ALL ABOUT YOUR AREA: A LOCAL PERSPECTIVE


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A particular take on property

ISSUE ONE

All about your area: a local perspective from Strutt & Parker

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29/08/2013 15:20

Welcome to &Chester, a magazine showcasing local properties and giving you a taste of the area. Strutt & Parker is one of the most diverse property businesses in the UK, and the Chester office is a focal point for the wide range of departments and services we offer. The residential team specialises in selling a variety of properties across Chester and the surrounding towns and villages, while Strutt & Parker also provides unrivalled expertise in farming, land management, commercial property, planning and development. Read on to find out more Page 03 Page 04 Page 06 Page 08 Page 09 Page 10 Page 11

Insight: Strutt & Parker discusses the local market First & foremost: the hottest properties and local highlights Portfolio: property showcase Trends & analysis: expert overview of the national market Why Strutt & Parker? Why we love Chester: locals reveal why there’s no place like home Find us: local centre highlights

Published on behalf of Strutt & Parker by Sunday sundaypublishing.com. All information and pricing correct at time of going to press.

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INSIGHT

A particular take on property

ISSUE ONE

Martyn Haden, Partner, explains how our Chester office brings a wealth of experience to the city’s robust property market

photography (cover and this page) Rob Whitrow

‘S

trutt & Parker has had an office in Cheshire for more than 70 years and first came to the city in 1983. We are the biggest land managers of rural estates in Cheshire. ‘The four leading characters of the sales department have well over 100 years of experience in the property market between them. Having been in Chester for so many years, there are a number of houses that we have sold more than once. ‘Chester is one of the best-preserved walled cities in Britain with most of its Grade I Listed walls still intact. The River Dee runs through the centre of the city, which is also famous for the Rows, a continuous half-timbered gallery of shops that is believed to be unique in the world. ‘Historically, many affluent traders made their home in Chester, but today it is more family-orientated and has a range of excellent schools including King’s, Queen’s and Abbey Gate College. ‘Chester is a university city, and the family-friendly Queens Park and Curzon Park are popular suburbs. To the west, in North Wales, there is the stunning scenery of

the Vale of Clwyd and Snowdonia National Park, with sandy beaches on the coast. Add to that about 3,500 square miles of countryside, and Cheshire and North Wales can cater for just about every taste. ‘Chester is also well located for commuters and for businesses looking to trade in the Midlands, the northwest of England and North Wales. Close by are the M53 (for the Wirral and Liverpool), the M56 (for Manchester) and the M6 (for the Midlands and south), while the A55 is the main route from Chester to North Wales and on to Holyhead for ferries to Ireland. Direct trains from Chester to London take approximately two hours. ‘The property market has been challenging over the past few years, but we may now be seeing the light at the end of tunnel. Realistic pricing has been the greatest test, but our clients are starting to see the benefits of going to the market at the right level. ‘We pride ourselves on providing honest advice and delivering the best service. Presentation has never been more important and our national network of offices has proved vital, with an ever-increasing number of buyers moving in from different parts of the country.’

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First & foremost

rural idyll The Spinney, Bruera, Chester The Spinney is situated between Saighton and Aldford villages – one of the foremost locations in the Chester area. The property has far-reaching rural views and lies next to the Duke of Westminster’s Eaton Hall Estate. Dated 1927, The Spinney offers wellproportioned accommodation with considerable character and elegance. It is surrounded by delightful mature gardens and has views over the surrounding countryside including the Conservation Area surrounding the Norman Church of St Mary the Virgin. £640,000 FOR SALE Contact 01244 354880

dine in style For a gastronomic treat, try the Grosvenor Hotel. From the Michelin-starred Simon Radley restaurant – in the Sunday Times top 20 of the UK’s best 100 restaurants – to a sumptuous afternoon tea, there’s something for every taste bud. The French-style La Brasserie, with its granite table tops and painted skylight, serves light meals, and even has a new indoor wood-fired barbecue. If it’s a tipple you’re after, go to the Arkle Bar for a pre-dinner cocktail or a post-dinner whisky. chestergrosvenor.com

racing times Chester Racecourse is, according to official records, the oldest still in use in England, dating back to the early 16th century. A stroll from the city’s shops, restaurants and bars, it’s a hugely popular Chester pastime. Aside from the racing, it’s a great way to catch up with friends, and enjoy a drink and a bite. Food outlets serve traditional British fare, from pies to fish and chips, or you can take your seat in the magnificent glass-fronted restaurant, 1539 – named after the first year that horse racing took place in Chester. chester-races.co.uk

