We have been asked by the team at McCarthy & Stone, the UK’s leading retirement house builder, to find 18 Gransnet users to discover what life is really like at one of their developments and report back on Gransnet.
They say:
“At McCarthy & Stone we know that often the best way of getting our customers to experience the lifestyle at one of our retirement developments, and its many benefits, is to try it for themselves.
“We will be recruiting a number of Gransnet testers to go forward and review our unique ‘Experience the Lifestyle’ offer, which effectively lets you ‘try before you buy’. Following your stay each tester will also receive a £50 Marks and Spencer voucher to spend as they wish.
“It’s no strings attached - we simply ask that you take a tour of the development with a sales consultant during your stay. It’s really a chance to demonstrate what living at a McCarthy & Stone development is really like. It could even surprise you! We have limited availability on a number of complimentary one night stays in one of our fully furnished apartments or guest suites with continental breakfast included.”
There are three different product options to choose from – each one is designed to suit a different stage of retirement, so you’re able to select which best fits with your personal needs and requirements
These are: Lifestyle Living, Retirement Living
and Retirement Living Plus.
Selected testers can also choose from a range of locations depending on where they currently live if you want to stay in the local area, or specific areas you like the look of and would consider moving further afield for. You will however need to make your own way to the property.
What you’ll experience
“Retirement Living” is for anyone aged 60 and over. It’s all about creating a safe and secure environment in which you can be as independent as you like, either socialising in the homeowners’ lounge where testers will have the opportunity to enjoy a cup of tea and a chat with some of the homeowners, or enjoy peace and quiet in your own apartment.
It’s also about making life easier which is where the friendly House Manager comes in, who oversees the smooth running of the development. Testers will be able to enjoy the landscaped gardens, maintained and looked after by McCarthy & Stone’s expert team, as well as join in with the various social clubs and activities on offer if they choose, such as coffee mornings, film nights, and get a great feel for the local area by exploring the various shops, cafes and amenities nearby.
If you’re looking for a little extra on-site care, in the form of domestic help or assistance, McCarthy & Stone can arrange for your stay to be in a “Retirement Living Plus” development. These are aimed at people aged 70 and over and offer all of the above, plus a range of additional facilities to make life easier such as an on-site restaurant serving freshly prepared meals, and an expert team that are on duty 24 hours a day offering tailored support packages to suit your individual needs.
If you’re a slightly younger retiree you may want to stay in a “Lifestyle Living” development. These are exclusively aimed at people aged 55 and over who are in the earlier stages of retirement and are seeking to downsize for their leisure years. Lifestyle Living apartments have less communal aspects than Retirement Living or Retirement Living Plus developments but are low maintenance and incorporate beautiful design providing comfort and privacy. Added security features offer extra peace of mind if you want to ‘lock up and leave’ when you set off on holidays.
The properties available (17) for this road test are below and you can pick your preference on the sign up form:
· Bowes Lyon Court, Poundbury (Retirement Living Plus)
· Walmsley Place, Bishops Waltham (Lifestyle Living)
· Lock House, Taunton (Retirement Living)
· Tantallon Court, North Berwick (Retirement Living)
· Beacon Court, Anstruther (Retirement Living)
· Swift House, Maidenhead (Retirement Living Plus)
· The Clockhouse, Guildford (Retirement Living Plus)
· Randolph House, Harrow (Retirement Living Plus)
· Eleanor House, St Albans (Retirement Living Plus)
· Lonsdale Park, Oakham (Retirement Living)
· Mulberry Court, Blaby (Retirement Living)
· Keatley Place, Moreton-in-Marsh (Retirement Living)
· Bilberry Place, Bromsgrove (Retirement Living Plus)
· Williamson Court, Lancaster (Retirement Living Plus)
· Lido Grange, Prestatyn (Retirement Living)
· Devonshire Grange, Roundhay (Retirement Living)
· Sovereign Court, Stamford Bridge (Lifestyle Living)
Additional Requirements and T&Cs here
All selected testers will receive a £50 Marks and Spencer voucher following their stay and all selected testers will be asked to add feedback to a thread on Gransnet after their visit; everyone who does will be entered into a prize draw where one tester will also win a £200 Marks and Spencer voucher (from Gransnet).
If you’d like to take part please add your details here.
We will be in touch with those shortlisted soon.
Any questions, please ask on the thread
Please note: this thread is monitored Monday - Friday, 0800-1700. If you ask questions outside of this time, there may be a delayed response.
Thanks
GNHQ