‘We’re very proud to be part of the community’

Louise Oldfield, 46, and her husband, Liam, 52, run The Reading Rooms B&B in Margate, Kent.

‘Since we opened our boutique B&B in 2009, this part of the hospitality industry has undergone a transformation, with a growing trend for special and unique places to stay.

Liam and I bought the five-storey, Grade Ii-listed property in 2007 for £330,000, at the height of the pre-crash market. At the time, it was laid out as 10 bedsits and needed a complete renovation.

We’d chosen to move to Margate because of its proximity to London and beautiful coastline, and the town was undergoing a revival, with a growing arts scene and regeneration projects.

In the past, we’d run a small creative studio together – I looked after marketing and project management, and Liam worked in design – and before that we worked in the nightclub industry. We both enjoyed looking after people, so transforming the house into a B&B felt like a very natural thing to do.

JOB FOR LIFE

We decided to throw everything we had at the house renovation to create a three-room boutique bed and breakfast. We needed a new roof, central heating, bathrooms, furnishings, the works. In the end, we spent around £170,000, which was a huge financial commitment.

Because the property is a Grade Ii-listed building, we had to liaise closely with the local council’s building control and conservation departments. Liam, who studied architecture at university, oversaw the renovations with a team of contractors, while I set out plans for running and marketing the business.

Rather than cram in as many rooms as possible, we decided to have just three, each taking up an entire floor. Each one has a large bedroom and en suite bathroom with a cast iron roll-top bath.

We hit the ground running and have never looked back. We are busy all year round and full 70% of the time. Our rooms cost £170 a night for a midweek stay for two with breakfast. Liam and

I live in the house, and we have two housekeepers who help us keep everything running smoothly.

It’s a full-on job and we only close for a few days over Christmas. But it’s worth it. We love living by the sea, with no commute to work, and we’re very proud to be part of the community. Moving to Margate is the best thing we’ve done.’

• thereadingroomsmargate.co.uk