Business name: Updown Cottage
Based: Shaftesbury
Website: www.updowncottage.co.uk
Person nominated: Simon Colston
I am nominating my husband, Simon Colston. Simon and I bought Updown Cottage with a mortgage in 2006 and renovated it over the next 6 months. We aimed to establish it as a 5* self-catering holiday cottage business with 67% occupancy required to break even.
With Simon’s multi-faceted abilities include accounting, practical building knowledge, spatial awareness, planning, technological wizardry and a positive attitude. He was determined to offer guests the best customer service possible. The cottage featured in The Guardian and The Sunday Times shortly after opening with no professional PR input. It was also awarded 5* with a Gold Award at every inspection from that year to this.
Simon enabled technology to include a cellgate mobile access system to the cottage. This precluded the necessity for keys. He also implemented online calendars, which are used by local tradespeople to keep Updown in tiptop condition during changeovers or unoccupied days.
This saves us having to close the business for an extended period of time and makes planning much easier for all concerned. He possesses an innate ability to inject others with his enthusiasm and to source the best craftspeople or tradespeople for the job. He ensures that everyone feels incredibly proud of their work and keen to continue their involvement with Updown.
Great efforts are made to foster goodwill and excellent relationships with local businesses in the area. Simon’s abilities have enabled the business not only to survive but to achieve increased occupancy and for ongoing investment to have come from income alone.