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LOCAL ATTRACTIONS

fashion forward

a taste of glamour With its Georgian front and shiny, designer interior, Oddfellows Hotel is both historic and contemporary – and it’s one of Chester’s go-to places for dinner and a drink. The Garden restaurant, overseen by the head chef at Chester’s Grosvenor Hotel, Simon Radley, serves vibrant dishes, including rabbit, sea bass with linguine and a limoncello parfait teamed with Turkish Delight. There’s a modern afternoon tea that even includes a children’s menu. And best of all, there’s the hotel’s Secret Garden – an outdoor eatery filled with greenery, design-led furniture, secluded spots, open fire pits and private cabins. oddfellowschester.com

Forget New York, Paris and Milan – The Editeur, tucked away in Chester’s historic Rows, brings international fashion straight to your door, stocking many of the hottest womenswear brands around. Pieces by Nicole Farhi, Acne and Malene Birger sit alongside Diane von Furstenberg and Alice by Temperley, all carefully edited by owner Annabel MountKirk with the emphasis on luxury and investment pieces. Mount-Kirk also supports local designers, such as Chester-based milliner Laura Apsit Livens. Don’t forget the store’s fabulous sales, too – most items go down to half price.

the-editeur.com

animal magic When seven-year-old Sumatran tiger Kirana gave birth to two cubs back in June, on camera at Chester Zoo, the population of this critically endangered species from Indonesia – there are thought to be around 400 left in the wild – swelled a little. Chester Zoo is one of the city’s biggest draws – a world-class zoo set in 110 acres of parkland with 11,000 animals. The perfect family day out.

words Hannah Booth

chesterzoo.org

CHESTER Uncovered Chester’s Rows are unique; nothing similar exists anywhere else in the world

quiet charm The Old Rectory, Waverton, Chester The Old Rectory stands centrally in its grounds and enjoys a quiet position with countryside views. The property has a sweeping driveway flanked by mature trees and beautiful manicured formal gardens. The six-bedroom house provides well-proportioned rooms with high ceilings and boasts original and period features including stained-glass windows influenced by the Arts and Crafts movement, sash windows and original floors and fireplaces. £1,500,000 FOR SALE Contact 01244 354880

The Eastgate clock is a prominent city landmark and is said to be the most photographed clock in England after Big Ben

Chester has the largest Roman amphitheatre and the most complete set of city walls in Britain

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Lea Hall, Lea-By-Backford, Chester This magnificent country house with 17th-century origins is a real family home. Set in beautiful grounds with a lake as its central feature. £1,695,000 FOR SALE Tarvin Lock Cottage, Chester This pretty, former lock keeper’s cottage dates from the late 18th century. It has been extended and modernised yet retains its period charm and splendid views. £455,000 FOR SALE

Little Mollington Hall, Mollington, Chester Little Mollington Hall is a handsome Grade II Listed house. It was rebuilt in the late 17th century and is believed to occupy the site where Oliver Cromwell’s commanders and troops were stationed. £685,000 FOR SALE Cooloo Cottage, Tattenhall, Chester A wonderful family house with character and far-reaching views in all directions. £500,000 SOLD

Woodrough, Sandiway, Chester A small country estate set in magnificent mature landscaped gardens with a cottage, stables, paddocks, woodland and a lake. £1,350,000 FOR SALE

For further details of any of these properties, contact 01244 354880

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PORTFOLIO

Tyn Y Celyn, Bodfari, Denbighshire An outstanding detached Georgian farmhouse in a magnificent rural setting. £795,000 FOR SALE

Hampton Post, Malpas, Cheshire A historic 17th-century half-timbered country house and gardens with wonderful panoramic views. £795,000 FOR SALE

Frogg Manor, Broxton, Chester A Grade II Listed Georgian country house hotel and restaurant offering tremendous potential, set in over eight acres. £700,000 SOLD Tilstone Bank Cottage, Tarporley An attractive Grade II Listed house with beautiful views towards Beeston Castle. £735,000 FOR SALE

Hafod Ynys, Ruthin, Denbighshire A fine country house with outbuildings and views over the Vale of Clwyd. £699,950 FOR SALE

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Trends & analysis T

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Regional growth

ost considerations, lifestyle choices, local economic factors and government efforts to kick-start the housing market are creating a complex UK residential property picture, according to Michael Fiddes, Head of Agency at Strutt & Parker. ‘There’s definitely been a stimulus at the bottom of the market because of what the government’s sought to do for first-time buyers,’ says Fiddes. ‘Secondly, while more people are selling up in London and benefiting from fantastic value outside of the capital because of the large price differential, buyers are becoming much more conscious of the costs such as commuting, property maintenance and heating, and education.’ Lifestyle choices, too, are resulting in more people living in an urban or suburban environment beyond London. That’s been good for Oxford, Cambridge, St Albans and

