ONE BUSY couple in Diggle certainly has not had time to put up their feet as they have smashed their five-year business targets for their holiday cottages with two years to spare.
Nigel and Abigail Shaw threw open the doors of Diggle House Farm in March 2013 after converting two of the cattle barns into eco-friendly, self-catering cottages.
And with the holiday Lets proving popular beyond their wildest expectations, the pair are now unveiling their third cottage ahead of schedule so they can cater for demand.
Nigel, who is a full-time IT consultant, explained: “We had never been involved in the industry before and wanted to just build things up gradually but it’s really taken off.
“We’ve had great reviews on Trip Advisor and we’re currently 13 out of 72 for self-catering accommodation in the Peak District, which is brilliant – but the amount of laundry is untrue!”
Jim’s Barn and Jenny’s Cottage, which are named after Nigel’s grandparents, have welcomed guests from across the country, as well as Canada, New Zealand and Dubai.
Offering accommodation for two to four people, they are nestled in the Saddleworth hills ideally located for walking holidays or exploring nearby towns and cities.
Abigail revealed: “We get lots of families on countryside holidays but we’ve also had a group of ladies who were coming to Manchester for concerts, so we get all sorts of visitors.
“We always recommended local businesses like The Diggle Hotel, The Navigation Inn, and Grandpa Greene’s to do our bit for the area.”
Now, after hitting their five-year targets after just shy of three years, the couple has added a third cottage to their portfolio, named Nell’s Cottage in memory of their beloved farm dog.
Work started last January to bring the cottage up to their high standards, including moving the staircase, adding a second bedroom and creating a sweeping, open plan ground floor.
During the revamp, historic flag flooring from the 1780s was unearthed and has been carefully re-laid to form a quaint patio outside overlooking the rolling hills.
And it seems business will carry on booming for the coupleas the new cottage already has five bookings for next year.
Find out more about Diggle House Farm and book your stay online.
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