In September 2021, I co-founded the business with my dad Derek, just as the world was starting to return to normal again after Covid. I had previously worked in the film and television industry as an Assistant Director, where my job was to help manage the hundreds of cast and crew who work daily on film sets. Managing people and being organised have always come naturally to me and although I enjoyed many aspects of my job, I ultimately found it extremely stressful and unsustainable; I was searching for a new challenge in 2019. When Covid hit the film industry completely collapsed, leaving me jobless and with a lot of free time, I was forced to seek new projects and challenges.
My dad, brother and I began a huge renovation project in Berwick-Upon-Tweed, now completed and known as Clovelly House. I lived and worked there for the better part of a year, mostly with a paintbrush or a screwdriver in my hand. I quickly discovered that organising a cast and planning a day of filming was like managing tradesmen and supply orders. I fell completely in love with Northumberland and being by the sea. I put off leaving as long as I could. But eventually, the renovation finished, and the world returned to normal, I went back to working on sets and we signed Clovelly to a large management company to look after our home when we weren’t using it.
We were quickly surprised and disappointed at the level of involvement we still had, with frustrated guests not being given the address or correct lockbox codes. Our cleaners struggled to get access to calendars, and we quickly found the large management company required us to do a great deal of the work. Guests loved the home but that was overshadowed by their poor experience with the management company, and this showed in the reviews.
As the calendar got quieter and frustration grew, I desperately wanted to remain involved. So, we took a risk and set up Claire Anthony Homes. I quit my job and spent all my time researching different software and how to best market and advertise Clovelly. In our first Winter, we had an additional 27 bookings, which for a 5-bedroom house completely blew us away and made us believe “We’re onto something!” After that, we were extremely fortunate because our reputation brought us, wonderful new clients, who had beautiful houses, which I couldn’t believe I’d get to host guests in! The business expanded from there and has since continued to expand.
I’m very mindful that when a business like ours grows too large, the attention to detail and the personal touch can wither away. I do want to take on new homes, but I don’t want to jeopardise the experience of the current owners or guests, which is why we are very selective and expanding our portfolio very slowly over a long period.
Unlike some of our larger competitors, we are just a small team of three and are always at the other end of the phone. We have recently taken on Steph who helps with all maintenance and guest enquiries and is a real asset to the business. I am based in Glasgow, but I travel to all our properties frequently. Additionally, we always make sure we have reliable staff at hand who are just around the corner should something need tending to urgently.
Claire Anthony Homes’ goal is to assist property owners in getting exactly what they desire from their rental, whether this is a full calendar throughout the year or a few wonderful, considerate guests once or twice a month. We strive to offer guests a welcoming, dependable, and professional service that consistently meets the highest standards available for self-catering in the UK.
If you’re planning a trip or thinking about renting out your property as serviced accommodation, don’t hesitate to contact me; I’d be more than happy to help!
In September 2021, I co-founded the business with my dad Derek, just as the world was starting to return to normal again after Covid. I had previously worked in the film and television industry as an Assistant Director, where my job was to help manage the hundreds of cast and crew who work daily on film sets. Managing people and being organised have always come naturally to me and although I enjoyed many aspects of my job, I ultimately found it extremely stressful and unsustainable; I was searching for a new challenge in 2019. When Covid hit the film industry completely collapsed, leaving me jobless and with a lot of free time, I was forced to seek new projects and challenges.
My dad, brother and I began a huge renovation project in Berwick-Upon-Tweed, now completed and known as Clovelly House. I lived and worked there for the better part of a year, mostly with a paintbrush or a screwdriver in my hand. I quickly discovered that organising a cast and planning a day of filming was like managing tradesmen and supply orders. I fell completely in love with Northumberland and being by the sea. I put off leaving as long as I could. But eventually, the renovation finished, and the world returned to normal, I went back to working on sets and we signed Clovelly to a large management company to look after our home when we weren’t using it.
We were quickly surprised and disappointed at the level of involvement we still had, with frustrated guests not being given the address or correct lockbox codes. Our cleaners struggled to get access to calendars, and we quickly found the large management company required us to do a great deal of the work. Guests loved the home but that was overshadowed by their poor experience with the management company, and this showed in the reviews.
As the calendar got quieter and frustration grew, I desperately wanted to remain involved. So, we took a risk and set up Claire Anthony Homes. I quit my job and spent all my time researching different software and how to best market and advertise Clovelly. In our first Winter, we had an additional 27 bookings, which for a 5-bedroom house completely blew us away and made us believe “We’re onto something!” After that, we were extremely fortunate because our reputation brought us, wonderful new clients, who had beautiful houses, which I couldn’t believe I’d get to host guests in! The business expanded from there and has since continued to expand.
I’m very mindful that when a business like ours grows too large, the attention to detail and the personal touch can wither away. I do want to take on new homes, but I don’t want to jeopardise the experience of the current owners or guests, which is why we are very selective and expanding our portfolio very slowly over a long period.
Unlike some of our larger competitors, we are just a small team of three and are always at the other end of the phone. We have recently taken on Steph who helps with all maintenance and guest enquiries and is a real asset to the business. I am based in Glasgow, but I travel to all our properties frequently. Additionally, we always make sure we have reliable staff at hand who are just around the corner should something need tending to urgently.
Claire Anthony Homes’ goal is to assist property owners in getting exactly what they desire from their rental, whether this is a full calendar throughout the year or a few wonderful, considerate guests once or twice a month. We strive to offer guests a welcoming, dependable, and professional service that consistently meets the highest standards available for self-catering in the UK.
If you’re planning a trip or thinking about renting out your property as serviced accommodation, don’t hesitate to contact me; I’d be more than happy to help!
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