We look at how Bolthole Retreats achieved their impressive growth which caught the judges’ attention and resulted in winning the Gloucestershire Live Growth Award 2023.
Bolthole Retreats were also a finalist in the Gloucestershire Live Small Business category, however the judging panel felt that they particularly stood out for the Growth award. Their fifth year of trading was their most successful in terms of growth in number of properties, revenue and profits following the launch of Designer Retreats, an inspirational collection of five-star properties in Gloucestershire and the Cotswolds.
- Bolthole Retreats is a leading independent holiday rental agency with over 215 self-catering holiday homes across the Cotswolds, Forest of Dean and Herefordshire.
- Founded in 2017 in Cheltenham; moved into new offices in Lypiatt Road in 2022.
- Team of ten following some recent key appointments.
The winning entry:
Bolthole Retreats have a collection of exclusive self-catering holiday homes which are hand-picked for their character, charm and quality. They range from impressive celebration manor houses and rural hideaways, to traditional farmhouses and modern barn conversions. The team work closely with owners and housekeepers to ensure their guests have a truly memorable stay.
Bolthole Retreats has had significant growth since it was founded, with 2022 being their most successful year to date having seen revenues increase by 53% over 2021. The number of properties represented grew by 30% in 2022, winning on average one new property every week. Pre-tax profits doubled in the period from 2020 to 2022.
In the year before they entered for the Growth award, they launched Designer Retreats, an inspirational collection of five-star properties in Gloucestershire and the Cotswolds. They all enjoy stunning grounds, sumptuous rooms and the most magical settings and include Red Devon House in Tetbury and Beecham Farmhouse on the Alscot Estate. Bolthole Retreats are becoming the partner of choice for several major estates including Sudeley, Ragley, Alscot, Badminton, Kentchurch and Lydney Park, among others.
Bolthole Retreats pride themselves on offering each owner a personal one-to-one service and on delivering on their promises, both in terms of the revenue an owner will earn and customer service. Owners only pay when they deliver bookings, and they work with all owners exclusively to maximise the income of their property. Their owners like the fact they are local, easily contactable, know the area exceptionally well and represent a high-quality collection of properties. Many recommendations come from word of mouth from satisfied owners.
The team also work with local businesses to showcase authentic experiences in the Cotswolds, from restaurants to family-friendly attractions, promoting local tourism and enhancing the overall holiday experience.
Martin McWilliam, founder comments:
Winning this award is a testament to the high standards and hard work that the team has put in over the past 5 years. Bolthole Retreats is now a leading holiday rental agency with an enviable track record of delivering for owners. We are already busy rolling out our award-winning business model in new areas such as the Forest of Dean and Herefordshire.”