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Guildford in particular. ‘These key regional centres are seeing more growth in residential value than their rural counterparts, although there are hotspots around the UK where different economic factors affect the marketplace,’ says Fiddes. ‘An example is around Aberdeen, where the oil industry creates a massive number of jobs.’ A complex market then, but one in which Strutt & Parker remains best placed to negotiate, with the interests of clients always paramount. ‘When people are moving house, they’re usually dealing with their most valuable asset, something that’s going to have one of the greatest effects on their lives,’ says Fiddes. ‘Selling a house is about getting the best possible deal for the client, but also about helping them on a journey. We always endeavour to look after them and proactively make things happen, rather than merely hoping they’ll happen.’

25% of Strutt & Parker vendors outside London are looking to move to smaller properties

up to

32%

of London buyers are planning to move to the country

Getting stronger

he country house market has weathered the worst of the recession and although last year’s 2% rise in stamp duty did have an impact, James Mackenzie, Head of the Country Department at Strutt & Parker believes that this was a just a blip. ‘People take these things on the chin and move on, particularly when you’re talking about buying a family home.’ And while the hard winter of 2012/13 did little to encourage buyers out into the country, Mackenzie believes the market is making up for lost time. ‘It’s heading back to where it should be, with the potential to get stronger over the next 12 months.’ Little regional variation exists – it’s all about properties and prices – but the robust London market remains a key driving factor, with buyers recognising the potential that city budgets have beyond the capital. Equally, international and expat interest remains steady and it’s here that Strutt & Parker’s relationship with Christie’s International Real Estate comes into its own. ‘Many more international buyers are being pushed in our direction,’ explains Mackenzie. ‘Our auction house colleagues are also helping introduce potential sellers to Strutt & Parker. It’s simply a much bigger playing field for us now.’

words Dave Flanagan illustration Dennis Carrier / Synergy

Strutt & Parker experts reflect on the nationwide property picture

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OVERVIEW

WHY STRUTT & PARKER? OUR BRAND

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A holistic view

he new research team at the company’s London head office is making its presence felt with vital insights into short- and long-term market trends. While many industry researchers have a narrow focus, this department takes a ‘holistic’ approach, keeping abreast of developments across the full range of Strutt & Parker’s interests. ‘Our work is about understanding the markets, knowing what the trends are, and identifying where the demand and stock is coming from,’ says Stephanie McMahon, Head of Research at Strutt & Parker. But examining statistics is just part of the process. ‘We’re interested in the behaviour of buyers and vendors,’ explains McMahon. ‘It’s important to understand what’s driving their decision-making.’ Downsizing, or ‘right-sizing’ as McMahon calls it, is one of the trends currently being tracked by the team. ‘Outside London, 25% of our vendors are looking to move to smaller properties,’ she says. ‘And out in the country, over 80% of people are using their homes for primary use. Even in London, that figure is almost at 55%.’ McMahon is seeing evidence, finally, of movement in the mortgage market: ‘It’s becoming a little bit more accessible for some buyers, so that’s a positive sign.’

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For more than 125 years, Strutt & Parker has created a brand that signifies outstanding results delivered through high-quality and integrity-rich service.

with more than 200,000 visitors to struttandparker.com every month. We also have a mobile-friendly website and use QR codes and NFC technology to give access to properties on the go and from any mobile device.

OUR MARKETING EXCELLENCE

We are committed to constantly evolving our marketing approach to ensure that your property is seen ahead of the rest. Our dedicated in-house marketing and PR team ensures that our brand and your property is consistently and strongly represented in every media outlet.

OUR NATIONAL NETWORK

Strutt & Parker’s extensive and growing network of 50 offices covers the whole of the UK, from Exeter to Inverness. Our 400+ sales professionals work as a team to help achieve great property results for you. OUR BUYERS DATABASE

OUR ONLINE PRESENCE

Strutt & Parker has built an industry-leading website for buyers of quality real estate,

With 2,000 buyers registering with us every month, we have more than 26,000 active buyers – all of whom are shared across

our network of UK offices, showcasing your home to more prospective buyers nationally. OUR GLOBAL REACH

As the sole UK affiliate of Christie’s International Real Estate, we have access to 920 affiliate offices in 41 countries worldwide, bringing global buyers to your door. OUR EXPERTS

We offer a total solution approach. Our specialist teams include Residential Sales, Lettings, Building Surveying & Architecture, Farms & Estates, Land Management, Farming, Commercial, Planning, Development, Resources & Energy and Professional Services.

