I bought the cheapest Amstrad computer there was, had a girl sitting next to me loading the names of all the phone dealers in the country and started prospecting them on the phone and started selling them wholesale phones.". City sources say the group has been negotiating with one of the major high street phone retail chains about a possible takeover that would establish Phones 4U as one of the two largest phone retailers in the country. no favorites. ", I have less sympathy for Markus Persson, the 36-year-old Swedish inventor of the staggeringly popular video game, Minecraft. Billionaire tycoon John Caudwell wants to transform multi-storey Warning of exceptionally low staffing levels as nurses strike, UK running extra evacuation flight to rescue Britons from Sudan, Missile strikes on Ukraine cities leave one dead and dozens injured, MasterChef Australia judge Jock Zonfrillo dies aged 46, Islamic State leader killed in Syria, says Turkey, County lines mum ran selfish sons drugs ring while he was in jail, Coronation allegiance oath in support of King tone deaf, Man, 20, in critical condition after assault in Beckenham, Couple ordered to tear down 80,000 extension in fight with neighbours, Mum says son was too embarrassed to leave killer girlfriend. From here, guests can see the vintage and luxury cars John chooses to display in his car stacker storage. ", Britain's Most Expensive Home: Building For A Billionaire, Wednesday 5February at 9pm on Channel 4, Take a look inside billionaire John Caudwell's 250million mansion home in new Channel 4 documentary, The pair are considering a move to London, Sports Illustrated star Heidi's daughter no longer lives at home, The actress plays DCI Vera Stanhope in the hit show, Police swarmed Rihanna and A$AP Rocky's home after a fan turned up on her doorstep, Fixer Upper star Joanna Gaines has left her fans concerned, Angelina has recently joined The Repair Shop team, The Loose Women star isn't afraid of change. I replied: Expensive', which was true as they were a pair of black leather trainers from Boss costing me the thick end of 125. He readily admits he was desperate to find a business idea that would make him rich, but without a commercial family background, in a depressed area where the traditional pottery firms were closing, it was hard for the teenage prodigy to find a viable proposition. I wanted to be in the real world." "For the first time I based myself in the mobile phone business, which I hadn't been concentrating on before, and within a month I turned the 1,000 a month loss into a 2,000 a month profit.". Heres a Look Inside. "After that I pulled off one deal after another. ft. mega-manse was purchased in 2012 for about $100 million. On installation, the builders reveal the steel frame alone cost 500,000 and the room for error is just 10 millimetres on either side, meaning if it doesn't fit it would have to be returned to the manufacturers in Turkey. London's most expensive home 2020: record-breaking "We don't realise how quickly we will adapt to a pleasurable event and make it the backdrop of our lives," says one of the psychologists. He pointed at them and said: What are these?' He plans to demolish the WebBroughton Hall near Eccleshall, Staffordshire, is a privately owned 16th-century Elizabethan-style manor house. Inside Britain's most expensive home: Phones 4u tycoon John The first was mail-order, selling motorcyle clothing from home. Inside John Caudwell's home - Billionaire's 250 million "I've got this spectacularly perfect house," says John, "If someone spills some red wine on the carpet I'm going to just look away. phoenix. He left school at 16, three months into A-levels in maths, physics and chemistry. Mr Caudwell is married, with three children aged 20, 12 and five, and he is the local co-ordinator for the NSPCC and the founder of a children's charity. This account already exists. Hydraulic car lift. post. Niall Keating, chef director at Lunar Restaurant, has taken inspiration from the classic bacon and cheese filling. Try it outhere. This house is exceptionally wide This Bold, Glitzy Apartment in Dublin Is an Entertainers Dream. "The suppliers really screwed my business. Each email has a link to unsubscribe. Nothing in the Swede's difficult early life (his father was a drug addict and his parents divorced when he was 12) prepared him for huge wealth and, as many lottery winners have found, sudden riches never have the magical effect they're expected to have. Known as Mayfair house, Caudwells roughly 43,000 sq. phoenix for sale "car lift" - craigslist The next year he was taken on by the Michelin Tyre Company as an apprentice engineer, and he stayed 10 years, until 1980, though that didn't stop the hyperactive Mr Caudwell from setting up three businesses on the side. The "car stacker" is John's favourite toy, as it can take eight cars from street level to