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5.
February
2018.
Opportunity for literature lovers to acquire tourism business in Brontë country
Unique opportunity for literature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts to acquire farmhouse and tourism business in heart of Brontë country

5February 2018: How Heathcliff earned his money and was able to purchase Wuthering Heights is one of literature's enduring mysteries. Entrepreneurial modern-day Brontophiles can, however, purchase a lucrative moorland lifestyle business located within walking distance of the Brontës' Haworth home for the price of a smart London townhouse.

Westfield Lodge, a luxury holiday village and farmhouse located a mile from Haworth, has been placed on the market with a guide price of £1.35 million. Blacks Business Brokers, the national business transfer agent, has been appointed to find a buyer for this unique tourism business.

The property is comprised of 20 luxury self-catering apartments and a fully-modernised 2,500 sq ft four double-bedroom farmhouse, set in 4.5 acres of gardens and surrounded by open moorland. The whole site is south-facing and commands long-distant views across the Worth Valley.

Westfield Lodge has operated as a holiday village for more than a decade. It has a five-star rating on TripAdvisor, and is known as one of the most dog-friendly providers of self-catering accommodation in the UK.

It is currently owned by West Yorkshire businessman Dennis Pagdin, who acquired the property in 1988. The owner of a successful construction business, Mr Pagdin went on to build 20 new apartments on the site adjoining the farmhouse and establish it as a holiday lets business but, at the age of 77, he is now looking for a new owner to take over the property and enable him to retire.

The holiday lets business is currently run by three members of staff, two of them full-time, who would be happy to stay on following the sale of the business if required. Westfield Lodge enjoys 85 per cent repeat custom and its TripAdvisor page is packed with glowing reviews.

The business currently takes bookings online via Wowcher, Groupon, Travelzoo, TripAdvisor and Booking.com, as well as through its own mobile-responsive website, which is included in the sale. In the most recent financial year its turnover was £160,000, generating a gross profit of £110,000.

Westfield Lodge is located a mile from Haworth, with its cafés, restaurants, pubs and world-famous Brontë Parsonage Museum. Haworth is also on the route of the Keighley & Worth Valley Steam Railway, a major tourist attraction that featured extensively in the celebrated 1970s film adaptation of The Railway Children.

The property is located along the route of the eight-mile Brontë Way, a trail that takes in Top Withens, the ruined farmhose believed to have provided the inspiration for Wuthering Heights, and was recently feaured on the ITV show "Britain's Favourite Walks: Top 100". It is also just 15 minutes' drive, or an hour-and-half's stiff walk, from bohemian Hebden Bridge.

Mr Pagdin said, "I have always thought this was the perfect lifestyle business for someone who wants to get away from it all. Every morning I wake up to fabulous views over the valley; I am right out in the countryside but also only a mile away from Haworth and its fantastic restaurants and facilities.

"The business runs itself at the moment but there is also real potential for new owners to expand into camping or glamping and to make further inroads into the market for accommodating organised groups. There is nothing quite like us around here: we have 20 self-catering apartments on one site, and that's unique in the area."

Nikki Jones, customer information manager at Blacks Business Brokers, said: "This is a beautiful property in a stunning location but it's also a fabulous business. Westfield Lodge has established a strong client base, particularly among dog owners attracted by its proximity to the moors and pet-friendly features.

"The accommodation is all of a very high standard and the location is incredible. Opportunities to buy a really well-appointed, unique tourism business set in a hiker's paradise just a stone's throw from one of the most popular cultural sites in Britain don't come up every day."

All enquiries should be made to Blacks Business Brokers on 0333 370 0000, quoting reference 5810.

- Ends -

Notes to editors

About Blacks Business Brokers

Blacks Business Brokers has successfully sold thousands of businesses since being founded in 2008 by owner and managing director Chris Rowlands. It operates nationwide, selling everything from high street coffee shops and hair salons to manufacturers and engineering companies.

Blacks is headquartered in Bury, Greater Manchester and has offices in London and Leeds. It employs in excess of 30 staff who are able to broker deals worth anything from the tens of thousands to several million pounds.

Blacks Business Brokers is a member of the Institution of Commercial and Business Agents and the National Association of Estate Agents.

For further information please contact:

Chris Rowlands
Managing director
0161 763 5000
ckr@blacksbrokers.com

Stuart Anderson
Alpha Public Relations
0161 791 0811
sanderson@alphapr.co.uk

www.blacksbrokers.com
@BlacksBrokers