Regional Spotlight: The Peak District
With its beautiful, stone-built properties and gorgeous scenery, Derbyshire represents a good option for buyers looking for lifestyle businesses and a good work-life balance.
Graham Allman, corporate director at licensed property agent Guy Simmonds, says the real hot spot is up in the Peak District. Unfortunately, demand far outstrips supply, which is reflected in the high prices. One property Allman sold 18 months ago for £399,000 he recently valued at £549,000.
Leasehold pub businesses in the Peaks range from £60,000 to £250,000. Freeholds are scarce, and hotels with more than six rooms are even rarer. Local agents have long lists of waiting buyers, and a lot of properties don't make it on to the open market.
However, Allman says many local owners are having valuations done now, and he expects to see "quite a lot" of properties come on to the market in September. A key factor is that the summer has been a washout compared with last year, and if they sell soon they can still use last year's figures.
"It's very much a hold-and-see situation, as the owners wait to see what the market will do," Allman explains.
Another factor in the Peaks is that it's currently "nigh impossible" to get planning permission.
A good alternative, says Allman, is to head for one of the well-heeled villages around Derby, such as Weston on Trent, which are supported by good transport links, with the nearby M1 and M42. The area surrounding East Midlands airport in the corner of south Derbyshire is another hot spot.
