Latest news with #KarenPearson
The Sun
12-05-2025
- The Sun
We quit rat race to buy entire VILLAGE worth just £67,000 in holiday hotspot – now we'll rake in £1,000s from Airbnb
A BRITISH couple have packed in the 9 to 5 and bought themselves a whole village in France — all for just £67,000. Ben Pearson, 39, and his partner Nathan, 31, struck gold when they bought a rural French property for just £67,000. 5 5 5 The deal included a 17th-century farmhouse, five outbuildings and two hectares of land — more than they ever imagined owning. The couple first discovered the tucked-away treasure while visiting Ben's mum, Karen Pearson, 62, who moved to the same French village over a decade ago. They loved the charming, timeworn property as soon as they saw it seven years ago, but at the time, weren't quite ready to make the leap abroad. Three years ago, they started seriously looking for a retirement escape. To their shock, the farmhouse came back on the market. Ben, an RAF aircraft engineer, said: 'It was like fate. We had looked everywhere and just couldn't find anything like it. "When we saw it was up for sale again, we couldn't believe it.' They put in an offer in February 2022, which was accepted, but the deal took two years to finalise due to complex French property paperwork. The couple finally got the keys in December 2024, and are now preparing to move out permanently in July. The site is full of rustic charm — but needs serious work. We ditched the UK and bought a 200-year-old French village for just £22k The house has no toilet, heating or even running water beyond a single tap. 'There's no way we could ever afford this in the UK,' Ben said. 'You can barely get a one-bed flat for £80k back home. "Over here, we've got land, buildings, peace and a real chance to build something special.' Ben is retiring from the RAF this summer and plans to take on the renovation himself, converting the main farmhouse into a three-bed home. In the meantime, the couple will live in a caravan on the land while getting a liveable room finished within six months. The house, which dates back to the 1600s, has never been modernised. Old pots, mason jars and paperwork were still on the shelves when they moved in. Nathan said: 'It's the oldest property in the little commune. "The main house is from the early 1800s, but the farmhouse is even older. 'There's a real sense of history. "We're planning to frame some of the old documents we found — like the original land contracts.' They hope to restore the property in a way that preserves its heritage — and eventually convert the outbuildings into Airbnbs or guest houses. 'We're not under any illusions — we know it's going to cost more than we've saved,' Nathan said. 'But it's the lifestyle we want.' The couple have set aside £100,000 to start the restoration but admit it'll be a long-term labour of love. Ben added: 'We want to do it all properly — new roof, new septic tank, heating, everything. But we'll keep the soul of the place.' Despite the challenges, they say the move is the best decision they've made. 'There's no running around, no stress,' Ben said. 'It'll be a peaceful life. That's all we want.' Nathan, an English tutor, agreed: 'Even when you go into the nearest town, people are lovely and welcoming. "There's this myth that the French are standoffish — we've found the complete opposite.' The couple have documented their journey from Yorkshire to the French countryside on social media — and are already inspiring others to follow their dreams. Nathan said: 'We came here dreaming of a quieter life. "Somehow, we ended up buying a village. We wouldn't change a thing.' 5 5
BBC News
21-03-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Calls to improve Stoke market in £250k revamp plan
Plans to spend £250,000 by a council on improving a public square have been met with a demand to spend some of the money on an indoor City Council wants feedback on its proposal to create a better events space on South Wolfe Street in Stoke with the aim of increasing shoppers coming to the square has previously hosted a number of events and activities in the town including Feastival and the Stoke Town Square Saturday plans include new paving to improve access along with new plants but some market stallholders want money spent on the market itself. Kate Sale, from J&K Hardware, said the site was "in dire need" of money being spent on it."There's no disabled facilities, there's no baby change facilities. People aren't going to come if you haven't got the basic facilities," she Karen Pearson said it seemed as if there were fewer and fewer stalls inside the market each time she visited."I saw the information board and I think if they actually do it, it'll look better but they should be encouraging going into the market," she Finlay Gordon-McCusker said they wanted to hear as much feedback as possible on their plans.""So, it is vital to hear residents' priorities for spending the money and to use these ideas to shape the final plan ready for work to start later this year," he added. This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service, which covers councils and other public service organisations. Follow BBC Stoke & Staffordshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
