Vivastreet blog

UK HOLIDAY HOME RENTAL ENQUIRIES ROSE SHARPLY LAST YEAR — AND SKYROCKET AHEAD OF EASTER

• Number of enquiries for caravans and motorhomes also shoots up

London, 21st March 2010 – Despite our exit from recession and the awful weather experienced so far this year, new research from free classifieds website, VivaStreet.co.uk, has shown that credit-crunched Brits are continuing to look close to home for their holidays – with holiday home rentals, caravan and campervan rental enquires all at record levels.

In the lead-up to Easter, VivaStreet has seen an 87% increase in enquiries for holiday homes in the first quarter of 2010 compared to the same quarter in 2009. February and March also saw holiday home enquires up by 110% compared to the previous two months.

The number of enquiries for caravans for sale has shot up

UK holiday rentals were all the rage in 2009, after cash-strapped families chose to stay home for their family holidays rather then head off to popular short-haul destinations such as Spain and the Med. As a result, VivaStreet saw enquires for holiday rentals surge by 65% last year compared to 2008.

Unsurprisingly, more and more UK holiday homes are being made available to meet this soaring demand, with the number of holiday rentals advertised on VivaStreet last year increasing by 67% compared to the previous year.

The weak pound and the continuing impact of the recession on household finances mean that foreign travel is still out of reach for many. It is, however, terrific news for the UK tourism industry.

Alongside the surge in interest for holiday rentals, the number of enquiries for motorhomes, campervans and caravans for sale has shot up, too, with VivaStreet seeing the number of enquiries double in the first quarter of 2010 compared to the same period in 2009.

In 2009, the number of enquiries for campervans, caravans and motorhomes for sale on VivaStreet increased by 114% compared to 2008.

And again, people have been quick to meet this demand: the number of caravans and motorhomes for sale on the site soared by an astonishing 239% in 2009 compared to 2008.

Yannick Pons, VivaStreet.co.uk CEO, comments:

“The traditional British holiday made a major comeback last year, thanks to tightened purse strings around the country. Government statistics also show that holiday visits abroad by UK residents dropped by 16% in 2009.

“Our research suggests that this Easter will see even more interest in domestic holidays, which might not be great news for the beleaguered airline industry but will delight the UK’s tourism hotspots.

“And despite disdain for caravans from the likes of Top Gear, it seems interest in caravanning and motorhomes has never been higher. The canny British public are clearly keeping their eyes open for ways to go on holiday without the expense of airline tickets and hotels.”

The hedgehogs commonly kept as pets in North America appear to by a mix of species, originally native to Africa. The term “African Pygmy Hedgehog” is a descriptive term (coined by breeders), rather than a true species name. They are 4 – 9 inches in length and their life span is around 4 – 6 years. Though they prefer their natural habitat, they can be easily tamed.

We suggest you buy your hedgehog from a regular hedgehog breeder who has some experience in handling them. We have quite many here on Vivastreet.co.uk and thanks to selective breeding, hedgehogs are now available in a huge array of colour variations.

Cute Hedgehogs available on Vivastreet

Housing
African Pygmy hedgehogs require very little space. They can be kept in a cage measuring around 3 – 5 square feet with a solid floorspace and should have some wood shavings as their bedding.

The cage should be big enough to accommodate a shallow litter box, a wheel for exercising, some space for food and water and a small tunnel-like area to make them feel secure.

Choosing a Hedgehog

• It is best to locate a reputable breeder who breeds for good temperament and makes sure young hedgehogs are handled regularly.
• Getting a young hedgehog (6-8 weeks) is the best way to make sure your hedgehog will get used to being handled.
• Look for bright eyes, clear nostrils, and healthy looking skin, quills and fur. Watch out for flaky skin, missing quills, discharge around the eyes or nose, or evidence of diarrhea.
• Males and females generally are equally good pets.
• Plan on only one hedgehog to a cage. Most hedgehogs are perfectly happy to be kept alone and in fact often fight if kept with other hedgehogs.

New research has revealed that the British public’s interest in astrology, psychics and spirituality has shot through the roof over the past 12 months, as witnessed by the success of TV shows like Most Haunted and Ghost Towns.

Free classifieds website, VivaStreet.co.uk, saw a massive surge in enquiries across the UK last year for astrology readings, mediums and psychics – up an astounding 438% on 2008.

In the past couple of months, this interest in the paranormal has become even more pronounced: enquiries for psychic and spiritual services in January and February were up 39% compared to the previous two months and double that of the same period in 2009.

Unsurprisingly, more and more psychics and clairvoyants are advertising to meet this soaring demand, as well as people offering Reiki healing and Tarot reading: the number of such ads posted on VivaStreet.co.uk last year jumped by 169% from 2008.

These days, readings and meetings aren’t just carried out face-to-face and over the phone but even online through, for example, Skype and other instant messaging technologies.

Bristol-based psychic, Aleksandra Lech, is witnessing the rise in enquiries first hand.

“Interest in astrology readings, tarot and spiritual guidance generally is definitely on the rise,” she says, “and I have no doubt that the difficult economic conditions are one of the main reasons for this. Many people feel insecure at the moment and are looking for new ways to cope with this and to find out what the future has in store for them.”

Yannick Pons, VivaStreet.co.uk CEO, comments:

“Back in Victorian Britain, interest in psychics and paranormal phenomena was widespread. Packed crowds would watch the stage shows of mediums and spiritualists and even celebrities of the time, such as Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, became involved.

“The modern popularity of psychics like Derek Acorah and the increasing number of TV programmes dedicated to the paranormal demonstrate that the Brits of today are not so different from their Victorian ancestors.

“Our research suggests that belief in the paranormal isn’t that unusual any more, especially as people hit by the recession look for answers and a way of coping with their financial woes. Church attendances may be in decline, but public interest in spirituality is apparently very much on the rise.”

Mom deserves something special. To help you find it, we’ve released our new Mother’s Day Gift Category so you can find that perfect Mother’s Day present.

Here are some amazing deals to spoil your mum this Mother’s Day.

• Glasgow – Award winning, professional make-up artist offers make-up lesson gift vouchers. Each voucher is £75 and comes in a gorgeous gift box, tied with ribbon and can be mailed to any location.

• Cheshire – Italian Restaurant in Cheshire presents exclusive Mother’s day adoration lunch and dinner. Each Mother will be spoiled by an exquisite glass of Bellini cocktail or their legendary Sicilian Emporio red or white wine!

• Cambridge – Very unique flat tree aromatic candles in four different scents: ocean, apple, orange and lemon.

• South Shields - Spoil your mum with a private chauffeur driven Alfa Romeo and a free bottle of champagne.

• Croydon – Brand new vintage silk scarves from only £5.

How Automatic Renewal works?

1. By selecting the automatic renewal feature, your classified ad plan will be renewed automatically on its expiration date – so you don’t have to worry about your classified ad plan expiring!
2. You will be automatically charged by your last selected classified ad plan and by using your last payment method. A separate invoice will be sent to you for confirmation every time your classified ad plan gets renewed. You will also be notified prior to any changes in prices of the selected plans.
3. You may cancel the automatic renewal feature at any time by following the instructions contained on the Vivastreet website and in your order confirmation email.