportunities to interact and target the right audience to have any positive effect. Housebuilders large and small struggle to create engaging content and deliver a consistent feed. Housebuilders have a real opportunity to embrace social media and attract your idea homebuyer. Other sector players such as estate agents and rental companies are reaping the rewards of a consistent and considered approach. The new homes sector should experience the same returns on sensible social media investment.
Unless you’re in a position to hire someone to manage your social media it can be difficult to achieve a professional social media presence. Ad hoc posts without a plan can result in a confusing message and might not reach your desired audience. Intermittent pictures of staff birthday cakes, new joiners and the office dog are fine now and then, but they don’t deliver on what must be the purpose of social media; increased brand awareness and engagement, and of course, increased sales.
It’s important to have a strategy and to stick to it. Plan your posts and make sure you have a good mix of compelling content honed for your ideal audience. Stories are the place for more informal messages and time-sensitive content. By making simple guidelines you can ensure your team stays on track.
Video is becoming more important on social media channels. Instagram and Facebook are now prioritising video content and engagement is up to 10 times greater with video over still images according to HubSpot. Apps make posting videos to social media really easy, but it is important to ensure your content is professional and on-brand.
Understanding who you’re talking to is important in any form of marketing. With social media, you’re open to the public, but that doesn’t mean you have to use a wide net approach. Think about your audiences as a hierarchy; which is your most important audience group? We’d suggest it’s most definitely the potential home buyer. Yes, you want to communicate with local communities, local government bodies, investors and even other developers, but your customer must be your priority. If your post isn’t for them, why not and how could you make it more engaging for them? If you’re not a big social media user, or perhaps you don’t check your brand’s channels regularly, perhaps now is a good time to review how your social media may appear to potential home buyers. Thinking about the above, what would a potential buyer take away from your social posts? Does it inspire them to consider one of your developments for their next home? If not, why not? Review, plan and execute.
Finally, social media isn’t just a megaphone to put your content out there; you must interact too to get the very most from social platforms. Reply to comments, answer questions and comment on other people’s relevant posts. Engagement is a key factor in how platforms decide where to display your posts and how often.
If this sounds like something you need to be doing, but you don’t have the time or resources to do it yourself, we can help. Antler offers a comprehensive social media management service, taking away the pain of content generation and posting. We’ll devise a strategy based on your goals, set a plan and implement it on your behalf. We can even manage your engagement with others too if you don’t have the time to do it in-house.
CONTACT
01489 290290
hello@antleragency.co.uk WEBSITE
www.antleragency.co.uk
Homes that refl ect your personality.
Affordable new builds, property refurbishment, remodelling and extensions.
We understand that you want your home to perfectly compliment your personality. That’s why we work closely with you to build a home that works for your lifestyle. We specialise in a ordable new builds that combine creative design, skilled craftsmanship and attention to detail.
Your vision is our vision. We’ll be with you every step of the way as we build your dreams into reality.
WWW.HIHOMES.CO.UK
Preserving the legacy of successful business owners
Why do ethical business owners deserve to get paid well when selling a successful business?
There are untold reasons why successful business owners who want to sell ethically, deserve to get paid well.
Firstly, selling ethically means that you care about how well the new buyer is going to preserve your legacy. Meaning, you want to get paid well for selling your business, MOREOVER, you also want to ensure that your staff are looked after and the culture you have built over the years, along with your company name and location are maintained.
All too often, a trade buyer will do whatever it takes to maximise profitability from acquiring your business. This often includes “streamlining the business”, such as making redundancies, moving the offices to lower cost locations, increasing prices to customers and cutting corners on quality and service level to your customers.
Surely there is a better way?
If you want to find out more about how we can help you contact Robbie Mair, 07900 555217 or you can visit www.K-ZenGroup.com.
To see if K-Zen Group can help you contact us on 07900 555217. 07900 555217 | robbie@k-zengroup.com | www.K-ZenGroup.com
Why London’s King’s Cross might have just nailed the future of shopping
Claire Spreadbury rediscovers the joys of reallife retail in the capital’s coolest part of town.
There was a time when I would have shuddered at the idea of eating and shopping alone. But as I sit on a minimalist wooden seat at Cafe Bao, in London’s Pancras Square, sinking my teeth into a perfectly plump bun, I’ve never felt less lonely.
