| Second home owners, or those that own a holiday | | | | would happen to the plethora of independent traders |
| home for the purpose of rentals, have had a | | | | that currently enjoy the income from the well heeled |
| negative press over the years. It has been | | | | visitors, would Southwold succumb to the |
| suggested that out of town buyers who purchase | | | | supermarket giants? |
| property for holiday homes are artificially inflating the | | | | This would apply to many of the delightful tourist |
| prices of property, thus pricing less well off locals out | | | | villages in Suffolk and Norfolk |
| of the market. but is this true in all cases?. I live in | | | | If you own a second/holiday home, how do you |
| small village near to the popular tourist coastal town | | | | have the best possible impact on the locality? |
| of Southwold in Suffolk. Each time I visit the town it | | | | Firstly, make sure you have maximum occupancy, |
| has been bustling with people, enjoying the beach | | | | offer winter break deals or use it yourself during low |
| and shops. much more so than a town of that size | | | | season. |
| would normally suggest. | | | | Secondly, employ local people and local companies to |
| Tourists by their very nature spend more on going | | | | carry out work on the property and to manage and |
| out, eating out and shopping, this is good for the local | | | | maintain it for you. |
| traders. A town like Southwold has very little industry | | | | Thirdly, Invest in the property, keep it maintained to |
| other than tourism, so would it support local people if | | | | a high standard thus ensuring that when visitors |
| holiday makers did not come?. Or would it slowly slide | | | | come, they will recommend Southwold as the |
| into a neglected, run down pass through town?. what | | | | destination of choice. |