storage at the press of a button. Lee Koffman, head of NW London sales at UK Sothebys International Realty, said: Ultimately its a family house for the mega-rich. In 1980 he quit his Michelin job, sold the motorcycle and grocery businesses, paid off their debts and went full-time into car trading. Today they operate as entirely separate enterprises with no horizontal links or mutually favourable agreements. Every morning, he clocks up 40 miles, returns to his rural manor house, then But Fatal Attraction didn't need a remake, FA launches probe into Jurgen Klopp's altercation with referee Paul Tierney, Billions spent on unproven carbon capture could instead save households 9,000 each, Do not sell or share my personal information. John Caudwell: Inside story The documentary, which will air on Wednesday 5 February at 9pm, takes a look at the major challenges that comes with such a massive project. "A big increase from the 10[million] I originally conceived, somewhat naively," he adds. It would have been ruined anyway, McFly: 'NME used to call us c***s - now they give us five-star reviews', On TV tonight, BBC Two uncovers Chanel's mystery man Karl Lagerfeld, Interior Design Masters is the only good talent contest left on TV, The best part of Interior Design Masters is the baffled tradies, Helen Flanagan could win I'm a Celebrity South Africa if there was a public vote - too bad, The best new books in May 2023, from Tom Hanks' debut novel to Emma Cline's The Guest, How the audiobook boom made listening the new reading, The sexist bunny boiler trope is gone. And, to be fair, Persson, who is no fool, readily admits his plight is unlikely to win him much sympathy. From offering you easier car maintenance to additional vehicle storage, a home garage car lift is a dream for every "When he was ten, [he] started developing what appeared to be mental problems panic attacks, serious agoraphobia and a terror of sickness," says his father. It features a nightclub, games room and a car stacker - which can summon any of owner John Caudwell's impressive car collection at the touch of a button. "The value in my house is the house itself, but I dont keep any valuables. He purchased the property for 87million, but it is estimated to be worth over twice the amount after the new renovations have been completed. Now, the Stoke on Trent-born billionaire in the subject of a new documentary for Channel 4, Expensive Home: Building For A Billionaire, which takes a look at his incredible 250million Mayfair home as it undergoes a 65million refurbishment. So could he see that the future for mobile telephony was so bright? Pull the other one, lads and lasses! John Caudwell, the founder of Phones4U, is the latest billionaire to tell us that money hasn't made him happy. Billionaire businessman John Caudwell bought Audley Street garage and the surrounding buildings in Mayfair for around 155 million in 2011. These cookies record your visit to our website, the pages you have visited and the links you have followed. The Sun previously revealed the inside some of Britain's most expensive homes, including a Hollywood-style mansion in Hampstead. We use cookies to give you the best online experience. His first jobs were, variously, sweeping a pottery floor, manhandling steel ingots in a mill, and working as a nightclub bouncer. The huge property has a ballroom, 15 bedrooms and eight floors, spanning 43,000 sq feet. John Caudwell, the founder of Phones4U, is the latest billionaire to tell us that money hasn't made him happy. The luxury pad, located in London's Mayfair, is a billionaire's paradise with its own bar and cinema. But at that early stage I could never have anticipated the boom today. Man, 20, in critical condition after assault in Beckenham, UK running extra evacuation flight to rescue Britons from Sudan, Islamic State leader killed in Syria, says Turkey, The Kings Coronation Concert to feature a Union Flag-shaped stage, Warning of exceptionally low staffing levels as nurses strike, MasterChef Australia judge Jock Zonfrillo dies aged 46, a secluded Hollywood-style mansion near Hampstead Heath, County lines mum ran selfish sons drugs ring while he was in jail, Coronation allegiance oath in support of King tone deaf, Couple ordered to tear down 80,000 extension in fight with neighbours, Mum says son was too embarrassed to leave killer girlfriend. "I'm probably lucky, because I inherently know how business should be. Iconic discount shop to shut its doors next month - is your local affected? As well as his Mayfair pad, Mr Caudwell also owns the 50-room 12 million Jacobean Broughton Hall in Eccleshall which was burgled in 2010 with the raiders Or 2.4 per cent of this renovation project. "It really is a fantastic room because you get amazing sound quality, amazing visual quality," John explained. To help ensure your car lift installation job is a smooth, and