Andrew and Karen Jones
2011 has been another record year for the agency and the whole team are already working harder than ever to ensure that they make the most of every opportunity to encourage those who are thinking about booking a holiday in 2012 to choose Dartmouth and the South Hams rather than anywhere else and to book with Coast & Country Cottages rather than with anyone else!
Indeed, despite the current economic climate, early indications for 2012 are very encouraging, with more advance reservations taken by the end of October than ever before and repeat bookings (ie from customers choosing to book the same property year-on-year) at an all-time high. October has also seen record numbers of new customers booking for the first time with Coast & Country Cottages, testament to the strength of the extensive national advertising campaign led by Marketing & Sales Manager, Clare Levy.
It is 10 years since Andrew and Karen acquired the small Salcombe-based agency Coast & Country Cottages plus Kingsbridge-based Devon Connection. In 2004 they were delighted to add Dartmouth Cottages, then 28 holiday properties in and around Dartmouth, to the portfolio and they have never looked back! Over the past 10 years, they have seen the business more than double in size, with significant growth coming from the Dartmouth portfolio, which now includes over 130 properties in and around the town and nearby villages. With some fantastic new properties in Dartmouth already included in the glossy 2012 brochure in readiness for the next season and even more ‘in the pipeline’, this number is set to grow even further. The popularity of Dartmouth throughout the year means that several Dartmouth properties are booked consistently all year round and the Dartmouth team are always busy with enquiries for holidays and short breaks whatever the season.
Based in Market Street, the Coast & Country Cottages Dartmouth team are led by Manager, Suzy Pile, with Sales Administrators, Teresa Stevens, Mia Cameron, Liz Ridding and Anna Guppy. Although based in the larger Salcombe ‘Head Office’, Andrew and Karen regularly work in Dartmouth and visit socially, with Karen’s parents living in the town and some of their favourite restaurants being located here! The Dartmouth office is supported by an experienced Management team including Jon Doyle (Operations Director), Clare Levy (Marketing & Sales Manager), Nick Seedhouse (Property Services Manager) and Stuart Taylor (Operations Manager), whilst Marketing Assistants Tina Doyle and Victoria Rogers also regularly work from Dartmouth. Starting with just 3 full-timers in a small office in Church Street, Salcombe, the team has grown to 28 permanent staff across the two offices in Hannaford’s Landing, Salcombe and Market Street, Dartmouth. The agency is also currently recruiting for a further new position – a Digital Marketing Assistant to join the busy marketing team in Salcombe. In fact, Coast & Country Cottages have recently strengthened the company by adding a number of new positions which offer opportunities for career development within the team as well as providing brand new jobs for local people. In 2010 the agency acquired Travel Lite Laundry (based in Salcombe) and, under the management of Paul Ashworth, this has further extended the service and support the team offer property owners.
In addition to investing in people, the company has introduced new state-of-the art telephone software and IT and will very shortly re-launch their successful website www.coastandcountry.co.uk – this continued investment in the infrastructure demonstrates their commitment to provide the highest standards of service to owners and holidaymakers alike. The UK self-catering market has changed beyond all recognition during the past 10 years as a growing number of new and old customers have rediscovered the delights of a holiday in this country. However, their needs and expectations are very different from those of previous generations of visitors and the team at Coast & Country Cottages are determined to provide the highest standards of accommodation and service possible to ensure that the experience is a good one…whatever the weather!
Coast & Country Cottages also work closely with a large number of Dartmouth businesses and individuals, from small cleaning firms and individual contractors to larger organisations and award-winning companies and brands. Indeed it would not be an exaggeration to say that the growing Coast & Country Cottages ‘network’ now involves many hundreds of businesses across the South Hams, including a large number in Dartmouth, and has a significant impact on the local economy.
The agency works very hard to support the town of Dartmouth and the South Hams in general, through sponsorship of many local events and support of several local charities and organisations. Coast & Country Cottages was recently one of the main sponsors at the Dartmouth Food Festival, attending regular planning meetings, marketing the event to its vast database of customers and highlighting it to a large number of media contacts. They also contributed time, staff and money to run, with Café Alf Resco, the popular Children’s Fun marquee in Avenue Gardens, over the 3 days of the festival. Dartmouth Regatta, Dartmouth Shakespeare Week and Dartmouth Music Festival are also supported by the company, which has recently committed to sponsor the 42nd Squib Nationals, which are being held in Dartmouth for the very first time during July 2012 hosted by the Royal Dart Yacht Club!
Coast & Country Cottages has enjoyed many PR successes over the past 10 years and is very grateful for the support given by Dartmouth businesses. These include The Seahorse Restaurant, The Flavel, Woodlands, Venus, RockFish, Dart Marina, The Picnic Boat, Café Alf Resco, Manna from Devon and the Dartmouth Steam Railway & River Boat Company who advertise in their popular ‘Planning Your Stay’ brochure and often help contribute to the success of these press visits by providing complimentary goods or services. Most recent write-ups include a fantastic mention in The Mail on Sunday in October, and a fabulous write-up in The Times – further coverage is anticipated and press visits highlighting the beautiful South Hams and the many superb places to eat and visit, are planned for the near future, with the team currently working on a potential Dartmouth press visit from a national newspaper, hopefully next Spring.
To find out more about Coast & Country Cottages, to make a booking, request a brochure or to receive a copy of the free Owners Guide, visit www.coastandcountry.co.uk or call our team in Dartmouth on 01803 839499.
First Published November 2011 By The Dart