Month: November 2015

“The primary reason that family businesses fail is the inability of family members to find an effective way to work together for the good of both the family and the business”, says Charlie Seligman, Director of Rural at Savills Winchester.

According to Seligman and his team, who provide advice on rural family business issues, the founders of family businesses are often both proud and apprehensive about involving their children in it.  Whilst the next generation appears to have a sound knowledge of and interest in, the business itself can become highly complex not just in terms of strategy but also relationships. 

He comments: “Family businesses can succeed for some years often without the kind of formal structure and governance you might expect from a small business. This doesn’t present a problem in itself, but when the time comes for the business to be passed on to the next generation, significant issues arise. These range from questions of ownership and leadership through to confusion over job roles and remuneration.

“The resolution of these issues can take some time and all the while the service being provided to clients or customers is put at risk.”

One tool which is key to ensuring the legacy of a family business is the ‘Family Constitution’. 

Seligman continues: “The family creed or constitution is a means of recording and enshrining the DNA of the family and its business, what it wants to achieve and how decisions will be made. It is a living document which needs to be reviewed on a regular basis. 

“It defines the purpose and vision of the company, sets a framework of rules and agreements which govern the business, and lays out communication and conflict resolution policies and guidelines for what happens when a member of the family wants to leave the business.

“Dealing with conflict will almost certainly be part of the journey for most families and unless a way of dealing with that conflict can be found entrenched positions will become exacerbated. It is important to stand back and look at the big picture and to understand the motivation of the individuals involved and the pressures upon them.  This can be very difficult indeed in family groups.”

For further details and advice on family business issues, contact Charlie on 01962 834016 or cseligman@savills.com.…

Perfect as a rural retreat, lock-up and leave, or permanent home for someone downsizing, this utterly charming detached cottage will delight. On the market for sale as a freehold property, the cottage has a layout more akin to a luxurious apartment, except of course, there are no attached neighbours and it does come with a lovely garden over two levels and parking for two or three cars.

Recently converted from a former barn which is part of the redevelopment of The White Horse public house in Beeches Hill, close to Bishop’s Waltham, the charming exterior of the building is of beautiful brick with flint panels and some timber cladding.

The interior has been carefully designed and immaculately finished with quality fittings which enhance the wonderful light accommodation where the principal living space has a superb vaulted ceiling with exposed oak timbers, additional light from windows in the roofline, oak ledge and braced doors, a feature fireplace with wood burning stove and an oak floor extending through into the lovely kitchen. This has been cleverly fitted with an excellent range of country style units, together with appliances and a central island. French doors from the kitchen open to the south easterly terrace and garden.

The double bedroom leads off the main room and has fitted wardrobes and a stylish bathroom.

Bishop’s Waltham is a delightful medieval town situated at the head of the River Hamble, surrounded by many pleasant villages. Within the historical centre there is an excellent array of shops, cafes, traditional inns and other amenities, all with a great sense of community.

A guide price of £325,000 is quoted by Charters and a personal inspection may be arranged by calling 01962 830880.…

Perfectly located for access into Winchester’s city centre as well as the surrounding commuter networks, this modern detached house at Monarch Way is also well placed for popular Kings School.

The rooms are well arranged and provide family accommodation over two floors with three reception rooms on the ground floor giving a degree of flexibility and four bedrooms and two bathrooms upstairs.

The kitchen is well fitted with space for a breakfast table and there is also a utility room and cloakroom.

Neatly maintained gardens to the front and rear are complemented by off road parking and a garage.

Pearsons quotes a monthly rent of £2,000 and welcomes enquiries to the Winchester branch on 01962 853344…

This charming terraced home is full of character and is well located for those who need easy access on foot into Winchester’s city centre. It is also suitable for those who need to drive as it has the benefit of private off road parking.

The house is simply arranged with good accommodation for a couple or small family with two god size bedrooms and a family bathroom on the first floor. Downstairs are two reception rooms and a well fitted kitchen with a door to the pretty west facing garden.

As well as being within walking distance of the wide range of amenities in the commercial heart of Winchester, there are also lovely riverside and country walks to be enjoyed directly from the house, perhaps stopping off at one of the quirky pubs on the outskirts of town on the way home.

The property is available on an unfurnished basis from early January next year at a monthly rent of £1,200. Winkworth in Winchester will be pleased to provide further details. Call 01962 866777.…

Tucked away in a secluded position off the High Street in Stockbridge, this newly constructed chalet style home benefits from the latest technology and building standards. Michelmersh brick elevations fit well with the traditional surroundings, complementing the mellow clay tiled roof and the high levels of insulation and modern building techniques will ensure economic running of this home.

Finished to a good standard, there are oak floors in some rooms with carpets to the bedrooms and a wood burning stove in the living room, together with a large, four panel wall of glazing which opens to the garden.

The kitchen is well fitted and one of the double bedrooms is on the ground floor with an adjacent bathroom whilst on the first floor a superb open landing with potential for a study recess, has doors off to a second good size bedroom, the family bathroom and a further room ideal as a study, store room or third bedroom.

Outside, the approach to the property is securely gated and the driveway terminates in a turntable which is perfect for positioning a small car ready to drive straight out again, an unexpected but most welcome feature of this home.

The gardens have been simply landscaped with paving and a level lawn, securely enclosed with fencing and ready for an individual’s input to create further interest if required.

Within Stockbridge there are numerous shops, pubs and tea rooms, community activities, and wonderful countryside walks all around.

Offers in excess of £625,000 are invited. Contact the Pearsons office in Winchester for further details on 01962 853344.…

Eleanor House is an exceptional period house, now completely renovated, lying on the edge of the village of Ropley and enjoying long views over grounds of three acres and countryside beyond.

The original part of the house, built in 1869, served as a chapel for many years and when the house was substantially extended some forty years later, this became the beautifully proportioned drawing room. The principal rooms have good ceiling height, architectural detailing and many enjoy the best of the long views.

The house is primarily arranged over two floors but with a useful cellar and lovely attic rooms which currently provide a large bedroom, bathroom and playroom for visiting grandchildren.

The entrance hall makes a fine statement and the staircase rises from here to the first floor. The drawing room lies to the rear and is a superb room with twin pairs of French doors flanking a feature fireplace and opening to a westerly terrace.

The formal dining room is charmingly elegant and the kitchen/breakfast room lies on the other side of the hall complete with an excellent range of cabinets, Aga, larder and plenty of space for informal dining. Leading off a rear lobby is a sitting room and cloakroom. There is also a long glazed conservatory with lovely views over the formal gardens and across to the paddocks.

Four principal bedrooms radiate from the first floor landing, accompanied by three smart bathrooms and there is a further room ideal as a study or additional bedroom.

Outbuildings within the grounds include an oak framed double garage, boiler room with ground source heat pump, two stables and a tack room.

The formal gardens are landscaped and stocked with classic herbaceous borders and sweeping lawns, complemented by a fruit cage, greenhouse and three paddocks which have a separate access.

The village of Ropley is situated on the south side of the A31 but the house itself is located off a quiet country lane on the north eastern side of the village and has long unspoilt views over the adjoining countryside. The village is a busy community and amenities include a community owned shop/post office, sports pavilion, parish hall, coffee room, primary school, church, numerous societies and clubs.

Jackson-Stops & Staff will be pleased to provide further details of this lovely country home and a guide price of £1,795,000 is given. Contact the office on 01962 844299.…