London’s property boss Dean Parata eyes converting to Super League success

9 months ago 61

DEAN Parata is no stranger to showing up misconceptions, so London’s Super League survival bid is nothing new.

The Broncos’ forward runs a property company specialising in houses in multiple occupation (HMOs), which often attract moans.

As well as playing Super League, he has showed he has the talent off the field in property development.

And just like critics write the Broncos off, he is used to hearing whinges about HMOs – both of which come from assumptions.

Parata, whose team at Parata Property is based in the North West while he is in London, said: “I’m quite lucky as I’ve a fair bit of flexibility at work, so I can fit my training in.

“I founded the company at the end of 2021 and we’ve found a niche that works well. There’s a need for what we do.

“I’ve always been interested in property. It’s something for me that’s always made sense – you can touch it, feel it and it’s got a value.

“And we’ve spotted a gap in the market. London’s huge but Manchester’s a growing economy and population. It’s the fastest growing in the UK.

“People want accommodation and not enough houses are being built. That’s where we step in – it’s a room, not a house but it’s cheaper.

“There can be a lot of stigma attached to an HMO but at the end of the day, we’re doing a job that needs to be done.

“People can’t afford a house or they rent and the state of some of the houses we visit are just disgusting, so we step in and do a good job but it gives people somewhere to live.”

To say the fixture planners have not been kind to Mike Eccles’ side is an understatement.

Their first two games were at a St Helens side looking to reclaim the trophy after four straight wins, then they faced last year’s Grand Finalists Catalans.

Next week sees the visit of new World Club champions Wigan but today sees them travel to a Hull FC side that has also lost its opening pair.

And Parata believes there is a place for London at the top table as the 5,000 crowd for their home match against the Dragons showed, despite their IMG heading rank of 24th.

“If we were in League One, people would write us off,” he added. “So that doesn’t faze us too much.

“But that’s a motivation to us. The majority of our squad and matchday 17 are London boys that have come through the academy.

“And the interest is definitely there. Just because we haven’t been in the top flight, people may not have been sure about where we were at.

“But you saw against Catalans, the appetite is huge and we knew what to expect from Super League. It’s a matter of acclimatising to it but it’ll come.

“We’re definitely confident the win is coming.”

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