New industry toolkit to invite customers, friends and relatives to Britain

Visit Britain has launched an industry toolkit to help you to invite your past customers, friends and relatives from around the world to visit Britain in 2012, as part of ‘GREAT Britain – You’re Invited’ marketing programme.

Under the slogan ‘Share Your GREAT Britain’, the online tourism industry toolkit is available free of charge to help you participate in, and benefit from, the campaign. The toolkit includes adverts, newsletter templates, posters and e-cards which you can personalise with your own message and tailor for your own use. 

This is an important new phase of our £100 million four-year marketing programme to gain greater international exposure and increase the number of visitors to Britain.

You can find full details on the Visit Britain industry website.

The Scottish Government has published further steps to implement Scotland’s Land Use Strategy .

The Action Plan brings together a joined-up set of commitments from across the Scottish Government, all of which contribute to the long term vision for land use and the management of Scotland’s land and resources.

Cooperation across land managers and users is required to achieve more sustainable land use, an ambition that once accomplished should bring increased prosperity and enduring benefits to Scotland.

Research is also being commissioned to evaluate the application of the strategy in existing decision making, the findings of which will inform the first review of the Land Use Strategy.

Commitments in the Action Plan to deliver the 13 Proposals detailed in the Strategy include:

• Development of an Agri-Renewables Strategy in summer 2012
• Submission of advice from the Woodland Expansion Advisory Group in June 2012
• Water environment mapping by SEPA during 2012
• Creation of an Environmental Crime Taskforce in spring 2012
• The identification of pilot areas for peatland restoration

Rural Affairs Secretary Richard Lochhead said:

“Pressures on Scotland’s natural resources require us to look at optimising how we use and manage these resources.

“The Land Use Strategy and the Action Plan continue to help Scotland develop and implement more joined-up plans to safeguard our precious and finite land resources. I wholly encourage partnership working wherever possible across all the different land use interests – be it public, private and third sector – for the benefit of all.

“These steps will influence land use decision making now and in the future, helping to ensure that the right decisions are made for the economy, for the environment and for communities.”

Recent reports by the BBC explored how a new Disney/Pixar film set in the Scottish Highlands could help boost tourism during difficult trading times.

Brave, a new animation is to be released in August 2012.

VisitScotland chairman Mike Cantlay said it would be shown in 72 countries and dubbed into several languages. He said it would give Scotland and the Highlands specifically huge exposure.

Coupled with existing plans by the national tourism body Visit Scotland, this is set to give interest in Scotland venue shire a real boost.

VisitScotland has dubbed 2012 to 2014 the Winning Years, starting with 2012′s Year of Creative Scotland and the London Olympics.

In 2013, the organisation will be helping to mark the Year of Natural Scotland and in 2014 the Commonwealth Games will take place
in Glasgow.

Staying informed of such national high profile plans is key to success in venue hire marketing activity and Estate Life is working closely
with is member network to keep them advise.

If you would like tp become a member of the Estate Life Network contact Estate Life.

Simon Davis news presenter for Country House Rescue

Simon Davis is to present Channel 4′s Country House Rescue when it returns for a fourth series in 2012.

The series, made by Betty, takes viewers behind the scenes of some of the most beautiful houses in Britain. Simon will meet and stay with their owners, who are facing financial ruin and are struggling to maintain their crumbling stately homes.

Some have let the properties decline through lack of funds, inherited an already neglected house or bought a property without realising just how costly it is to maintain these mansions – and Simon will attempt to turn them from money pit into money spinning mansions.

Simon has written about travel, food and architecture for publications including The Daily Telegraph, Conde Nast Traveller, Country Life and on the London Evening Standard. He runs his own consultancy, events and publishing business and in 2010 he was Gordon Ramsay’s ‘Secret Diner’ in Channel 4 series Ramsay’s Best Restaurant.

The series was commissioned by Channel 4 Deputy Features Commissioning Editor Katie Horswell, and is executive produced by David Emerson.

Simon said: “I have an unbridled love of the country house and believe passionately that they, and the public, are best served by these properties staying in the hands of the original owners and being made to work to survive. Our great country homes need to function as they did when they were first built. They need to be culturally inspiring but above all they’ve got to be places where people go to be entertained.”

Katie Horswell said: “I’m very excited about this fourth series of the much loved Country House Rescue – and this time round, there will be even more beautiful houses, fabulous makeovers and extraordinary families.”

Gissing Hall as featured in Country House Rescue

Recent reports by the media have highlighted the success that exposure from PR, such as that gained by featured properties in Country house Rescue can bring. Examples such as Gissing Hall, which is reported to have generated over £100k profit in the last twelve months, are inspirational to those striving to achieve a sustainable revenue stream to support the protection and evelopment of some of the nations treasured heritage for generations to come. However as also reported for Gissing Hall, this came too late. By that point the owners could no longer cope with the enormity of the challenge and made the tough decision to sell.

