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Gîte buisness - France vs UK (Lake District)


alittlebitfrench
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We are having a mid life crisis and thinking of opening a gîte business.

I fancy the Lake District....Ambleside...ish. The OH fancies Scotland. Of course we live in France and it would be simpler to do it France. But of course as we all know that you can't make money in France and I like money. But can you in the UK ?

So France vs the UK (Ambleside !!!!!!) for opening a Gîte ?

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Should think that it isn't that simple

1. Cottage prices in tourist regions are expensive.

2. Need to have somebody available to manage the property when you are not there - expensive.

3. Need to advertise the property.

4. Presumably need to set up as a business with all that hassle.

Much more practical/profitable if you were to live close by to the property.

However if your hearts are set on it then why not.
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I'm sure a gite in Ambleside would rake in loadsa dosh in the summer but then it would be a big investment, property prices in the Lake District being what they are. Are you going to move there yourselves? If so, Ambleside might be a nightmare to live in during peak tourist season, roads clogged with caravans etc.

Scotland - Borders? Lowlands? Highlands? So varied. Whenever we go up to the islands, which is quite often, and we look for somewhere affordable to stay overnight to break the journey, it's hard to find anywhere. But then I don't expect affordable was what you had in mind.
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ET...Do you know 'Clachaig Inn' in Glencoe ??

That was affordable accommodation.....well going back 10-15 years. Little dormitory accommodation plus B&B type accommodation and a pub with good food. I loved that place.

That would be my business model. In fact, that could work in France !!!! I should not give my ideas away on an open forum. LOL

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That was on the dark forum....it was a place in 'Lochcarron' that was up for sale and Ally (wherever he has gone) said don't do it as the English muppet clientele would drive you insane. He kinda of had a point so I dropped it.

Anyway, I always get these ideas at this time of the year. Its summer !!!! It will pass once I have gone on holiday and realise I hate tourists. In the September it will the 'chips away' idea. Or was that your idea ?? LOL

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[quote user="alittlebitfrench"]ET...Do you know 'Clachaig Inn' in Glencoe ??

That was affordable accommodation.....well going back 10-15 years. Little dormitory accommodation plus B&B type accommodation and a pub with good food. I loved that place.

That would be my business model. In fact, that could work in France !!!! I should not give my ideas away on an open forum. LOL[/quote]

YES, it could work.  Find a place on the Compostelle route or the Trail de Stevenson, some long walking route and you should fill it.

Hell, I might even bring some of my walking friends and come and stay with you[:P]

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Friends of ours here rent out a house near Kendal using an managing agent and they lose 50% of the rental income in fees etc BUT the season is 52 weeks long which I doubt is not the same in France. They previously let their French house which at best was rented for 10/12 weeks. The biggest problem I can see (and others have alluded to it) is the initial cost of purchasing the house, oh and don't forget tax returns in both countries.
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Its a 52 weeks season here thanks to the WW1 graves and memorials, no that sound awfull [:(], because of the WW1 graves and memorials and also because of the Airbus factory and the constant stream of short term and sub contract workers plus the specialist companies installing the new production lines and the facilities in the new science park.

1st 6 months of this year will have had an average occupancy of 99.3% , possibly 99.4% if the one apartment available for tomorrow is taken by a walk-in or last minute booker. Same period last year was 96%.

 

If only I could turn it all over to a letting agent or lease the exploitation rights to someone so I could be somewhere better, - anywhere!

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