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David and Pam Bates are a couple with a zest for life and a will and energy to create an exciting lifestyle for themselves. It was no surprise therefore to their family and friends that in 2001 they decided to leave their home at Chandlers Ford in Hampshire and buy a derelict property in Le Marche in Italy.

“David and I were absolutely fed up with our lives in the UK and as my brother had been living in Le Marche for over nine years it was the obvious place to start looking”, says Pam. Within a short period they found what they were looking for – a typical Italian style home set in a hectre of land surrounded by open countryside. The three storey abandoned farmhouse was being marketed for just £42,000 but was in need of total renovation.

“It was quite a challenge”, continues Pam, ”but David and I rather like being in that type of situation and so we set to work not just getting the property habitable for ourselves but also carrying out a substantial business plan with the designation of Country House providing bed and breakfast with a fully licensed restaurant”.

Renovation work included new roof, doors, windows, wiring, plumbing, central heating, sewerage, landscaping, professional kitchen, tiling, plastering, and the creating of 9 bathrooms and a bar plus purchase of furniture for 9 rooms plus public areas and the creating of a swimming pool. Later projects included extra rooms, decking and porticos etc. In addition they had to have the linen, and soft furnishings, coffee and beer machines, crockery, outdoor furniture, and the complete stocking of the restaurant and bar.

Time was tight as they had to be open by February 2003 as they had 12 guests booked in! Pam is a gregarious person who had run a model agency and events company so knew the advantages of Public Relations. Because of the unusual concept of derelict farmhouse to Country hotel, the property was featured on A Place in Italy 2004, a Channel 4 production. The property was also featured on BBC’s Put your Money where your Mouth is in 2008. Guests have included a wide range of stars and celebrities including GMTV’s Ben Shepherd.

Villa Sibillini is a beautifully presented property which has been lovingly and tastefully restored and decorated in an modern yet understated style adding to its charming external appearance. It oozes charm and tranquillity both internally and externally where the quiet poolside area surrounded by beautiful countryside is a magical place in which to spend time.

The enterprise therefore is a small hotel which can offer a wide variety of sources of income from bed and breakfast to weddings. The location makes it ideal for walking holidays, family breaks and romantic weekends. It has also attracted great interest from those organising hen nights and its proximity to ski resorts less than half an hour away ensures year round bookings. Pam’s brother has restored a wooden sailing boat with Norman Cook and Zoe Ball which is for charter off Sardinia and Pam and David have promoted two centre breaks based on this.

Added Pam, “After six years of running the business and the fact we are not getting any younger, we are now looking for a different life style. However, whoever buys our lovely home will not be left totally on their own to run the business. David and I are happy to offer support with the marketing for at least six months if they wish it.”
The property is now being marketed through Casa Travella, experts in the sale of homes in Italy since 1987. Linda Travella says, “The home is in excellent decorative order throughout and a new owner could start running the business from day one. I understand that 2009 bookings are now coming in thick and fast which is good news but then Italy is such a beautiful country, it will always attract visitors”.

Villa Sibillini Country House is on the market for 850,000 euros and open to offers. Recognising buyers current difficulties in raising funds in these difficult times the Bates are being creative with payment terms and would accept a lump sum deposit with stage payments or a lump sum and the new buyer could take on the small, existing mortgage.

Villa Sibillini
850,000 euros.
Small country hotel plus living accommodation set in 1 hectre of land.

Concluded Linda, “For those wanting this type of overseas business, but would prefer something a little different, we have a wide choice of suitable properties which can be easily found on our web sites”.

230,000 euros. Monterubbiano, Southern Le Marche. (ref 2047)
In need of renovation. Two storeys. 200 sq metres of accommodation plus two annexes and garage. Electricity and water supplied. Located 260 metres from private road.
Set in 20 acres with woods, vineyards, olive grove and pine trees and fruit trees. Great potential.

230,000 euros. Montegiorgio, Southern Le Marche. ( Ref 2046)
Lovely colonial style property, partly restored. 200 sq metres of accommodation over two floors plus a garage. 8 bedrooms, 4/5 bedrooms. Ideal property for project and to rent out 2/3 bedrooms to guests.
Courtyard of over half an acres. Sits in 10 acres of land which is being sold separately.