Open Air Business July/August 2016

ISSUE 3 | July/August 2016 | www.openairbusiness.com
BUSINESS
FUNCTION VENUES
Creating Character
Giant Nordic Tipis
EVENTS
When Things Go Wrong
Independent Festivals
ACCOMMODATION
Graphic Design
Fantasy Dwellings
Get
Covered!
PRODUCT FEATURES:
FLOORING & GROUND PROTECTION SUSTAINABILITY VISITOR MANAGEMENT

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ISSUE 3 | July/August 2016 | www.openairbusiness.com
WELCOME
Welcome
Introducing Open Air Business
AS WE HIT THE busiest part of the season,
many of you will be well and truly tied up in
outdoor hospitality activities. With that in
mind, here is the first of the two combined
issues of the year, the next being November /
December. I think you will find plenty to keep
you occupied in this edition, no matter what
your area of operation.
To start, there are three great case studies:
the first describes a glamping business that
has expanded into offering beautiful tipi
weddings in Cornwall; the second, a space
age offering with some stunning structures in the Forest of Dean; and the third a
week of re-enactments at Spetchley Gardens in Worcestershire. Next, it’s down
to the nitty gritty, as we tackle insurance and the subtleties of graphic design in
creating a brand.
If you have a function venue, you will find Isabel Smith’s look at creating
character aimed at your target audience of interest, while anyone organising
an event will sympathise with Julie Whalley’s candid account of the day Storm
Desmond hit her Christmas extravaganza.
Our product-led features consider flooring options for marquees, how to make
sustainability a core part of your glamping business and methods for managing
visitors at events.
Finally, let me point you to the article on fantasy accommodation. What
started as a bit of an indulgence (I mean, who wouldn’t want to include such
gorgeous structures in print) has turned into a bit of an eye opener for me
and possibly many UK accommodation providers offering all manner of
Tolkienesque overnight stays. My research has uncovered actively enforced
restrictions to protect terms such as ‘Hobbit’ and ‘Shire’ by the Tolkien Estate,
Middle-earth Enterprises and Warner Bros Studios – some seriously big players.
If you want the official line on the use of these terms for marketing your
accommodation, please do read carefully.
I’ll sign off now, but I do want to take the opportunity to thank those of
you who have taken the time to suggest topics for future feature articles. We
have had some excellent ideas ranging from security at glampsites to reliable
methods of taking card payments in very rural areas at busy times. Articles on
both topics will be coming soon.
PUBLISHERS
Steve Rix - steve@openairbusiness.com
Tally Wade - tally@openairbusiness.com
EDITORIAL TEAM
Susannah Millen - susannah@openairbusiness.com
Tally Wade - tally@openairbusiness.com
ADVERTISING SALES
Antoinette Marley - 01892 677721
antoinette@openairbusiness.com
DESIGN
James English -
www.jamesenglishdesign.co.uk
PUBLISHED BY
Coffee Shop Media
t: 01580 848555
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The House on the Hill, Friezley Lane,
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NOW
LIVE
FUNCTION VENUES
Creating Character
Giant Nordic Tipis
ACCOMMODATION
Graphic Design
Fantasy Dwellings
EVENTS
When Things Go Wrong
Independent Festivals
BUSINESS
Tally Wade
Editor / Publisher
ISSUE 3 | JULY/AUGUST 2016 | www.openairbusiness.com
Get
Covered!
PRODUCT FEATURES:
FLOORING & GROUND PROTECTION SUSTAINABILITY VISITOR MANAGEMENT
COVER PHOTO
Evolution Festival. The Association of
Independent Festivals (AIF) page 50-51
WWW.OPENAIRBUSINESS.COM 3

INSIDE
Contents ISSUE #3 | July/August 2016
6 News
8 Industry Talk –
Insurance advice for
each of the outdoor
hospitality sectors
FUNCTION VENUES
13 Case Study – Cornish
Tipi Weddings; a venue
with a touch of magic
16 Sponsored Feature
– The history and
applications of the giant
Nordic tipi
20 Style and Character
– Isabel Smith advises
on defining a venue’s
character
22 Flooring Choices –
Options for marquee
events
26 Product Focus –
Flooring and ground
protection for outdoor
events
ACCOMMODATION
29 Case Study – A
‘philosophical’ approach
to glamping at the Dome
Garden
32 Fantasy
Accommodation –
It may boost your
occupancy but beware
the legal pitfalls
36 Creating a Brand – The
subtleties of creating a
lasting brand from logo
to literature
40 Green Glamping – Ways
to adapt your glampsite
to benefit guests and the
planet
44 Product Focus – Product
ideas to boost your
sustainable credentials
EVENTS
47 Case Study – Skirmishes
at the Spetchley Estate
with M5; where history
comes alive
50 AIF – The Association of
Independent Festivals
and what it can do for you
52 When Clouds Gather
– Julie Whalley gives
a candid account of a
nightmare event
55 Company Profile –
Zipbar, a first in portable
bar systems
56 Visitor Management –
Strategies for managing
visitors at events
60 Product Focus – Visitor
management and
ticketing
62 Spotlight
64 Classified
66 Periwinkle
✁
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Your details
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1) What best describes your business?
2) Which sector(s) do you operate / are you interested in?
Outdoor Accommodation, Outdoor Events, Outdoor Functions,
OTHER (please specify)
3) What best describes your job role?
4) Are you involved in the purchase of products and/or services?
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The latest news from the world of outdoor hospitality
Mystical glamping pods
PENNINE PODS LIMITED
has launched a new product
to cater for the fantasy
accommodation market,
taking glamping to a whole
new level. The glamping
pods are made from foam
and fibreglass, and can be
dug into an embankment
and covered with grass.
They feature round
windows and doors and an
imitation chimney. The first unit was
installed at Hillcroft Park in Cumbria in June.
Creator Ian Hunter is also launching Shire Holidays, which will offer
holidays in the pods throughout the UK on selected campsites, with a
franchise system. “I also want to build the first ever mystical-themed
village in the UK based around these pods, to offer an enchanting
mystical experience for the whole family,” says Hunter. For more
information visit www.penninepods.co.uk
Marketplace for event kit
A NEW ONLINE marketplace for the events industry launched in
May. Event Equipment and Kit (Eek) enables event organisers,
suppliers, production companies and agencies to buy and sell new
and old equipment. “I have spoken to many people within the
events industry that have excess event equipment and kit sat in their
warehouses that they no longer need,” says creator Steven Sheppard,
managing director of Event Solutions South. “This equipment is sat
taking up valuable warehouse space, at a cost. By reselling items,
event professionals can recoup their investments and add to their
sustainability credentials by finding a second life for unwanted kit.”
Users can browse the Eek website for equipment for festivals,
weddings, outdoor events, and private and
corporate parties. It features everything
from marquees and furniture to props,
drapes and décor. Eek works on a bidding
system, much like eBay. Listing items is free.
See www.e-ek.co.uk
First gold award
for glamping
VISITENGLAND HAS AWARDED the first gold award
under its new glamping accreditation scheme.
Longlands in Devon was the first site to be visited by
Quality in Tourism, the independent assessment body
that accredits on behalf of VisitEngland, and achieved
the gold award for exceptional quality.
“We were delighted to be the first site chosen to be
visited by Quality in Tourism and VisitEngland assessors
for the new glamping accreditation scheme,” says
owner Bella Given. “We are utterly thrilled to have been
awarded a gold standard then and there! To have such
a respected independent body recognise all our hard
work and the quality of our offering is just wonderful.
For future guests we couldn’t ask for a higher stamp of
approval and reassurance of quality.
“This scheme will have a big impact on the glamping
market as there is finally an independent means of
differentiating between glamping offerings that are
really just camping with a tent ready and waiting for
you, and those glamping offerings that are nearer to a
boutique hotel with canvas sides!”
Gold awards are given to glampsites that achieve over
80% in their assessment, as detailed in the May edition
of Open Air Business. www.visitengland.com
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6 WWW.OPENAIRBUSINESS.COM

Fight
against LP
Tariff changes
THE ASSOCIATION OF Festival
Organisers (AFO) is asking for help to
fight changes made in the LP Tariff
that most events will pay for the
performance of live music (any music
other than classical). PRS for Music is
a performance rights association and
controls and collects the tariff. The
LP Tariff is currently set at 3% of box
office sales plus VAT, but following
a consultation, PRS for Music is
considering increasing this percentage
and also specifying that it must cover
income generated from other revenue
streams associated with an event,
such as sponsorship, car parking,
camping fees, traders, bars and more.
Steve Heap, AFO’s general secretary,
says, “Our good friends at the Concert
Promoters Association (CPA) invited
AFO and many other live music
associations and promoters to join
them in a major legal battle with
PRS for Music to fight this change.
Luckily for us many of the people
around the table are
from organisations
with much bigger
pockets than AFO and
are now instructing
legal representatives to
assist in the fight. Will
your festival help fight this case? Your
thoughts will help in the campaign.
Don’t ignore this now. Tell us your
thoughts today.” Get in touch with the
AFO via www.festivalorganisers.org
Showman’s Show campfire-style
discussions and workshops
THE SHOWMAN’S SHOW is the UK and Europe’s most comprehensive exhibition
for the outdoor and special event industry, held at Newbury Showground on 19-20
October. This year, organisers have announced that it will host a dedicated stream
of workshops and panel discussions, held as intimate and informal ‘campfire-style
sessions.’ To create the right atmosphere the sessions will be held under canvas
in the main ring, with The Tipi Company’s supplier Big Chief Tipis providing the
structure and benches.
Panel discussions will feature experts discussing relevant industry topics such as
sustainable initiatives and the effect Brexit will have on the event industry, while
allowing plenty of time for questions and interaction from the audience. Each
session will provide a unique opportunity for event organisers and suppliers to
learn from their peers and contribute to the discussion.
Inspirational, practical and educational workshops will encourage visitors to
participate and explore a range of topics currently affecting the industry including
legislation, technology, marketing and ticketing. The workshops will provide an
interactive forum for the audience to discuss evolving strategies and tactics and
assist them in meeting the challenges that event organisers and suppliers face on a
daily basis.
Show director, Jeremy Lance, comments, “The Showman’s Show has long been
the place to source practical and functional industry staples, while also discovering
new products and innovations. It is also recognised as an excellent networking
platform. Having a dedicated area that brings all of that together in an informal and
relaxed setting will only be of benefit to our visitors. We are keen to ensure that the
sessions are in keeping with the rest of the show, while delivering something a little
different to the event industry.”
Tel: 01945 463857
info@fireworksdisplayteam.co.uk
www.fireworksdisplayteam.co.uk
WWW.OPENAIRBUSINESS.COM 7

GETTY IMAGES
Get it Covered
Dan Rose illustrates the importance of getting insurance cover
right for function venue owners and event organisers
WHETHER YOU ARE the owner of a
function venue holding weddings,
or an event organiser putting on
any kind of outdoor event, you
already know you have a complex
task ahead, which can be influenced
by a multitude of factors.
Despite the myriad of issues that
could arise - from adverse weather
conditions to an unexpected
accident or even theft - you are not
under any legal obligation to have
any kind of insurance in place. The
only compulsory requirement by
law is that you have employers’
liability insurance, which offers
protection to you, as the event
organiser or venue owner, against
the cost of any compensation
claims arising from employee illness
or injury – whether the worker is
paid or a voluntary helper.
This means that you could still
be found liable for your errors or
perceived negligence, and without
adequate insurance in place, you
may have to pay all costs out of
your own pocket, including the legal
costs of defending a claim. This
could have major consequences for
your event or venue in the future.
From public liability insurance
to adverse weather cover to non
appearance cover, this article looks
at the various types of insurance
that you, as an event organiser or
venue owner, may need and why it
could be advisable for you to have
certain types of cover in place.
FUNCTION VENUE OWNERS
With the exception of the
aforementioned employers’ liability
cover, there is no legal requirement
on you, as the owner of a function
venue, to have any kind of event
insurance in place. However, as the
owner of a business you want to
make sure you and your venue are
protected against any potential risk
of loss, damage or a claim against
you.
The main cover here is public
liability insurance. The level of
indemnity that you require would
be determined by a number of
factors, but with the market offering
cover from between £1m and £10m
as standard, with the option to
extend these cover levels, it is a
simple process to make sure you
are adequately protected.
Public liability insurance will
protect you against accidental
damage to your venue or accidental
injury to a member of the public at
an event being held at your venue.
Here are a couple of examples of
how this policy might be used. If a
carpet at the venue had been laid
incorrectly and a guest tripped over
it and injured themselves, it could
8 WWW.OPENAIRBUSINESS.COM

INDUSTRY TALK
be you, as the venue owner, who
might be liable. Similarly, if a staff
member at the venue left a spillage
on the floor and a guest slipped up,
it could be considered negligence
on behalf of the venue.
Having worked with venue
owners of all types and sizes
across the country, one of the most
important recommendations is
to ensure that your clients, and
the users of your venues, also
have adequate insurance in place.
We recently settled a claim with
a client who had taken out their
own wedding insurance policy
at the request of their venue,
that had specified a certain level
of public liability cover. At the
wedding itself, a Versace chaise
longue was irreparably damaged
by a guest. The cost of the claim
was £15,000. If the venue hadn’t
specified that their client have their
own insurance, and if their own
public liability policy didn’t include
accidental damage to contents, the
cost of repair would have fallen to
the venue owner.
No matter how comprehensive
your policy, even if it covers the
liability of loss or damage caused by
a guest at your venue, if you have
to make a claim, this may cause
your insurance premium to increase
significantly at renewal. By asking
users of your venue to have their
own adequate insurance in place,
you can minimise your financial risk
if a claim has to be made.
On top of this, it is your
responsibility as the venue owner
to ensure that all third parties
such as suppliers, contractors or
entertainment companies have
GETTY IMAGES
“BY ASKING
USERS OF
YOUR VENUE
TO HAVE
THEIR OWN
ADEQUATE
INSURANCE
IN PLACE,
YOU CAN
MINIMISE
YOUR
FINANCIAL
RISK IF A
CLAIM HAS
TO BE MADE”
their own public liability insurance
policies, as your policy will cover
your negligence but not theirs.
OUTDOOR EVENT ORGANISERS
The number of outdoor events in
the UK is growing every year, and
we have certainly seen a huge
increase in the diversity of those
looking for insurance. From chilli
festivals to cheese rolling and music
festivals to agricultural shows, the
one thing they all have in common
is the need for adequate insurance
cover should the unforeseen
happen. There are various cover
options that are available to you,
and that you may wish to consider
as the organiser of an outdoor
event, as well as some points to
consider that may help to reduce
your premium.
Public liability insurance is the
most common type of insurance
taken out by organisers, and it will
provide cover for your legal liability
to pay damages and claimant’s
costs and expenses that arise as
a result of and in connection with
your event. The premium you will
pay depends on the level of public
liability cover you are looking for,
the number of attendees expected
over the duration of your event, and
the number of days cover you are
looking for – to include pre-event
setup and post-event break down.
It is also important to ensure
that any exhibitors, performers,
stallholders and third party
providers have their own public
liability insurance, as your policy
will only protect you against your
negligence, not theirs.
Employers’ liability insurance is
the only cover type that is a legal
requirement, and for most outdoor
events there are likely to be high
numbers of employees, helpers
and volunteers involved. The
moment you instruct an individual
to perform a task at your event,
whether they are paid or unpaid,
they are no longer a member of the
public, and therefore the public
liability insurance would not be
valid should there be an accident.
Employers’ liability would provide
cover for your legal liability to pay
damages, claimant’s costs and
expenses that arise as a result of an
injury to anyone you employ at your
event including temporary staff,
volunteers or helpers, whether paid
or unpaid.
Cancellation or abandonment
insurance is one of the most
common types of cover and offers
a couple of add-ons in the form of
adverse weather cover and nonappearance
cover. Of course, having
to cut an event short or cancel it
entirely is any event organiser’s
worst nightmare, but having
cancellation and abandonment
cover will help protect the financial
investment you have made.
Cancellation insurance will provide
WWW.OPENAIRBUSINESS.COM 9

