Viva Lewes April 2015 Issue #103

trade secrets
Sophie Whelpton
Marketing Executive, Mulberry Cottages
Photo by Mark Bridge
What does the company do? We’re a holiday letting
agency with offices in Canterbury, Winchester
and Lewes, providing self-catering accommodation
across the UK. We also help guests looking for
short lets; often they’re moving house or are having
work carried out and need a base for a few months.
And corporate bookings are a growing market for
businesses that want to take their staff away for a
few days of brainstorming or team building.
What’s your role? I’m one of three in our Lewes
office. My job is very varied - I really enjoy chatting
to guests and potential owners. I write a lot of
blogs, contribute to our Twitter account @mulberrycotts,
attend local networking events and recently
went to Belgium to promote our company at a big
travel show.
Why have you opened an office here? Lewes is
a really buzzy place with a great atmosphere. We
looked at other towns but nothing compares with
Lewes. Because we’re an internet-based company,
people who are looking for holidays can find us
quite easily online, but we want to find more
property owners. Our business is growing and the
only way to expand is by adding more properties.
Having a High Street office allows people to walk
in and talk to us to find out more.
What local properties do you have on your
books? There’s a huge variety, from little lovenests
to large country houses. We have a pair of
shepherd’s huts in Danehill, we have a converted
showman’s carriage in Bodiam with amazing views
of the castle – and at the other end of the scale we
have a huge house in Brighton that sleeps 21.
Where do you find your properties? In some
cases, our owners are letting their main residence
while they travel. Other people have created an
annexe in the grounds of their home, a few have
moved abroad but want to keep their British
property for when they return – and we can also
help farmers who want to diversify by converting
derelict farm buildings.
What holiday trends have you noticed? People’s
habits have changed from taking the classic twoweek
holiday abroad every summer. They’re now
spreading out their time and having many more
short breaks. We’re also attracting European visitors;
it seems that English gardens are particularly
popular at the moment. Expectations have changed
too: practically all our properties have WiFi, a lot
are pet-friendly and, of course, all have linen and
towels supplied.
Where do you like to go on holiday? We’re so
lucky with the culture and buildings we have in
this country, I love Europe too – the diversity, the
food and the wine – but I think we have so much
here to offer. My favourite part of the UK is North
Norfolk: amazing beaches, huge skies and wonderful
countryside. Mark Bridge
66 High Street, 01273 475530
mulberrycottages.com
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