King’s Cross is buzzing with people – in a way that feels good right now.
This area of London has been actively undergoing regeneration for a good decade now. But what it’s striven to achieve so far has made Kings Cross the place to go. It’s very cool, but not intimidatingly cool. If you look around, you’ll see every generation enjoying the space.
ABOVE
Lower Stable Street
Market, Coal Drops Yard, King’s Cross | John Sturrock/PA
RIGHT
Cafe Bao | John
Carey/PA
LEFT
Everyman presents
Summer Love, screen
on the canal at Granary Square, King’s Cross | John Sturrock/PA
BELOW
All Our Stories flags by designer Bethany Williams in Coal Drops Yard, King’s Cross | John Sturrock/PA
In Granary Square, young couples are curled up watching sport on the big outdoor screen, supping beers in the summer sunshine, while kids splash about in the water fountains, watched over by parents, topping up their energy with takeaway coffees. And friends are everywhere here – making up for lost time when we were all shut away. It all feels gloriously cosmopolitan and relaxed.
I meander down to Lower Stable Street in Coal Drops Yard – a shopping destination and foodie hotspot, where creative types are working outside on their laptops.
The shops here are a wonderful mix of high street stores, designer labels, independents, second-hand treasure chests and tattoo parlours. There are places here I’ve never seen anywhere else.
Boutique by Shelter is a brilliant concept, selling second-hand or unwanted goods that have been cherry picked to perfection. It’s a double whammy of goodness, decreasing the purchase of brand new stuff, while increasing sustainability and raising money for the homeless. And they also use the space for events and to raise awareness of campaigns.
RIGHT
Roseur store, King’s Cross | John Sturrock/PA
BELOW
Lina Stores | Lina
Stores, Kings Cross/PA
FAR RIGHT
German Gymnasium |
German Gymnasium, Kings Cross/PA
Roseur – a small store set up by artist Sophie Kim – sells a rainbow of dried flowers, and next door pumps out beats while broadcasting as a radio station called Voices.
And Earl of East is a super-cool lifestyle emporium, a creative business selling all manner of homewares including beautiful spherical watering cans, vintageinspired wine glasses, funky oversized sunglasses and hand-poured candles. Essentially, you’d be happy to walk out with anything in the shop.
Start a conversation with anyone local and you’ll get a friendly reply. One shopkeeper gesticulates enthusiastically as she tells me how great all the events are around here, and how I simply must seek out the ‘Bookbarge’ – the floating book shop, Word On The Water.
As an outsider, I feel truly welcome, which is quite rare in the big smoke, and am still astounded by how calm and casual everything is all weekend long. Bars and restaurants are busy, but everywhere feels spacious and at ease. I have bags bulging with purchases, and am already planning when to come back and who to bring with me.
When it comes to food, I want to eat everywhere. Names that need no introduction grace street corners here, with Great British Menu banquet winner Pip Lacey setting up Hicce diagonally opposite Dishoom.
I’m in awe of the architecture at German Gymnasium – an all day Grand Cafe in a former gym built by German gymnasts in the 1800s. Inside the two-floor expanse you can still see hooks in the beams from where ropes and trapezes used to be suspended. Look up when you take a tinkle and you’ll clock cute Germain ladies painted on the ceilings, dancing along to a Sound of Music-esque soundtrack.
The German beer slips down like silk – try a Rothhaus Hefeweizen for £7.25 a pint, or a double pint of Rothaus Pilsner for £13. A Holstein Schnitzel will set you back £25.50, but cost doesn’t appear to be putting off punters, as the tables are heaving – and apparently it’s a ‘quiet’ night. I’m happy to save room for dessert, though, as the hazelnut praline, £6.50, and strawberry and elderflower coupe, £8, are well worth waddling out the door for. Over at Lina Stores, an Italian deli and diner where everything is colour-coordinated in striped sorbet shades of turquoise and white, I’m a little bit in love. The candy cane curtains, matching pinnies and headscarves, over-spilling deli counter and Limoncello Spritz (wild oregano infused limoncello with Prosecco and soda, £9) are all getting a big tick from me.
It’s loud, buzzing and child-friendly, and the perfectly portioned raviolini con burrata, £8, might just be the best pasta dish I’ve ever eaten.
