In this first in a series of articles, introducing the people that make and shape Grimsby and Cleethorpes’ vibrant business community, we speak with Helen Warman, Director of Coppergate Serviced Accommodation, about her passion for property, food, travel and her commitment to delivering the highest possible standards in everything she does.
Building a Diverse Property Portfolio
Helen isn’t your typical property tycoon, flipping properties for fast cash. Every project she invests in reflects her commitment to improving and maximising the potential of each property.
“I just love old buildings,” says Helen. “I feel really sad when they’re empty and haven’t got a purpose. So I look carefully at each project and take my time to consider how I can breathe new life into an old building and the surrounding area.”
As such, Helen wears two hats in the business.”
“I’m a property developer in the traditional sense, developing properties for sale or rent,” says Helen. “But I’m also a property developer whose product sometimes turns into serviced accommodation. It really depends on the opportunities that arise when a new development opportunity presents itself.”
Helen’s attention to detail means she refuses to take shortcuts.
“We often spend more money than we need to,” says Helen. “But when I hand over the keys to a new property, I believe the quality of the fixtures and fittings reflect my reputation as a high-quality developer. We’re creating spaces people want to live in in comfort and are proud to call home.”
An Accidental Entrepreneur
Helen’s trajectory as a property developer took off after her previous career in the travel industry ended.
“I was made redundant from an industry I’d worked in my whole life and loved,” says Helen. “But things happen for a reason. The travel industry was changing, and I was ready for something new. It enabled me to consider my options.”
A career switch saw Helen move into the food industry alongside her first tentative steps into the world of property development.
“I didn’t really know what I was doing at the time,” says Helen. “It was very much a side hustle. But the property doubled in value in just under two years, so I must have done something right, and I decided to sell. In hindsight, knowing how property prices continued to rise in the area, I should have kept hold of it for a few more years. But it was an experience I enjoyed and learned a lot from.”
However, it wasn’t until Helen received a pension statement following her 50th birthday that she decided to take the property market more seriously.
“That really focused my mind,” says Helen. “I decided I needed to do something to help me be more comfortable in my retirement. I took every opportunity to learn about the property businesses and really built up my knowledge and network.”
Initially, Helen invested in traditional three-bed semi-detached properties.
“I loved the transformation from somewhere really scruffy and rundown and then handing over the keys to a pristine property,” says Helen. “I did quite a few of them but started getting bored and considering different opportunities.”
Serviced Accommodation
Another “sliding doors moment” introduced Helen to the idea of operating serviced accommodation.
“When the Covid-19 pandemic hit, the government told tenants if they were on furlough, they didn’t have to pay their rent,” says Helen. “I thought, that’s fine, but that makes life as a landlord, maintaining properties to the highest standards and ensuring our tenants have homes they can be proud of, very difficult.”
Just as the pandemic created challenges for landlords, it also opened the door to new opportunities.
“Essential services like the NHS, energy sector, and food processing industry needed safe accommodation for their mobile workforce,” says Helen. “They couldn’t use hotel accommodation and risk exposing their staff to the virus. They needed to create a safe ‘bubble’ for their staff in the workplace and their accommodation.”
While the pandemic created an immediate need for serviced accommodation in Grimsby, Cleethorpes, and Doncaster, the quality of service kept Helen’s corporate clients returning time and time again in the post-pandemic world.
Corporate Clients
Coppergate Serviced Accommodation exclusively serves the needs of corporate clients.
“We charge hotel prices but offer real home comforts,” says Helen. “They have an en-suite room, a beautiful living room, and their own fully-equipped kitchen. A hotel is fine for a day or two, but if you’re working away from home for a longer period of time, you want a more comfortable experience.”
Helen explains that having access to a kitchen is so important to her guests.
“I love cooking,” says Helen. “Coming from Grimsby, I’m a big fan of seafood. But even if my guests don’t want to cook from scratch, having the opportunity to grab some beans on toast or a bowl of cereal any time of the day or night makes a real difference compared to staying in a hotel.”
The personal touch makes a real difference to Helen’s guests.
“The serviced accommodation is a full-time job,” says Helen. “I welcome our guests personally and really enjoy learning about their jobs and why they are visiting the region.”
In Grimsby and Cleethorpes, Helen’s guests are increasingly employed in the renewable energy sector. Meanwhile, In Doncaster, many of Helen’s guests work in high-tech roles in the region’s large ecommerce fulfilment and distribution centres.
Helen also appreciates the immediate feedback from her guests.
In many ways, Helen draws on her experience in the travel industry, ensuring guests receive the best possible service. Helen’s guests certainly value her attention to detail.
“The quality of our serviced accommodation takes our guests’ breath away,” says Helen. “We want them to feel at home. We know we are doing a great job when they tell us they would happily live in our ‘gorgeous’ homes.”
Leisure Time
Despite initially being drawn to the property business to bolster her retirement plans, Helen has no plans to retire.
“What is retirement?” says Helen. “It’s about doing what you enjoy, and at the moment, I’m really enjoying life.”
When Helen isn’t busy looking after her serviced accommodation guests or scoping out new properties for development, she retreats to Cyprus for some rest and relaxation.
“Cyprus is my happy place,” says Helen. “We tend to visit the more rural areas of the Island. I guess it’s my Lincolnshire roots. I just love the countryside.”
Island life also allows Helen to indulge in her passion for cooking seafood.
“You can take the girl out of Grimsby,” jokes Helen.
But even on vacation, Helen has an eye on the property market.
“There’s an old villa on the island that I’ve had my eye on for quite a while now,” says Helen. “It’s completely overpriced, but who knows, if that changes, it could be a wonderful opportunity. Never say never.”
