Oh we do like to be beside the seaside…

When we think of a typical british seaside scene, brightly coloured beach huts are an essential part of the picture conjured up. They go hand in hand with ice creams and sandcastles, bunting flapping in the breeze and flasks of hot tea and of course, fish and chips!

Beach huts are an integral part of the history of the British seaside since they first started being used in the early twentieth Century. Up until that time, men and women bathed on separate beaches, with changing taking place, fully hidden in a ‘bathing machine’! Once it became more acceptable for both sexes to inahbit the same beaches in (very modest) bathing costumes, the bathing machine was redundant and many were abandoned on beaches. Of course, decency must be preserved at all times (with typical British reserve) and councils provided, and charged for, beach huts. The more enterprising souls removed the wheels from the bathing machines and converted them, and hence the beach hut was born!

These days beach huts are big business with more and more people remaining in this country for holidays, with this trend set to increase during the current economic climate. No longer are they seen as somewhere for the elderly to snooze the day away, but as a place for friends and family to gather and enjoy being in the fresh air.

The recent rivival of nostalgic spirit and all things retro has meant that in some locations, beach huts are now selling for more money than houses in other areas. At one time, huts in Murdford, Dorset, were selling for up to £160,000! But more typically, an example of prices here on the South Coast in Hove are around the £10,000 mark.

You can hire beach huts by the day, or the week, an ideal way to make your beach holiday a little less rustic, or of course can buy your own and enjoy the shore year round.

If you have your own beach hut or experience of them in the past, we would love to hear from you with your memories! Of course, you may be interested in purchasing your own, contact mel@callways.co.uk for more information.

Skills shortage in the housing industry?

Development companies make redundancies

Reading about a skills shortage in the housing industry (an extract of which is below) surprised me, especially with the current market situation.  There have been many recent redundancies made for both small and large development companies so surely these workers would be looking for a new opportunity to continue in their trade? According to this article, they are now in real demand!

“Skills shortages in the construction sector are likely to become more acute as the industry grows 11 per cent by 2011, according to a study by the Chartered Institute of Building (COIB).

Increased demand for construction, as a result of the government’s target to provide three million new homes by 2020, the London Olympics and a raft of new schools and academies, is likely to heighten the problem.”

Is the demand for these skills in the wrong areas?  Are skilled workers prepared to travel for work? What can be done to rectify this situation?

Post comments and thoughts …

The Esplanade, Bognor Regis

‘Showhome Hannah’ enters through a show-home front door of…

This week: Roffey Homes, The Esplanade, Bognor Regis

Bognor Regis was once a small fishing village where its first hotel was built on the seafront in the mid 1700’s.  Nowadays, it is a seaside resort with entertainment facilities including its own pier, the Alexandra Theatre, nightclubs, Butlins (a popular holiday destination for many) and restaurants and café bars.   Bognor Regis could do with a re-vamp and it just so happens that a regeneration programme is beginning to take shape with £500 million being pledged to this seaside resort; so be prepared for great and modern things.

There were no signs directing me towards the development, however it was hard to miss The Esplanade as I drove along Bognor seafront - but not for the normal “new homes” reason.  This development struck me because the designer stayed in-tune with the town’s historic surroundings and created a beautifully styled exterior.  Even though the exterior can take our imaginations to the past, the interior offers a modern and convenient way of living that we all crave for.  With 51 apartments built, sales have already progressed so be sure to get in quick.

I was greeted by a well-dressed sales consultant who allowed me to wander unaccompanied through the show apartment, plot 37.  I was amazed at the size of this two bedroom apartment and the amount of available space.  Large windows plus additional doors to a balcony offers natural light and fantastic undisrupted views to the sea. 

After viewing other new developments, I presumed that this space would fall short when entering the bedrooms.  Thankfully I was proved wrong.  A more than generous master bedroom unfolded, beaming character and again, great availability of natural light.  The bedroom was complimented by a very large en-suite that comprised a bath tub and shower cubicle to please any purchaser.  The second bedroom was again a fantastic size with fitted wardrobes and the layout designed to show that it could be utilised as a study as well.

Bognor has more entertainment than many initially believe.  Butlins is the main attraction within the town however more is on offer with department stores, regular open air markets, arcades, the theatre, the Picturedrome cinema, Hotham Park and the seafront.  The town has many events throughout the year which include festivals and the famous South East in Bloom competition and all of this is on the doorstep of the Roffey Homes’ development.

Even though there is a good choice of restaurants, cooking would never be a chore in this long, modern and spacious kitchen. I am ecstatic that the developer has realised the importance of accessible, large storage cupboards and that the kitchen needs to be easy to move around in without knocking elbows constantly. Adventurous cooking here we come!

With 105 years’ lease, Ground Rent of £225 for two bedroom apartments and £250 for three beds and Maintenance Charges from £1,211 for two beds and £1817 for three beds.

What you get for your money:
Prices from £210,000

Location, location, location:
Stone’s throw away from the beach, Butlins just a 2 minute walk, about one mile to Hotham Park, University of Chichester (Bognor site) close by, restaurants, bars, shopping and other entertainment facilities about a 5-10 minute walk away.

Best feature:
Private underground garages plus garages to the back of the development, parking spaces, under-floor heating, view of the sea and easy access to all amenities.

Worst feature:
No pets allowed

Contact the sales office: 01243-868682 (open Monday to Saturday 10-4)

• Location:                          9 of 10 (Easy access by roads and to amenities)
• Product:                           9 of 10
• Sales Negotiator service:    7 of 10 (went through specs after I viewed, didn’t feel pressured)
• Value for money:             Very good

Overall:  Built to a high spec, good location … 

Have you visited The Esplanade, Bognor?  Do you agree with our ‘Show-home Show-case’?  Post Your Comments.

Legal disclaimer: The impression expressed by “Show Home Hannah” is purely based on their genuine opinion and subjective experience on the specified development site visits. They are based on only as their opinion of what they have encountered and should not be read as a judgement of the business or the employees involved.