All Seasons Holidays Lincolnshire in Louth England

Shoreside, Adrian became a highly skilled coppersmith, but in 2002 he decided to hit civvy street, taking further what had worked so well in Plymouth. After scouting around, Mr Budd, his wife Amanda, together with children Lewis (eight) and Frazer (six), settled on the dilapidated Grade II listed Low House. Built in 1784, it was in need of a massive overhaul but, crucially, it had retained its original form. Mr Budd said: "We spent £300,000 renovating it, and it took a year. What put everyone else off was a real labour of love for us. Having had a quintessential farmhouse with lots of outbuildings we could do up in mind, it didn't fit in with any idea we had." On reflection Mr Budd believes the decision to go with Louth was vital, because of the town amenities that guests can easily enjoy.

Proceeds of the sale of the previous business and leaving the Royal Navy was not enough to see them through financially though, and what is now the successful All Seasons luxury apartments involved some major sacrifices. "I had a beautiful Land Rover Freelander which I had to sell," Mr Budd recalled. Once the building itself was ship-shape, the decorating began, and after a painter had completed four of the 28 rooms, he was stopped due to the expense and Mr Budd and his wife took over. He also fitted the five kitchens and bathrooms, and did all the tiling that the four apartments and their living accommodation required. But the hard work has paid off. Now two years on from welcoming the first visitors, the business is breaking even and the figures are looking encouraging as he focuses on marketing. Awards help too. They have already picked up a gold for self catering holiday of the year in the East Midlands and a commendation by the Duke of Kent in association with the Georgian Group for the restoration.

But the real win has been the business he is picking up from major south bank industry. "I don't think it was an area we considered," he said. "When we came here we thought tourism was all we would be doing, but business accounts for a significant percentage." The luxury of "their own mini house" is the key appeal, but a treat is that they also get to enjoy some of the finest local produce, sourced by Mr Budd. Of his role, he said: "It is not just restoration, that is the easy part. It is getting the customers in, the marketing, that is the hard part - that is where you lose all the sleep."

He is aiming for the 92 per cent occupancy enjoyed in Devon, and is currently at 60 per cent. He has set up eight websites, focusing on different aspects, including the Georgian interest, the attractions of Lincolnshire as a county and even the thrills of nearby Cadwell Park. The latter refreshes an historic link as the circuit's owners once lived in the Eastgate property. Mr Budd said: "We have learnt a lot in the last few years. We didn't have to do too much marketing in Plymouth - Devon sold itself. But one of the reasons why we came here was the challenge. "It was too easy too early. I felt like I had retired when I was 40, I was running out of things to do." Not so now, though Mr Budd is a director with Lincolnshire Tourism, press secretary for the Louth Chamber of Business, and also on the steering groups for Rosebud, a quality improvement scheme for East Lindsey accommodation and The Louth Parish Plan. "It keeps me informed from a public sector point of view," he said. "It is very easy as a private business just to complain, but you need to understand where the money comes from and what is available to spend. I try to use it all to the Wolds' advantage."

One of the biggest joys of his new posting is meeting the people who come to stay. In his previous career he had the honour of speaking with Princess Diana while serving on HMS Cornwall, the vessel she launched, and he knows all about ensuring quality levels are at a regal level in the Regency building. "We deal with quite demanding customers," he said, "and so far we have always had good feedback and lived up to expectations."

For Mr Budd, there's no finer place to spend his spare time than at Blundell Park. He enjoys a vice presidency at the football club, where his sons are involved with the school of excellence. And the family life is something he relishes.
"All this is the complete opposite to being in the Navy - from one extreme to another," he said, reflecting on the time he now has with his wife and children. And the next step will be a less dramatic move for the family, and in turn the business. They currently occupy what is a three-bedroom maisonette within the Eastgate property. Mr Budd added: "Once we get towards 90 per cent occupancy, we will be looking to rent out our living area. We like to offer a personal service, and if we get any bigger we would have to bring people in."

For now the concentration is on bringing in people, to discover the Wolds like he does regularly on foot - without limits.

Press Releases

Louth Target - July 4th 2007

Grimsby Evening Telegraph - April 17th 2007

Sunday Telegraph - December 24th 2006

Yours Magazine 28th November 2006

Woon Magazine November 2006

Grimsby Evening Telegraph - 22nd November 2006

Louth Target 22nd November 2006

Grimsby Evening Telegraph 26th October 2006

Louth Leader - 15th October 2006

Louth Leader - 4th October 2006

Louth Target - 4th October 2006

Journal Magazine - September 2006

Grimsby Evening Telegraph - August 2006

Louth Leader - 5th July 2006

Friday 30th June 2006

Louth Target 08/03/2006

Lincolnshire Life Magazine - January 2006

Grimsby Evening Telegraph 16/11/2005

Louth Leader 5/10/2005