Clé France

Alex Ralph Originally Published in "The Times Newspaper"at 12:01AM, March 28 2014

The Welsh retailer whose floral prints evoke Victorian England is to open websites in France and Germany to try to overturn a slowdown in annual online sales.

Laura Ashley reported a fall in profit before tax and exceptional items from £20.1 million to £19.3 million in the year to January 25 after like-for-like sales dipped 0.4 per cent.

The shares rose sharply, however, after the company said that sales had risen 2 per cent in the first two months of the year and the dividend was increased from 2p to 3.5p.

Seán Anglim, the chief financial officer, said that online sales had increased by 20 per cent in its British retail business in 2012, but that online sales were “broadly flat” last year.

“Over the last four or five years we’ve seen this [online] grow extremely well, he said. “We know there are enhancements we need to make.”

Laura Ashley offers customers a click-and-collect service, which is one of the fastest growing areas of the retail sector. Mr Anglim said that the company could do more to improve the way customers navigate the website.

Overseas markets are a key opportunity for the retailer, he said. A local language and currency website will open next month in France, where it has reduced its stores from 24 to 5, and in Germany, where it will return in the third quarter.

Cle France says this is great news for Ex Pats living in France and should cut down on delivery costs when ordering from the UK. This would have perfect when I lived in Haute-Vienne department of Limousin especially for the soft furnishings and even during our last 12 year stint in the Mayenne department near to Lassay-les-Chateaux in the region of Pays de la Loire it would have been welcoming.

But will it confuse the 'French interiors' design the Brits go for and instead be picked up by the young French who love all things 'Anglais'?

Blog submitted by: Sharon at The French Property Network - Cle France. 

Has this property got it all? CXZ00393 situated in a rural setting, in deepest Limousin with around an hectare of land. Most people who are looking for rural properties like this have a similar 'wish-list' so no need to look any further...

Our clients criteria or 'wish-lists' often have the following, what about yours?...

Rural location, Countryside views, Exposed beams, Wood burning stove, Outbuilding, Land, Character, not overlooked and potential for a holiday guest gite!

... and YES this property has all of that and much more! want to know more then click here for the full listing and 30+ photos.

AND one more thing - this property has just beed reduced in price to 219,000 euros FAI - it simply does not get any better!

This stunning property is beautifully appointed with spacious living areas including a fabulous farmhouse kitchen and 3 double bedrooms. A large barn is attached, ideal for conversion, along with a spacious stable which would make a lovely 1 bedroom gite. All in a peaceful hamlet on just short of 1ha of land. Stunning!

The property is not overlooked and is south facing, looking out towards spectacular countryside views.

The taxes are very low, approx. 158 euros per year for Taxe Fonciere. It has a handmade oak kitchen, lovely! A new central heating system, new plumbing, new electrics and new septic tank.

This house is situated in a small hamlet, just 2km from the nearest village, only 14 minutes from the nearest market town and less than an hour from each of the bigger cities of Limoges and Brive-la-Gaillarde.

This is a very well located property that benefits from the tranquility of its rural location, whilst maintaining easy access to all amenities. Must be seen.

The department of Haute-Vienne is in the region of Limousin and boasts a varied landscape of forests, countryside and lakes that attract many tourists each year looking for a range of activities including walking, fishing, sailing, boating and skiing. 

In addition, the department has a strong historical and cultural heritage and the landscape is dotted with Roman churches, abbeys and fortified castles. Beautiful man-made beaches are easily accessible and are an good alternative for a great day out. In particular, the Lake of Vassiviere, created in 1950, is extremely popular with visitors.

It is sometimes known as the Land of a Thousand Lakes, the Limousin and its Haute-Vienne department offer beautiful and preserved landscapes. Waterfalls sparkling in the middle of rocks and trees, myriads of flowers and impressive dense forests are the kind of treasures that can be discovered in the department.

Transport links are good too, the easy and cheap access from the United Kingdom with companies as Ryanair or from French cities made that Limoges and the Haute-Vienne became an attractive destination. There is also a project of enlargement for Limoges' airport.

The department has a semi-continential climate with summer temperatures in the mid 20's, perfect for enjoying the scenery.

See this stunning house on our Facebook page here...

Post by Cle France.

Blog submitted by: David at The French Property Network - Cle France.

Just had a client email in to us their criteria and thought I would share it with everyone, having a solid criteria helps us find a selection of properties for you to visit and although we will need a little more to go on.... this criteria is a good one!

