Serviced Accommodation

Tourists, travellers and people working away from home frequently prefer the tranquility and informality that farmhouse accommodation can provide. This is normally on a bed and breakfast basis, but may extend to evening meals and bar service. Driven by demand as well as by the grading schemes run by Tourist Boards, standards have risen considerably and such things as en-suite accommodation and internet access are virtually standard. This is an enterprise that need not take a lot of daytime work and one that can help offset rural isolation.

Pros: good margin per head; does not impinge on current farming system; developing market.

Cons: must have efficient booking system and web site presence; can impinge on family life; larger sized enterprises must meet demanding regulations.

This website helps your fill out our generic business plan, which you can download to your computer by clicking here.  Listed below are sections which relate to the sections in the business plan, giving you detailed information, case studies, useful documents and links to make the writing of your business plan easier.

Nick & Susie Emmett: The Granary, Whitehouse Farm,
Nick and Susie Emmett farm sheep at Whitehouse Farm, which they acquired in the 1990s when most of the buildings were in a poor state of repair. The former granary, listed Grade II, has been converted into holiday accommodation as part of a larger scheme to repair all the historic buildings on the farm. Managing diversification The Emmetts felt that the business plan they drew up, with the help of NRBAS, was very useful. It was produced in order to access a RES grant but helped crystallise ideas. The intention was to convert a liability into an asset. The couple were very involved in every stage of the process, dispensing with an architect after the design stage and project managing the conversion themselves. This included detailed research on historic materials and in-depth negotiations with the building regulations officer regarding the impact of the regulations on the historic character of the building. Local interest and support was important as well. The converted building is close to the Emmetts house and so they have frequent contact with people staying there. Visitors are encouraged to walk around the farm. Trails are adjusted to fit the time of year, and changes in what there is to see. Information is supplied about the farm, and MP3 audio guides are planned. The farm is children-friendly, with swings in the trees. Visitors often talk to Nick about the farm while he is working. Funding The business probably would not have got off the ground without a RES grant. The conversion was of a high standard and so was expensive. The grant of £74,000 was 50% of the project. The conversion took nine months to complete. Without the grant, they might have managed to do it by reducing the specification, or doing the conversion more slowly. Being realistic about running costs is important. Cleaning and replacement costs are surprisingly high. It is important to talk to other people in similar businesses to share information. The Emmetts carried out some market research but also were following a "gut feeling". Marketing The Emmetts believe that the whole county of Norfolk is a hotspot for tourism, and that it is not a disadvantage to be in the Breckland area which might be considered less popular than the coast. Booking is managed by an agency and they are already benefiting from repeat business. They feel that big commercial agencies have the best idea of what can be let and what the niche market is in your area. Legislation The Emmetts were committed to retaining the historic character of the Granary and, because of this, they took advice from the Historic Buildings Officer of the local council. With his support they became very involved with negotiating buildings regulation legislation. They found that the legislation was not very sympathetic to the historic structure and that it was often down to them to research materials and argue for their use with the local officer, rather than using inappropriate modern materials or approaches, for example lime mortar for brickwork and limecrete for the floor. Getting planning permission was not a problem since at an early stage a planner had visited the estate to give recommendations on what would, and would not, be likely to be approved. Because of the commitment of the couple to the historic character of the building, and their involvement in the design, the project was able to gain listed building consent.
	Caroline Davison