hassle-free process, we will pair you with local Arizona professionals who are qualified and experienced with car lift installation and similar services. That afternoon he rang Motorola for an answer, and they told him he would either have to buy from a dealer, or become a dealer. "I got a retrospective rebate from Motorola if I bought a lot of product. Meanwhile, "we're told the cuts mean Lewisham officers now have to take buses to crime scenes because there's a shortage of pool cars. Best Car Lifts for Home Garages in 2022 - CNET The luxury pad, located in London's Mayfair, is a billionaire's paradise with its own bar and cinema. I told them if they hadn't got the phones they were losing market share. I was only looking for a little pad in London! Since I spend all day wandering around London I accurately responded: I would describe them as comfortable.' After initial promise in the entrepreneur's club, the young Caudwell became somewhat bogged down. A new courtyard was created and incorporates a concealed eight-car stacking system which sits between the two buildings. He will use his Mayfair home when he needs to be in London, but he has created zones within the house that can be used for his charitable foundation, Caudwell Children, which supports disabled children and their families. "The budget has always been irritating, because the budget went up and up and up and we got to this huge budget of where we are now which is over 65 million," says John. Inside Stoke-on-Trent billionaire Total staff numbers have now reached 1,800. Businessman John Caudwell has created Britain's most expensive home in Mayfair it's more than twice the size of the Royal Albert Hall and worth 250 million. Mr Caudwell's next business would provide the path to his later success. Expert and Professional Commercial and Residential Car Lift Installation for Commercial & Residential. "I bought 26 phones which took eight months to sell," he says, ruefully. Please fill out the form, and tell us about your car lift installation project in detail, and we will pair you with a Arizona professional, so you will you get all the details needed about the next steps, costs involved, a quote and timeline for completion. It also allows him to keep a watchful eye on his vintage car collection through the glass from the comfort of his extraordinary home. That way, he says: "I'd find out which was the best way to end up making money. When a lift shaft sprang a leak, the site manager said that if it had been any worse, he would have thrown myself into the Thames, because this would have delayed the project. "Now," he says, "if 20:20 (his national distributor) wants to sell to one of the national chains and Phones 4U (his retail chain) wants the product, the decision-making process is purely and simply as to who is the best customer and who's got the contract in place. ", Britains Most Expensive Home: Building for a Billionaire aired on Channel 4 at 9pm on 5 February. Best Car Lifts for Home Garages in 2022. The businessman even has a lavish cinema room that has been kitted out with all the amenities for a movie night. Now we've got 30,000 customers on 4U net.". He never made a profit. John has covered the walls with photos of his family members recreating snaps of Hollywood royalty in iconic poses, including the likes of Marilyn Monroe and Audrey Hepburn. Includes access to the digital magazine. At the time of listing, it was the most expensive detached house on the open market in the UK. He says he became convinced of the profit-making potential of the retail side only recently, though in typical fashion he is expanding the business rapidly, with a further 70 shops to open this year. A 17-seater cinema is a real showstopper, with the seats synchronised to lower at the same time if required. You can opt-out at any time by signing in to your account to manage your preferences. So I ended up servicing phones, repairing phones, wholesaling phones without airtime and wholesaling them with airtime as brokers for airtime companies. The experience was fundamental. He is also a speed freak. Your air fryer is in the wrong place and add 32 to your annual bills, From fish fingers to baked beans - where you can find cheapest staples, News Group Newspapers Limited in England No. I believe in sink or swim, and if one of my companies can't survive on its own, then another company shouldn't prop it up, especially at the expense of my own customers.". [We may also share this information with third parties for this purpose. Plus, get the exclusive Robb Report tote bag FREE. 12 The sprawling 250million mansion is owned by Phones 4 U founder John Caudwell Credit: CHANNEL 4 PICTURE PUBLIC 12 "My first thoughts were that there were big margins in this business, but very low volumes, and the volumes would go up and the margins would come down. But one of John's favourite features of