Christmas Newsletter 2023
It's that time of year where we share some updates on things that have taken place in 2023 and plan to happen in 2024. We hope you find it interesting, if not, before you hit delete, click unsubscribe at the bottom of this email.
In the meantime, we wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
2023 - 2024
Whilst we are not quite at the end of 2023, it has been a year of considerable ups and downs, with interest rates, inflation, and national and international events impacting the property market.
That said, Cambridge is resilient, not bulletproof mind. For every property we sell over the asking price in three to four weeks, there are as many which take five months to sell and as many in between.
The lettings market has remained buoyant throughout the year, with demand typically outstripping supply.
I have yet to purchase a crystal ball, but those cleverer than I believe the market will be much the same as it is now nationwide, with correct pricing being more crucial than ever to secure good results.
We would love to hear from you if you want to let or sell a property in 2024. You can start your journey with an on-line valuation, see our link below.
Help us Help
For around 18 months, we have been collecting food and other items from the generous people of Cambridge.
Thank you to all who have donated, and a special thank you to our regular donors.
The need for donations remains high locally and throughout the country, and with around five weeks or so to Christmas, we are reaching out to you to ask if you can help in any way in the lead-up to this time, which inevitably will be challenging for many.
Whether you can donate a tin of tomatoes or a shopping bag of food and toiletries, anything and everything will be greatly appreciated.
We usually collect on Wednesday afternoons, but we can do other days if this is easier, and we will come to your home or place of work, whichever is easiest.
We plan to do a pre-Christmas collection across Cambridge and nearby villages if you can donate something. A team of Sprite Elves and I will collect on the 6th, 13th, and 20th of December.
Generally, the following items are always needed: Pasta, tinned fruit and veg, tea and coffee, soup, toiletries, baby supplies and washing powder, but I am sure anything Christmassy (excluding perishable items or alcohol) would be incredibly welcomed.
If you can donate, please email community@cookecurtis.co.uk, and we will arrange a collection. We plan to have two cars available that afternoon, so we hope we can all do what we can to help those who need it most.
To discuss how you can help, please call +44(0) 01223 508050 and ask for Jamie Curtis.
Cooke Curtis & Christmas - competition
If you have recently completed a purchase of a property through Cooke Curtis & Co, you are going to love this.
We have teamed with The Lodge, Duxford, and have a money-can't-buy prize. Ok, it can, but it sounds good!
The fantastic prize is a night in one of their exquisite rooms and a dinner valued at £350. The range of rooms and their quality are impressive, like their food and cocktails. You will not be disappointed.
All you need to do is take a photo of one of our moving gifts, preferably in action, whether it's our lovely chopping board, coffee, our brilliant bag, or all three!
Then, post your creation on Facebook or Instagram and tag Cooke Curtis & Co.
Each post we are tagged in will enter you in the draw, and you can do this up to five times if you like. You might get extra points for creativity.
If you didn't visit the office on completion day to collect your keys, feel free to pop by and grab one of our moving-in gifts and get posting!
The competition will end on 31st December, and we will announce the lucky winner by Monday, the 4th of January.
Good luck!
Fen Ditton Gallery
If you like art, wine and food, there is something special going on at the moment in Fen Ditton, an evening of art and wine for the festive season, Thursday 7th December, 6 - 8 pm
Part of the Fen Ditton Gallery 'Wintering' exhibition (23rd November - 10th December)
'Wintering' is the fifth in a series of art and wine events, made possible by the collaboration of independent Cambridge businesses: Fen Ditton Gallery, Cambridge Wine Merchants, and now including MJP @ The Shepherds.
Come and taste three wines selected by Cambridge Wine Merchants as the perfect accompaniment to your festive celebrations, paired with delicious canapés from MJP @ The Shepherds.
This event is being held as part of the 'Wintering' exhibition at Fen Ditton Gallery, a curated mixed show of paintings, prints, pastels, photography, ceramics, and glass. The exhibition is open from 23rd November to 10th December 2023. Find out more at fendittongallery.com.
Tickets are £19.50
Book your place here - tickets
Cooke Curtis & Community
After a year or so of planning, we will be launching our Cooke Curtis & Community card in early 2024. This will allow our clients, buyers and tenants access to discounts, benefits and services from the area's leading independent businesses.
We will tell you more once we have finalised the details and have our cards printed but it is looking pretty special.
In the meantime, please contact us if you are a local independent business and would like to work with us.
Utility Warehouse
I wanted to talk about this again because things haven't improved much, and energy costs are still significantly impacting many households.
Utility Warehouse is an award-winning utility provider for those unfamiliar, gas, electric, telephone, broadband and mobile. Not only do they have some of the best energy unit rates, but if you take multiple services, you receive enhanced discount benefits. Then, if you use their Cashback Card, you receive money off your next month's bill.
Furthermore, the UW team, assisted by your contact, handles any utility switching.
If you are interested in learning more about saving money on your utilities, please email me, and we can arrange for Alison Curtis from Utility Warehouse to contact you.
email - community@cookecurtis.co.uk
Christmas opening
And finally, if you are interested in sharing your plans with us for 2024 and would like to arrange a valuation or viewing, we are open between Christmas and the New Year on the 27th, 28th & 29th December between 09:00 -13:00.
We are then back on the 2nd of January as normal.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from the team at Cooke Curtis & Co