Colne View in Colchester rocks Fiona as a star investment

Professional dancer Fiona Robertson, 21, is enjoying a successful career, starring in the smash hit We Will Rock You in the West End. Appreciating that show business can be a precarious career she, with the help of her parents, is investing in property to secure her future and has recently bought two, one-bedroom ‘iPad' apartments at Colne View, an attractive riverside development by Barratt Eastern Counties in Colchester where prices start at just £104,995.

Fiona explains: "My dad had been interested in investing in Colchester for some time because it's an up and coming area. When we read about Colne View in the local paper it stood out because it's in a great location by the river, near the shops and has easy access into London. Essex University is very close, so there are lots of students wanting to rent apartments."

She adds: "We originally planned to buy just one apartment, but when we went to have a look at Colne View we were so impressed with the specification that we ended up buying two next to each other."

Fiona and her parents have bought the apartments jointly. Her father, Ray, a retired policeman, and Sue, an accountant, have been investing in property for the past decade and own properties in Brentwood and London's Docklands. Last year, they bought a penthouse apartment for Fiona at another Barratt development, close to their house in Brentwood. "We like dealing with Barratt," says Fiona, "We know from experience that they build good quality homes and their service is very quick and reliable."

Both the apartments at Colne View are being rented out while Fiona continues to live in Brentwood with her partner, actor Jeff Edwards, who is currently playing Fred Casley in the stage show Chicago.

The family are open to new opportunities for investment, whenever a good opportunity arises. Ray Robertson comments: "The credit crunch doesn't really worry me. I look at purchasing property as a long-term investment and accept that the property market will always go up and down. As long as the investment is part of a balanced portfolio and you don't overstretch yourself financially, it works very well. And there are distinct advantages to investing at the moment with some great offers around."

The iPads at Colne View are very well designed one-bedroom apartments, priced to appeal to first-time buyers and investors. The open-plan living/dining area incorporates a well-equipped kitchen, including an integrated washer/dryer and fridge/freezer, and the bedroom is a generous double. French doors open from the living area on to a terrace

Colne View, located on the riverside, just a few miles from Colchester town centre, offers a great lifestyle. Residents enjoy free exclusive membership of ‘Energise', the development's private gym, and there are shops literally on the doorstep. The regeneration of Hythe is transforming the area and transport links are excellent; it takes just 50 minutes by train to London's Liverpool street from the nearby station.

One-bedroom apartments at Colne View start from £104,995 and Barratt is offering to help first-time buyers with their deposit.

For further details, log on to Barratthomes.co.uk.