'Omaze raffled two homes in our two and we've noticed one huge change'
The US-based firm, which teams up with a charity for each draw, has given away two luxury homes in the small town of Blakeney, Norfolk, in the past two years
Business owners in Blakeney say Omaze has brought people into their town
(Image: wellsie82 via Getty Images )
Traders living in a picturesque seaside town where luxury homes have been won as raffle prizes have noticed a big change in the area. Omaze has held two luxury draws featuring properties in Blakeney, Norfolk.
The company teams up with a charity each time, marking the properties online and on television. As a result, business owners in Blakeney say they have seen an upturn in trade since the first draw in 2023.
Daren Bell, from Bournemouth, won Omaze's first prize draw in the town. He swapped his Dorset home for a £4,500,000 mansion, netting £100,000 in cash in the process.
With Omaze covering the mortgage, stamp duty, and legal fees, Daren was able to sell his previous home and now enjoys a more comfortable lifestyle.
Despite this, the self-proclaimed "workaholic" has chosen to continue working full-time at a facilities management firm, with plans to reassess his work-life balance in the future.
Blakeney in Norfolk has seen two Omaze raffles
(Image: Peter Swan via Getty Images )
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Daren remarked: "I am still working full-time but I'll re-evaluate that in a few years - I may cut down my hours or retire early. I sold my old home in Bournemouth and didn't have a mortgage on it, so I have a good chunk of cash saved for the future."
Omaze, which originated in the US in 2012, recently raffled off a second property in Blakeney, a £6 million home, to raise funds for Comic Relief. However, the winner has yet to receive the keys due to an ongoing planning dispute with North Norfolk District Council, reports the Mirror.
After a complaint from an anonymous member of the public about the house not being constructed according to approved designs, local businesses in Blakeney have noticed a positive impact due to the attention from Omaze's competition.
Tallulah Darby, 21, who works at a family-run fishing stall in the town, described Blakeney as a "hidden gem" to the BBC. She observed that the contest had "definitely brought in so many more people around the area".
Families in Blakeney say Omaze draws have brought more attention to their hometown
(Image:)
Tallulah revealed that even two members of her family purchased tickets, drawn by the allure of a home they "would never dream of being able to own". She expressed her surprise at the competition taking place in Blakeney, saying: "It's quite amazing, because you only ever think of those competitions happening in places like Cornwall, Devon or London."
James Player, another local entrepreneur, also feels that the raffles have put Blakeney on the map. The 41-year-old, who feels "very lucky" to live on the coast, rents out holiday homes there.
James commented on the benefits of the publicity from the raffles, noting that it has helped to "showcase the beauty of the area". He commended the competition for its role in "getting people living in houses".
Speaking to the BBC, he highlighted the appeal of promotional materials, stating: "You have these beautiful drone shots over the salt marsh and things like that, which people are gonna really like and really draw people in."
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Omaze, which started in the US 13 years ago, pledges to donate at least 17 percent of proceeds to charitable causes. The company's current raffle, offering a chance to win a £4 million home in Sussex, is set to conclude at midnight on June 29.
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