At Redemption Roasters – the UK’s first prison-based coffee company, where they train offenders to become baristas – supervisor Ben attempts to educate me (I don’t drink coffee because I don’t – normally – like the taste).
He brews me a shot by Mageyo Washing Station in Bujumbura, Burundi, and I have to admit, I genuinely enjoy it. Not at all bitter, with notes of redcurrant, chocolate and Earl Grey tea, it slides down really smoothly. Word has clearly got around, as huge queues form at all times of the day.
Come dusk, however, people are sniffing out a different kind of brew just opposite at the tiny House Of Cans, who specialise in canned drinks – mainly craft beers, but wine, water and cider are also available. They work with artists to produce cans so beautiful, it feels wrong to recycle them. The beer is delicious, but a takeaway can will set you back just as much as a pint in a pub (four pint-sized cans cost £27).
With all this on your doorstep, and an international train station in case you fancy travelling further afield, there is no better place to stay than in the original railway hotel, the Great Northern Hotel, which has been around since 1864.
Rooms are bijou, and though some extra storage for clothes wouldn’t go amiss, everything else is small but perfectly formed. The deep blue ceiling and wood panelled walls provide an air of luxe, and the delectable double rain shower makes up for fact there’s no bath.
Restaurant Plum + Spilt Milk carries the colourways through, with a stunning addition of glass pendant clusters, the swirling filaments adding a glorious glow. Wooden and metallic edging makes the space feel special, the large windows flooding the room with daylight for a relaxed breakfast setting, while cosying up the space come evening.
On my visit, the rain clears up just in time for the Independent Label Market, which has been taking place across 17 cities for a decade. Stands are set up selling vinyl, T-shirts and badges, live and loud music blasts out from the decks, and DJs and music lovers excitedly rummage through records, anxious to make a purchase.
Coal Drops Yard has taken the ailing retail world and transformed it. This isn’t somewhere you come when you need a new coat. You come here for the overall
experience. You wander, you browse the multi-concept shopping spaces, you sit for a beer and a catch up, eat some fantastic food and have a thoroughly enjoyable day, whether you like shopping or not.
The people are friendly and the vibe is cool. Add in some themed markets and surely, this is the future of retail as we know it.
While we continue to shop online for the mundane stuff, we can soak up the experience of shopping at independents and boutiques, from people with a genuine passion for their products. I don’t think I’ve ever loved shopping alone so much in my life.
HOW TO PLAN YOUR TRIP Rooms at the Great Northern Hotel start from £170 a night. For more information, visit gnhlondon.com.
For more information about upcoming events and markets, visit kingscross.co.uk/whats-on.
For more information about King’s Cross, visit kingscross.co.uk.
Words by Claire Spreadbury, PA
FAR LEFT TOP
One of the beers at
House Of Cans | Claire
Spreadbury/PA
FAR LEFT BOTTOM
The Drops Fashion Market, Coal Drops Yard, King’s Cross | John Sturrock/PA
ABOVE & LEFT
The Great Northern
Hotel | Great Northern
Hotel/PA
Ferndown £824,950
Lovely detached family home | Set in total privacy | Large gardens totalling approx 0.66 acre | Four double bedrooms | Kitchen/diner | Study | Swimming pool (requires new liner) | Summerhouse | Triple garage Binnegar OIEO £750,000
Stunning detached thatched cottage | Beautiful grounds totalling approx 0.57 acre | Three bedrooms (en-suite to master) | Kitchen/breakfast room | Study | 2 Story double garage Ferndown £650,000
Sought after location | Four bedroom detached house | Two reception rooms | Kitchen/breakfast room | Two bathrooms | Stunning garden | Conservatory | Ample off-road parking
Ferndown OIEO £600,000
Four large double bedrooms | Two large reception room | Modern kitchen/breakfast room | Three bathrooms (to en-suite) | Gas central heating | Double glazing | Large private garden with summer house | Garage | Off road parking for 4+ vehicles | Lovely location Ferndown £450,000
Beautifully presented townhouse | Modern and fresh feel throughout | Four bedrooms | Family bathroom, one en-suite and downstairs w/c | Southerly facing garden | Off road parking | Detached single garage Broadstone OIEO £399,950