INDUSTRY TALK
cover for irrecoverable costs incurred as a
result of the unavoidable cancellation of
your event (excluding extreme weather).
This could include deposit payments, future
costs already committed, and any costs
that have already been paid to third parties.
It is worth noting that poor ticket sales
would not cause this part of your policy to
respond!
Adverse weather cover is also a common
insurance purchase by outdoor event
organisers, given the unpredictability of the
British weather. The cover and premium
offered will vary on a case by case basis and
is dependent on a number of factors, which
include time of year, the likelihood of the
event being cancelled due to bad weather
and whether the event has been cancelled
previously for this reason, as well as the
ground conditions and the nature of the
event. It is worth noting that most insurers
will not offer adverse weather cover within
14 days of the date of the event.
Non-appearance cover is also worth
considering. Does your event rely heavily
on one special guest, performer or band? If
they couldn’t attend, would the entire event
have to be cancelled? If the answer is yes,
and if for unforeseen circumstances they
couldn’t attend resulting in the cancellation
of the entire event, this section would
respond and any irrecoverable expenses
would be covered.
Revenue cover is one of the newer and
less readily available forms. This insurance
will compensate you against loss of income
from ticket sales and additional income
from the event itself (such as sales of food,
clothing etc) if you have to cancel or curtail
your event for reasons beyond your control.
This cover type is especially valuable for less
well established events that may use the
bulk of any profit generated for investment
into the following year’s event. Many smaller
events that have to cancel unexpectedly
simply do not take place again the next
year due to the loss of revenue. Of course,
to make a claim on this policy will require
proof of ticket sales and copies of previous
years’ management accounts to validate it,
but it is an excellent way to ‘future proof’
your event, and make sure that even if you
have to cancel, you will still be able to stage
the event again.
Event equipment cover is pretty selfexplanatory,
providing cover for any loss of,
or damage to, equipment that you own or
GETTY IMAGES
have hired while in your custody, care and
control at your event.
WORKING WITH YOUR INSURANCE
COMPANY
Developing a relationship with your
insurance company can not only make
it more likely that you will be offered the
cover levels you need, but can also lead to
a reduction in the quoted premium. Taking
the time to explain your event thoroughly,
including policies and procedures you have
in place to help mitigate risk, will mean
that the insurer can feel confident that you
are not negligent in your role as an event
organiser, and that you are doing everything
possible to reduce the risk of having to
make a claim.
The most common thing you will be
asked for is your risk assessment. As the
organiser, ensuring the safety of all the
guests at your event or function venue
will be essential and a risk assessment
is an important step when it comes to
the organisation process. Without a valid
risk assessment, you will struggle to find
an insurance company willing to offer
the all important cover, and without a
comprehensive insurance policy in place
you may struggle to hold your event or
function at all – particularly if it is being held
on public or council owned land.
When preparing your risk assessment,
the key issues to consider include:
› identifying all possible hazards
› deciding who might be harmed and how
› evaluating the risks and deciding on
precautions
› recording your findings and
implementing them
› reviewing your assessment and updating
if necessary.
If you are an event organiser, an insurance
company will also want to see copies of
any permissions needed to use the land
on which you are holding your event (for
example, from a local council, farmer or
private land owner). Other factors such as
having marshals and stewards, the presence
of St John Ambulance and whether the
local police and fire brigades have been
made aware of your event, will all help an
insurance company to measure the level
of risk that your event poses, and could
therefore potentially reduce your premium.
CHOOSING AN INSURANCE COMPANY
Choosing an insurance company that is
best suited to your needs will give you
confidence that you have all the cover
you need in place, and that the premiums
you have been quoted are based on your
individual event or function venue and you
have not just been sold a standard package
that may have more or less cover than you
need. Make sure you can talk directly to the
underwriter (the person that evaluates the
risks and exposures of potential clients,
deciding how much cover they should
receive and how much they should pay),
rather than just a sales team, check out
customer reviews and make sure you
choose a specialist insurer that has plenty
of experience in what is, after all, a pretty
niche insurance sector!
We have been lucky enough to work with
a large proportion of our customers for
many years and as an insurance company
it is especially rewarding to be able to
reduce premiums at renewal based on our
long standing experience of their event or
venue. Building a relationship and having a
personal contact at your insurer will stand
you in good stead for the long term.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Dan Rose is the managing director of Event Insurance Services, one of the UK’s leading providers of all types of event insurance.
Established in 1996, the company works closely with a network of over 2,200 brokers throughout the UK, representing over 450 of the
country’s top venues and hotels. Its dedicated team of underwriters are on hand six days a week and the company prides itself on a
reputation built on outstanding personal service, having consistently achieved five star reviews on independent review site Trustpilot.
Call 01425 484861 or go to www.events-insurance.co.uk
10 WWW.OPENAIRBUSINESS.COM

INDUSTRY TALK
GLAMPSITE INSURANCE
Glampsites present
some unique challenges
for insurers, writes
Tim Price
GLAMPING HAS CAUGHT
the imagination of the British
population and early adopters in
attractive locations are making
good profits. However, there is a
lot more to running a glamping
enterprise than knocking together
some rustic-looking yurts. In
reality, glamping and other themed
self-catering holidays are about
providing what visitors view as a
rustic experience in an unusual or
unique structure while ensuring
they have a fantastic stay in a
comfortable and, above all, safe
environment.
Managing to combine these
diametrically opposed elements
is the key to a successful glamping
enterprise. It calls for an integrated
approach to design, construction,
materials, maintenance and
management right from the
concept stage of the business.
To ease the journey from the
planning stage to the opening of
a new site, it helps to consult with
insurers and other specialists from
the beginning. Their experience of
the types of incident that lead to
claims and damage can help shape
outline plans into viable blueprints
for sites that successfully deliver
the rural outdoor experience
visitors seek, while minimising
risks. This is essential because
operators face the same legal
liabilities and potential for large
claims for damages whether a
member of the public has an
accident in a farmhouse B&B or a
themed tree house.
Glamping accommodation
is by its nature of non-standard
construction and likely to involve
potentially flammable materials
such as canvas sheeting. A high
profile issue for insurers will also be
the use of stoves or burners – not
just whether they are appropriate,
of good quality and properly
installed, but that any fuel or
equipment supplied to use with the
stove is suitable.
To understand the risks
involved, insurers are likely to
want to see detailed plans, inspect
the site, and be confident that
the firms installing the living
accommodation and other features
of the site are reputable and have
plenty of experience in the sector.
This approach helps to ensure
that the site has safety features
built into it from design stage,
rather than expensively added at
the last minute to satisfy safety or
insurance concerns.
Supporting activities offered
on site, such as cycling, fishing,
saunas, farm visits and quad
bikes, will also need to be well
organised and carefully managed
as experience has shown that they
present a high claims risk. This is
a particular concern for glamping
sites, which often seek to provide
activities and attractions ‘on site’,
unlike traditional B&Bs or selfcatering
cottages whose visitors
typically spend a lot of their holiday
off-site walking or exploring the
countryside.
The way the business is
structured is also likely to be of
interest to insurers. Some glamping
enterprises are entirely owned and
managed by the landowners, who
have invested in the site to provide
a new income source. Others are
run as a separate company or even
as a franchise.
Insurers should be involved
in consultation at the planning
stage to enable any ambiguities
concerning legal responsibility for
different aspects of the business
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Tim Price is a rural
affairs specialist with
NFU Mutal, a leading
rural insurer. With over
300 offices located
in rural towns and
villages throughout
the UK, NFU Mutual
has become part of
the fabric of rural
life and remains
committed to serving
the needs of people
who visit, live or work
in the countryside.
Call 0808 223 0722
or go to
www.nfumutual.co.uk
to be ironed out. Providing these
arrangements are clearly set out
to show where responsibilities lie
between the involved parties and
are checked by solicitors, the way
the business is structured is not
likely to present difficulties when
arranging insurance.
GLAMPING INSURANCE CHECKLIST
As well as cover to protect buildings
and contents from fire, storm,
floods and theft, operators should
consider the following insurance to
protect their enterprises:
› Public Liability – to protect
against claims from guests and
other members of the public
› Employee Liability – a legal
requirement, this applies not
only to paid employees but also
to family members who help out,
even if this is on an occasional
basis
› Product Liability – to protect
against claims following use
of food, fuel or other goods
supplied
› Business Interruption – to make
up lost income following an
insured incident such as a fire or
storm that means the business is
unable to operate for a period
› Cyber Risk – glamping often
relies on web-based services for
promotion and administration.
Insurance can cover data
restoration and forensic
investigation.
GETTY IMAGES
WWW.OPENAIRBUSINESS.COM 11

Event Kitchens
Busy planning your summer events?
dontforgetthekitchen.com
Whether you need to hire temporary kitchens or
stand-alone catering equipment for use in a marquee
or existing building, we can help.
Choose from our range of over 9,000 items of catering
equipment and hundreds of temporary kitchen units to
make your event kitchen amazing!
Give us a call for a chat with our events team, or visit
our website for an instant online kitchen estimate!
Have fun planning your events this summer, but
whatever you do… Don’t forget the kitchen!
• Event kitchens
• Catering equipment
• Pop-up restaurants
• Marquee kitchens
• Crockery, cutlery
and glassware
• Instant online estimate
@PKLEvents
www.DontForgetTheKitchen.com

FUNCTION VENUES
PHOTOS BY KIM APPLEBY
CASE STUDY
Cornish Tipi
Weddings
Beauty and privacy attracts those seeking
something genuinely different for their big day
A short drive from Port Isaac and Tintagel, inextricably linked with the legend
of King Arthur, lies Tregildrans Quarry from where Elizabeth Tom, whose family
have been farmers and quarrymen in the immediate area of St Kew for nine
generations, owns and manages Cornish Tipi Weddings
TELL US ABOUT YOUR VENUE
We’re located five minutes inland
from the famous fishing village
of Port Isaac (home to both Doc
Martin and the shanty ensemble,
Fishermen’s Friends) on the North
Cornish coast. Our 20 acre site,
clothed in ferns and bluebells, is
unique; a woodland valley folded
around a clear, spring-fed lake
created from the old Tregildrans
Quarry. Obviously a site of this
nature presents many challenges
when becoming a function venue,
not least the fact that we are off
grid.
WHAT MADE YOU DECIDE TO
CATER FOR WEDDINGS?
We didn’t set out to be wedding
planners, but we have found that
“WE HAVE
A FULLY
LICENSED
WEDDING
PAVILION
IN A LITTLE
CLEARING IN
THE WOODS
FOR
OUTDOOR
WEDDING
CEREMONIES”
the beauty and privacy of our
existing glamping site attracts
couples who want something
genuinely different for their big
day.
WHAT FACILITIES DO YOU
OFFER?
We have a fully licensed wedding
pavilion in a little clearing in
the woods for outdoor wedding
ceremonies, a big marquee in a
specially landscaped meadow for
receptions and parties, and on-site
accommodation in our tipis and
wild camping for over 200 people.
WHAT SERVICES DO YOU OFFER?
We provide a full wedding service
from first contact down to every
detail of the day itself, with
experts in the office ranging from
dedicated wedding co-ordinators
to venue staff. Whatever a
couple’s dreams and inspiration,
we help make their day the way
they want it to be. We know
set dressers and party makers,
celebrants, photographers and
puppeteers, storytellers and
nannies, interesting caterers and
homemade pasty makers, local
breweries and organic apple juice
crushers. We can offer a Cornish
piper or harmonising fishermen,
haunting Celtic harp or pulsing
didgeridoo. Outside power can
produce serious dance, rollicking
ceilidh or a tiny PA might be
sufficient for an elegant string
quartet or gentle acoustic set.
WWW.OPENAIRBUSINESS.COM 13

FUNCTION VENUES
HOW DID YOU RESEARCH AND
SOURCE YOUR MARQUEE?
We kept our eyes peeled on
the internet, talked to contacts
and made decisions based
on budget and style. It’s
constructed of wood, willow
and canvas and located not on
a manicured lawn but beside a
clear brook and under a canopy
of oak and ash.
HOW DO YOU MAKE EACH
WEDDING UNIQUE?
Pretty much everything we
offer is unique! Couples might
be drawn to a vision of a fairy
glade; the sparkly slippered
bride and beaming groom
exchanging vows beside a
mighty oak before they and
their guests embark on a
procession past stream and
hedgerow, accompanied by
flute and fiddle. Children,
clutching posies, skip alongside
as all make their way to a
tented pavilion filled with food
and flowers. After the sun sets,
candles in paper lanterns throw
soft light across the winding
paths leading to a party lit
by a thousand fairy lights.
Couples might consider Cornish
designers for special outfits
using recycled or vintage
clothing, artisan jewellers and
local suppliers of seasonal
food and drink. And they’re
bound to be drawn to a low
impact environment utilising a
small amount of resources and
renewable technologies.
Like many businesses
started round the kitchen
“FROM THE
BEGINNING WE
DELIBERATELY
TOOK AN OLD
FASHIONED,
MORE ORGANIC
APPROACH”
table, we were short on capital
investment but big on ideas and
commitment – one that extended
beyond our own immediate
area into the global community
and environment. We’ve always
believed that our personal
philosophy of ‘do as you would
be done by’ should extend into
everything we do – be it sourcing
Fairtrade cotton for our company
T-shirts through using recycled
materials to house our new office,
to our pricing structure with
regard to people with children,
single parents, etc.
From the beginning we
deliberately took an old
fashioned, more organic
approach. This meant working
with the community and the
environment rather than against
them, building slowly from a small
base, learning how sustainability
and best business practice could
work together. We attempted to
shape our plans to produce as low
a carbon footprint as possible, as
this was not only ethically sound
but eminently practicable for a
fledgling green business. Every
day we make decisions with our
principles in mind.
HOW DO YOU PUBLICISE
YOURSELF?
We use websites, social media,
blogs, some very limited print
advertising and occasional
wedding fairs. Our glamping
business is on Cool Camping and
we feature in Alastair Sawday’s
‘Handpicked and Inspected
Special Places to Stay.’ For
weddings we are on Festival
Brides, Green Union, Natural
Wedding Co and national blogs
such as Love My Dress alongside a
plethora of other media, press and
website reviews.

