i was planning to write an article that explained the what's, why's, and hows of the most recent packages HM Government has put in place to support holiday cottage businesses hit by the Corona Virus pandemic.

Then the excellent and always topical Newsletter from accountants  Simpkins Edwards landed in my inbox, and I realised they said it all for me. So, with their kind permission, I'm reprinting the best bits here.

If you'd like to read the full version, here's the link: 

https://www.simpkinsedwards.co.uk/coronavirus-government-support/

Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme

Under the new Coronavirus Job Retention scheme, government grants will cover 80% of the salary of PAYE employees who would otherwise have been laid off during this crisis. The scheme, open to any employer in the country, will cover the cost of wages backdated to 1 March 2020 and will be open before the end of April. It will continue for at least three months and can

The word ‘Staycation’ has taken on a whole new literal meaning right now. It really does mean 'staying at home' (rather than a holiday home). So why not get to know your neighbourhood like a visitor – without even going outside? You might discover something like this.

For example, a little intriguing web-surfing into the history of Bratton Fleming, the North Devon village where the My Favourite Holiday Cottages office is based - revealed some wonderful true tales, including this little beauty...

During the war, Bratton Fleming, like so many other remote villages, had a Home Guard Unit. Its Quartermaster was responsible for all its equipment which included a not inconsiderable amount of ordnance (explosives) on the off-chance that some local bridges needed to be dynamited to hold back the Panzers.

After the war, the Government ordered all Home Guard equipment to be returned (including all munitions and anything with the capacity to make a

For holiday homeowners and their guests, the spread of the coronavirus is naturally going to have an impact on bookings for 2020 – whether through actual infection or the fear of it.

We’ve looked at some of the trends and lessons arising from the SARS epidemic, which caused similar, though not quite so widespread, trends and share them with you. They should help you mitigate the virus's impact on your holiday lettings business.

 

Last-Minute Bookings

The most significant downfall in bookings are last-minute bookings for dates within the next 30 days. This is the average time people assume the virus will be at its maximum. By late spring, the weather will be warming up, and Covid 19 does not like warmth. So, by all means, post last-minute discounts, but do consider putting greater emphasis on attracting bookings for the summer and autumn.

 

Thank God for the Countryside!

Old Post Office Cottage lies in a  quiet rural location on

The impact of the Coronavirus is hitting the whole travel industry – holiday homes included. Suppose you are planning a holiday, though. In that case, the good news is that holiday homes have the advantage of offering a private space compared to other kinds of accommodation because you’re not sharing living areas with lots of strangers travelling from different locations.

That being said, owners of holiday cottages have a moral, if not legal, duty to ensure their properties are adequately cleaned. This will mean increasing your turn-around cleaning schedule to sanitise your holiday cottage properly. If necessary, you may need to push back the earliest arrival time for guests to allow time for the extra cleaning required. If guests should complain, make it clear that you are doing this for their benefit – not yours -at no additional cost to them.

For many holiday cottages, now is the time when they are given a truly deep clean ahead of the upcoming

Sometimes, the best things in life really can be free. Here are ten suggestions for spending a day or more of your holiday creating beautiful memories (and photos), all costing absolutely nothing.

 

Plan a Circular Off-Road Walk Using Local Foot and Bridle Paths. Take it, in turn, to be the leader and tour guide – inventing stories about the things you pass. “This must be the house that Jack built.” (Note: can be combined with 5 & 8). Get Your Feet Wet: Find somewhere to paddle: a tiny stream winding its way down the valley, a beach. It is refreshing in summer. Squealingly challenging in winter! Waterside locations are also an excellent opportunity to teach children how to skim stones – and see that you’ve not lost the knack too. Take a towel. Find Your Favourite Moments in Local History: Visit a museum. Every party member has to find and share their favourite artefact and the actual (or imaginary) story connected to it. Family / Group Photo

Eat Well! Fabulous Farmers' Markets and Farm Shops in the Peak District

Mouthwatering Local Produce at Buxton Farmers Markets

You’re completely spoilt for choice for farmers and other local food producers in the Peak District. Here is our list of favourite markets heavy on selling local produce. So, if you want a self-catering holiday where you can buy, cook and eat deliciously well while keeping your food travel miles low, view our recommended list of Peak District markets. You’ll find the necessary ‘what-where-and-when’ information for all the markets mentioned at the bottom of this article. 

One of our favourite past-times when holidaying in the Peak District, one of our favourite past-times when is visiting the farmers’ markets and enticing foodie shops.

Bakewell Farmer’s Market is one of the largest farmers’ markets in the UK and generally takes place on the last Saturday of every month except for December. The market takes place

My Favourite Holiday Cottages is keen to encourage people not to fly to their holidays whether in the UK or further field. That's why we support the Flight Free UK campaign, which encourages people to pledge not to fly for a whole year.

Some of the most beautiful corners of the UK are nowhere within easy reach of an airport but easily accessible by car or train. And in any case, why be responsible for dumping an extra tonne or two of CO2 into the atmosphere when you fly when there are so many friendlier alternatives to holidaying by plane?

 

A Whole year without flying: Just think of the places you can go! 

We invited Anna Hughes, Director of Flight Free UK, to explain why it's not just important to cut back on flying but absolutely essential in the race to cool the earth.

Flight Free UK is a behaviour change campaign that encourages people to fly less. We run the flight free 2020 pledge, asking people to take a year off flying,

It’s summer at Beer Mill in Clawton, and the temptation to head straight to the nearby beaches around Bude should definitely be indulged but take a day or just an hour to sit in the garden. Wander the nature trails, close your eyes and listen to the true sounds of summer; the bees and insects are busy with their lives; use your sense of smell and get close to the flowers and the hay; look into nooks and crannies to find the hidden colours and observe the lifecycles of the wildlife around you – tell us what you see, we miss things every day so extra help from guests at Beer Mill is very welcome.

As we have just passed midsummer’s eve, the ponds are teaming with wildlife, so have a go at pond dipping – at first glance, there’s nothing in the net but mud. 

Take another look …….ferocious carnivores of the pond, the great diving beetle! Froglets, toadlets, and newts (yes, many do survive the attack of the predators) scatter at your footsteps,

A holiday where experiences are truly wild: Guests coming to stay in Beer Mill at Stone Farm enjoy more than the usual comforts of a well-maintained rural holiday cottage. Where most countryside properties offer a lovely garden, this remote holiday cottage between Bude and Clovelly n North Devon gives its guests their own conservation area to roam. No matter in which month you choose to travel to this little West Country paradise, there’s always something to discover as you wend your way from the woodland glade to the chuckling stream of this natural (occasionally muddy) rural wonderland.

Let’s start early in the year when things first begin to stir...

January, February, March – you might be forgiven for thinking that there’s not much going on in the wilds of North Devon at this time of year; most wildlife is hunkered down or hibernating while we humans are huddled indoors waiting for the winter to pass! Well, think again! We venture out along the