Holiday Home Business Set to Take Off

Northumberland based Crabtree & Crabtree has its sights set on being the number one high quality holiday lettings brand in Northumberland and is being fast tracked on its journey by Entrust.

The company, set up in 2004, has a portfolio of high quality holiday homes across Northumberland and the Scottish borders.  They are one of 50 SMEs in the North East that Entrust are currently working with on the Coaching for High Growth programme, funded by One North East, which aims to move potential high growth businesses towards their future goals by matching and part funding mentors and change agents to help the organisations design a strategy for success.  

In March, this year, Crabtree & Crabtree went through a complete rebrand and launched a new website that allows online availability searches, booking and payment.  Now, through the assistance of a marketing mentor, part funded through the Coaching for High Growth programme, Crabtree & Crabtree is aiming for at least 20% year on year growth by increasing their client base and occupancy levels through online and offline marketing activity, especially focussing on social media. 

Managing Director Emma Crabtree said:

"Our unique selling point is that all the holiday homes in our portfolio are of the best quality.   The accommodation and service offered are comparable to what one would expect from a luxury hotel.  Properties are offered with additional services available such as a butler service and organised fishing or shooting trips.

"We know through research by VisitBritain that in Northumberland and the Borders holiday properties have now overtaken hotels, B&B's and guest houses as tourists' preferred choice of accommodation so we want to exploit this opportunity and use it to increase our market share."

Emma continued:

"Although I have some knowledge of marketing I felt I lacked the in-depth knowledge of how best to utilise social media tools.  Bringing in a mentor through the Coaching for High Growth programme has meant I can have expert advice on putting together our marketing strategy and also develop my skills in social media so that in the future I will have the skills in-house and will be able to continue the work myself rather than employing an agency to do the work for me."

Andy Blake, Client Manager at Entrust said:

"Mentors bring industry experience, independence and objectivity to businesses. By bringing impartiality to a situation they are able to assess all aspects of a problem and help business leaders take a step back to see the bigger picture.

"There is clearly a market demand for high quality holiday accommodation in the UK.  We recognised that with Emma's strong aspirations, and the guidance of an experienced mentor, Crabtree & Crabtree would be well positioned to achieve high growth."

Other organisations that Entrust are currently working with on the programme range from digital media companies to design and research agencies and from day nurseries to training providers.

For further information contact Andy Blake on 0191 244 4037 or visit www.entrust.co.uk.