FUNCTION VENUES
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE
YOUR STYLE?
We are committed to providing
a genuinely individual service
that is both highly enjoyable and
environmentally sustainable. Our
style is Bohemian, rustic and ecofriendly.
WHAT CHALLENGES HAVE
YOU FACED?
We’ve experienced problems
with planning, wedding licensing
and noise pollution, which have
resulted in difficulties with both
the neighbours and the local
council.
“OUR
STYLE IS
BOHEMIAN,
RUSTIC
AND ECO-
FRIENDLY”
HAVE YOU ANY OTHER
HOSPITALITY INTERESTS?
We have 20 authentic style North
American tipis and two spacious
bell tents. The tipis are made of
cotton canvas on a framework
of locally sourced wooden lodge
poles, bound with twine and
hessian rope. These majestic
structures are more than 18 feet
high, providing a generous living
area. Eleven tipis are situated in
the Village Field and the remainder
are on private sites, bordered by
trees and hedges, situated singly
or doubly in private clearings.
Over the past 20 years we’ve
had fun with drumming workshop
weekends, corporate team
building, university reunions and
hen parties, inner city children,
yoga retreats, outward bound
adventures, meditation and
healing, find your inner man,
learner divers, canoers and
kayakers, Brownie groups and
church outings, adventure trekkers
and walking groups, surprise
birthday weekends, bird spotters,
artists, surfers and historians. A
pretty diverse bunch, but all of
whom appreciated the beauty
and simplicity of tipi life in our
hidden valley just minutes away
from some of the most spectacular
coastline in the UK.
DO YOU ENJOY THE BUSINESS?
I enjoy being in control of my own
business, but work long hours for
less profit than many of my peers.
YOUR ADVICE FOR THOSE
ENTERING THE INDUSTRY?
It’s probably safer to work for
someone else!
ADDRESS BOOK
DETAILS
A: Tregeare, Pendoggett, St Kew,
Cornwall, PL30 3LW
T: 01208 880781
W: www.cornishtipiweddings.co.uk
E: info@cornishtipiweddings.co.uk
WWW.OPENAIRBUSINESS.COM 15

SPONSORED FEATURE
GIANT
Nordic Tents
Introducing Tentipi; the product and the concept
SINCE THE FIRST Tentipi giant Nordic tipi
was brought into the UK, the popularity
of these beautiful structures has grown
and grown. Initially taken up by rental
companies offering the tipis for mobile hire,
now an increasing number of farms, event
venues, pubs and hotels are seeing the
business benefits too.
The concept is simple - individual tipis of
different sizes that can be linked together;
a modular system that can be added to
as needed. But it didn’t start out like that.
The invention of the giant Nordic tipi is an
interesting story – a series of serendipitous
events that created an industry.
BENGT’S STORY - INVENTION
OF THE GIANT NORDIC TIPI
Inspiration
Tentipi can trace its origins back to 1979.
Bengt Grahn, founder and CEO, was
being eaten alive by mosquitos after a
day’s canoeing with friends deep in the
wilderness of Swedish Lapland. A hasty
meal before retreating to their individual
tents wasn’t the best end to a great day. He
began to consider how to make the perfect
tent, a tent that could withstand harsh
weather conditions and mosquitos and
provide a homely space to socialise around
a fire.
Over the years, Bengt’s desire to make
the best possible tent combined with his
knowledge of the Sami kåta (the traditional
home of the Sami people, indigenous to
the area) became fused. A moment of
inspiration came in 1989 while he was
standing on a chair changing a light bulb,
leading to the formation of Tentipi.
Getting started
Armed with a set of cutting plans for a
cone-shaped tent purchased from a local
businessman (which turned out to be all
but useless), and a huge dose of selfconfidence,
Bengt began teaching himself
to sew, turning enormous pieces of cloth
into large Nordic tipis.
At first, he did everything himself, from
purchasing and sewing to marketing and
selling. However, it did not take long before
he employed his first worker. The tent
production proved to be profitable and new
products began to be developed.
The first request for a truly giant Nordic
ABOVE Early Tentipi Nordic tipi and Inside the first ever giant hat Nordic tipi
tipi arrived, and Bengt made a deal to sew
the canvas, with the poles being provided
by someone else. Arriving on site to install
the new tent (the day before it was needed),
he was dismayed to see the trailer full of
poles being driven on to site - they were
anything other than straight; it would be
quite impossible to use them. So, chainsaw
in hand, Bengt went into the woods to find
tall, straight trees that would be suitable.
He worked through the night, and by 5am
had cut and trimmed enough poles to build
the frame. The canvas fitted perfectly.
The next step
The next big step forwards came in 1993.
Members of a Sami cultural organisation,
impressed by the tents they had seen
around, approached Bengt and asked him
to create a 25m x 50m exhibition space to
promote Sami products and culture. That
was a huge project to take on at the time,
and it occurred to Bengt that he needed
a Nordic tipi where the sides could be
opened, so visitors could see the displays
inside as they walked past. In Stockholm
the previous year he had experimented with
rolling up the sides of the tipi to achieve the
same effect, but that meant losing an area
of covered space, reducing the effective size
of the tent. So, he considered how he might
solve this problem.
The idea of introducing expansion
wedges into the lower half of the canvas
came in another moment of inspiration; a
practical idea to solve a specific problem,
but in hindsight, a moment of genius. If
the wedges were tightened, the tent could
be pitched like a standard tipi, but if they
were loosened, the bottom half of the
canvas could be raised up and supported
on wooden poles to create the shape of a
giant witch’s hat. Opening the sides like
16 WWW.OPENAIRBUSINESS.COM

SPONSORED FEATURE
ABOVE One of Roger Rimpi’s
spectacular events
that created more covered space under the
tent, not less, and gave passing visitors an
uninterrupted view of the inside of the tent.
The first Giant Hat Nordic tipi (since
renamed Stratus) was duly made and
used for the event and it went down a
storm. Copyright protection has since
been granted for the shape of the Stratus,
although only for a limited period - it
expires 75 years after Bengt’s death!
Making connections
For the next development, we must look
outside of Tentipi to an enterprising Sami
businessman named Roger Rimpi. Roger
had been exhibiting on the Sami exhibition
stand and was particularly impressed with
the Stratus. He was the first to see the
potential of using the way the sides raised
up to link the tents together to make a
single larger structure. Later in 1993, he
linked the first three Stratus tipis together
for an event at Stockholm zoo.
However, turning these early efforts
into a robust, reliable system was far from
simple. Discovering the manufacturing
and building techniques that really work
out there ‘in the field’ took many years.
Tentipi had to develop a bespoke canvas
with exceptional water repellent properties
because there was no suitable ‘off the shelf’
fabric. Various timbers were used before
it was discovered that a particular species
of Spruce cut in a narrow band of latitudes
in Lapland really worked. Structural
calculations to ensure the safety of those
building and using the tipis in all possible
configurations were needed; they extend to
750 pages of complex formulae and much,
much more.
The good news is that all that work
is done, enabling today’s customers to
benefit from robust, reliable tents, first
“THE DEMAND FOR TENTIPI
CONTINUES TO GROW, WITH
THE WEDDING MARKET
ARGUABLY LEADING THE
WAY”
class training, and excellent pre and post
sales support.
The ability to link is what really sets the
Stratus apart. It is possible to create all
sorts of weird and wonderful shapes, and
to make really large covered spaces. The
record to date is 34 Stratus linked together
to provide a dining venue for 2,000 people.
More countries, more demands
Word spread about the Stratus and how it
could be linked to form larger structures,
and tents were sold to more and more
countries, and used for an ever-expanding
variety of events. These ranged from an
English country wedding and a Norwegian
ski jumping competition to an Australian
beach party and a German music festival.
With that increasing usage came
increasing demand and Stratus has evolved
to cope. The simplicity of the design
(“It’s just a few poles and a bit of canvas
isn’t it?”) hides a myriad of material and
manufacturing innovations.
Not finished yet
So we arrive at today, with a product
packed full of features developed as the
result of over 20 years’ experience of real
world use, on real sites, and in real weather
conditions. The journey doesn’t stop here
though. There is an active, ongoing product
development programme adding new
possibilities and extending the range of
conditions in which the tents can be used.
The UK market
At the beginning of 2005, Jon Parr, the then
owner of The Stunning Tents Company, a
rental business hiring out different styles
of wood and canvas tents, brought the first
Tentipi giant Nordic tipi into the UK.
Things moved quickly. As soon as people
saw the tipi demand grew rapidly, and Jon
began selling as well as hiring. Just over 10
years later there are more than 50 rental
companies in the UK that stock Tentipi
tents, along with many more at fixed
venues.
Jon sold his rental business in 2013
and it continues to thrive. Now, he and
his small dedicated sales team focus on
sales, training and support for new and
existing Tentipi customers. As Jon observes,
“Creating the first full-time rental business
in the world based on giant Nordic tipis
had its challenges for sure, but also served
as the perfect training ground to learn the
products and the industry. Now, many
hundreds of builds in all conceivable site
and weather conditions later, it’s great to
be able to share that depth of experience
with customers, and help them understand
what really works, what doesn’t, and how
to maximise their return on investment. 11
years on I still think the tipis look fantastic
every time I step inside.”
The demand for Tentipi continues to
grow, with the wedding market arguably
leading the way. The trend for festival /
back to nature / woodland weddings fits
perfectly with the Tentipi vibe, and the
authentic Nordic roots lend credibility and
a compelling back-story. All the signs are
that this popularity will continue to grow.
We expect to continue to see an increase in
WWW.OPENAIRBUSINESS.COM 17

SPONSORED FEATURE
LEFT ➊ A single Stratus in tan colour with all sides up. ➋ Four sizes of
Cirrus with roll up panels open. ➌ The LinkFlex system uses the same
components irrespective of the types of link being made. ➍ An example of
WallFlex in action ➎ Three linked Stratus with WallFlex midfill panel
➏ White Cirrus 20 exterior
➍
➊
➋
➌
➎
TALTON LODGE
the number of farms, event venues,
pubs and hotels with their own
Tentipi tents.
Increasing revenue and profit
Venues use Nordic tipis to create
additional event space to rent
out, whether explicitly or as part
of an overall venue fee. There are
multiple possibilities for generating
income for the shrewd investor, but
the key questions to consider are:
how many events will you run each
year and how much can you charge
for each event? Multiply the two
figures together and you are well
on your way to understanding how
much revenue you can generate.
But take care as the figures can vary
widely. A farm running woodland
weddings might only want to run
10 weddings a year, while a pub
might rent a single smaller tipi at
lunch times and in the evenings for
much of the summer - well over 100
events.
More important is the question,
how much profit can I make?
Figuring out all the costs you will
incur running an event is rather
more involved, and that’s where
Tentipi’s Investment Planning
Pack and unlimited free pre-sales
consultancy can help.
One of the key considerations
will be whether to rent or buy. If
it is for a small number of events
per year then hiring in usually
makes most sense. But if the events
become regular – more than five
per year – then it makes financial
sense to consider purchase. The
practical side of things – building,
dismantling and maintaining
the tipis – you can either handle
yourself or form a relationship with
a local rental company experienced
in working with Tentipi tents to do
it for you.
PRODUCT OPTIONS
For maximum versatility, choose
the Stratus Nordic tipi. At over
10 metres in diameter and with
the option of raising the sides to
increase it to 13 metres across, it
can be pitched normal ‘tipi shape’
or like a giant witch’s hat, or
something in between.
The Cirrus range is simpler to
manage, and cheaper, with a wide
roll-up panel instead of the raising
sides. Cirrus is available in four
sizes from 6.5 metres in diameter to
over 10 metres.
Using the LinkFlex system,
Stratus can be linked to other
Stratus and to the larger Cirrus. All
manner of configurations of linked
tents are possible. The record to
date is 34 linked Stratus at a ski
jumping event in Norway, but that’s
far in excess of the normal one,
two and three tent configurations
that are most popular. Cleverly,
LinkFlex uses identical components
irrespective of the type of links
being made, so you don’t need to
invest in different equipment to
make different links.
Use of the Stratus can be further
extended using the WallFlex system
– a series of clear and canvas
panels and wooden doors that
can be used in numerous ways to
enclose the open sides of single
and linked Stratus. As with LinkFlex,
the WallFlex system allows the
same equipment to be used in
different ways.
Fireplaces, tables, benches,
reindeer skins and catering tents
are also available to finish things
off.
Hannah Hall, owner and
manager at The Wroxeter Hotel, has
recently taken delivery of a second
Stratus. She comments: “We are
always looking for something new
to offer our customers to help us
stand out. In 2015 we invested in a
Tentipi Stratus tipi as a reception
area for our outdoor weddings. It
quickly attracted a lot of interest
and for 2016 we’ve added a second
linked Stratus so that the whole day
can take place in the tipis. Whilst
the team from Tentipi were on site
with us installing the second tent,
we made a Facebook post about
this new addition. Before the team
had left site we had already taken
two upgrades! Now we need to
figure out how we can add a third.”
18 WWW.OPENAIRBUSINESS.COM
➏

WWW.OPENAIRBUSINESS.COM 19

FUNCTION VENUES
Dressing
Venues
Isabel Smith explains that styling your venue is
a balance between character and neutrality. But
first, you must define your target market
MOST OF YOU will be holding
marquee weddings of one sort or
another, with a temporary structure
either as the main event space or
as an additional space to more
permanent structures. In this article
I will give examples of how a venue
can make the most of its offerings,
beyond the marquee, to give it
character and style, while leaving
enough neutrality for a bride to
make her own styling choices for
the big day.
Every venue has a feel, an
ambience, about it. When
decorating your venue as a
whole - either pre launch or as
part of a renovation - there is an
important question to ask yourself,
particularly with weddings in mind:
who is your target audience? You
need to think about whether you
want to maximize the appeal of
the venue or become known for
a particular theme or feel. There
is nothing wrong with either
approach, but each requires careful
forethought when it comes to the
“SOME
UNIFYING
THEMES OR
FEATURES
WILL MAKE
THE GUESTS
FEEL MORE
AT HOME
AND HELP
YOUR
BRIDE TO
STYLE HER
WEDDING”
décor and styling of your internal
and external spaces.
Take, for example, the fairly
recently relaunched Moor Hall
in Morden, South London. The
fabulous 1770s building is nestled
in a truly lovely family friendly
park, which is itself undergoing a
regeneration thanks to the local
council and the National Trust.
However, Morden isn’t exactly what
one would call a ‘destination,’ so
when it came to the refurbishment
of the space (and believe me, we
are talking more than just a subtle
face lift here), the current lease
holder was wise to overcome
the downside of the venue, the
location, by opting for a look that
could appeal to almost any bride,
while still offering versatility and
character in its aesthetic.
The uber talented Melanie
Thorne of Country Knole interiors
who undertook the project was
adamant that the palette used
should stay true to the era in which
the property was built, but mixing
this with some modern fabrics and
wallpapers brings the space bang
up to date.
The finished article at Moor
Hall is really pleasing, making the
most of the impressive features
of the property such as its high
ceilings and incredible light, while
still offering something a bit more
modern and quirky – and of a far
higher quality – than you might find
in a stuffier incarnation of this type
of venue.
The result? The spaces
themselves work alongside the
owner’s plan to offer broad appeal
and host a great many weddings
each year. Now that is consistency
in branding and target market!
But that simply isn’t going to be
the magic formula for all venues.
After all, there is no shortage of
brides looking for something totally
different – and they’re willing to
pay a premium to get it.
Oxfordshire’s Aynhoe Park has
hit the nail on the head. The owner
of the 17th century Jacobean
20 WWW.OPENAIRBUSINESS.COM

FUNCTION VENUES
PICTURED: Maunsel
House in Somerset,
owned by Sir
Benjamin Slade, is
styled in a traditional
manner that has
broad appeal but
with some quirky
touches
down and have a play (no bullets
of course!). This ‘laissez-faire’
attitude, which gives couples the
flexibility to do very much as they
please on site, is reflected in the
venue’s styling. It isn’t as flawlessly
polished as, say, Claridges, but
that isn’t the bride Maunsel wants
to attract, and their pricing fits
them nicely between Morden Hall
and Aynhoe Park – neither highly
exclusive, nor operating a more
volume model.
When it comes to marketing an
outdoor space where the bride
and groom might be building
their marquee venue to their own
specification, you might think that
you are off the hook. But no, I am a
firm believer that your landscaping
and on-site facilities (including
accommodation if you offer it) need
to appeal to your target audience
and be priced accordingly.
will make the guests feel more at
home and help your bride to style
her wedding.
4
Work on your balance
The ideal venue should be
enough of a blank canvas to
enable the bride to put her own
stamp on her wedding without
looking like a soulless void! Think
comfortable but not over cluttered
and most importantly avoid a
scheme that is overdone. For open
air venues, think about how your
gardens will look all year round to
avoid becoming too seasonal.
5
Never underestimate
the lighting
Nothing impacts mood and
ambience more than lighting, so
give very careful thought to all
your lighting installations and put
everything on dimmers!
meets Palladian meets Baroque
manor lives for modern quirky
art (think a taxidermy menagerie,
each with it’s own hat and other
accessories, nestled among Chihuly
inspired blown glass chandeliers
and a rotation of the most up to
date paintings and sculptures
you can find) and isn’t afraid to
spend money on it. The result is
surprisingly elegant and offers a
really fun space, but it simply isn’t
going to appeal to every couple
that comes through the door. Since
their business model doesn’t call
for a wedding production line, the
hire pricing structure fits well with
the luxury event space and means
Aynhoe gets just the right number
of weddings each year.
Not that you need to be investing
in thousands of pounds worth of
modern art each month to offer
something different and niche to
the market. Maunsel House, Sir
Benjamin Slade’s country pile in
Somerset, has of course benefitted
from investment over the years,
but it is still very much styled in a
traditional manner that will have
broad appeal, just with those
ever-so-important touches that
make the space stand out from
the crowd. The walls of the bar are
simply covered in old guns from
every era and ‘Sir Ben’ is more
than happy for guests to take a few
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Isabel Smith has 10
years in the wedding
industry behind her
as one of the UK’s top
wedding planners and
business consultant
to venues and other
suppliers. Isabel’s
expertise spans
marketing, sales and
operations as she
helps new vendors
launch as well as
assisting established
businesses should
they find their
sales falling. www.
isabelsmithconsulting.
co.uk / www.
isabelsmithweddings.
co.uk
So what are the golden rules
when it comes to decorating
your spaces?
1
Style with your business
model in mind
The more weddings you want
to take on each year, the broader
your appeal should be (if in doubt,
go for a neutral palette / a simple
English country garden look). Make
sure you are thinking carefully
about what it is that your target
market is looking for in a wedding
venue.
2
Work with what you’ve got
While I am a huge fan of
traditional architecture pared
with modern interiors (yes, Aynhoe
is one of my all time favourite
venues), generally speaking fitting a
square peg into a round hole takes
real ingenuity (and a very generous
budget!) to pull off so take your
cues from what you have around
you.
3
Continuity is key
The flow of a wedding (ie
the journey that guests go
on through your venue during
the day) can make or break a
successful event and as such,
keep that journey in mind while
designing. While you want some
variety between the spaces of
course (otherwise you’ll look like a
conference centre or a hedge maze),
some unifying themes or features
Once you’re happy with your
venue, you want to show it off to
its full potential and for this I can’t
recommend engaging the services
of a professional enough. Your
website should feature photos of
your spaces empty, dressed for an
everyday wedding (showing all
that you offer in terms of design
and tablewares etc, as standard)
but also dressed to the nines! You
are selling to a generation of visual
– but supremely lazy - people and
they want to see all the potential
in your space without having to try
too hard.
Having a planner, caterer or
designer dress your property
doesn’t just mean great photos for
your website, it is also a process
that cements your relationships
with your preferred suppliers,
and if done properly, can even
be leveraged into exposure in the
press getting you out to your target
market for free! Happy styling.
WWW.OPENAIRBUSINESS.COM 21