Sought after location | Stunning family home | Three bedrooms | Modernised throughout | Open plan kitchen/ diner | Off road parking | Detached single garage
Poole £1,795,000
Feature detached residence | Beautifully presented with sea views | 200 Metres from shore line | Vacant possession Modern kitchen and bathrooms | Mature grounds in historic location | Home to Royal Yacht Club and Sandbanks Yacht Club
St Leonards £830,000
Countryside Location | 3/4 Bedrooms | Kitchen/diner | Living Room with wood burner | 4 Bathrooms (2 en-suites) 1 Bedroom self-contained annex | Low maintenance garden | Off road parking
St Leonards £799,950
Quiet residential area | Spacious four bedroom detached house | Garden room | Two bathrooms | Double garage | Private plot | Driveway | Front and rear gardens
Bransgore £599,950
Stunning three bedroom detached bungalow | Bright and airy living area | Conservatory/day room | Beautiful rear garden | Charming summerhouse | Large driveway | Detached garage Godshill £729,950
New Forest location | Stunning detached cottage | Three bedrooms | Living room with window seat | Dining room with wood burner | Extensive grounds | Off road parking
Bournemouth £439,950
Peaceful location | Three bedroom modern detached bungalow | Single garage | Off road parking for multiple vehicles | Spacious family bath and shower room | Covered outdoor eating area | South facing garden Ferndown £629,950
Sought after location | Beautifully presented detached bungalow | Three double bedrooms (en-suite to master) | Spacious kitchen | Large lounge/diner | Boutique style bathroom | Conservatory | Double garage | Ample off-road parking
Poole OIEO £385,000
Share of freehold | No forward chain | Spacious two bedroom penthouse apartment | Oversized balcony | Double glazed | Large reception hall | Spacious lounge | Dining area | Single garage | Well maintained grounds
WESTBOURNE £275,000
Top floor apartment just a short distance from the beach. Two double bedrooms, modern kitchen, southerly balcony and garage.
HEARNES
www.hearnes.com 01202 317317
Properties of the month
LOWER PARKSTONE £1,000,000
A substantial detached four double bedroom family home offering spacious accommodation and a double garage.
WINKWORTH POOLE
www.winkworth.co.uk 01202 733000
VERWOOD OIEO £650,000
This wonderful four bedroom detached bungalow occupying a sizeable plot with annex potential (STPP) and rear garden.
EDWARDS
www.edwardestates.co.uk 01202 829777 HENGISTBURY HEAD £700,000
This bright and spacious bungalow is set on a substantial plot with three bedrooms, a large lounge and a secluded rear garden.
WINKWORTH SOUTHBOURNE
www.winkworth.co.uk 01202 434365 ALUM CHINE £975,000
A stunning four bedroom family home offering off road parking, a private front and rear garden and a beautiful outlook
EDWARDS
www.edwardestates.co.uk 01202 744944
BOSCOMBE £180,000
A beautifully presented apartment less than a mile from the beach. Offering 2 double bedrooms, living room and stunning kitchen. STAPEHILL OIEO £650,000
Beautifully presented, character five bedroom home on private gated estate with its own private garden and two garages.
HEARNES
www.hearnes.com 01202 317317 EDWARDS
www.edwardestates.co.uk 01202 855595
POOLE £1,795,000
Beautifully presented detached residence with sea views with modern kitchen and bathrooms, mature grounds.
ST QUINTIN PROPERTY GROUP
www.stqpropertygroup.co.uk 01202 877123 ASHLEY CROSS POA
Impressive three bedroom detached family home with secluded garden benefiting from West facing sun and large driveway.
CLEARWATER
www.clearwater.co 01202 738338
ST LEONARDS £830,000
3/4 Bedrooms home in a countryside location with a 1 bedroom self-contained annex, low maintenance garden and parking WIMBORNE Guide price £650,000
Three double bedroom detached family home with a newly fitted bathroom, garage, parking and beautiful garden.
ST QUINTIN PROPERTY GROUP
www.stqpropertygroup.co.uk 01202 877123 EDWARDS
www.edwardestates.co.uk 01202 842842 ALUM CHINE £1,395,000
A stunning detached four double bedroom house with three bathrooms, kitchen/living room, turntable driveway and double garage.
WINKWORTH WESTBOURNE
www.winkworth.co.uk 01202 767633
CROW £1,100,000
Ideally situated on approximately 2.4 acres, extensive parking and potential for a large garage, annexe or stabling STPP.
