Richmond in the Karoo recently became Africa's Booktown and this has had some positive spinoffs for the property market in the little Karoo town.
It now holds an annual Book Fair to celebrate this milestone achievement.
"A Booktown is a small town or village with a concentration of booksellers, mainly second-hand and antiquarian bookshops often twinned with coffee shops, internet cafes, antique shops and art galleries or with artisan enterprises such as paper production, calligraphy, book design, book illustration and the dwindling art of bookbinding. Many of these bookshops also sell arts and crafts," says Wayne Rubidge, Pam Golding Properties' (PGP) Karoo area manager.
He says the aim of a Booktown is to resurrect the flagging economies of small towns, to revitalise a region by developing a local book-based economy with a tourist dimension.
"As a result of Booktowns, many of the older buildings, forlornly bereft of human activity for decades, come to life again as thriving bookshops. In this way, Booktowns also contribute to the conservation of the cultural and architectural heritage of a village. In Richmond, PGP recently sold the shell of the 'Old Mill' for R95k, a classic Karoo Cottage for R75k and a grand Cape Dutch yellowwood home for R450k."
He says the spin-off effect of a Booktown is that it attracts discerning visitors with high spending potential to these small towns.
These "bibliophiles" prefer to stay in guesthouses and B&Bs. "They pound the streets in search of that special treasure to show their friends as proof of having visited a 'magical' place."
"They patronise the local cafes, restaurants and sometimes even become residents of these towns after a visit to the local estate agent. This has been the case with many of Richmond's citizens and with average house prices currently in the region of R350k there is excellent value to be found," says Rubidge.
Richmond is attracting national interest from investors, such as Peter Baker, a Johannesburg veterinarian, sport collector John Donaldson and Darryl Earl David, lecturer in Afrikaans at the University of KwaZulu Natal, who have purchased property in Richmond and made their properties available to authors for books, photographs etc.
"Richmond is known for its classical Karoo architecture with particular emphasis on its verandas. A new trend is the purchase of modern, well built Karoo houses constructed in the 1950s to the 1970s. The most affordable house currently on the market is a small post office house priced at R188k."
According to the Richmond Northern Cape website (www.richmondnc.co.za) the town has several guesthouses offering accommodation. AnRa's Guesthouse offers ample secure parking with breakfast available upon request, and even has a little gift shop for those that are interested in keepsakes.
Gediertesfontein is a secluded farmhouse ideal for family getaways as the occupants will have hundreds of hectares of open space all to themselves. The old farmstead may be used on a self-catering or catered basis. The house is well-equipped and can accommodate up to 18 people.
Rondawel Guest Farm is a working sheep farm that has four thatched stone rondavels, with own bathroom plus tea and coffee-making facilities. There are also three double rondavels, and one family unit that sleeps four people. Bedding and towels are provided.
Saag Visagie, Re/Max agent in Richmond, says although the market is still very quiet, interest in property is gradually increasing. – Eugene Brink
Readers' Comments Have a comment about this article? Email us now.