FUNCTION VENUES
GETTY IMAGES
From basic marquee floors to temporary helipads, there are
many options available from a wide range of suppliers, writes Duncan Moore
WHEN IT COMES to organising
an outdoor event, the hire of
the marquee can be just the
beginning. Yes, the marquee will
provide a venue for the event and
protection from the elements, but
there is another equally important
consideration – the floor. Most
marquees are just that – four walls
and a roof, but what about the
ground beneath?
The simplest option may be not
to cover the ground on which the
marquee is standing. However,
if the surface is grass then the
weather can be an issue, and if
the weather is dry the ground
may still be uneven, providing an
unstable surface on which to place
furniture etc. Other factors to
consider are: will the land owner
seek retribution if the grass is
damaged?; will there be dancing
at the event?; or are the guests
likely to be wearing heels? The
answers to these questions will
dictate whether a floor covering is
needed and what type of flooring
that might be.
According to Marcus Sanger of
Gala Tent, the factors that should
be considered when deciding
“IF WE ARE
COVERING
GRASS, WE
RECOMMEND
USING A
BREATHABLE
MESH, BUT IF
IT’S A HARD
SURFACE AND
BAD WEATHER
IS PREDICT-
ED, THEN IT
IS BETTER TO
USE A SOLID
TILE FLOOR”
which type of flooring to choose
include the number of people that
are expected at the event and
whether the surface to be covered
is soft or hard, which dictates the
need for a ‘wet’ or ‘dry’ floor. “If we
are covering grass, we recommend
using a breathable mesh, but if it’s
a hard surface and bad weather is
predicted, then it is better to use
a solid tile floor that will let water
flow underneath it,” he says.
If a marquee is pitched on a
hard surface, such as concrete,
the problems associated with
bad weather are lessened, but
there can still be issues. Bare
concrete does not provide the
most attractive of finishes and
this is where alternative floor
coverings can be used to change
the appearance of the venue or
to raise the level of the surface
to prevent rain collecting on the
ground.
Another factor to be considered
is how level the ground is. Finding
completely level ground can be
difficult, but this problem can
be overcome using a variety of
suspended flooring solutions, as
discussed below.
Carpet and matting
The most basic, simple and least
expensive option for covering
level ground is traditional coconut
matting, which is usually laid over
a waterproof membrane such as
Eventfloor, supplied by Archers
Marquees. Eventfloor is a hard
wearing, plastic rollout flooring,
which allows air to circulate and
water to flow under it. Due to
its substantial construction, it is
also impervious to the impact
of stiletto heels and provides a
good surface for use with tables
and chairs. Eventfloor and similar
‘under floors’ are a viable option
if the surface they are being laid
upon is level and the amount of
movement upon it will be minimal.
Carpet can be also be used
over the under flooring in a
choice of colours and designs.
Unfortunately, if the weather turns
bad and rainwater starts to flow
heavily, using coconut matting or
carpet, even with a waterproof
membrane, can be problematic.
An alternative is a flexible
synthetic covering such as Gala
Tent’s Gala-Tex, which is strong
and durable, rolls out in seconds
22 WWW.OPENAIRBUSINESS.COM

and is then pegged down to
provide an instant floor covering. It
is available in green or burgundy.
Gala-Tex is also environmentally
friendly as it allows the grass
beneath it to breathe, so even if the
flooring has been down for weeks
or months, the grass will still be
green and in good condition when
the matting is removed. Gala-Tex
is made from waterproof material,
which is gloss coated so dirt
doesn’t stick to it, making it easy
to clean, and it can be quickly and
conveniently hosed or wiped down
after use if desired.
Wooden floors
If tables and chairs, a bar or
catering facilities are expected
in the marquee or a dance floor
is requested then a hard, level
surface is needed. For a budget
surface that is suitable for both
dining and dancing, wood is a
popular choice and there are a
number of options as to how it is
laid.
The most basic wooden flooring
uses interlocking panels that are
laid upon a membrane. Janet
Fletcher of Tents and Events
(Scotland) recommends direct lay
wooden flooring as a simple and
efficient floor for flat sites. “It is the
most cost effective and affordable
flooring for level ground, which
means direct lay flooring is a
popular choice for marquees on
flat, level sites with easy access,”
she says. Tents and Events
manufactures its own direct lay
flooring using pine, which is given a
coating of light oak stain varnish.
Alternatively, Weblok from
Portable Floormaker can be laid
directly on the ground. Weblok
Dance Floor is a boarded, portable
floor system made from 18mm
exterior plywood, which has unique
interlocking lugs that enable
installation and removal times to
be reduced, saving on labour costs.
Interlocking connections prevent
the boards from separating and are
self-levelling, allowing for minor
irregularities in the ground.
If the floor is expected to be
in place for a long time, Ikadan,
which is distributed by Portable
Floormaker in the UK, may be a
better option. Ikadan comprises
50cm 2 injection moulded panels
that can be supplied in almost
any colour. It is described by the
manufacturer as much more
durable than wood and very hard
wearing.
ABOVE LEFT Gala Tex
from Gala Tent, is a roll
out floor surface that
allows grass to breath
beneath it
ABOVE RIGHT Direct lay
pine floor from Tents
and Events
LEFT Portable dance
floors from Gala
Tent comprise blow
moulded ABS resin in
a wood look or black
and white tile with
aluminium edging for
durability
BELOW RIGHT
ECO-Terra-Tech
from Eco Track &
Access is a nonmetal,
interlocking
system suitable for
protecting all types of
terrain from cars and
machinery
A new direct lay solid flooring,
which has recently been
introduced by Gala Tent, is Roller
Track. It was originally developed
for use in the motorsports industry
and is anti-static, non-slip, oil and
UV resistant. It is also described
as easy to install and works well
in walkways. However, if a client
wants a hard surface to use as a
dance floor, then the company
suggests a wooden look or black
and white portable dance floor.
The tiles it uses are made from low
maintenance, blow moulded ABS
resin, which means the flooring will
not be damaged by spilt drinks.
Aluminium edging adds durability
and protects the edge of each floor
panel, while the non-slip base
protects and secures them.
Uneven ground
The flooring types discussed so
far are laid directly on the ground
and therefore rely on it being
a relatively level surface. If the
ground is very uneven or slopes
dramatically, a suspended floor
is required and this is an area in
which Tents and Events specialises.
Its first suspended floor option,
for use on uneven ground, is a
steel sub-base floor. This consists
of a steel frame that is levelled at
strategic points and forms a rigid
WWW.OPENAIRBUSINESS.COM 23

FUNCTION VENUES
and secure base for the marquee,
which is erected onto brackets
that are part of the floor system.
The floor itself is varnished pine
and needs no other covering, but
carpets can be used in addition if
required. Steps and ramps can be
added to provide easy access.
For steep slopes or where
the ground is extremely uneven
Tents and Events can supply the
Floorstak cassette flooring system,
which consists of modules with
cassettes laid on aluminium
beams. According to the
manufacturer, the high standard
of engineering used in the design
means that it can offer a solution
for the most challenging of sites,
allowing builds of up to two metres
above ground, so it can be used to
span obstacles such as flower beds
and small fountains. No further
covering is needed here either but
it is also suitable for carpeting.
Walkways and car parks
With the interior flooring of the
marquee taken care of, there are
still the outside areas to consider.
Walkways to the marquee, car
parking and driveways to the car
parks are all potential high wear
areas that, if they are on soft
ground, will need to be protected.
Eco Track & Access not only
offers an extensive range of
flooring options but specialises
in outdoor ground coverings
including a selection of trackway
(temporary roadways), pedestrian
walkways / hardstanding and
emergency access solutions.
ECO Terra-Tech and Eco
Gridmat are versatile, non-metal,
interlocking systems that are
suitable for all types of terrain and
will protect the ground from any
“BY UTILISING
SYSTEMS
SUCH AS
THESE,
EVENT
ORGANISERS
CAN
AVOID THE
PROBLEM
OF VEHICLES
BECOMING
STUCK
ON WET
GROUND”
ABOVE The Floorstack
system from Tents and
Events allows builds of
up to two metres above
ground, so it can be
used to span obstacles
such as flower beds
BELOW Create a
temporary helipad
complete with landing
lights using ECO Terra-
Tech Heli-tiles from Eco
Track & Access
long-term damage. ECO Terra-Tech
instant roadways have a static
loading of up to 100 tonnes and a
mobile loading of 44 tonnes (the
legal European limit). They can
be used to go around bends and
obstacles and can be installed to
most requirements.
By utilising systems such as
these, event organisers can
avoid the problem of vehicles
becoming stuck on wet ground
when constant traffic movement
creates heavy and deep mud. The
same situation can happen with
pedestrian walkways, especially
where there is heavy footfall. The
use of such walkway systems also
helps to keep people’s footwear
clean, which in turn helps to keep
any temporary flooring used inside
the marquee free of mud.
If the event is high profile with
guests making use of helicopters,
ECO Terra-Tech Heli-tiles can be
used to create instant helipads.
When laid, the pad is bedded
into the ground surface and can
support the heavy downward
loading of helicopters landing
or manoeuvring, or vehicles and
personnel transiting to and from
the helicopter.
The ‘over and under’ edge profile
on each panel secures the tiles
to each other on all six sides, and
the design allows the downwash
from the helicopter blades to
escape, says the manufacturer. If
the helipad is to be operational
at night, fully integrated, wireless
remote control LED lighting
beacons are available for take-off
and landing.
USEFUL CONTACTS
ARCHERS MARQUEES
01761 433 337
www.archersmarquees.co.uk
ECO TRACK & ACCESS
01455 553 700
www.ecotrackway.co.uk
GALA TENT
0800 988 4252
www.galatent.co.uk
PORTABLE FLOOR MAKER
01332 814080
www.portablefloormaker.co.uk
TENTS AND EVENTS
0800 915 8356
www.tentsandevents.co.uk
24 WWW.OPENAIRBUSINESS.COM

NEW!
from Capital Allowances?
Over 95% of businesses do not claim their
full entitlement, equating to billions of
pounds of unused tax relief.
‘The world’s most effective ground protection system
and environmental alternative to metal trackway.’
Eco Traction - extra heavy duty trackway
Eco Terra/Tech - heavy duty trackway/funky
flooring/hardstanding
Eco Gridmat - anti-slip safety walkways
and pedestrian flooring
01455 553700
sales@ecotrackway.co.uk
Scheme Scope
• Commercial Properties
undergone renovation, fit out,
extension or conversion.
• Fixtures and integral features
applied to a new build or
property acquisition.
• Items integral to running the
business such as; power, lighting
& heating installations, fire &
security alarm systems, sanitary &
kitchen fittings, phone & data
installations, specialist
equipment, flooring, windows,
ceilings, signage & even artworks.
Scheme Benefit
Typically 20% - 40% of the qualifying
base cost.
Scheme Eligibility
Owners of a commercial property,
subject to UK Corporation or income tax.
A Capital Allowance specialist often
identifies additional allowances vs.
the standard accountancy approach.
Don’t miss out on unclaimed
Capital Allowances
For a complimentary,
no obligation assessment
Call: 01992 505 011 Email: rajesh.parmar@casluk.com
Visit: www.casluk.com
Capital Allowance Specialists Ltd,
Experience House, 5 Port Hill, Hertford, Herts SG14 1PJ
This document and its content is copyright © of Capital Allowance Specialists ltd 2016. All rights reserved.
Covering Every Flooring Option for Your Event
Roadways, Walkways & Carpets
PORTABLE FLOORING SPECIALISTS
t: 01509 768 252 / e: sales@epseurope.co.uk / w: epseurope.co.uk
WWW.OPENAIRBUSINESS.COM 25

ADVERTISING FEATURE | PRODUCT FOCUS
Flooring & Ground Protection
Keeping your guests and your land protected and looking fab
INNOVATIVE GROUND
PROTECTION
EPS Europe
01509 768252
www.epseurope.co.uk
EPS Europe is a UK founded
operation that specialises in
the supply and installation of
portable flooring solutions for
the indoor and outdoor events
industry.
The company is best known for
its innovative lightweight plastic
flooring solutions that are used
to create both pedestrian and
vehicular access. The systems
– branded as EPS Temp-A-Path
and EPS Hex-Road respectively
– are used to protect the
ground on which the systems
are installed, whether that be
natural or man made, indoors
or outdoors. By utilising a
lightweight plastic system, the
use of costly plant machinery
is avoided, with both systems
being installed by hand.
PARQUET DANCE FLOORS
LPM Bohemia
01892 725489
www.lpmbohemia.com
Inspired by architectural
influences from across the globe,
LPM Bohemia’s passion is for the
creation of beautiful and large
scale tented venues, pioneered
by the unique and stunning
Pavilion range of wooden framed
canvas structures. We have the
most comprehensive range
of beautiful marquees and
interesting tents.
To complement our structures
we stock a range of ancillary
equipment and furnishings to
complete your event, such as a
unique black and white circular
dance floor of a nautical
compass design. This works
wonderfully in our Pavilion
range as a central focal point,
around which guests can dine,
creating a simply stunning
effect.
SUSPENDED FLOORS FOR
UNDULATING GROUND
Attwooll Marquees
01452 742 222
www.attwoollsmarquees.co.uk
Our suspended floor system
provides a perfectly level and
immensely strong marquee floor
eliminating any undulations
in the ground. It can be laid on
grass, concrete or tarmac, up to
1m off the ground. Aluminium
supported birch plywood boards
interlock with a framework
constructed of galvanised steel
bracketry and aluminium beams
creating an extremely strong
marquee flooring system. It is
manufactured in house to our
own unique design and has
been structurally engineered
to support a maximum load of
5kn/m2.
Suspended flooring is designed
to be used with our clear span
range of tents and can cover
widths of up to 30m.
ECO TRACTION MATS
Eco Track & Access
01455 553 700
www.ecotrackway.co.uk
Eco Track & Access is a multi
award winning manufacturer
and supplier of temporary
trackway, access and ground
protection systems. Its latest
system, Eco Traction, is the
environmental alternative
to metal products, ensuring
minimal ground damage and
rapid recovery. Available in two
sizes, Eco Traction mats are
easy to handle and feature a
simple joining system to create
unbroken trackway to cover
festival, heritage or event sites.
Supply or hire all types of
carpet or flooring for inside
marquees and temporary
structures or for temporary
roadways, walkways and
hardstanding, offering instant
ground protection during your
outdoor event.
26 WWW.OPENAIRBUSINESS.COM

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The
Explorer´s
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Add to your guest’s luxury with an all exclusive luxury kitchen.
Or put it in the back a car and give them freedom to tour the
area, finding the best vistas in which to dine. Camp Champ
offers a complete kitchen for six people. The high spec equipment
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• Options include
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• Can be made to any
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• Easily transported
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28 WWW.OPENAIRBUSINESS.COM

