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Wighill Manor Lodges is a new farm diversification business which is 'ticking all the right boxes' for Carl Redfearn and his family: an additional source of income with good financial returns from day one; minimal time commitment and a secure long-term business on the farm for future generations.
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Manor House Farm near Wetherby has been a family farm for four generations but the need to create an additional source of income and provide a secure business for future generations has resulted in Carl and Margart Redfearn and their family launching a luxury self-catering holiday business.
Said Carl: "Although we needed to bring in extra revenue, we were adamant that any diversification project should not distract us from our core farming business. Something we could manage easily, without taking us away from our day-to-day work was vital."
"We looked at many projects but then thought - why not offer visitors to the area what we have in abundance? - space, fresh air, peace and quiet and a range of environmentally friendly activities like walking, cycling and bird watching."
They decided to offer self-catering holidays in timber lodges. They know that a basic lodge in a muddy field at the end of a farm track would not satisfy today's holidaymakers who are looking for well laid out accommodation and all the luxuries and facilities similar to, or better than, they enjoy at home.
When their research provided evidence that this type of project would be viable, the decision was taken to go ahead and planning permission obtained for five lodges.
Although none of the family had any experience in the tourism or leaisure industry, they combined their skills and Wighill Manor Lodges was born. Carl's son-in-law Rupert Brown spearheaded the project, with the help of lodge manufacturer, Pinelog and Hoseasons who would market the holidays and provide customer service with an internet booking facility.
Hoseasons offered immediate publicity via its website which resulted in bookings for the day the lodges were commissioned. By taking responsibility for handling all enquiries, bookings and payments, Hoseasons would also minimise administration time on the farm.
Bakewell based Pinelog www.pinelog.co.uk supplied a total of five of their one, two and three-bedroom Nordic Pinelodges. These have a simple design and genuine log cabin feel. As the average holiday lodge has to withstand two change-overs a week over 40+ weeks a year, the Nordic Pinelodge is tough enough to withstand all of this and offer uncompromising build quality at a competative price.
Low maintenance timber interiors create a holiday atmosphere and only need an occasional wipe down. Exterior colours can be mixed and matched to contract or blend in with the environment.
Pinelog were happy to extend standard Nordic designs for Wighill Manor Lodges, making them more spacious and insulated to building regulation standard. A hot tub was incorporated in each verandah. "We thought that this would give them extra glamour," said Rupert. "After all very few of us can sit under the stars in a hot tub at home. The lodges arrived late 2010 and were soon fully booked to the end of April with bookings for the Summer arriving steadily."
Summing up Rupert says:" We are delighted. The new business generated income from day one and is dovetailing perfectly with our day to day farm work. The only time we have to allocate to the business is changeover days but as these are Monday and Friday, this leaves pleanty of time for farm work and being with the children"
"We estimate that our investment will pay for itself with five years and help us provide the next generations with a secure future generations with a secure future on Manor House Farm."
Contact Information
robert paterson
pinelog limited
riverside business park
bakewell
DE45 1GS
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