Homeowner Stories

Barry & Francesca

The Cooper, The Alders Skipton

Skipton

"We're proud to live in a Verity & Co home. The quality is unmatched."

Development

The Alders, Skipton

A Move Worth Making: Barry & Francesca’s life in The Cooper at The Alders, Skipton

Sometimes, the right home isn’t about having more space — it’s about making better use of it.

After living in a larger, older property in a more rural area for a number of years, Barry and Francesca knew they were ready for a new chapter. Having admired Verity & Co Homes for years, they had visited previous developments and always appreciated the quality of the homes. But it wasn’t until they discovered The Cooper at The Alders that everything fell into place.

“We just kept coming back” they recall.

Originally the development’s show home, Plot 69 allowed Barry and Francesca to picture exactly how life could look there. They could immediately see the potential, imagining how they would make the space their own while giving much of their previous furniture a new home with family.

“It helped us visualise everything.”

A Home That Works Beautifully

A home that works beautifully

Having previously lived in a three-storey home with a loft conversion, Barry and Francesca were already familiar with living across different levels. But The Cooper offered something different.

With the kitchen, dining and living spaces all centred on the middle floor, everyday life simply felt easier.

“We love being elevated,” they say. “You can see so much from the windows.”

Their favourite room has become the kitchen, where natural light floods in and the views across the neighbouring moorland change with the seasons.

A Lifestyle They’d Been Looking For

Moving from near Cowling into Skipton wasn’t simply about finding a new house – it was about enjoying more of everyday life.

Now, cafés, restaurants, shops and family are all within easy walking distance. Their daughter, Barry’s sister and Francesca’s brother both live just five minutes away, making it easier than ever to spend time together.

Whether it’s coffee at Bean Loved or Flipside, lunch at the Ovino Lounge, dinner at The Red Lion or a trip to Marks & Spencer, everything they need is close by.

“We go out for meals and drinks all the time now.”

Neighbours Who Feel Like Friends

One of the biggest surprises has been the sense of community.

Soon after moving in, neighbours organised a street get-together to introduce themselves, creating a friendly neighbourhood environment, with another street gathering organised for August.

“It’s such a lovely mix of people,” they say.

Neighbours look out for one another, whether that’s putting the bins out for someone who’s forgotten or simply being there when needed.

“If you needed someone, they’d be there for you.”

Quality They Already Trusted

For Barry and Francesca, choosing Verity & Co Homes wasn’t a leap into the unknown.

They had admired the homes for years and already knew the reputation the company had built.

“We’re proud to live in a Verity & Co home. The quality is unmatched.”

From the craftsmanship and external finishes to the attention to detail, the home has lived up to every expectation. Even the few minor snags they experienced were dealt with quickly and professionally.

Lower energy bills have been another welcome bonus, giving them even greater confidence they’ve made the right move.

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LOOKING AHEAD

When asked what they’d say to anyone considering a move to Skipton, their answer comes without hesitation.“Do it.”

They’ve already recommended the move to family – one sister has since relocated, while another is now considering following.

MORE THAN A NEW HOME

For Barry and Francesca, home is about enjoying the life they’ve worked hard to build.

“We’re proud to have this home”

After more than 25 years in their previous homes together, they’ve found somewhere that offers everything they were looking for – quality, convenience, community and peace of mind.

And one thing is certain.

“We’ll stay in Skipton for the rest of our lives.”