Hostel owners seek ‘laid-back’ life next door
One of Palmerston North’s longestrunning backpackers is for sale, but its owners won’t be moving far away.
Cherie Clapperton and Dennis Martin have been in charge of Pepper Tree Hostel in Grey St for 28 years. Now, the pair are moving on to run neighbouring property Primrose Manor, which, Clapperton said, provides accommodation ‘‘a little more upmarket’’ than the hostel.
The couple started running the hostel, located in a 100-year-old villa, in 1991. Although a few other backpackers also opened at a similar time, Pepper Tree Hostel was the only one of those still running, Clapperton said.
Although getting to know new faces was a highlight of the job, hosting returning visitors was nice too. One group of speedway fans from Rotorua had stayed there each year for the past 20 years, she said.
‘‘It’s been a really, really good business. ‘‘We’ve met lots of lovely people.’’ The couple bought Primrose Manor about five years ago and revamped the interior. Clapperton said they had been running the two businesses together for two years, but were looking forward to focusing on the new business.
Selling the backpackers is part of the couple’s plan to ease into retirement. Three years ago, Martin suffered a severe bout of pneumonia and ended up in the intensive care unit of Palmerston North Hospital.
His illness was a ‘‘wake-up call’’ that pushed the couple to seek a better work and life balance.
Managing the manor would be less demanding than the backpackers, because there wouldn’t be as many guests coming through, Clapperton said.
‘‘It’ll be a little laid-back, not as hectic as running a backpackers.’’
The hostel had only been on the market for two weeks, but they had already had interest from three people, Clapperton said.