A Lake District holiday lettings company with a focus on supporting and sustaining the local community has moved to new premises in Windermere town centre.
Young couple Niall Mellonie and Marta Pawlik started with a luxury bell tent in a farmer’s field, before founding their business Laik in 2019, named after the Northern English dialect word for playing, taking time off work and being on holiday.
The couple’s focus on customer care and supporting the local community has seen the business thrive. Originally running the business from their Windermere home, the addition of two full-time staff has brought a move into a new office, in the former Sally’s Cottages shop on Victoria Street in Windermere.
Niall said: “Laik is all about personal connection, so having a proper shop window will make us much more visible, and easier for owners, visitors and locals, to pop in and chat with us.
“The original Sally still owns the building, and she’s a total legend to us, as she started out in a very similar way.
“So we’ve got the best landlady, and the best location, even if it is temptingly close to lots of Windermere’s excellent cafes!”
Laik’s high quality lets, extra touches, and personal attention from Niall and Marta, are driven by their principles that ethical letting and attracting local spend can benefit the Lakes economy, not drive people out.
Each property includes digital guidebooks to local attractions, restaurants and bars, and quality toiletries from Pure Lakes, while locals benefit from regular property cleaning and maintenance work.
Compared to a Lake District average of 53%, Laik’s year-round occupancy rate stands at an impressive 83%, helping many local businesses avoid a low season slump through cleaning and maintenance contracts.
The first smiling face you’ll see looking after guests and owners in the new office is operations manager and Marta’s aunt Kate Cichon, while husband Sebastian is head of maintenance, keeping properties up to the standard that saw the company placed finalists in the Cumbria Tourism Awards 2023.
Niall said: “The Lakes deserves quality holiday lets which are more appealing, staying full year-round.
“Traditionally, letting agents have tended to insist on a minimum number of nights, but at Laik we’re working hard to secure bookings for single night stays, since shorter stays are what visitors are asking for and other agents don’t do them because it’s too much work.
“People stay in a hotel for one night, so why not a holiday let? It allows more visitors to discover the area, bringing more money and opportunities in, and creating a healthier, more profitable future for our neighbours, towns and villages.
“Even though it means more work and faster turnarounds, it’s what drives us and our occupancy rates proves we’re getting it right!”
