Sarah and Shaun from Whitley Bay found themselves the center of attention after appearing on Channel 4's popular series, {'Love It or List It.'}
Featured on the show, the couple deliberated over their £432,000 three-storey Victorian semi-detached house, which is situated only minutes from the beach. Despite its prime location and aesthetic appeal, their home has been riddled with complications, particularly with family life for the parents of five children.
Viewers were quick to notice the challenges they faced, with Sarah and Shaun struggling for space. Their home featured cramped quarters, including a tiny kitchen incapable of accommodating even basic conveniences like a dishwasher. It also had only one bathroom to serve the entire family, and their garden has been humorously described as being 'the size of a Dairylea slice.' To add to the misery, the property is located right next to a Kwik Fit store.
For five years, the couple grappled with the decision of whether to remodel their dwelling or move elsewhere. With the assistance of real-estate gurus Kirstie Allsopp and Phil Spencer, they sought to revamp their home with the help of a renovation budget of £70,000, or potentially find new accommodations with up to £650,000. While Sarah advocated for staying, conveying the 'lovely family feel' of their current home, many viewers disagreed, asserting they would have relocated immediately.
Meanwhile, Shaun voiced frustration with their existing living conditions, arguing for the 'list it' option due to the impractical aspects of their home as it stood. He articulated, 'The kitchen is really tiny, you can't swing a cat in there. It's really a maximum of two people,' emphasizing their home’s limitations for their large family.
Sarah faced mounting domestic pressures, undertaking as many as ten loads of laundry each week without adequate facilities. The couple started with the £70,000 renovation budget but ended up spending nearly £110,000, which included substantial updates like extending the kitchen and adding another bathroom. Despite the burdensome renovations, their commitment to staying put elicited frustration from show hosts Kirstie and Phil, who questioned Sarah's enthusiasm.
With multiple house viewings under the show's supervision, Sarah exhibited reluctance even when Phil brought them potential new properties. One house was merely over one minute away from their current home, yet Sarah expressed apprehension, stating, 'There are a few compromises I can't get my head around.' This reluctance to embrace change led viewers to label her as 'miserable' online, contrasting her husband’s more pragmatic approach to their living situation.
Through the series of attempts to relocate, the couple reiterated their preference for proximity to schools and shops, contributing to their eventual decision to invest more heavily in renovations. Phil described her stances as making the search 'one of the most complex,' underscoring their unique family dynamics.
Viewers were captivated by the renovation process and Sarah's surprising emotional response when she learned their home had appreciated to £632,000 as experts revealed the valuation, leading her to exclaim disbelief—having expected merely to break even after their extensive outlay.
Interestingly, this real estate conundrum isn’t the only tale of Whitley Bay’s vibrant local scene. The lease for the beloved cafe, Meet Me on the Corner, has also been made available, attracting seller interest at £85,000. This cafe, which opened its doors just over a year ago, is generating around £6,000 weekly and showcases the appealing vitality of the area.
Located at the intersection of Windsor Gardens and Ilfracombe Gardens, the cafe enjoys proximity to the beachfront alongside shops and facilities, featuring strong transport links through The Metro and bus services just moments away.
According to Rook Matthews Sayer, the cafe is described as ‘very well presented,’ offering 30 seats inside and space for another 40 on its covered patio. The estate agency suggests extending operation hours to capitalize on breakfast and early evening services to boost profits.
The establishment operates with minimal staffing, only two owners supported by four part-time workers, yet possesses significant potential for expansion. The current trading hours run from 9 am to 3 pm during weekdays and from 9 am to 4:30 pm on Sundays, which clients may find limiting.
Available for sale without the business name, the cafe is equipped and includes necessary licensing for alcohol sales from 10 am to 6:30 pm daily. At £12,000 annual rent, the newly available lease could be attractive to potential buyers seeking to capitalize on the cafe's successful start.
These two intersecting narratives encapsulate the challenges and opportunities present within Whitley Bay's property market. While Sarah and Shaun navigate the trials of their inadequate home and family life, the local cafe exemplifies thriving business potential and community spirit.