Shropshire cattery offers new owner chance to live the real '˜Good Life'

Gyrn Cottage Cattery in the picturesque village of Selattyn near Oswestry, Shropshire, has everything a budding ‘Tom and Barbara’ could want – even down to beehives and chickens supplying fresh eggs.

There’s also the chance to inherit the property’s three sheep – ideal for keeping the grass in check - an orchard packed with apples, pears and plums, and a stunning three-bedroom property to retreat to.

The cattery has space for up to 45 cats in custom-built pens designed to ensure they are cosy and comfortable and a thriving quota of return customers to keep the funds rolling in.

The stunning property and cattery, which is in demand all year round from cat owners and has extra space for potential development, have gone on the market through business specialists Ernest Wilsons for £650,000.

It could all be the ultimate ‘escape to the country’ for new owners who are keen to combine a flavour of self-sufficient living – just like television’s The Good Life – with being their own boss.

The smallholding, property and adjoining cattery are in a peaceful location less than 10 minutes from Oswestry, and close to the market towns of Chester and Shrewsbury.

Gyrn Cattery was built 12 years ago after Samantha Davis, a former zookeeper, decided to launch a cattery business in the beautiful Shropshire countryside.

However, her mum’s death earlier this year has prompted Samantha to move on.

She said: “It’s so beautiful and peaceful here, and it is very emotional to be leaving particularly as we started it from scratch.

“But it’s time to let someone take over who can devote a bit more time than me to looking after both the land and the business.”

A key feature is the outside space with its landscaped gardens, stable, orchard with apple, pear and plum trees, bespoke chicken coop – complete with chickens - and medicinal garden filled with herbs and plants designed to attract bees to its hives.

Meanwhile, the three-bedroom home is packed with character, with a large attic, as well as workshop and stable buildings, which could be further developed. The cattery, which has an annual turnover of over £32,000, also has scope to be expanded to care for other animals such as guinea pigs and rabbits or grooming studio.

The cattery benefits from small business rates relief and has minimal overheads and only minor maintenance demands.

“The three sheep take care of the grass, there are fresh eggs and I’ve grown lettuce, tomatoes, cucumber and cabbage too,” added Samantha. “It’s more of a lifestyle than a business.”

A spokesperson for business specialists Ernest Wilson said: “You could search a lifetime to find a setting as beautiful as this cattery.

“It’s rare for businesses like this to go on the open market.”

To find out more about the property – and dozens of other businesses for sale – visit specialist agents Ernest Wilson at www.ernest-wilson.co.uk