Marine property

Set on the Severn estuary, within commuting distance from Bristol the towns boasts motorway access, good schools, low crime, the lake grounds, a lido and open spaces. An ideal town for families, house prices will only go one way (subject to cyclical recession of course). However, some would argue that Portishead is no longer a village but a town, which of course it is. The Marina development keeps spreading toward Bristol along the Portbury wharf; a proliferation of mainly leasehold luxury apartments. Although the infrastructure never keeps pace (the rail link should have happened years ago) there is an exodus of school children competing for places as the town’s appeal grows. As house prices rise inexorably first time buyers feel the strain. With no sign of the government’s much vaunted promise of a housing supply boost the market will continue with firm prices. There are, however, some signs of reaching a plateau. With earnings failing to keep pace with the cost of living house prices will come under pressure from one direction, however in the absence of any supply side pressures prices will never go in to freefall and those individuals who invest as opposed to simply living in their properties will see returns over time outpace equity investments. The assumption also being that stress testing of the high street banks will safeguard against future collapses in the banking system. Time will tell. Nestled on the edge of Portishead in the village of North Weston sits a piece of local history. Starting life as dock worker cottages the ‘North Weston Stores’ as it was known for so long has been a drinking den, retail shop and more recently a tattoo studio. It was built during the Zulu wars and has borne witness to the town’s industrial phase through to its current status as a great place to live. Everyone in the Gordano valley knows where we are and drives past our shop window.