A Victorian Townhouse Restoration
In early 2016 I bought a Victorian townhouse maisonette in my old hometown of South Shields. Black front door in a beautiful quiet residential street I landed in South Shields on the 9th February with my furniture and all my belongings from my Aberdeen house (I actually travelled down in the removal van!) and helped […]
Thanks to all Our Key Worker Serviced Accommodation Clients
When lockdown came it felt a bit like when you slipped off the pedals on your BMX as a kid and you landed right on the top bar. REET between your legs. Ouch! A rare event but very painful and there seemed no way to make it feel better. Hotels and bed and breakfasts (places […]
South Mount Street Aberdeen Serviced Apartment Lockdown Upgrade
So it’s Sunday! And tomorrow Sonny, Lola and I travel to the Lake District for a short holiday with my Mam! The first time we’ll have seen her since Christmas. So today was the last day to finish off our latest self catering place in Aberdeen. And we did it! Do you want to hear […]
Landlord Management & Post Lockdown Optimism
Sorry I haven’t been as prolific at getting these blogs out in the last week or 2. I’ve been busy. A lady called me 2-3 weeks ago. Someone I had no links to. She was a landlord and lives away from Aberdeen. And she did not think her agent, who was managing her Aberdeen property, […]
Our Cancellation Policy? To Look After our Regulars
Tonight I approved yet another cancellation. It was for guests who were coming for a popular sporting event that is now cancelled due to ‘you know what’. A lovely lady called Angela who runs a B&B in Aberdeen and helped me out when I lived out of the area and came back to spend time […]
From Aberdeen to Arasaig
It had been a tough few months, and was only going to improve many years later. So I decided that the rest of 2013 would consist of getting as much fun packed into my time off work as possible. This was my 40th year and I was going to enjoy it despite the backdrop. Kicking […]
Do What You Love, or Love What You Do
I’ve always fancied writing a blog. Well for a good few years anyway. When I started operating my first South Shields serviced accommodation I wrote my own personal independent guide to the area. Whenever I travel anywhere I want to escape the rest of the tourists. Get out of my comfort zone and sit in […]
Our Aberdeen West End Granite House Renovation
The lovely dear I bought my house in Aberdeen from, Grace, had owned it since it was built. Which was just after the war ended. Anyway, the house was in need of some SERIOUS TLC! The conservatory and “greenhouse” soon to be kitchen diner! Tyneside burglars would have had a field day with this place. […]
Aberdeen Serviced Accommodation Beginnings
I came up to Aberdeen the week before Christmas in 2001. Purely for work. It was a temporary contract with one weeks notice. Almost 20 years later I still can’t escape the place! It was my first experience of being away from my hometown of South Shields. And I came up up by myself. Off […]
Unlikely Serviced Accommodation Business Origins
I’m originally from South Shields, north east England. A special town. It snuggles in a cosy spot right where the River Tyne meets the North Sea. It’s not Newcastle and it’s not Sunderland. And it never will be. We’re not Geordies and we’re not Mackems. We’re Sanddancers. And we’re proud. It’s a spiritual place. It’s […]
Lockdown Benefits and Serviced Accommodation Slow Down
I’m lucky in that I can manage many aspects of my business online and over the phone in isolation. I have been able to concentrate on marketing for the future and trying to secure the bookings which are currently allowed like key workers, folk unable to return to their home address, self isolations etc. It’s […]
Ramblings of a First Time Serviced Accommodation Blogger
Have you ever wanted to start something new but there always seems to be something else in the way like the day job or family duties? So these great ideas or even dreams never materialise and you end up wondering what if. Well, the idea of writing a blog has long been in my mind […]