Fern’s Blog

Really excited this month to give you a little update from our Leicester & Nottingham Area Manager, Fern Tebbutt, on her journey over the last 12 months:

As a company loc8me was ready to start expanding even further, having already worked for the company since 2015 I was already aware of all the process and how everything worked.

Leicester & Nottingham came along at the right time for me, towards the end of August 2020 I wasn’t working for Loc8me and hadn’t been since the previous November. I felt that I needed to explore other industries and venture out, as property at the time was all I had learnt since leaving school. I had been furloughed since the start of April and at the time the role was put forward I was in very uncertain circumstances in my current position of work, so it only felt right that it happened at that point in time.

 I was really excited to re-join the team after taking a break from the company. It made me fully aware that this is what I love to do and what I am passionate about and I’m very grateful since returning for the massive amount of support that i’ve received in my new role from the directors. Property and Loc8me is my passion without a doubt and being part of such a great team makes being at work such a dream.

The last 6/7 months have been a great learning curve for me, and have also made me realise how much I do already know. However one of my weaker points would be property management, having never been involved with that side of the business this was always going to be the case. I do feel as if I’ve taken it on with an open mind and learnt a hell of a lot along the way.. (and still learning day to day)!

Learning about each city has been really eye opening, not only having to figure my way around but understanding about how the market works for both cities and the right locations for all 4 of the Universities across both Leicester & Nottingham.

It’s great to see how far Leicester has come, with already a portfolio of 170 bedrooms. Leicester has such a diverse student community from art, design and fashion students to doctors and nurses who are part of one of the largest teaching trusts in the UK. Leicester is home to 3 different university hospital trust sites including the general, infirmary and glenfield, the city is also recognised as one of the most affordable university destinations nationwide.

Nottingham itself has so much potential with over 70,000 students attending both universities each year the demand for off student accommodation is ever growing. With a thriving city centre and widespread transport options, it gives students more reason to live off campus. Loc8me’s brand fits in very well with the lifestyle Nottingham has to offer to the students.

My main aim for 22/23 academic year will be to ensure we are accredited by each of the universities as one of the leading off campus accommodation agencies, this gives great security for tenants who sign up with us as well as landlords we work with.

We are still looking for new landlords to join and get on board if you have any questions or queries regarding each of the university cities, please do not hesitate to get in touch. Each of the cities have great opportunities available, so even if you are not yet a landlord within these communities we can make that possible.

I look forward to hopefully completing my ARLA Level 3 within the next year which will take my career to the next level and I am extremely excited to see where Loc8me Leicester & Nottingham are in the market within the next five to six years.