ACCOMMODATION
CASE STUDY
Dome Garden
A magical world of ‘philosophical’ structures
in the midst of the Forest of Dean
Dome Garden, set in the Royal Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire, is a
purpose-built glamping site comprising a collection of 11 geodesic domes.
These space age, eco-lodges are formed into a camping village,
offering a blend of environmental principles with real luxury facilities
for a unique outdoor holiday. Inspirator Jonny Clothier tells us more.
Why glamping?
As a TV producer, I witnessed
the start of an implosion in the
television industry and knew I
needed another string to my bow.
The Dome Garden started as a
little side venture, but has now
grown into a site that is regularly
selected as one of the five best in
the country and occupies all my
family’s time.
What research did you do?
Six years ago the phrase glamping,
had only just been coined so
there was next to no-one to offer
advice. Everything had to be done
following gut instinct and with
blind faith. The Dome Garden
is a huge project in terms of
“AS A LIFE-
LONG
VISITOR, I’VE
PROBABLY
PICKED
UP A FEW
INFLUENCES
FROM CLUB
MED”
construction and investment; it
was a bit of a punt! The strongest
influence probably came from
my background in TV - creating
something from the imagination
and giving it physical form. The
Dome Garden is very much like
a TV show in that it has been
constructed to do a certain thing
and as it is added to, the magic
is reinforced. Other than that, as
a life-long visitor, I’ve probably
picked up a few influences from
Club Med.
What accommodation do
you offer?
There are a mixture of geodesic
domes and solid-built concrete
shell domes at the Dome Garden
as well as two stylish B&B rooms
based on the theme of recycling.
Unlike yurts and tipis, geodesic
domes have a philosophical and
historical base in Europe having
come from a series of theoretical
investigations by a long sequence
of European philosophers. They are
made of engineered materials that
are far better suited to keeping out
the elements all year round.
Tell us about your location
and site
Nowhere on the planet is there
anything like the Dome Garden.
Each of the 11 domes is unique
with individual features – like
the new green dome completely
covered in non-living walls - or
WWW.OPENAIRBUSINESS.COM 29

ACCOMMODATION
the Tolkienesque domes – semisubterranean
units with coloured
clay walls that might have come
from ‘Middle-earth’. Many believe
the author Tolkien was inspired by
the Forest of Dean, where he spent
much of his time while writing The
Lord of the Rings.
Each of the domes has an
en-suite, with water heaters on
one side and a fully equipped
kitchen shelter on the other. Much
of what we do is inspired by the
forest, while a unique connection
is formed between guests and
the location. At the heart of the
site is the Forest Lodge, which
houses a small restaurant and the
B&B rooms. Food has become an
increasingly big deal; we provide
an imaginative array of meals, all
loosely based around a ‘wood-fired
food’ theme.
Dome Garden is set in the midst
of the Forest of Dean where a
multitude of outdoor activities are
offered. So, no matter what the
weather, there is always something
to do. Of particular note is the
layout of the site itself, sufficiently
spread out to be private, with
individual, enclosed gardens with
their own decks, but close enough
to form a village atmosphere
where, over the course of a stay,
children and adults may enjoy the
company of others.
Where did you source your
glamping units?
Originally we tried to buy the units
from American suppliers, but they
were so slow, so inflexible and so
difficult to deal with that we looked
to Europe instead. However, that
alternative was way too expensive.
So we started to build the domes.
How difficult could it be? It turned
out the answer was very! Four
versions down the line we now
make the most comprehensively
redesigned geodesic domes in the
world. They are built specifically
with the glamping market in
mind and have 52 features that
distinguish them from other
manufacturers’ products.
How do you get the word out?
Mostly via the internet and
“A UNIQUE
CONNECTION
IS FORMED
BETWEEN
GUESTS
AND THE
LOCATION”
various aggregate sites, but also
through our own website. We’ve
been featured in many national
newspapers, which have regularly
placed the Dome Garden at the top
of their picks for glamping in the
country. I’m also about to become
a ‘glamping guru’ on a new Channel
5 show hosted by Lisa Holloway,
the country’s friendliest B&B
landlady.

ACCOMMODATION
How did you choose your
interiors?
A previous career was as an
architect - working on Terminal 4
at Heathrow - so my background in
design is very strong. Rather than
going for the ‘cosy chic of postmillennial
schlock’ we have chosen
a more idiosyncratic route. Our
latest, non-living wall in the Green
Dome is a good example. Covered
in artificial plants, the dome has
become an inside-out experience
that is refreshing and bold at the
same time. We have a motto - ‘not
like it is at home’ - which guides
much of what we do.
What challenges have you faced?
Organisational, practical, financial,
emotional, spiritual, philosophical
- you name it. Life is exhausting
and frustrating and very difficult,
but also hugely rewarding and
satisfying.
What are your future plans?
The Dome Garden project will
always be a work in progress. At
the end of every season we come
up with a list of improvements
and developments for the winter
period. There is no shortage! In the
long run, a new style dome that
we are working on, domes on the
roof of the main lodge and a small
underground spa. Everything else
is secret!
Describe your average day midseason
Mid-season the Dome Garden
is calm and beautiful. We make
amazing food in a relaxed
atmosphere for discerning
customers. It’s a great time to visit
because the principle focus, other
than the site itself, is the birds and
the wildlife in the surrounding
forest. When really busy the focus
shifts slightly inward to the throng
of life that the Dome Garden itself
generates.
Do you enjoy the business and
why?
Gosh, yes. The constant
challenges, the chance to express
ideas in physical form and the
amazing clients - especially the
ones who return every year. Sad
but true, the best bit is seeing the
kids cry on the way out because
they can’t bear to leave.
Have you any other outdoor
hospitality offerings?
The whole site can be available
for weddings or corporate events.
The magic of the location and
the iconic structures make for a
“SAD BUT
TRUE, THE
BEST BIT IS
SEEING THE
KIDS CRY ON
THE WAY OUT
BECAUSE THEY
CAN’T BEAR TO
LEAVE”
spectacular wedding back drop,
and there is the added benefit
of onsite accommodation for 50
guests. Our covered terrace can
also seat 90 diners and we offer
silent discos in the lodge – it keeps
things peaceful and they are more
fun!
We also have a yurt hire business
called Simply Yurts, which provides
genuine Mongolian yurts for events.
It’s a fantastic business that takes
the Dome Garden ethos and plonks
it down in people’s gardens for
them to enjoy.
Any advice for others?
Do not underestimate how much
such a business will take over your
life. To be good at this you have
to commit both your finances and
your resources - practical and
personal. It will also cost way more
than you think!
ADDRESS BOOK
ACCOMMODATION
In-house through sister company Dome
Works – 07974 685818 /
www.domeworks.co.uk
WASHROOM & WC FACILITIES
In-house
BBQ / PIZZA OVEN
In-house
INTERIORS
In-house
PROMOTION
Away with the Kids -
www.awaywiththekids.co.uk
Cool Camping -
www.coolcamping.co.uk
Go Glamping - www.goglamping.net
One Off Places -
www.oneoffplaces.co.uk
DETAILS
A: Dome Garden, Edge End Road,
Mile End, Gloucestershire
T: 07974 685818
W: www.domegarden.co.uk
E: info@domegarden.co.uk
WWW.OPENAIRBUSINESS.COM 31

ACCOMMODATION
While fantasy-style accommodation may be increasingly
popular with guests, owners need to be cautious when
marketing their offerings, writes Tally Wade
FANTASY-STYLE LIVING has undergone
a surge in popularity since Hollywood
recreated JRR Tolkien’s novels The Hobbit
and The Lord of the Rings. Staying true
to Tolkien’s original 1930s illustrations,
director Peter Jackson recreated the idyllic
surroundings of The Shire, home to the
Hobbits, in Matamata, New Zealand. The
set was built using permanent materials
and is now a popular tourist spot.
The fantasy dwellings on offer to
glampers go by many names (houses,
burrows, pods, lodges, etc), but most hark
back to Tolkien’s original concept - a single
storey dwelling with an arched roof and
circular doors and windows, created using
plenty of timber to give a naturalistic feel
and helping them to blend in with the
landscape. The most true to the original
concept will be earth covered and set into
the side of a bank or hill.
The type of accommodation on offer
has become a major factor in a glamper’s
choice of destination for a short break.
More and more diverse structures are
appearing to cater for this trend and
many of the most successful glampsites
offer a range of accommodation options.
Fantasy-style structures are increasingly
being added into the mix and there are now
more than a handful of hut, lodge and pod
manufacturers offering products for this
market, many insulated and suitable for
year round occupancy.
A word of warning
Although it may be tempting to make the
most of the fun and the financial reward
of offering fantasy dwellings, glampsite
operators need to be aware of certain terms
when marketing their accommodation. The
term ‘Hobbit’ is trademarked by Middleearth
Enterprises (a trading name for a
division of The Saul Zaentz Company),
formerly known as Tolkien Enterprises. The
Tolkien Estate (comprising the family of
JRR Tolkien) sold the exclusive, worldwide
rights to certain elements of the author’s
two most famous literary works, The Lord
of the Rings and The Hobbit, in the 1960s.
“THE TYPE OF
ACCOMMODATION ON OFFER
HAS BECOME A MAJOR
FACTOR IN A GLAMPER’S
CHOICE OF DESTINATION
FOR AN OVERNIGHT STAY”
These rights include the names of places,
objects and events within the books.
Unfortunately the word ‘Hobbit’ is among
those protected, along with ‘Middle-earth’
and ‘Shire’. The Tolkien family is believed to
have retained a small percentage interest
and are active in protecting the terms JRR
Tolkien created within his stories. Since
the making of Peter Jackson’s films of the
same names, Warner Bros also now have an
interest.
In the last year, two companies in the
UK have been threatened with legal action
for using the name Hobbit, including one
glamping provider, West Stowe Pods in
Suffolk.
“We wanted to add to our glamping
accommodation by creating a true to the
book ‘Hobbit House’ and went to Middleearth
Enterprises with our plans wanting to
purchase a license,” says Jan Lengyel. “We
were actually five days into a Kickstarter
campaign and had raised £24,000 of our
£65,000 budget through crowdfunding, but
Warner Bros Studios got involved and our
campaign was pulled.
“We also received a 12 page document
from the Tolkien Estate telling us to cease
and desist. We tried tweaking the name
of the accommodation to a ‘Poddit Hole’
The set of The Hobbit: An
Unexpected Journey, now a
permanent tourist attraction in
New Zealand

ACCOMMODATION
located in ‘Centre-earth’ (not Middle-earth),
but received communication from the
Tolkien Estate to say that these terms were
still too close to those used in JRR Tolkien’s
works and to find a title that didn’t rhyme
with the word Hobbit. Needless to say we
have had to abandon the project.”
Manufacturers of accommodation
units should also be cautious about
the use of the terms ‘Hobbit’, ‘Hobbit
Hole’, ‘Middle-earth’ and ‘Shire’. The only
provider currently licensed to produce
CASE STUDY
LEFT Foam and
fibreglass pod being
developed by Pennine
Pods ABOVE & RIGHT
The pod offered by The
Little Hut Company
CAROL HOPKINSON TALKS
ABOUT HER FANTASY
ACCOMMODATION
What made you decide to offer
accommodation inspired by The Lord of
the Rings?
We are huge fantasy fans and love The
Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter. We
bought a farm that needed lots of TLC and
thought, what better place to bring up
our five children than a shire? We live by
the rule ‘do what you love and love what
you do,’ so slowly started converting the
property so we could offer
fantastical accommodation. It
has taken a lot of time, money
and perseverance, but we
now have a beautiful fantasy
house as well as ‘Storybook
Cottage,’ shepherd huts and
gypsy bow top caravans that
we also hire out to festivals
and events.
We opened just over a year
ago and by February we were
already at full occupancy. The
house is a year round rental. It is basically
a proper house with a luxury bathroom
with roll top bath, Harrison Spinks organic
cotton, hand stitched mattresses and a full
selection of The Hobbit and The Lord of
accommodation using the term Hobbit is
Wooden Wonders in Maine in the US.
Open Air Business contacted Middleearth
Enterprises for clarification on
the issue. The response was as follows:
“Hobbit and Shire are trademarks owned
by our parent company and are therefore
reserved by law for our legitimate licensees.
Unless projects are made or operated by
our authorized licensees they should not
be marketed as Hobbit-style or Shire-style
accommodations.
the Rings
films.
We have
had to be
careful
what we call our accommodation so not
to be in breach of copyright by using terms
such as Hobbit, but so far we have had no
problems. We have just had to come up
with other ways of describing our offering
in our marketing materials.
“At this time our sole licensee for wooden
Hobbit-style structures is Wooden Wonders
in Maine. We do not have any glamping
licensees. Trademark law is very specific
and we as trademark owners do our
best to comply in order to protect those
marks associated with the Tolkien lore.
We understand that most illegal uses of
our marks are made by individuals who,
like us, love the property. Nevertheless, the
unauthorized use of our marks can cause
harm.”
USEFUL LINKS
Middle-earth Enterprises
www.middleearth.com
me@middleearth.com
Tolkien Estate
www.tolkienestate.com
Warner Bros
legal.uk@warnerbros.com
----------------------------------------------------
Pennine Pods 0333 0147778
www.penninepods.co.uk
The Little Hut Company 07763 055151
www.thelittlehutcompany.co.uk
How did you create it?
We designed the house ourselves and
believe it is as close as you can get in the
world to those featured in the film The
Hobbit. It was built by James Potts, a guest
we got to know while he was staying on
site for another building job nearby. He did
such a good job that we named it after him
– Potts Corner.
We have just got the go ahead to build
Hagrid’s hut from the Harry Potter films
WWW.OPENAIRBUSINESS.COM 33

ACCOMMODATION
next. It will be the only one made from
stone. JK Rowling has one but hers is made
from timber.
What do your guests love about the
house, and what do they say?
I think the appeal is the same appeal that
draws people to the films. It is true fantasy,
escapism and magic. We obviously got
something right as within six months we
had made it into The Times top 50 places
to stay in the UK.
We have exceptionally high scores on
TripAdvisor and our Facebook page too.
Guests report that they have never slept so
well and that they love the relaxed feel we
have created.
What are your plans for the future?
We have a holiday let we are converting
into the Weasley’s kitchen, and we are
opening our Green Dragon kitchen next
year too. We are also adding a magical
wedding venue and are holding a Fairy
Festival in August.
One of the most exciting developments
is our fantasy pod. We will be installing
five here next year, but have a worldwide
copyright and will start to market them.
They are a true plug and play dwelling that
can be covered in earth. Made in the UK,
they are strong enough to drive a car over
and feature two bedrooms or a bedroom
and a bathroom. They will be on sale soon!
DETAILS
A: North Shire,
Saltburn-by-the-Sea, Cleveland
T: 01287 642228
W: www.northshire.co.uk
ADVERTISING FEATURE | PRODUCT FOCUS
Magical Pods
Two magical offerings from UK pod manufacturers
NEST POD
The Little Hut Company
07763 055151
www.thelittlehutcompany.co.uk
Featuring round windows
and doors, these handcrafted
pods provide an exciting,
magical experience for
guests. Semicircle in shape,
they are built with high
quality, locally sourced
materials. Constructed with a
timber frame and long-lasting
wood cladding (in oak, larch
or western red cedar) front
and rear, the pods can be
fully insulated and roofed in a
choice of either steel, timber
or eco-friendly, living Sedum.
The pods are boarded with
oak flooring, can be fitted
with full electrics and lighting
and also equipped with
beds, kitchen, bathroom and
shower. Each pod can also
be customised with carved
designs.
NEW GLAMPING PODS
Pennine Pods
0333 0147778
www.penninepods.co.uk
Pennine Pods now
manufacturers Hobbit House
glamping pods. Sleeping
up to five, the pods feature
50mm of dense foam board
insulation laminated both
sides with a strong, durable
skin of high grade fibreglass
and resins, keeping
customers warm and cosy
all year round. With LED
lighting throughout, these
pods are low maintenance
with low running costs and
a lifespan of 50-60 years.
Impervious to rot, mould
and infestation, all joints are
bonded throughout. Dig into
a bank and cover with turf
or place above ground with
Astro turf. The owner of the
pod pictured already had
bookings before its delivery!
34 WWW.OPENAIRBUSINESS.COM

