Since England has been unlocked, holiday cottage complexes, lodge parks, campsites and caravan parks have seen a dramatic increase in demand as people look to move out of urban areas and move to the countryside for a change in lifestyle.

The Covid-19 pandemic has accelerated many people’s plans and given purchasers time to think about their future. We have seen an increase in demand from buyers in London and the home counties looking to move to the South West and purchase a self-catering leisure business as a lifestyle opportunity.

Many purchasers are looking to work from home, so a good broadband speed is essential. This mirrors a trend that we saw during the recession in 2008, when many people took the opportunity to sell their properties, and change their lifestyle by investing in a business where they could both live and generate an income.

There has also, in recent years, been an uplift in the popularity of wild camping, glamping and wild swimming – and this too is reflected in the market and the demand for holiday letting accommodation. And, of course, there has been a drastic increase in the ‘staycation,’ fuelled by the reluctance and restrictions of many holidaymakers to travel abroad.

Stephen Richards, head of Carter Jonas Leisure, comments: “Speaking to clients and holiday letting agents that are in the market, they have been apprehensive about reopening on the 4th July and are saying that the guests that have booked already are nervous when arriving. People are looking to holiday in the UK because they are concerned about flights, ferries and a two-week quarantine period after visiting certain countries, as well as the fear of being locked down in an unknown country, and this is leading to increased demand for UK holiday accommodation.

“Clients are increasing their holiday rental prices by 10-20% in light of this higher demand, and they feel that 2020 and 2021 are going to be bumper years. With this in mind, new operators are looking to enter into the market.”

Interested in buying or selling a leisure property, or want to find out more about the leisure property market?

Contact Stephen Richards and the Carter Jonas Leisure on 01823 428858 or tauntonleisure@carterjonas.co.uk.