Livery Yards: Well signed or hidden away?

J

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I've recently taken on a livery yard and so far all going well but got into an interesting discussion with my OH and wondered what other peoples thoughts are.

The yard is on a 'main' road through a quiet village, it is a small road and doesn't get very much traffic really. As you drive past there are high hedges so you cannot see anything until you go past the gate and then you may get a quick glimpse at one of the paddocks. There is another entrance to the yard which is a gate on a quiet lane and again bordered by trees so you can only see the yard if you stand directly at the gate. At both gates there is no reason for anybody to stop or park unless coming to the yard as nothing else nearby. The rest of the yard and paddocks are bordered by trees/hedges and at one point a field with a footpath running through which goes alongside one of our paddocks for maybe 5 metres or so.

Now as much as I love it being so private it does mean that not a lot of people know we are there. I was wondering whether to get a sign made up for the main gate with the name of the livery yard but OH said no he thinks it's better to keep 'hidden away' as he thinks a sign may attract unwanted attention such as thieves.

So far I've not had a problem finding customers although on one occasion a lady was coming to view the yard and got lost trying to find us and it turned out she had driven past several times and just not noticed us! But she is now a livery so it didn't put her off.

I know this is a very small matter but would be interested on other peoples opinions.
 
You could make up a map and when having people come to see you, email the map to them, and maybe use a particular feature, like a different type of tree, to mark the entrance, but only people you have told will know.
 
I wouldn't advertise its a livery at road side. But maybe get a sign of the farms name done or as suggested a tree line.
My yard is well hidden- even if you did drive off road its still another half mile to yard- and from the first bit it looks to lead to another house but nothing further.
We just have a sign at end saying farms name but even that isn't too obvious from road.
 
Despite having taken down all the signage at our place, as it had been a livery yard for many years before we bought it we are STILL getting people turn up unannounced.

If you want customers then I'd suggest putting up a sign and advertising. If you don't want people turning up willy nilly then leave the signs well alone.
 
My yard has a small sign on the gate but again is on a narrow country lane with high hedges so not easy to find. The other entrance is opposite a forge so is a good landmark for anyone trying to find it. Personally I would go with a small sign and not make a big noise about it being a livery yard.
 
I agree that the idea of a sign just saying the property name rather than stating it is a livery yard is a good idea - easily spotted but still secretive !
 
If thieves are looking to rob they will find it with or without a sign. Advertise unless you don't want the extra business ? If you have a secure yard I wouldn't panic . We have cameras that we can watch on our iPhones live anytime :) cost £300, we have good doors on the tack room and they are alarmed which rings 3 people if they go off , we leave on outside lights at night so no dark hiding places and they don't cost much to run xx
 
I also think you don't want to put a Livery Yard sign up .... property name sign is a goid idea.
I like the fact that our yard is hidden away. People who are meant to be there can find it with basic directions but we don't get "passers by" ... and it is always full.
 
Can't see why advertising the yard would cause a problem particularly. I haven't found a difference between hidden yards and yards with signs in attracting unwanted attention, they've all been targeted at some time or other. Thieves are pretty astute, they know what's in the locale and good security is a always a deterrent.

Even if you don't advertise the nature of the business, a name sign makes life easier for deliveries and professionals visiting the yard.
 
moorhillhorses said:
If thieves are looking to rob they will find it with or without a sign. Advertise unless you don't want the extra business ? If you have a secure yard I wouldn't panic . We have cameras that we can watch on our iPhones live anytime :) cost £300, we have good doors on the tack room and they are alarmed which rings 3 people if they go off , we leave on outside lights at night so no dark hiding places and they don't cost much to run xx
Click to expand...

Sorry to hijack op, but moorhillhorses what cameras have you got?
 
Just as a side note, you do not need to say it is a livery yard but putting a property name on the gate will help the emergency services and vets etc find you quickly should you ever need them. I hope you never do but just a thought.
 
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