the house is the car stacker lift, which is visible from within the house through strong glass, keeping his vintage motors on Set in a Portland stone building, the super-home spans 43,000sq ft and has more than enough room for John, his partner and former Olympian Modesta Vesniauskait and their six-month-old son, William, to roam around. no hidden. the UK's most expensive home Known as Mayfair house, Caudwells roughly 43,000 sq. There is also a divine games room, which John describes as "great for entertaining in" that helps make the house "super special.". The smooth charm of some self-made men is not evident, but there is a determined passion about the things that fire him up. There's also a secure underground garage with a hydraulic car lift with space for up to four cars. Heres a brief summary: The homes volcano wall and indoor swimming pool. John - who recently had a child with Olympic cyclist Modesta Vzesniauskaite - also owns the 12 million Jacobean manor house Broughton Hall, near Eccleshall, and has a property in Monaco. It is all a far cry from John's humble beginnings growing up in Wellesley Street in Shelton. "We want to be number one in anything we do." He's also a curious mix of modesty and obvious wealth. As the documentary makers, builders and site managers pack up, John is preparing for the 30 or so close friends arriving that evening to celebrate his birthday. Luxury features include a subterranean spa area with 14-metre pool, hammam and treatment and dressing rooms. Instead, he hopes to host charity events for Caudwell Children, a 20-year-old charity he founded dedicated to helping children with disabilities and their families. Obstacles in his path included an incorrectly installed lava wall and a 500,000 underground car park frame, which was the wrong size by 10mm. Magazine OK! All rights reserved. The 25,000 sq ft neo-classical residence in Avenue Road was built on a plot bought for 14 million in 2013 by Greek property developer George Dragoumanos. "We tried everything psychologists, psychiatrists, with varying degrees of success. A protected practice of any sort can't win. He also started a mobile phone repair centre on his premises, with the manufacturers' blessing. Mr Caudwell has built his businesses up from scratch and, with his brother Brian, a minority investor, is estimated to be worth 300m, placing the duo 85th on The Sunday Times Rich List. He says relationships between his companies are often worse than external relations with, ostensibly, rival companies, which he says is "very healthy", adding: "A protected practice of any sort can't win. John Caudwell's main residence is a 12-bedroom country house in Staffordshire and, along with other homes around the world, he also owns a 73-metre yacht which he bought at auction for the bargain price of 35 million. Five crystal chandeliers stretch up over four floors to transform the staircases. "It was a bit of a slow start. Known as Mayfair house, Caudwells roughly 43,000 sq. Why Ed Sheeran is both right and wrong to say most pop songs fit over most other pop songs, Joel Dommett: 'Sienna Miller led me through our sex scene. ", Mr Caudwell hired a manager to run the mobile business out of a backroom in the car dealership, and a year later it was still running at a loss of around 1,000 a month. So we've got to give them fixed wire propositions, mobile phone propositions, pay-TV propositions, internet propositions, so they get a complete package from us for all they need, and we'll send them one bill, which makes them happier and cuts our administration costs. Caudwell added: "Although refugees will benefit from the safety and shelter I can provide, I suspect the experience will be unique, humbling and deeply enriching for me as well. Now fixed, the lava appears to be moving above the swimming pool. Celebrity neighbours have included heavyweight boxing champion Anthony Joshua, while nearby residents have included singers Rihanna and Robbie Williams, as well as acting stars Damian Lewis and Helen McCrory. John described the room as a triple threat - "very atmospheric, very comfortable and very luxurious". Get involved in exciting, inspiring conversations. Obstacles in his path included an incorrectly installed lava wall and a 500,000 underground car park frame, which was the wrong size by 10mm. Britain's Most Expensive Home left me feeling disgusted He is rolling this out across Europe this year and he is convinced it will become the premier system of its kind worldwide, helping to double the group's turnover within two years. Cookies contain information that is transferred to your computer's hard drive. "I arrived first. Yet his initial masterplan for life took a long time to start working. "Last weekend was pretty tiring," he says. And there's the helicopter. Theres also an Art Deco-inspired, lattice-fronted elevator, a cocktail lounge with low-lit