BRINGING BUYERS AND SELLERS TOGETHER Fiona Stewart, Head of Marketing & Communications at Strutt & Parker, explains why Open House Days are a must

Q What is Open House Day? A It’s a day when we throw open the doors of all the houses we’re selling, so that prospective buyers have the chance to view as many properties as they wish, without the need to make appointments. We run Open House Days twice a year, in the spring and autumn.

Q How does it help buyers and sellers? A Buyers like it because it gives them the freedom to see lots of properties on one day. They can plan their own route and it’s really time efficient. They also like the opportunity to meet vendors. From a seller’s perspective, you’ve got a lot of prospective buyers coming through the door to see your

house on a single day. We know that 90 per cent of searches start online, but nothing replaces the value of seeing a property for real.

Q How effective is Open House Day? A We had 700 properties take part in our last event, with one in ten receiving offers on the day, to a value of more than £85 million. The results speak for themselves.

Q What do you have to do to get involved? A You can register to take part online at struttandparker.com/openday or with your local Strutt & Parker office. Once you’ve provided your details, you’ll receive a registration card. You can then view as many houses on the day as you wish.

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‘As well as having rich heritage and architecture, Chester is a fabulous place to shop. People come from all over Cheshire to wander around the city’s narrow streets, so it’s perfect for independent shops like us.’ Edward Lewis, Director, Ptarmigan Clothing

Why we love Chester

‘Showing people around Chester is a daily reminder of just how historically significant and beautiful this city is. Within a few streets, you will walk through 2,000 years of history. No wonder it’s known as the jewel in the crown of Cheshire.’ John Eastons, Roman Tours Ltd

‘The area around Chester inspires us and the produce from it is second to none. Mix that with fabulous community spirit and we could ask for nothing more.’ Gary Usher, restaurateur, Sticky Walnut ‘Chester University underpins the city’s intellectual life. Grosvenor Park summer theatre, the medieval Mystery Plays and the Chester Rocks festival offer a vibrant cultural life. Then there’s the wooded Duke’s Drive, where small children learn to fall off bikes and dogs walk their owners. But it’s people who make a place feel like home. We and our neighbours took down the fence years ago; it just got in the way!’ Dr Ann Marie McMahon, local resident

ILLUSTRATION Maps Illustrated PHOTOGRAPHY Rob Whitrow

‘Although Chester is famous for its heritage, it’s still a living, breathing city with lots of great bars and places to eat. Everything is a short walk away, and on race days there’s a great atmosphere as thousands of people visit.’ Dave Roach, owner, Cheshire Sandwich Company

What makes the city such a special place to work and live? We ask a few local residents

10 &Chester

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FIND US

ILLUSTRATION Maps Illustrated PHOTOGRAPHY Rob Whitrow

S&P Strutt & Parker Chester Park House
 37 Lower Bridge Street
 Chester Tel: 01244 354880 [email protected]

Strutt & Parker network and services Strutt & Parker Chester is part of a national network with 50 offices around the UK, including 10 offices in central London. As sole UK affiliate of Christie’s International Real Estate, we also work with a network of 920 affiliate offices in 41 countries around the globe. To complement our Residential Sales team, we offer clients a complete service with experts across a wide range of disciplines, including:

Farming – our specialist agricultural advisers work with farmers and landowners to help manage their land and increase profitability.

Resources & Energy – we help clients seize the opportunities and manage the risks that energy issues present.

Land Management – we offer advice to

Commercial Property – our highly successful commercial team provides forward-thinking advice across all commercial property sectors.

estate and land owners managing thousands of acres with diverse business interests. Valuation & Enfranchisement Services –

from property valuations to client support on planning processes, we offer many specialist property services.

Planning & Development – we advise on planning strategy and submit applications for clients, as well as advising on development value and selling land with consent.

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Chester Park House 37 Lower Bridge Street Chester CH1 1RS Tel: 01244 354880

Shrewsbury Theatre Royal, 14 Shoplatch Shropshire SY1 1HR Tel: 01743 284200

Ludlow 26 Bull Ring Ludlow SY8 1AA Tel: 01584 873711

London Ten offices in central London Visit struttandparker.com for details

struttandparker.com

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To visit the Chester office homepage, simply hover your phone over the QR code (right).

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