A Sanctuary by the Sea: Serena Mitchell on the Joys and Challenges of Beach Hut Ownership

In this episode, Natalie welcomes communication specialist and beach hut owner Serena Mitchell to discuss her unique beach hut named after her ancestor, Martha Gunn, a legendary sea bathing dipper from the Regency period. Serena shares her journey of acquiring the beach hut in 2017 and the joy it brings her as a space for relaxation and creativity. They also consider the recent controversial changes imposed by Brighton & Hove Council regarding transfer fees and license agreements for beach hut owners, which have sparked community outrage and a campaign against what Serena describes as a "stealth tax."  KEY TAKEAWAYS Serena's beach hut is named after her ancestor, Martha Gunn, a notable figure in Brighton's history known for her role as a sea bathing dipper in the Regency period. This connection highlights the cultural significance of beach huts in the area. The Brighton & Hove Beach Hut Association was formed to advocate against significant increases in transfer fees imposed by the council, which rose from £85 to either 10% of the sale price or four times the annual license fee, representing a 3,000% increase. The council's financial struggles led them to target beach hut owners for revenue, which sparked community outrage and a campaign against what was termed a "stealth tax." The lack of effective communication and preparation from council members during consultations further fueled discontent. Serena describes her beach hut as a personal sanctuary, providing a space for relaxation, creativity, and social gatherings. It serves as a retreat from her work life and a place to enjoy the coastal environment. Owning a beach hut comes with significant ongoing costs, including maintenance and licensing fees, which can exceed £1,000 annually. Despite these challenges, the emotional and recreational value of the hut remains a priority for owners like Serena. BEST MOMENTS "The council thought, well, actually, we've seen prices of beach huts, so they were starting to exchange for silly money. A garden shed that had been £20,000 was going for up to £40,000." "We calculated that that was a 3,000% increase from an £85 admin fee to what, in effect, was a stealth tax." "It almost feels like the council don't really understand the benefits that the beach hut community are bringing into the area and to the community." "I think being carried out in a coffin. I think for as long as I live in Brighton and Hove, I will have my hut." "The irony of ironies, it was just announced the I360 is going into administration. It owes the council £51 million." HOST BIO My name is Natalie Young. I bought a beach hut to bring joy into my life after escaping an abusive relationship and a difficult divorce.  Based in Christchurch, Dorset, my beach hut is affectionally called the Salty Seagull and is located on Friars Cliff beach with sea views to the Needles on the Isle of White. It is my slice of heaven.  Owning and hiring a beach hut is more complicated than I realised and I am on a constant mission to discover the best ways to manage and care for your hut. I have researched the pros and cons of renting and the best ways to market and host. The beach, the sights and the sounds of the sea bring me huge joy. I hope this podcast will bring you smiles, laughter and joy too! https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61559730024536&sk=about https://www.linkedin.com/company/103555627/admin/feed/posts/?feedType=following PODCAST DESCRIPTION Welcome to the Bonkers about Beach Huts podcast, the show that's all about beach huts! Whether you are thinking of buying a beach hut and don’t know where to begin or if you have had a beach hut in your family for generations this podcast is for you. As I travel across the UK exploring these coastal retreats and sharing personal stories of how the humble beach hut has shaped lives, I will also be creating the UK's first beach hut map. I will give tips on where and how to buy a beach hut. And shar