LIVE 2016
COUNTRY HOUSE
BUSINESS INNOVATION 2016
INNOVATION 2016
The event for farmers, land owners and rural business
entrepreneurs to gain inspiration, resources and advice
INSPIRING RURAL ENTREPRENEURS
6
A WORLD OF IDEAS
TO MAKE YOUR LAND
MORE PROFITABLE
9 & 10 NOVEMBER 2016, NEC BIRMINGHAM
7,500 VISITORS
200 SEMINARS
400 EXHIBITORS
Register for FREE tickets at www.farmbusinessshow.co.uk
@Farm_Innovation
#FarmBiz
IN
PARTNERSHIP
WITH:
LINKING ENVIRONMENT AND FARMING

ACCOMMODATION
&
Look
Feel
Graphic designer and entrepreneur Helen Holmes discusses how look and
feel can put your business ahead of its competitors and ensure success
WHEN YOU’RE SETTING up a
new business, whether it’s a small
investment as a sideline to your job
or a large investment and a new
start, there are numerous elements
to consider. With information and
advice available in abundance
online, it’s easy to find yourself
bombarded. Each business is
individual and unique, and has
its own values and aims; often
businesses are defined by their
creator. Any professional that you
work with in the development of
your business should take time to
understand your dream. I believe
the single most important element
of my job as a designer, and indeed
my favourite part, is to make that
dream a reality through taking
the time to fully understand the
individual business and, most
importantly, its customer base.
The look and feel, and the wider
branding of your business, is
absolutely key to its success. In the
world of marketing we talk about
the three second rule, which is
the time you have to capture your
customer’s attention. If the look
and feel don’t immediately seem
right to your client, you have lost
them. You will know this from your
own experience - when you spot an
internet banner that reminds you
“ANY
PROFESSIO-
NAL THAT
YOU WORK
WITH IN THE
DEVELOPM-
ENT OF YOUR
BUSINESS
SHOULD
TAKE TIME TO
UNDERSTAND
YOUR
DREAM”
that you really do need that bo-hostyle
floaty dress and before you
know it, you’ve clicked through; or
when you’re scanning the shelves
of your local supermarket and that
organic French strawberry jam
finds itself in your basket (after
all it’s only double the price of
the standard brand, but it looks
amazing); or perhaps your eyes are
drawn to one particular book out
of the hundreds on the shelves in
Waterstones, because it just looks
like your kind of novel.
So imagine, in our case, your
customer is searching online for a
perfect short break, or an amazing
venue for their wedding. They
probably have a glass of wine in
hand after a busy day at work,
the TV on in the background, and
they have grabbed half an hour
to dedicate to their search. They
are scanning through their Google
search, skimming over the majority
of sites, and occasionally stop and
say to their partner, “This looks OK.
What do you think?”, to which their
partner responds, “Yeah it’s OK.”
More scanning, more skimming,
then suddenly, “Oh this looks
fantastic – this is perfect!” My aim
is for that to be your business. Your
look and feel has to hit them within
the count of three, and fulfill just
what they are looking for.
So, how do we achieve this? Well
in my opinion, based on 26 years
in the industry, getting the initial
look and feel bang on is key, and
to achieve this you need to invest
in some professional support. The
amount of consultation services
you budget for will depend on how
much you want to learn yourself,
how much time you have, and
your initial set up budget, together
with your longer term marketing
plan. If I had a pound for every
time I’ve been employed to revive
a failing business and found that
the owner’s sister-in-law’s aunty’s
grand-daughter who was quite
good at art created the logo using
Publisher, and they made their
website using a free template that
came with hosting for £3.99, but
somehow they didn’t appear in the
Google searches. I don’t mean that
to sound condescending, but this
has happened so many times! To
follow is a case study that may help
to take you though the process.
36 WWW.OPENAIRBUSINESS.COM

ACCOMMODATION
CASE STUDY
› Canvas and Clover
Canvas and Clover is a luxury
campsite comprising 10 bell tents,
situated on a working farm in the
beautiful county of Worcestershire.
It opened in May 2016 and was
fully booked for its first weekend
of business. It has achieved a
consistent five out of five for every
TripAdvisor review so far. It has
won an award from Cool Camping
for the best new camping and
glamping site opening in 2016, and
was one of Glamping Magazine’s
50 Sensational Sites. According to
Camping with Style, Canvas and
Clover is ‘Perfect!’ So, how did we
achieve this?
› The Briefing
I met with the business owners in
the kitchen of their working dairy
farm on a rainy day and enjoyed a
cup of tea with Poppy the dog by
my feet while we talked through
the ‘vision’ for Canvas and Clover. It
was clear that this was going to be
a family business, underpinned by
eco / green values, with a friendly,
“ONE OF
THE MOST
IMPORTANT
ELEMENTS
FOR A
GRAPHIC
DESIGNER TO
EXPLORE AND
UNDERSTAND
IS THE
TARGET
AUDIENCE”
personal feel. We discussed and
chuckled about how stressful it can
be to arrive at a campsite and have
to put up the dreaded tent (or in my
case, the awning on the side of our
1972 VW camper van) and then find
that the showers aren’t as clean as
you would like, by which time the
children are bored, it’s raining and
it’s tea time. Canvas and Clover
were aiming to eliminate all of this
(apart from the rain of course) so
that a family arrives to find their
bell tent fully fitted with luxurious
bedding, all made up and ready,
with its own shed for cooking and
storing muddy wellies and soggy
umbrellas. They can rest assured
that there is a large, clean, shower
block with six rooms, each with its
own shower, toilet and sink, with
a hairdryer and a plug for the all
important straighteners.
We discussed the cost of staying
with Canvas and Clover and the
type of customer that it may
attract. One of the most important
elements for a graphic designer
to explore and understand is the
target audience - this defines
and shapes the branding of any
business. The family had been
talking about a potential logo and
were quite keen to involve a cow
(to show Canvas and Clover is on a
dairy farm), perhaps with a clover
leaf in her mouth, a tent and some
countryside.
› Initial Design Work
So, back at the studio, the
team were armed with all the
information necessary and after
a brain-storming session the
ideas started to flow. Pencils were
working hard and the keyboards
started to tap. The big question
going back and forth was, ‘Cow or
no cow?’
Often clients believe that a
brand is just a logo, but in reality
it is so much more. A logo is fixed
and people can see it, but it is
rarely, if ever, seen in isolation. It
will be seen within a website, on
a leaflet, an advert, a Facebook
page, surrounded by images,
background colours and type. Your
brand builds in the client’s mind - it
is the customer’s perception of
your business, from the physical
and factual (bell tents on a working
farm) to the emotional (friendly,
personal) and perceived (safe,
romantic). In our studio we never
design a logo in isolation, but
consider it with images, colours
and typography, and try ideas
within a range of media.
At the next meeting with the
client, I presented the proposed
designs. Seeing the logo on a tinted
background with a colour scheme
and typographic style is much more
realistic than just a logo on its own.
The main feature of the logo
is the bell tent, but dressed with
bunting to give a vintage feel
and evoke thoughts of fun and
childhood, a sneak peek into the
tent to show a cozy, comfortable
bed, and lighting to instill the idea
of a safe environment. The butterfly
denotes countryside wildlife and
the clover is a subtle element of
the circle, as a sign off. There is no
cow! We felt this may put potential
customers off as they might be
frightened of cows, think they
would be too close, or might even
smell. The typeface for Canvas and
Clover has a vintage / modern feel
with a slight grunge to depict the
outdoors. The colour scheme is soft
pastel with a calming and relaxing
undertone, with some darks to be
used as highlights. The paragraph
typography is a modern sans serif
typeface, which feels open and
honest.
Of course, we don’t expect every
potential customer to pick out all of
these elements and consider them,
but the overall look and feel is what
is important here – the message is
subliminal. People buy brands they
know, like and trust, and a good
graphic designer should be able to
strategically use this information to
target your audience.
WWW.OPENAIRBUSINESS.COM 37

ACCOMMODATION
› Development of design work
So, we were now beginning to build the Canvas
and Clover brand. The next stage was to
enforce these emotional connections, through
photography, and then to effectively apply
the brand across all media – print, web and
promotional. I can’t stress enough the importance
of good photography. Again, I would highly
recommend bringing in a professional at this
stage, as the imagery is absolutely key to securing
your sale. We had three photographic sessions –
the first on a sunny day with a bell tent dressed
and ready; the second in the evening, just as it
was beginning to get dark to capture fire pits and
prettily lit tents; and finally an outside cooking
session with a number of ‘models’ to simulate a
large group, family friendly atmosphere. These
shots began to build the story of Canvas and
Clover, to prompt and enforce the connection with
potential customers.
Website design is an important enough topic for
an article of its own, but as we are talking about
look and feel here, the main point I have to make
is that it should succinctly, visually tell the story of
your brand. Make sure you give all the information
that a potential customer will need, but enforce
this with narrative imagery.
With Canvas and Clover, we designed a website
in a content management system so that we could
hand the ongoing management of the site back
to the business owners. Each page was designed
with a large photographic banner at the top, to
reinforce the brand. Although customers may
come to your website via Pitchup, Cool Camping
or TripAdvisor, for example, your website is your
chance to showcase your business and to capture
that important sale.
We also applied the branding to business cards,
leaflets, polo shirts, waterproof jackets and eco
friendly shopping bags. It was a lovely project to
work on and inspired me to take the leap into the
glamping business myself!
RETURN ON INVESTMENT
You may well be thinking that this all sounds fine, but it’s going to cost too much money, money that
you don’t have at this point in the business plan. Perhaps think about this as an investment that will
help you to see a much higher return.
For example, if you were developing a 10 tent glamping site, you would be charging around £95 per
tent per night at weekends and £75 per tent per
night on weekdays. At full capacity that would bring
in £5,850 each week; that’s £23,400 each month
and £70,200 for a three month trading season. Of
course you may run at 70-80% capacity, and as
there are ongoing costs this is not pure profit, but
a design and marketing budget of £5,000 (only
7% of your seasonal turnover) is a reasonable
investment to ensure your business takes off and
flies. The ongoing design and marketing budget for
the following years may be only about 2%; £1,500
to cover additional print and new initiatives to
promote return business with loyal customers, such
as promotional items and email campaigns.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Helen Holmes has been
working in the graphic
design industry for 26
years, since graduating
from De Montfort
University in 1990. Having
worked for a number of
big brands, she set up her
own design consultancy
in 2004. Maros Holmes
Creative is based in a
beautiful studio in the
village of Kempsey in
Worcestershire. Helen is
also a part-time senior
lecturer at the University
of Worcester, where she
teaches degree level
graphic design and
multimedia students the
intricacies of the industry,
with the aim of giving
them the best possible
start in the creative
world.
Helen’s passion for
the outdoor hospitality
businesses, particularly
glamping, has grown
over the past few years.
Having worked with a
number of clients in the
business she has taken
the jump herself and
invested in a beautiful
shepherd’s hut, called
Buttercup, which is sited
in the pretty riverside
meadow next to her
creative studio.
Maros Holmes Creative
offers design packages
especially for the outdoor
hospitality business,
with a basic start-up
including look and feel,
logo, website, leaflet /
advert from £1,500. Visit
www.marosholmes.
co.uk or email helen@
marosholmes.co.uk
38 WWW.OPENAIRBUSINESS.COM

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ACCOMMODATION
Green
Glamping
A green guide for glampsites from Green Tourism, the
world’s largest sustainable tourism certification programme
A GROWING NUMBER of UK holidaymakers consider
supporting sustainable tourism when choosing a holiday
destination. According to the latest report from World Travel
Market, almost 40% see it as an important factor when
choosing where to spend their hard earned cash, and glamping
can be a truly sustainable experience, with minimal carbon
footprint compared to traditional serviced accommodation.
Reduced energy costs, improved customer proposition and
playing a part in protecting the planet all create a compelling
case for an environmentally friendly approach for a glamping
business.
As the go-to standard in sustainability across the UK within
the hospitality and tourism industry, Green Tourism has vast
experience in supporting businesses on their sustainable
mission. With its help, a campsite or glamping destination can
become truly green. It provides a comprehensive framework for
managing green operations, based on a rating of bronze, silver
or gold, depending on how far a site is on its green journey.
Plus, it’s not just expertise in meeting sustainable standards
that Green Tourism brings; by becoming an accredited Green
Tourism business, the organisation will provide valuable
marketing support to connect consumers with accredited
businesses.
Sustainable tourism is about tourists visiting somewhere
and attempting to make only a positive impact on the
environment, society and economy. A Green Tourism award
allows the consumer to make a clear ethical and responsible
decision about where to holiday, stay or visit.
NATURALLY GREENER
Camping and glamping sites are naturally
more sustainable businesses than
traditionally serviced accommodation,
and therefore have some redeeming
green features, but being accredited by
Green Tourism means thinking about
sustainability throughout the entire
business – from investing in renewables
to reusing materials, focussing on nature,
reducing costs and minimising fossil
fuels. Consider how you can ensure you
are ‘future proofed’ too, from good site
planning (to avoid floods etc) to lowering
energy bills and building good community
relations.
This Green Tourism guide to glamping
will focus on what makes a great ‘green’
site and offer suggestions on how you can
develop your glamping site to meet the
required green credentials, with examples
from top sites around the UK that have
achieved a silver or gold accreditation
with Green Tourism.
40 WWW.OPENAIRBUSINESS.COM

ACCOMMODATION
FAR LEFT Forest
Holidays monitors a
wide range of elements
from the fuel used in
vehicles to the species
seen on site. A nature
register allows it to
highlight the richness of
the natural surrounding
area and has helped
develop its nature
activities for families
LEFT Bloomfield
Camping installed 12
solar PV panels on site
to minimise its carbon
footprint
Be a real green leader
1 Go the extra mile when it comes to
being green; it’s not just about water
use and carbon emissions, it’s about
appealing to new consumers and making
their experience the best it can be. Forest
Holidays - with five gold and five silver
rated destinations across the UK - has an
excellent green ethos in place. It monitors a
wide range of elements, from the fuel used
in vehicles, allowing them to keep costs and
fuel emissions to a minimum, to the species
seen on site including insects and birds.
This nature register allows it to highlight the
richness of the natural surrounding area and
has helped develop its nature activities for
families.
Be water wise
2 It’s easy to reduce your water usage and
it not only helps the planet, it also reduces
the bills! Embers Camping, a gold accredited
site in Hampshire, is an excellent example
for businesses to follow. It has invested in
low flow taps and showers, urinals with an
eco-filter and toilets that have an eco-flush
fitting. This saves on water use and helps to
reduce bills. If you want to take it to the next
level, consider compost toilets; Cosy Under
COLOUR LINE
ABOVE Jollydays Camping offers a range of
activities from the Bush Babies forest school to
broomstick making and bat walks
LEFT Installing nesting boxes for birds and bats
gives back to nature and provides something
extra for guests to enjoy at your site
Canvas, a gold accredited site in Kington in
Wales, now has tree bogs, a novel natural
compost loo using willows.
Be an energy saver
3 From solar panels to wood burning ovens
and LED lighting, there are many ways you
can save energy at your site. The Secret
Yurts, in Powys, Wales, is an excellent off
grid site that uses LED lighting throughout
to save on energy demands and lower its
carbon footprint. This silver accredited site
uses a 4.5kW PV array and ground source
heat pumps. Making a long-term investment
in renewable energy and capital gains, the
gold accredited site at Bloomfield Camping
installed 12 solar PV panels on site to
minimise its carbon footprint. Contributing
to its silver and gold ratings, Forest Holidays
invested in the latest A-rated appliances on
site, including boilers, fridges and washing
machines. If investing in new appliances,
it is worth knowing that A+ appliances are
now available and may save a further 20%
energy compared to A rated units.
Be a local hero
4 Source as much as you can for your
site from local suppliers – ideally within
a 50 mile radius – whether it’s food and
drink, wood or event craftsmen. You can
increase your green rating by supporting
local businesses. Bloomfield Camping, a
gold rated site in Dorset, provides each
pitch with a box of growing herbs to use for
cooking. It’s not just suppliers though; you
can also team up with local attractions and
develop reciprocal agreements to appeal
to campers. Working with local businesses,
such as restaurants and attractions, will
help to bring tourists into the area and
can provide significant local benefits to all
involved, including your site.
Make a home for nature
5 Look after the area surrounding your
glamping site - Cosy Under Canvas, another
gold accredited site, planted 100 trees in
the year it joined Green Tourism as well as
creating nesting boxes for kestrels, owls and
bats. This not only gives back to nature but
also provides an extra attraction for visitors
and guests to enjoy when staying at your
site.
Minimise your waste
6 As well as recycling waste, find innovative
ways to reuse materials. With a creative
mind this can set you apart and attract
future customers. Meadow Keepers and
Woodcutters Cottage, gold accredited
accommodation in Sussex, are examples of
creative recycling done well. The cottages
were built with wheels by local craftsmen
using local wood, and were featured on
Channel 4’s Amazing Spaces.
Live the green dream
7 Provide your customers with everything
they need to live a sustainable life during
their stay, including activities they can
enjoy in the surrounding area. Swallowtail
Hill, an off-grid gold accredited glamping
site in East Sussex with an incredibly small
carbon footprint, is a supporter of all things
sustainable, from organic cotton sheets
and furnishings to using local suppliers,
farmers and home grown produce. The
gold accredited Jollydays Camping offers
a range of activities, from the Bush Babies
forest school to broomstick making and bat
walks, while Cosy Under Canvas has wood
fired hot tubs together with a star chart and
telescope so customers can enjoy a night
under the stars.
Bank on sustainability
8 Invest in a positive future. Ensure your
money works to support sustainable
development not undermine it. This means
investing with like-minded banks that invest
in areas like renewables such as Triodos
Bank, as used by Bloomfield Camping.
› With nearly 20 years’ experience in
sustainability, Green Tourism has seen the
changing landscape of sustainability within
the hospitality industry, but one thing has
stayed the same – the overall effect it has
on the planet. The ambition for the future
of Green Tourism is to continue meeting
the demands of sustainability, helping
businesses save money and save the planet.
WWW.OPENAIRBUSINESS.COM 41

