Father-of-three is quoted £71,000 for a week's stay in Cornwall holiday home and slams firms for 'exploiting' families on staycations

A father-of-three was quoted £71,000 for a week's stay in a Cornwall holiday home and has slammed firms for 'exploiting' families on staycations. 

Conservative councillor Paul Nickerson said a three-bedroom contemporary home in St Ives he was interested in came to a whopping £10,232-per-night when he enquired about a week's stay.

He was searching online for a summer break, starting from August 14, for himself and his family, with three young sons aged five and under.

Conservative councillor Paul Nickerson was quoted more than £71,000 for a holiday cottage in St Ives for a week in August 

A three-bedroom contemporary home in St Ives he was interested in came to a whopping £10,232-per-night. (Pictured, the outside of the property)

Prices for holidays in the UK's top spots have soared by up to 40 per cent on 2019, research showed. (Pictured, the inside of the property)

There are currently nine properties in Cornwall listed on the site, with the second most expensive, a five bedroom cottage, totalling £8,515. (Pictured, the upstairs)

But when he searched for a property that slept five in the picturesque town, one option came up costing £71,627 for the week - more than double the average UK annual wage.

Cllr Nickerson, from Beverley, East Yorkshire, said: 'Everything I have seen is about 50 per cent more than their normal price.

'We have a young family so we normally do have a UK staycation as it's easier. But it's normally affordable for a family, but this was shocking.

'I thought it must have been a mistake, but having checked other properties, it is clear it isn't, as they're all far more.'

The councillor was hoping to enjoy a week's stay in St Ives, Cornwall (stock picture) with his wife and three children

The three-bedroom contemporary home in St Ives he was interested in came to a whopping £10,232-per-night when he enquired about a week's stay

There are currently nine properties in Cornwall listed on the site, with the second most expensive, a five bedroom cottage, totalling £8,515 for the same week and the cheapest, a two bedroom lodge, costing £966.  

He accused holiday home owners and firms of exploiting the lack of available properties and the narrow choices people have for holidaying this year.

Cllr Nickerson, who represents Minster and Woodmansey on East Riding of Yorkshire Council, said: 'It's a supply and demand issue and they're exploiting it.

'A lot of people in the UK need and want a holiday, but many will not be able to afford them.

Cllr Nickerson  accused holiday home owners and firms of exploiting the lack of available properties and the narrow choices people have for holidaying this year

'I don't know anyone who can afford £71,000 for a week's holiday.'

The holiday firm advertised the St Ives home as a 'contemporary, reverse level property ideal for families' and is located near where the G7 summit of world leaders including Boris Johnson and Joe Biden was hosted last month.

The blurb added: 'It is furnished to an exceptional standard and is 200m for the train to St Ives and 10 minutes to a wonderful largely deserted beach. The spacious garden is ideal for children and BBQ's.'

Cllr Nickerson said he gave up on searching for affordable Cornwall properties and is now considering camping in East Yorkshire's South Bay in Bridlington instead.

It comes after it was revealed last month that Britain is in the midst of a country-wide 'staycation inflation' as holiday cottages, campsites and B&B's soar in cost compared to 2019.

Prices for holidays in the UK's top spots have soared by up to 40 per cent on 2019, research showed.

In Cornwall, accommodation costs around £135 a night on average now for bookings next month - a 30 per cent rise on 2019. This means a seven-day break could cost nearly £1,000.

Britain is in the midst of a country-wide 'staycation inflation' as holiday cottages, campsites and B&B's soar in cost compared to 2019 (file image)

Lincolnshire seaside town Skegness has seen its accommodation soar to £120 a night on average in July - a £35 or 40 per cent increase on two years ago.

Meanwhile in Pembrokeshire, Wales, costs are up by 27 per cent, from £120 per night to between £150 and £175, The Guardian reports.

Caravan parks - typically a more-affordable option - can cost around £1,800 for a seven-night say for just one family.

In Newquay, Piran Meadows caravan park is charging £3,869 per week for two bedroom lodges in August.

As the future of quarantine-free foreign holidays seems uncertain - and as 'Freedom Day' is pushed back over Indian variant concerns - countless Britons are opting for holidays closer to home (file image)

Nurse Donna Brunton from Consett, County Durham, looked into UK holidays after she became concerned that her £2,500 all-inclusive Malta trip might be a no-go.

She said: 'A holiday park in north Cornwall was quoting £3,699 for the four of us to stay seven nights, self-catering in what looks like an upmarket caravan. 

'The only sites available were all thousands of pounds. I just couldn't believe what I was seeing - the prices were just ridiculous.