velvet booths and a stage for live music plus an adjoining billiards room with a rose-covered ceiling. He sold around 15 cars a week. All rights reserved. It's just an instinct, I know that's the way to do it.". * Fast and affordable car lift installation services, including home and property jobs like repairs, installation, maintenance, and inspection Both buildings form a single site and are linked at the basement level. Inside billionaire John Caudwell's amazing 250m mansion England and Wales company registration number 2008885, Jon Connell explores from this charming boutique hotel just outside the medina, Guests are not short of activities at this five-star Hampshire hotel, The Central American country has much to tempt tourists, The newly renovated farmhouse in southern Italy offers a stylish and tranquil stay, The UK economy has been dealing with one crisis after another since 2007. CL. "Are the police having us on?" Get involved in exciting, inspiring conversations with other readers. His property business, Caudwell, includes some of the most magnificent residences in the world. Details from agents Sothebys International Realty say the stately Art Deco-inspired house, which is also available for rent at 40,000 a week, provides a country lifestyle in the heart of London. For other inquiries, Contact Us. TAKE a look inside John Caudwell's extravagant mansion that's Britain's most expensive home. TAKE a look inside John Caudwell's extravagant mansion that's Britain's most expensive home. Subscribe to RR1 Live+ for exclusive virtual events all year long (at least 1 per month), conversations with Robb Report editors, special perks, and more. John, aged 68, said: "It was incredibly ostentatious but it had some phenomenal features so I bought it. Although Alta Vista's much-trumpeted announcement that it was doing the same came a few days before, Mr Caudwell's company had run trials last year, and launched its service when the American company was still planning its free launch. In an increasingly saturated market, customer loyalty, he says, "is absolutely essential, critical", adding: "We need to give them such good value that they don't really want to go anywhere else. His first success came when he was 10, when he started selling soap products for the blind, door to door. This would be a tiring journey by car, I say. It makes for a fascinating character portrayal. He wasnt hugely interested in living in it, though, intending to mainly hold meetings and charity balls at the townhouse mansion once work on it was completed. Mr Caudwell, an outspoken Thatcherite, is passionate about that, saying cross-subsidising firms is as bad for a corporation as state-subsidised industry is for a national economy. ft. mega-manse was purchased in 2012 for about $100 million. The house is estimated to be worth 250million after refurbishments. A 17-seater cinema is a real showstopper, with the seats synchronised to lower at the same time if required. One is what Caudwell describes as a hideous former car park that will be redeveloped into super prime luxury apartments on South Audley Street. A real showstopper gadget is the automated eight-car "stacker", which can summon any of John's impressive car collection at the touch of a button. Around the room, shots from iconic films have been superimposed with the faces of John and his family. Barbara Cartland's former Mayfair home for sale for 40 That was quite a lot to a 10-year-old those days. With previous unsympathetic alterations to the interiors of both buildings and much of the original fabric removed, MSMR's redevelopment has returned the original plan form to the lower ground floor and moved the modern interventions to the new basement. READ:Chrissy Teigen shows off her super-tidy pantry and even Marie Kondo is impressed! I was involved in absolutely every aspect of it., But how does the proud philanthropist justify spending such an ostentatious amount of money on a home? These are used to recognise you when you return to our website. "Wherever there's a business opportunity that marries into what we're doing we'll do it wholeheartedly," says Mr Caudwell. Interiors were designed by Athens and London-based Sissy Feida and include a 13-metre crystal floor-to-ceiling hanging chandelier in the grand hall. The super-home has 110 rooms; spanning 43,000sq ft - which is roughly the average size of 55 London flats and more than twice the size of the Royal Albert Hall. "It was just a matter of making everything very tasteful, which ended up being a complete and total bare brick renovation," the 69-year-old said. As well as a cinema room, there are further sitting rooms spread across the spacious property. There is also a three-bedroom, three-bathroom staff quarters. Is it just a coincidence that these absurd stories come at a time when ministers are drawing up plans for more budget cuts?"