The Broadchurch effect: Seaside towns become hot property
DEBORAH STONE reports on the increased demand for properties beside the seaside.
Millions sat down to watch ITV’s new Broadchurch series last week and while many will have been fantasising about David Tennant, even more will have been wishing they lived near the Jurassic Coast that has made Dorset’s West Bay and East Cliff beach so famous.
“I find it an extraordinary coastline, very inspiring country and a beautiful part of England,” said Charlotte Rampling, a new and very glamorous recruit to the crime drama.
Torchwood’s central figure Eve Myles, another Broadchurch newbie, was also full of praise: “How glorious is that place and why haven’t I been before?
"I’ll be going there a lot more.
"I was spotting out places to take the children next summer.
"It’s beautiful.”
Eve is not the only person who has West Bay and East Cliff beach on her radar.
Dorset’s World Heritage Site coast offers bucket and spade family holidays, fossil hunting in the cliffs, scuba diving in the English Channel, glorious rural countryside and pretty market towns such as Bridport, where Broadchurch writer Chris Chibnall lives.
Broadchurch Tours Inner Harbour
I find it an extraordinary coastline, very inspiring country and a beautiful part of England
Frankly, though, almost any British seaside town has an added attraction when it comes to people looking to downsize, buy a holiday home or invest in a buy-to-let property.
According to international bank HSBC, the UK’s top two “buy-to-let hotspots” are both by the sea, although they are the surprisingly unglamorous Southampton and Blackpool.
HSBC data reveals that Southampton landlords have rental yields of 7.82 per cent, with second place Blackpool averaging a 7.81 per cent yield.
According to HSBC, average property prices in Southampton stand at £138,311 with average monthly rentals of £901, while Blackpool prices average £75,943 with £494 monthly rents.
Buying in seaside towns is not just a lifestyle choice, either, with buy-to-let investors looking further afield than their home towns for properties.
There is an increase in remote landlords, according to Glasgow’s Castle Estates Residential Letting Agents (01475 784 781/castle-estates.co).
Founder Neil Woodhead says: “This trend is set to continue with pension changes and the additions just given in the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement, and more people are likely to invest their released pension pot in property than ever before.”
Certainly, now that Broadchurch is back, estate agents in Dorset will be rubbing their hands with glee.