WOOLLEY & WALLIS
www.w-w.co.uk 01425 482380
WEST CLIFF £625,000
Stunning top floor apartment boasting three bedrooms, two bath/shower rooms, large kitchen, balcony and garage.
HEARNES
www.hearnes.com 01202 317317
EPC RATING TO When comes to marketing your CHANGE IN 2025? business House & Life yle magazine can help. Call 01202 287165.
The Government is in current consultation to bring forward the change in EPC ratings from E to min ‘C’ from YOUR FREE LOCAL PROPERTY & LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE ISSUE #213 2028 to 2025. With the current climate changes being heavily in the news at the moment, the government is keen to do their bit. From 2025 all new builds will be banned from putting in Gas boilers to drive us away from ‘gas’ as a carbon-based fuel and they are looking to replace the boilers with a heat source air pump. The government introduced a ‘Green Homes Grant’ in September 2020, where they paid two thirds of the invoice and we paid one third with a cap of £5000. However, this was closed on 31st March 2021 due to various hitches and lack of skilled workforce. There is talk of them looking at another type of grant – let’s hope so! Landlords will not be able to issue new tenancies unless 1 their property is rated ‘C’, just like we did with the current system when they banned F and G ratings from the rental sector in April 2018. The older the property, the more likely you are to be a D or E. I would highly recommend you looking at your current EPC and seeing if you have a potential rating of ‘C’ and what the recommendations are on how to achieve this. If they insist on landlords upgrading properties to the pump system, this could have a negative impact on the rental sector as it just wouldn’t be a ordable for many landlords and the return on investment could take several years to recoup! As they say, ‘watch this space’. Have a good week! Sharon Canning
L k at our new shutters
1 0 0 % Quality Service 0117 370 1594
FACING A SEPARATION? L k at our new shutters
T2718 JS Sign Board 813x610 (6).indd 8 Lifetime Guarantee
justshutters.co.uk
Just Shutters Bristol -
“Where service counts...” 01202 317317 www.hearnes.com 01202 488808 www.cricklewoodkitchens.co.uk Cricklewood Kitchens - cover box_203.indd 127/09/2019 16:47 Our Family Team are here to support you, just call 01202 315005 Turn to page 59 for more information.
0 0 % Quality Service 01202 240769
Lifetime Guarantee justshutters.co.uk
0117 370 1594
justshutters.co.uk
T2718 JS Sign Board 813x610 (6).indd 8 19/07/2018 09:59
Just Shutters Bristol -
19/07/2018 09:59
THE FACTS Advertise from £95 per month.
FREE design. Around 150,000 readers.
If you would like a friendly, no obligation chat regarding FREE news edit. buying, selling, renting or investing in property, then please email sharon@moveon.biz or telephone 01202 711169.
EPC RATING TO CHANGE IN 2025?
The Government is in current consultation to bring forward the change in EPC ratings from E to min ‘C’ from 2028 to 2025.
With the current climate changes being heavily in the news at the moment, the government is keen to do their bit.
From 2025 all new builds will be banned from putting in Gas boilers to drive us away from ‘gas’ as a carbon-based fuel and they are looking to replace the boilers with a heat source air pump.
The government introduced a ‘Green Homes Grant’ in September 2020, where they paid two thirds of the invoice and we paid one third with a cap of £5000. However, this was closed on 31st March 2021 due to various hitches and lack of skilled workforce. There is talk of them looking at another type of grant – let’s hope so!
Landlords will not be able to issue new tenancies unless their property is rated ‘C’, just like we did with the current system when they banned F and G ratings from the rental sector in April 2018.
The older the property, the more likely you are to be a D or E. I would highly recommend you looking at your current EPC and seeing if you have a potential rating of ‘C’ and what the recommendations are on how to achieve this.
If they insist on landlords upgrading properties to the pump system, this could have a negative impact on the rental sector as it just wouldn’t be a ordable for many landlords and the return on investment could take several years to recoup! As they say, ‘watch this space’.
Have a good week! Sharon Canning
If you would like a friendly, no obligation chat regarding buying, selling, renting or investing in property, then please email sharon@moveon.biz or telephone 01202 711169.
T. 01202 711169 E. Sharon@moveon.bizWWW.HOUSE-MAG.CO.UK W. www.moveonrentals.com T. 01202 711169 E. Sharon@moveon.biz
W. www.moveonrentals.com
