Page 65 - David Burr Rooftops Magazine Winter 2017/2018

Sitting pretty
Invest in a romantic Suffolk holiday cottage and enjoy the benefits
They say small can be beautiful and that is certainly the case with Grove Cottages, a little company based at Edwardstone. For nearly
20 years their aim has been to create the perfect setting for a luxury romantic break; cottages with five star authentic charm inside and idyllic rural setting outside.
The man behind the business is Mark Scott, a much-travelled former film director who knows a lot about detail and creating a good impression.
“The cottages I look after are often handpicked by myself with the owners. They are good, safe investments with the added benefits of the owners also being able to enjoy them when not being occupied by holidaymakers,” says Mark. So what sets Grove Cottages apart?
Says Mark: “As an agent specialising in
only romantic, stylish and historic properties I have a very loyal customer base and my occupancy is far better than any normal agency. Basically other agencies are flooded with standard, self- catering cottages, and they are aiming at
a mass market whereas I am a boutique agency, very focused on a specific market and cannot take on the vast majority of what they happily accept. This means anything special gets lost on their agencies websites, whereas it is on the front page of mine.
“The market is very competitive. But I like working together with an owner, choosing and restoring a cottage the correct way, so that it is right for the market. It’s then a case of promoting it individually, rather than just promoting my agency. It is a recipe for success.”
We meet in Lavenham, just a short drive from Mark’s home and office where he works with his wife, “who handles the financial side of things” and a secretary who engages with clients and runs the booking system.
He points out Grove Cottages have some ‘ 65
Words: Richard Bryson
Mark Scott of Grove Cottages