Lake District still open to buyers

The Lake District may be virtually closed for business thanks to the foot-and-mouth crisis but buyers are still snapping up hotels, pubs and restaurants, according to property consultant Christie & Co.

Prospective buyers are still looking at the area with a long-term view, even suggesting that the crisis may have some benefits over a long period of time.

"Cumbria produces a major part of our business," said Julian Troup, director of Christie's Manchester office. "Over 50% of the hotels we sold in our region during 2000 were located in the National Park. Fortunately, at present we are still experiencing a case of buyers taking a more positive approach to the issue than visitors."

Troup said the buyers viewing properties in the Lakes are from outside the area and have been looking for the right business for some time.

"We are not seeing chance buyers whose main aim is to pick up a bargain, nor are we seein g a panic reaction from business owners keen to sell up."

Troup claimed the prosepect of Government compensation packages, business rates relief and commitment to tourist advertising initiatives were actually being used as reasons to buy in the area.