ACCOMMODATION
CASE STUDY
The Secret Yurts
Tracey Phillips explains how she and
her husband have made glamping at
The Secret Yurts a truly sustainable
experience
Living where we do, surrounded by rolling Welsh hills, we are
conscious that our luxury holiday yurts also have to strive
towards becoming an eco-masterpiece. To do this we decided to
pair innovation with good old fashioned nature.
No fossil fuels are burnt here, all heating and hot water is
provided through ground source heating and solar panels. We
have installed a rainwater harvesting system, which provides
water for the toilets, washing machine, outside plants and
cleaning wellies. All our firewood comes from sustainable
sources and is provided for during our guests’ stay at no extra
charge.
Our innovative eco-showerheads are designed to use a mix
of air and water from the mains water supply; a full rainwater
shower experience, while using only half the amount of the
water – that’s rain power!
The hot tub is environmentally friendly too. It uses an Energy
Smart system, which makes it highly efficient, and a water
care system, which decreases the need for chemicals, making
it friendlier to the environment. Each time the spa water is
changed, it can be reused for outdoor cleaning or irrigation (we
have an extensive area to water!). The spa water can also be
recycled into the rainwater-harvesting tank for
flushing toilets and the like.
Encouraging all guests to recycle, we have
provided some recycling bins housed in a very
smart, purpose-built unit located just outside
the kitchen for convenience.
We also offer a ‘car free’ option and can arrange
pick-ups and drop-offs to and from Welshpool train
station. Guests can then choose to explore the area
either on foot or by bike (bike hire available from
Brooks Cycle’s in Welshpool), cruise the Montgomery Canal or
ride Llanfair light railway.
Finally, bird and insect boxes have been placed all along our
woodland walk to attract and support the local wildlife, and
hundreds of bluebells have been planted along with other wild
flowers too.
The Secret Yurts
Welshpool, Powys
07733 282 639
www.thesecretyurts.co.uk
GREEN TOURISM
Green Tourism is a not-for-profit organisation, established in 1997. With more than 2,000 members across the UK, Ireland, Italy, Canada and Zimbabwe, it is
the largest and most established sustainable tourism certification programme in the world.
To find out more about Green Tourism and Green Tourism accredited businesses visit www.green-tourism.com. All the businesses featured in this article are
Green Tourism members within the UK. They all welcome visitors and would be happy to share their experiences.
42 WWW.OPENAIRBUSINESS.COM

Private bathrooms mean happier
guests and increased revenue
Studies show that campsite users wish to have
more privacy and luxury. En-suite facilities are
certain to appeal to the new breed of guest
looking for more luxury from their camping
experience. A great fit for glamping sites, as
well as more traditional campsites seeking to
improve their guests' comfort.
An investment in CampPlus private campsite
facilities has an attractive payback period because
of the increase in turnover and occupancy.
You will be creating an affordable luxury for your
guests and enhance the atmosphere of your
campsite.
THE ADVANTAGES:
❤ Higher turnover and occupancy
❤ Short payback period
❤ High quality – long lifespan
❤ Freestanding units = easy
to set up and move
❤ Very compact 5'3" x 6'5" =
33ft², yet very spacious inside
❤ Durable and low maintenance
❤ Easy to clean
❤ Lots of options and extensions
Tel. 0031 186 769 054 info@campplus.co.uk www.campplus.co.uk
Power for Off Grid
Accommodation & Outdoor Events
EasyGrid is an all-in-one Off Grid power system, utilising solar power
EasyGrid is an all-in-one Off Grid power affordable
system, utilising
and ready
solar
to
power
install
– affordable and ready to install
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Solar
Solar
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Introductory offer worth £660 with
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01634 290772
sales@energy-solutions.co.uk www.energy-solutions.co.uk
sales@energy-solutions.co.uk www.energy-solutions.co.uk

ADVERTISING FEATURE | PRODUCT FOCUS
Sustainability
Ideas for greening up your glampsite
WOOD-FIRED ECO-TUBS
Dalby Firewood
01653 507194
www.dalbyfirewood.com
Dalby Firewood is an
authorised dealer of Naked
Flame Eco-Tubs. Handcrafted
from premium wood with
stainless steel, these tubs are
available in spruce, larch or
Thermowood, in a number of
sizes to accommodate up to
seven adults. Thermowood
boasts prime insulating
qualities and will last for 20+
years without further wood
treatment.
Also available is the Luv-Tub
– perfect for two people and
smaller spaces. All our Eco-Tubs
are supplied with matching
steps, seats, lid, drinks holder,
paddle, internal stainless steel
heater, flue protector, heater
cover and heater cleaning tool
kit. We also include a FREE bag
of kiln dried hardwood.
OFF-GRID POWER
Energy Solutions
01634 290772
www.energy-solutions.co.uk/
products/easygrid
If your site isn’t connected to
the main grid but you want
to run electrical power, what
do you do? EasyGrid utilises
solar energy, stores it in a
battery bank and can have
a generator as a back up if
needed. EasyGrid is an off-grid
power range delivering an
affordable option to campsites,
glampsites and outdoor events
- anywhere without a mains
grid connection.
Rather than having to source
separate components and have
a bespoke system designed,
our EasyGrid series offers a preconfigured,
self-contained unit
built from durable, high quality
components; fully tested and
ready to install by a competent
electrician.
SOLAR POWERED
GENERATOR
Solar Shed
0808 126 1289
www.solar-power.co.uk
Quiet, portable power for
glampsites and more. The
Yeti 400 Solar Generator
offers power without
the noise and fumes
of traditional back-up
generators. From Goal Zero,
it can be charged by a solar
panel (the folding Nomad 20
solar panel is purpose built
for charging the Yeti 400), the
mains or a 12v car adapter.
The outlets are plentiful, with
240V AC power sockets, two x
USB ports and lighting ports.
It can also be chained to
other batteries.
Also available is the Yeti
1250, a monster of a solar
generator, which will power
phones to refrigerators and
everything in between.
WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE
WATERLESS TOILETS
NatSol
01686 412653
www.natsol.co.uk
We are your specialists in
off-mains toilet systems to
suit a whole range of outdoor
applications. Our smallest
model caters for a family
beach hut, as pictured,
through our wheelchair
accessible compost toilets for
glamping and up to our most
recent addition: our highest
use yet lowest maintenance
waterless model for public
sites.
Our team strives to ensure
that each NatSol toilet is
the very best choice for its
situation. We provide high
quality, ongoing support to all
our clients after installation.
Our prices start at £775 ex
VAT for a Compact model as
pictured.
44 WWW.OPENAIRBUSINESS.COM

Weather services for
outdoor events
Speak to a forecaster
09065 77 76 75
Calls cost £1.50/min plus network access charges
weatherquest.co.uk
@weatherquest_uk | /Weatherquest

the Ultimate solution for
restraining temporary structures
0800 122 3304 www.anchorbloc.co.uk
✓ ü Hire or buy your Anchor Blocs outright
✓ ü Take advantage of our ‘Anchor 'Anchor Management’
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programme -- great if if you have multiple events at at
different locations.
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✓ ü 1000kg, 500kg, 330kg 330kg and and 250kg 250kg options options
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✓ ü Huge Huge range Range of of accessories, accesories, from From branded covers to to
specially adapted all all terrain teraine pallet pallet trucks trucks.

EVENTS
CASE STUDY
M5: Living History
Comes Alive
In August, one of the country’s largest gatherings of
military re-enactors will descend on Spetchley Gardens
for the 10th year in a row
The picturesque garden and parkland at Spetchley Park is set in acres of beautiful Worcestershire
countryside, just three miles from the centre of Worcester. This August re-enactors from all over the
country will congregate for a historic spectacular bringing to life over 2,000 years of history, with living
history camps, battles and displays. Organisers Brian Bullock and Henry Berkeley talk to Open Air Business.
Describe your event and how
many people it attracts?
The M5 event is a multi period living
history event. We have re-enactors,
individuals and groups that portray
periods in history from the ancient
Greeks through to the Second
World War. There are living history
camps from different periods,
demonstrating crafts and daily life.
There are also drill displays and
skirmishes each day in the main
arena. We attract both history buffs
and families. Children love seeing
the re-enactors, the weapons and
the action as it really brings history
alive for them.
“CHILDREN
LOVE SEEING
THE RE-
ENACTORS,
THE
WEAPONS
AND THE
ACTION AS
IT REALLY
BRINGS
HISTORY
ALIVE FOR
THEM”
What is M5’s history and how
was it conceived?
The seed was sown by a group
of Worcester re-enactors while
chatting in the pub about reenactment
in general. Originally
we planned a one-day activity at
the beginning of October, which
was meant as an end of season
event to enable re-enactors to get
together, relax and talk to visitors at
Spetchley. However, even before we
ran the first event in 2007, enough
re-enactor friends from different
periods wanted to come along to
make it a weekend event. It was still
to be relaxed, but activities were
organised and programmed for the
public with living history camps,
drill displays and even a skirmish.
This year the show, originally
named ‘Armoured Picnic,’ will have
been running for 10 years.
For the first few events there
were about 200 re-enactors, but as
it grew in popularity we brought it
forward into August to attract more
public visitors. Visitor numbers are
now around 2,000 and growing
each year. There are about 900
re-enactors, with a good number of
them attending year after year and
then telling their friends and other
groups.
WWW.OPENAIRBUSINESS.COM 47

EVENTS
How does the partnership with the
Spetchley Estate work?
Worcester Re-enactors put the
idea of the ‘Armoured Picnic,’ as
the show was then called, to Henry
Berkeley of the Spetchley Estate,
the plan being that the event could
be organised in partnership with
Spetchley. After Henry put it to the
Trustees of the Berkeley Settlement,
the show was born. There have
been no compromises as all aspects
have been discussed and mutual
agreement reached. We split the
admissions down the middle after
the operational costs of the show
are deducted such as water supply,
toilet hire, first aid, waste skip
hire, publicity, and firewood and
gunpowder for the re-enactments.
As the Spetchley Estate holds
events itself the licenses are taken
care of. There is a temporary license
for the beer tent.
How have you planned the layout
of the event?
The layout of the event for living
history is dictated by what groups
or periods book in. We now have a
good size trader’s area plus three
display arenas – the main arena for
skirmishes and then two smaller
arenas for displays such as ‘skills at
arms’, a multi period fashion show,
dance displays, etc. Structures are all
tentage – the re-enactors and traders
tend to bring their own.
How did you source your
marquees?
Worcester Re-enactors have one
smallish marquee plus a larger one
we hire for the show entrance. All
others come with the traders or reenactors
taking part in the event as
part of their living history.
What entertainment do you offer?
Entertainment is the show itself;
re-enactors in camp, living the
period, displays, skirmishes and
demonstrations.
What provisions do you make for
power, light and sound?
The show is a daytime event and as
such we have no need for lighting.
This year the sound is being provided
by Amplified Sound Ltd, which has its
own power generators. The caterers
have their own power supply too.

EVENTS
What about ground protection?
We don’t use any ground protection
as the venue is well set up for
visitors with space for car parking.
However, we do try to minimise
damage to the lawns from fire pits.
Rather than raising the fires off
the ground, which can still scorch
the grass, we remove the turf and
lay the fires on the bare earth. We
replace the turf at the end of the
weekend and this seems to work
well.
How do you manage admissions
and visitor safety?
The admissions are dealt with
by Spetchley staff who take the
entrance fees from the public.
Visitor safety is always important
and each of the groups have their
own precautions for visitors in
relation to the camps and know to
keep fire, weapons and anything
sharp that could cause injury out of
reach unless strictly supervised. We
also put up numerous signs around
the site warning of any dangerous /
restricted areas.
We don’t provide any money
to the re-enactors, who do the
event voluntarily. However, we do
contribute to the gunpowder for
those that fire muskets. We have a
powder store onsite with a powder
master who issues powder in and
out. He also deals with the police
and makes sure all the required
licenses are in place. The store
is also guarded by three people
throughout the weekend.
We hold an overall briefing on
the Friday evening that covers the
programme of events and health
and safety issues. Each group
has to provide its own insurance,
including public liability of up
to £5m, and risk assessments in
advance of the show.
How do you publicise the event?
Wherever and however we can.
We use posters, flyers, websites,
Facebook, Twitter, local press
and local radio. Re-enactors also
promote at other events that they
attend and we put on one day
activities to promote the show. We
also pamphlet Worcester city centre
the week before the show and
other re-enactors visit other towns
in the area, all in period costume
What challenges have you faced?
The weather – sunshine is never
guaranteed! We also try to keep
the show relaxed, but this can be a
challenge when you are providing
a timed programme. Obviously we
want to keep the public, traders, reenactors
and Spetchley staff happy.
In order for that to happen we need
ADDRESS BOOK
SOUND
Amplified Sound Ltd
01886 884775
www.amplifiedsound.co.uk
BEER TENT
Trolls Bottom - 01604 810262
www.trollsbottom.com
“EACH
GROUP HAS
TO PROVIDE
ITS OWN
INSURANCE,
INCLUDING
PUBLIC
LIABILITY OF
UP TO £5M”
WC FACILITIES
Andy Loos - 0845 671 1111
www.andyloos.co.uk
VISITOR MANAGEMENT
Re-enactment volunteers and
Spetchley Estate staff
to organise the groups attending
- getting their information and
confirming numbers can be
difficult. Organising re-enactors
and getting a firm commitment
months in advance has been
referred to as ‘like herding cats.’
What are your plans for
next year?
Our immediate plan is to get
through this year! We are already
looking at next year, and with
the help of Worcestershire
Ambassadors we are looking at
what else can be done to promote
and market the show to increase
footfall. With this comes more
income, which we then put back
into it to make a better show
the following year. It was never
intended to be a profit making
business. Any profits go back into
improving the show facilities for
the re-enactors who participate in
the show and the paying visitors.
However, it does need to make a
profit for the Spetchley Estate, and
to be a viable / sustainable activity.
What other outdoor hospitality
sectors does the Spetchley Estate
operate in?
The Spetchley Estate is also used
for weddings and holds an annual
Specialist Plant Fair. It also has a
pleasure garden for people to walk
around and relax in.
DETAILS
A: The Estate Office, Spetchley,
Worcestershire, WR5 1RS
T: 01905 345213
W: www.spetchleygardens.co.uk
E: enquiries@
spetchleygardens.co.uk
WWW.OPENAIRBUSINESS.COM 49

