Founder of Suffolk Coastal and Air Manage Suffolk, Tim Day tells Lulu Townsend why he’s East Suffolk’s best agent
After a stint in photography, Tim Day started working as an Estate Agent in 1996 working for Berkeley International on Kensington Church Street. After four fun years under the mentorship of Stephen Buston and having worked with some amazing properties in a market that was beginning to really motor, he left to work for Extreme International to launch a collection of branded drinks. 2003 saw the launch of Extreme Chillout, Enduro and Extreme Energy a direct rival to Red Bull, however trying to get traction with the retail and wholesale channels proved extremely challenging in an already highly competitive market.
What came next?
I came up with the idea for a super-premium spirit was a combination of vodka and Saki called WOKKA SAKi which was a hand-blended 80% vodka, 20% Saki mix with a splash of Asian Fruits. We sent it off to the San Francisco World Spirits Competition where it won double gold! On the back of this unexpected success, we launched in Harrods and the London bar scene. Everything was going so well until The Portman Group, the regulator for alcohol labelling, decided they couldn’t endorse the connection between extreme sports and a spirit. At this point I made the decision to break away and see if I could make a success of WOKKA SAKi. With the help of my partner who was a Master of Wine, we launched in Florida, Chicago, LA and New York with ‘Operation Kimono’; our ambassador, a beautiful lady would turn up in a limo with security guards, walk into the bar, present the bottle, shower everyone with rose petals, present the drink and disappear. In four weeks, we were listed in over 900 bars in Florida! Back in the UK we had a branded mini, a brand ambassador and were having a lot of fun. We created a luxury cocktail called ‘The Emperor’ a mix of France’s sacred Château d’Yquem and WOKKA SAKi at Zuma and even though it had a hefty price tag at around £22 we expected it to be a winner – unfortunately for us the Head Sommelier was French and refused to serve a cocktail that he saw as an insult to his beloved Sauternes. However, a similar cocktail using WOKKA SAKi will be launching at the newly opened The Suffolk in Aldeburgh.
What took you back into Estate Agency?
I had had my fun and used my creativity in the drinks industry and decided to go back to what I was good at. So, in 2009 I joined a friend’s agency in Earls Court and after 18 months left to set up Cutler and Bond which specialises in the lower ground floor and basement flats in Kensington and Chelsea. Starting with sales the business grew and expanded into long-term rentals and holiday lets followed by Airbnb rentals; I was the first agent in London to offer the service of sales with long-term and short-term Airbnb rentals. I started Air Manage in London with my own flat which I could use but also rent out when needed and started offering the same service to clients resulting in over 7000 holiday lets in London.
‘You can’t just put your finger in the air and come up with a price.’
What brought you to Suffolk?
I went to school at Felsted School in Essex and Aldeburgh has always been my go-to place for weekends and short breaks. I have bought, developed and sold various properties in and around the Suffolk coast over the past few years. The idea for Air Manage Suffolk came when I sold a house in Orford in 2018 and the owners gave the keys back to me asking me to manage the rentals.
London or Aldeburgh?
Just before lockdown I bought a flat in Aldeburgh, so the decision was made for me. Since then, I have spent 90% of my time in Aldeburgh and 10% in London.
How did you start Suffolk Coastal?
When my next project was completed in Snape, I was about to hand it over to an agent to sell when I thought it would be cheaper to sell it myself at which point Suffolk Coastal was born and since then I haven’t looked back. I love the market up here, there’s more bandwidth than London. I cover the coast from Lowestoft to Woodbridge.
What sets you apart from other agents?
When it comes to valuations detail, data and consistency are key. You can’t just put your finger in the air and come up with a price. You need to provide the client with supported evidence, metrics, price per square foot and proof of how the market has been behaving. Of course, some things will completely buck the trend, but you must pay lip service to what the market has done historically. Great photos are essential, they are the window into a property. I like to think I am known for great service, attention to detail and a very proactive, personal approach, 7 days a week; many of the properties I sell don’t even go on the market. I do a lot of little things extremely well, with a keen eye on aesthetics and branding. I am a very well presented little black book.
If you were to compare yourself to an airline which one would it be?
Virgin, only the best will do.
What are you not very good at?
Due to my entrepreneurial spirit, I don’t think I’m a great manager as I lack the ability to structure.
What’s in your fridge?
I have a very low salt diet so always have food from Ella’s Kitchen in my fridge.
How would your friends describe you?
Wild, eccentric and loyal.
How is the property market looking?
Since Covid solicitors have been stretched and conveyancing is taking longer than the usual 2 months to exchange. The property market is starting to soften, and buyers are beginning to be more cautious though there is always demand for great properties on the coast.
Best coffee?
Italian! So, it has to be The Thorpeness Kitchen.
Last time you went out in Aldeburgh?
I had a delicious meal at The Brudenell; scallops, followed by a perfectly cooked steak and cheesecake.
Favourite hotel
The Sanderson, back in the day, I love the long bar!
Do you have an office clients can visit?
Yes, I recently moved Suffolk Coastal into 18 The High Street in Aldeburgh which should be up and running very soon.
What’s next?
Air Manage Norfolk is next on my list…watch this space
www.suffolkcoastal.com
Tel: 01728 677980