From Sewerby with love

Bondville Model Village owner is shortlisted for top award

- By COREENA FORD [e-mail] @HullLive

A BUSINESSWOMAN who took over Yorkshire's only model village after falling in love with the “acre of magic” two years ago has told of her joy at being nominated for a top award.

Mum-of-three Rachel Hill had been planning to step back from the world of business to spend more time with her family in 2023, having just agreed to sell her successful nursery business Hillside Childcare to a national firm.

But after seeing a picture of Bondville Model Village online - the region's only model village with more than 200 buildings and a quaint tea room, nestled beside the sea at Sewerby, near Bridlington - and learning it was up for sale, she took a leap of faith and bought it.

Rachel, who has three sons Woody, 13, Tommy, 15, and Alfie 23, signed a deal to buy the site in October 2023.

It reopened in May 2024, and investment was ploughed into the village, which had been closed for two years.

Two years on, Rachel has been named as a finalist in the 2025 Allica Bank Great British Entrepreneur Awards.

Representing the North East, Yorkshire and the Humber, the inspiring business leader has been shortlisted in the Early Stage Stand Out category, a fantastic recognition of her entrepreneurial vision and dedication.

She said: “I’m in shock at being a finalist at the awards. I get really embedded in what I do!

“But I'm really proud and so thrilled - and I think it’s because I’m so happy.