As many of our clients tell us – there is never a ‘right time’ to get help. There is always the concern by family members of admitting failure on ‘their watch’,  there is always another project to finish first before bringing consultants on site, another special family occasion before work can begin., and so it goes on. However the lesson to be learned from this is that time can stand in the way of you generating significant revenue if priorities don’t change.

Estate Life is experienced in working with owners who need to balance family and business needs. From development projects, to presenting and selling for hire, we are well positioned to help you on flexible terms that fit around your estate and family.

Conversation is a great place to start – if you would like a complimentary Initial View on where to begin, complete and return our owners questionnaire today.

“We are thrilled to have been awarded Gold for B&B Guest Accommodation of the Year by Visit Cornwall,” Pentillie’s managing director, Sammie Coryton commented. “Huge thanks to all the Pentillie team who have enabled us to transform the Castle into a successful business enterprise within just two years. Being recognised for our efforts by our own county’s tourism
leaders is important to us, and their enthusiasm is shared by all the people who love Pentillie, including those who stay here again and again.”

Pentillie was built in 1698 and was remodelled into a castle by the famous landscape designer Humphry Repton, in 1810. By 1965, however, the castle and estate had fallen into disrepair and returned to being a home. In January 2009, the Grade II listed Pentillie Castle featured on the Channel 4 series Country House Rescue, which publicised the estate’s plight nationally, leading to a turnaround in fortunes for this magical riverside estate and gardens.

If you would like off screen help to rescue your country house contact us to discuss how we can best help you or visit our services page to consider where to begin.

Estate Life on location

Country House Rescue is seeking one more property to complete their portfolio for its fourth series. Boasting a new presenter this new series will continue to explore the history, dilapidation and challenges faced by country house owners and attempt to support them to find sustainable solutions for revenue generation.

Estate Life has worked with the production team Betty TV, commissioned by Channel 4 since the inception of Country House Rescue, sourcing properties, providing research and featuring in the first episode.

If you are interested in featuring in this new series contact us to discuss in confidence.

If you would like help off screen to identify and or develop revenue streams for your property contact us for help. Estate Life works with landowners, family businesses, factors, trustees and managers to research establish and develop commercial projects on rural estates.

The UK’s premier resource for vibrant and profitable historic properties, Estate Life is the leading specialist in consulting on and managing the private hire and commercial use of historic properties.

Since 2004, our established specialists have supported rural diversification projects on numerous Stately Homes, Castles, Private Estates and Farms throughout the UK and in Europe. Whilst today’s markets provide increased challenges for estate owners, our research underlines the continued opportunity for estate owners to successfully diversify and create new revenue
streams from their asset.

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Location shoot for Rhianna

The BBC has reported that Popstar Rihanna’s scantily clad appearance in a County Down field has been called a “disgrace” by veteran TV star Barbara Windsor.

What started out as a simple agreement for a landowner to allow his land to be used as a film location could have ended up in dispute as the nature of the film shoot and the terms of the location use were not made fully clear to both parties.

Whilst film location work can prove lucrative it is advisable to ensure you have reputable agent representation to ensure your rights are protected as much as the property itself. This includes how much control you have over association with your property post filming.

For example you may not want to see your historic treasure associated with a pornographic film in years to come.

In this instance the landowner, Local councillor Alan Graham said he was fetching his tractor when he saw Rihanna and thought it was unacceptable.

“I thought it was inappropriate. I requested them to stop and they did,” he explained.

Things may not have been resolved as quickly if circumstances were different!

Estate Life works closely with industry experts in this area to ensure our clients are protected at all times. If you would like to discuss a recent approach about using your property as a location or indeed promote your property as a location contact us to discuss.

Downton Abbey

Before the first episode of series two of Downton Abbey had even aired, Twitter was a hive of activity in anticipation. As dawn broke the next day the UK awoke to the news that the UK period drama had scooped four US Emmy awards.

The appetite for period drama continues to grow and as a result location scouts are already on the lookout for new flexible period properties which meet the demands of film location crews.

There has also been an increased in the level of corporate enquiries, relating event themes to dramas such as Downton Abbey.

Susan Reid of Estate Life reported “It’s been a busy time since the new series of Downton Abbey started. It is what we continually advise our properties – to keep aligned with current trends and demands and ensure your marketing materials give the right messages”

Industry partner, Sarah Eastel Locations has also experienced a rise in enquiries from location scouts seeking the perfect location.

If you would like specific guidance on how to capitalise on such trends at your estate, contact Estate Life to discuss.

Sheep farming

Morton Fraser Solicitors recently expanded on the Scottish Land and Estate story about a tenant farmer who won his tenancy by means of a competition.

This innovative project not only ensured the best suited business minded tenant farmer but has generated publicity for the estate itself.

This is a terrific example of a well planned marketing campaign. Susan Reid Managing Director at Estate Life highlights “creating sales and marketing strategies for your estate is not just about attending the right trade shows. Innovation and capturing what is unique about your estate is just as important. A well thought out campaign which makes the most of potential PR can really drive great exposure and result in new enquiries quickly in a cost effective way”

Estate Life can advise and create sales and marketing campaigns for you or simply explore ideas with you for your property. Contact us to discuss how we can help you.