Our criteria is:

Don't mind some work

Got to be have good workshop

An hour from serviceable airport

An hour to get to coast

Detached, edge or not too far from town with train access

Cheap wine

Good food

Sunshine

Relaxation

They are looking for property in Herault in the region of Languedoc-Roussillon with Cle France.

Blog submitted by: Alex at The French Property Network - Cle France.

In search of the perfect holiday home? here is one that, if I could I would...

Working on our website every day I obviously see a lot of French Property but sometimes I stumble upon a property we have for sale in France that catches my eye and allows me a few minutes day dream (don't tell the boss!) thinking about the next time I will be at my own holiday home again!

AND just as I was looking at this property (CXZ00671) I got an email enquiry about it, our agent pointed it out to me PLUS the phone rang and a really nice client wanted to know more about it as well, so there must be something about this property?

I think it is a wonderful property to be a great holiday home - take a closer look and I am sure you will be able to see yourself there, nestled in to your very own home in France.

This property used to be the village cafe many years ago and it still has the word "Café" engraved in the stone above the front door!

The current owners live there full time but its a great 'lock up leave' Holiday Home property with no garden to worry about but at the same time it has a roof terrace for privacy in the sunshine! there are also 2 balconies one from the sitting room and one from the main bedroom.  

Its got lots of charm and the surrounding villages have shops, a bank, a post office and a garden centre! what more do you want.

€159,000   Ideal Large Holiday Home - Lacour, Midi Pyrenees (ref: CXZ00671)
Bedrooms: 3   Land M2: 50.00 sq meters    Once upon a time this property was the local cafe, a delightful stone house that has been beautifully renovated to provide 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms and a roof terrace. The home has wonderful atmosphere and is extremely well presented, with most of (...)

Ready to move into

This home has wonderful atmosphere and is extremely well presented, with most of the furniture and fittings being sold with the property.

Take a more detailed look at CXZ00671 with is in the Tarn et Garonne department of Midi-Pyrenees region of France.

Blog submitted by: David at The French Property Network - Cle France.

If I could I would... buy this place to "do up", having lived in France (the last time around) for 12 years I have seen my fair share of French property renovation projects, done several for myself and organised hundreds of renovation projects for clients in and around Lower Normandy (Manche, Orne, Calavdos), Mayenne in the Pays de la Loire, Loire Atlantique and Brittany.

But if I had to pick a 'new' area, for me, I would buy a renovation project in the Limousin; why? well... the prices of property there are very reasonable with the potential to 'add value' through a quality renovation a real prospect AND the choice we have in Correze, Haute-Vienne and especially Creuse is growing all the time.

The property I like at the moment that gives the best opportunity to 'add value' is CXZ00644 which is not only 1 house but 2 AND is in a great location with around 1 hectare of land! come on, what more do you want?

This charming pair of solid stone houses, requiring modernisation, are located in a small hamlet just 5 minutes from the pretty village of Orgnac-sur-Vezere in the Corezze department.

The houses have 100m2 of living space existing between them, and each has 2 bedrooms with the potential for the development of loft area. With 1 hectare of land, including 2700m2 of wooded land, the property enjoys open great on the Limousin countryside views.

The houses are also in an ideal location for walking, cycling, fishing, horse travel and canoeing (near the River Vezere). There is also a swimming lake with cafes about 15 minutes by car Vigeois and more Seilhac (about 30 minutes by car). The large town of Brive is about 30 minutes. A great location.

The department of Corrèze is located in south central France, Corrèze belongs to the Limousin region. Correze is the name river running through the department. The population is around 240,000 inhabitants and is split into three arrondissements (Tulle, Brive and Ussel), 38 cantons and 285 towns and villages. Lanscapes in this department are mountains, plateaus and valleys. The highest mountain is the Mont Bessou at 978m.

Correze has many pretty villages or towns. It has six villages belonging to the ’Prettiest villages of France’ category, so watch out for Collonges-la-Rouge, Curemonte, Saint-Robert, Ségur-le-Chateau, Treignac and Turenne.

Limousin is often described as one of the cheapest French regions in terms of property. It will depend of course on the location and your personal expectations but in general you get a lot for your money.

Less than 12% of the properties in Correze are second homes but the number is climbing as it is really sought after for quality holiday homes and setting up a B&B style business.

Blog submitted by: David at The French Property Network - Cle France.