Two best friends from Cumbria are building a new model for their growing holiday lettings and property renovation business.
Skies Holidays was established in 2018 by Matt Howarth and Jack Sarginson, both 32, and has adapted to the ever-changing holiday property sector in a variety of interesting ways.
The pair offer a dual service for property owners and holiday makers.
Their managed lettings service supports owners to identify improvements and increase profitability through interior design, photography and analysing the latest market data.
The other side of their business is a full renovation service, utilising a team of skilled local traders to design and build unique properties for their growing portfolio of holiday accommodation offerings.
Matt says: “We have a lot of different skills in the same fields which we have combined to create a unique business in the sector. Jack is a skilled designer and photographer whilst my background is in business and hospitality management. We both enjoy getting our hands dirty and carrying out a lot of the building and interior work ourselves too.
“We are both ambitious and have been friends since school. When we first started the company, the holiday lettings industry was a mess and we were confident that we could create a new model based on increasing revenue and reducing stress for property owners, whilst providing the best customer service and options for holidaymakers in the Lake District.”
The pair both have a background in the industry, with Matt’s family owning hotels and Jack’s parents running the Lakeland Cottage Company.
Their inherited skills, local knowledge and experience has helped Matt and Jack develop a portfolio of more than 50 properties and counting.
Jack says: “We started by approaching property owners looking for holiday rental opportunities and offering them a new solution in a crowded market.
“We took on the rents of some properties ourselves, which was risky, but we gradually started to build an agency from the ground up. One of the first properties we worked with was worth £2 million but only making about £40,000 a year; we knew we could generate more value for both the owner and people seeking their perfect Lake District holiday retreat.
“There is so much potential on our doorstep – we have one of the most beautiful assets in the world to work in and we view every project as a unique opportunity to create something special.”
Eventually the pair began to design and build their own properties, adding to the firm’s portfolio and giving them an alternative revenue stream as part of their overall business plan. Skies now employs 18 people full-time – including tradesmen, cleaners and office staff.
Growth has been achieved relatively quickly, with their highly qualified and passionate team key to achieving the potential of each property.
Matt says: “When we design a property, whether it’s completely from scratch or as part of a renovation for an owner, we want it to stand out and be different from anything else that’s available.
“This means sourcing unique local materials, such as slate and stone, carrying out the work ourselves along with our team so we guarantee the utmost attention to detail and project managing every aspect of the process.
“It’s about quality, not quantity. Getting customers is the easy part – the Lake District and the high standard of our accommodation range sells itself; the real challenge lies in finding more owners who are prepared to allow us to do what we do best – we have a proven record of improving and enhancing our clients’ properties and making them more money, without the stress of having to tackle these issues themselves.
“This approach of combining a managed letting service with a bespoke renovation and design package not only benefits owners and holidaymakers but supports the local economy of the communities we work in through constant local supply and demand for trades work, catering, materials, transport and cleaning.”
The pair are grateful for the support and guidance of their experienced families, although they don’t necessarily take on board every single suggestion they may have.
Jack says: “It is great to have that advice and experience on hand, but there are times when we have to agree to disagree. Sometimes we make mistakes, but I think they all recognise we are working in a very different environment, and a different market to what they were used to in the past.”
Matt adds: “And we’re trying to do something very different from a straightforward hospitality or managed lettings offering. We are building a network of unique places and beautiful spaces that will have a lasting impact on their local environment and incredible memories for the people that stay in them.”
Matt and Jack bounce off each other and their business success is clearly embedded in their warm friendship and respect for each other’s talents.
“It’s just about being persistent and consistent. We are careful about who we work with, we make considered decisions, and we won’t just take on something for the sake of it.
“Our team is a family, and every new owner we work with becomes a part of that. We provide real world advice and guidance on how to maximise the yield of every property, as well as giving holiday makers an experience they’ll never forget,” says Matt.