EVENTS
The Association of
Independent Festivals
The Association of Independent Festivals provides a
collective voice for the independent festival sector,
representing members on a range of issues and pushing for
positive change
NATIONAL TRADE ORGANISATION The
Association of Independent Festivals (AIF)
is the UK’s leading festival representation
body, the key aim of which is to help
individual members and to address the
overall needs of the independent festival
sector
Founded in 2008 by Rob da Bank
(Bestival) and his manager Ben Turner
(Graphite Media), the AIF operates as an
autonomous division of the Association of
Independent Music (AIM) with its own board
and governance structure.
The combined attendance of AIF’s
60 member events exceeds 600,000,
contributing over £200m to the UK
economy annually. In 2015, AIF published
audience research revealing that in the four
year period from 2010-2014, AIF member
events generated an estimated £1bn for the
UK economy in audience spend, £80m of
which was sent along the supply chain to
local businesses.
AIF currently represents over 60 member
events, ranging from the 800-capacity
Starry Skies to the 55,000-capacity Isle of
Wight Festival.
AIF’S WORK
Uniting a national network of
promoters
This is the core reason the association was
formed - to enable promoters to connect
to each other and take the temperature
of the industry. Meetings take place
four times a year, working through a
structured agenda of industry issues
facing members. AIF is an effective vehicle
for change within the industry.
Campaigning and lobbying
Providing a collective voice for the
independent festival industry, AIF
represents members on a range of
issues, interacting with government and
other relevant bodies, responding to
consultations and pushing for positive
change. Issues it is currently involved in
include producing a detailed response to
the PRS tariff consultation, lobbying the
Treasury on business rates for festivals
and events sites, and providing evidence
to government on secondary ticketing and
ticketing abuse.
The association works across the live
industry, forming strategic alliances and
leading on key issues. In 2014, AIF led a
coalition of the live industry in successfully
lobbying the Home Office against moving
ahead with an all-out review of the system
for charging event organisers for special
police services.
AIF sits on the UK Live Group of UK Music,
the umbrella organisation representing
the music industry to government, and
this is an effective channel for making a
case to government on various issues. AIF
is also a member of the Creative Industries
Federation.
50 WWW.OPENAIRBUSINESS.COM

EVENTS
EVOLUTION FESTIVAL / AIF
VILLAGE GREEN FESTIVAL / AIF
STARRY SKIES / LOUISE ROBERTS
SECRET GARDEN PARTY / SEBASTIAN BARROS
AIF plans and delivers impactful
public facing campaigns, including
in 2015, a ‘Festival Fever’ campaign
celebrating the economic and
cultural impact of members and
a co-ordinated digital blackout
of festival websites to highlight
the dangers of legal highs in 2014
and 2015. Such campaigns have
attracted global media attention
and reached millions of users on
social media.
Business support and
development
Members receive a range of
tangible benefits, including a
free financial health check with
a certified accountant, a certain
amount of legal support including
help with commercial disputes,
and an AIF mentoring scheme
offering pragmatic business affairs
advice throughout the year.
AIF also offers members unique
cost savings from suppliers
through its Friends of AIF scheme
in areas including insurance,
accreditation and production.
Members have access to a range
of resources including annual
audience survey data, market
reports and guides to legislation
and best practice.
AIF events and The Festival
Congress
AIF promotes a range of
conferences and training
opportunities throughout the year
such as the ‘Festival Futures’ events
in locations across the UK, which
feature a mix of festival promoter
keynotes, quick fire ‘talking heads’
sessions and fireside chats with
industry experts.
Launched in 2014 in Cardiff,
Wales, the Festival Congress is AIF’s
annual flagship event - a two-day
conference and celebration of the
independent festival industry.
In 2014 and 2015, the event
attracted over 400 delegates and
speakers; this was the largest
gathering of independent festival
operators ever to take place.
The event provides a unique
opportunity for AIF members and
their teams alongside the wider
industry and those interested in the
industry to connect, celebrate and
shape the future festival landscape
through networking, industry
discussion and celebration. For
more information please visit www.
festivalcongress.com
Fees
› Registered charity, community
interest or free event - £500
› Less than 1,000 capacity - £500
› 1,000-5,000 capacity - £750
› 5,001-7,500 capacity - £850
› 7,501-10,000 capacity - £1,000
› 10,000+ capacity - 15% of
capacity (capped at £5,000)
› 50% discount for international
festivals
Multi venue, city-based festival fees
› One day event below 10,000
capacity - £250
› Multi day event below 10,000
capacity - £500
› One day event above 10,000
capacity - £750
› Multi day event above 10,000
capacity - £1,000
Membership eligibility
‘Independent’ is defined clearly
by market share; businesses that
do not hold more than 5% of the
global market share of the live
music industry and businesses that
are not 50% or more owned by an
entity who holds 5% or more.
DETAILS
Lamb House, Church St,
London, W4 2PD
0208 994 5599 (ext 2)
renae@aiforg.com
www.aiforg.com
TESTIMONIALS
“Being part of an organisation
that looks after the interests of
all its members, whose events
range from under 800 to over
60,000 is really invaluable. You
have access to very experienced
event organisers that are
happy to help you when you
need advice and guidance,
from current health and safety
legislation, to marketing master
classes and access to numerous
online resources. Best of all are
the informal social sessions so
that organisers can all have a
good gossip over a few pints!”
SID SHARMA, STARRY SKIES
“The AIF; the closest thing
you can get to a union as a
promoter. Indispensible.”
FREDDIE FELLOWES, SECRET
GARDEN PARTY
“Becoming an AIF member was
invaluable for our business,
especially as we expanded to
multiple festivals. The AIF team
work tirelessly to offer a support
network to events organisers,
facilitating the crucial sharing
of information and allowing
the independent festival sector
to have a stronger voice in the
industry.”
ANDY SMITH, KENDAL CALLING
BARN ON THE FARM / AIF
WWW.OPENAIRBUSINESS.COM 51

EVENTS
When Storm
Clouds Gather
Last November, as the rain grew heavier, Julie Whalley
was starting to feel anxious about the Christmas event
she was planning, but nothing could have prepared her
for what happened next
HAVING BEEN AN event organiser for
many years, I thought I’d got this planning
malarkey sussed. Many other event hosts
request my expertise and experience on
the ground as a consultant to help them
plan and market their events as well as to
oversee them. My checklist was extensive;
being a perfectionist takes its toll, but it’s
the thrill of plate spinning that I enjoy most
about the events industry.
The support for a Christmas event I was
planning in my home town was gathering
momentum among exhibitors at the food
festival I co-ordinated and local tourism
association members and retailers, as
well as family and friends. It had not been
the best of years for me to date, and in
hindsight my female intuition should have
collared me with a right hook and pinned
me down. However, I believed in this event.
I knew I could pull it together and decided
to go ahead.
I started planning a huge festive fair, the
likes of which the town had never seen
before, which would encompass family fun,
entertainment and lots of gorgeous top
quality products that would make perfect
Christmas gifts.
By August 2015, I had two members
of staff. Together we visited the site with
contractors, talked to the council, priced
everything up, set a budget and planned
the marketing. Due to the timeframe of the
event, it looked likely that a Temporary
Event Notice would be granted with no
issues, providing we set a curfew on the
music. From then on, we thought it would
be plain sailing.
However, although the council was in
support of the event, there were objections
from a particular group of retailers. This saw
our plans being rejected and the need for a
full license application to be sought.
Our Facebook account went wild with
support for us. For days people aired their
views about local politics, questioning how
councillors could vote out the type of event
the town needed at this time of year, and
asking how they could not see that the town
folk did not want to travel to other towns
for a lovely Christmas fair when they could
have one hosted by a local company.
So, there I was with my team, sat in the
local pub, flummoxed, but content to let it
go. That was until the people who had seen
the cancellation notice on Facebook started
to rouse my spirits and encourage me to
rethink the plan. Coming up with all sorts of
alternatives, some viable, some ridiculous,
they spurred me on.
“THE SITE WAS LEVEL,
WITH GOOD PARKING AND
TERRIFIC ACCESS FOR
BOTH EXHIBITORS AND
VISITORS”
The next day I received word that a
couple had offered the use of some land at
their business premises and invited me to
go and discuss the potential with them. My
gut instinct was to say no, but I didn’t listen
to it. It turned out to be in a good location
between two major towns, so once again it
was all systems go.
For the next two months, we set about
revisiting prices, booking contractors
and marketing the event. A friend, whose
support during the Facebook campaign was
terrific, offered her services too.
The site was level, with good parking
and terrific access for both exhibitors and
visitors. Our marquee layout altered only
slightly, reducing the cost in the process,
and everything was really going well. Ticket
sales were a bit slower than anticipated due
to the inclement weather, but they were
good enough to warrant going ahead.
Before the storm
My friend and I visited the site the Sunday
before the event, but apart from being
buffeted by the wind and rain, we felt that
from a health and safety perspective, all
would be well.
The next morning the marquee team
turned up and things started to happen.
Over the course of the week the rain got
heavier and the mud got deeper, but then
again, it was November.
By the Thursday night, heating, lighting,
ice rink, sound system, exhibitor shedding
in the marquee, flooring, walkways, WCs,
security, bar, demo kitchens and so on, were
all ready to go. Friday afternoon and the
rain was still coming down. Although raised
GETTY IMAGES
52 WWW.OPENAIRBUSINESS.COM

EVENTS
further than normal, mud was
seeping through the floor boards.
A lot of mopping went on that
afternoon. Decorations could not
be hung due to the weather, so my
gloriously planned decorated trees
and beautiful festoon lighting could
not be erected, but the show, I was
told, must go on.
One exhibitor decided to back
out, but everyone else stayed put,
glad that at least one Christmas
event was still going ahead. When
visitors started to arrive, they were
not in the numbers we were hoping
for, but they were spending money
and enjoying the mince pies and
mulled wine, an explanation of
how the weather was affecting us
keeping most happy. However, by
now storm warnings were out for
the weekend. How did I feel? Like
most people – panicked and rather
hoping it would dissipate before it
reached us! What did I do? I started
revamping my plans B and C.
As the exhibitors left for the day,
the musicians turned up. By 8pm
the wind was howling; the rain
had abated somewhat but the
marquees were really starting to
bear the brunt. Two emergency
exits were smashed to smithereens.
Thank goodness the bar was more
or less empty of people.
Needless to say, there was not
much more any of us could do apart
from secure things as best we could
and cross our fingers. By 10am on
Saturday and with Storm Desmond
predicted to reach our area later
that day, I cancelled the event.
There was no way I was risking
anyone’s life and limb to earn my
money back. That’s the risk you
take with events. It was made even
worse when we called the insurance
company and were told we were
not covered for that situation.
Solicitors were later instructed to
fight this decision but to no avail.
Safety first
During the week leading up to the
event my thoughts had quickly
turned to the health and safety
implications of going ahead. This
was a very difficult and huge
decision to make, but fortunately
my military training and experience
has taught me not to panic, to be
rational and look at the worst case
scenario and work backwards.
My main task was to get everyone
off site as quickly as possible. All
the stewards were sent to help
the exhibitors – some of course
grumbled, but fortunately those
that knew me well realised I would
not have called it off unless I felt it
was absolutely necessary. In less
than an hour and a half, everyone
with a stand was off site. When I
mentioned that I would try and
provide a refund, most of the
exhibitors said that it was not
necessary, that they understood
what had happened and would
write it off.
While the exhibitors were leaving
under the care of my event friend
and the stewards, my job was to
Facebook, Tweet and email the
huge list of attendees. I contacted
local newspapers and radio stations
in order to reach as many people
as possible before they made their
way to us. All those with tickets had
to be issued with a refund using
an e-commerce system that didn’t
allow batch refunds, so that was a
big task in itself. The entertainers
who we had booked were contacted
and were sympathetic; some of
them were dealing with their own
floods at home.
Anything that could be severely
damaged was taken down and put
inside the marquees; the bar was
packed up as far as possible. That
night the storm hit. How those
structures stayed up I’ll never know.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Julie Whalley trained
as a caterer, had
a career in the
army then turned
her logistics and
planning skills to
event organisation.
She set up and
orchestrated
Clitheroe Food
Festival from
2011–2015. She still
consults on the event
which attracts over
20,000 people.
Last year Julie
launched Event
Owl, an online
platform connecting
event organisers
and exhibitors to
process trade stand
applications. Julie is
also a food and
drink writer, and
food judge.
www.eventowl.co.uk
The marquee company concerned
did an amazing job of securing it all.
Lessons learnt
The realisation of the enormity
of what did and what could have
happened hit me later, but I gained
great strength and support from
those closest to me. I’ve taken
time out this year to concentrate
on my other business, Event Owl,
an exhibitor processing system
for outdoor events. My aim is to
generate money to pay people back
so that I can still hold my head up
high in the events industry. Trust is
hard to achieve.
So, what did I learn from this
experience? Things do go wrong.
Some due to a lack of initial
planning that are easily rectified,
such as over booking a workshop;
and others you could never have
foreseen, such as a random gust of
wind knocking over a five tier, iced
wedding cake five minutes before
the guests arrive!
You have to prepare yourself
mentally when deciding to host an
event. Keep running things over
and over in your mind. Nothing
you think of when it comes to
running an event is stupid, it’s just
that some may cause you more
hassle than benefit, so it’s best
to weed them out early on. I use
the tried and tested ‘courses of
action’ method – the ‘what if?’ and
‘how would you overcome this?’ of
scenarios A, B and C. The one with
the least ifs and hows is the course
of action I take, then I’ve always got
two well thought out back up plans
to work with.
Have a good team of people
around you whom you can trust,
people who can understand why
you did what you did and can offer
support when things go wrong.
Things will go wrong.
Running your own event is risky,
it’s as simple as that. What happens
next? Life is a journey, as they say.
WWW.OPENAIRBUSINESS.COM 53

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54 WWW.OPENAIRBUSINESS.COM

FUNCTION VENUES
COMPANY PROFILE
Zipbar
Zhev Liberson, the founder of the flat pack bar system
Some of the best solutions for glamping in style
Zipbar, explains his product and business
What is Zipbar?
Zipbar is a portable beverage
service system or bar that packs
into flight cases, can be set up
with no tools and can be built
into any shape required.
Who are the people behind
Zipbar?
I am responsible for design and
manufacturing and Kathy runs
the admin and accounts.
When did you start the
company and why?
We launched the first model
back in 2009. I owned and ran
an audio visual installation
company and had also
been working as a freelance
production engineer. While
setting up events attracting
from 100 to 4,000 people, I
became aware of the need for a
bar system that looked stylish,
was small and light to transport,
was stable and strong and
would standardise the working
area for bar tenders to enable
them to work more efficiently.
What product options do you
offer?
We offer a full range of bars
and back bars. The starter
section, front or back, gives
you a complete 1.2 metre bar
section that is ready to use. The
add on sections are straight,
short straight, arc 90 o corner,
arc 90 o internal corner, arc 45 o
short segment, arc 45 o round,
arc 30 o round, connector bar
and connector bar hatch. The
back bars come with a range of
accessories such as optic rails,
LED acrylic shelves, glass shelf
hangers and an overhead LCD
screen mount.
Describe your target market
Our target market includes
hotels, marquee hire
companies, event equipment
hire companies, portable bar
hire companies, small and
large venues, stadiums, pubs,
restaurants, trade show design
companies and private homes.
What do customers say?
Gary Wright, Severn Valley
Event Bars, says: “Purchasing
Zipbar was the best thing I did
for my company! It’s a great
bar to work with, the staff
love to work it, our customers
absolutely love it and everybody
comments on how stunning the
bar looks.”
How many units have you sold
in the UK?
We’re selling into the thousands
now. Customers buy the system
and within half a season they at
least double the original order.
What are you working on
now?
We have some fantastic little
table top bars that are used
for small conferences. They
enable a hotel or conference
centre to display chilled food
and drink products. We are
constantly working on new
ideas to supplement this unique
bar system and make the
experience of using Zipbar a
great one.
What are your future plans for
the business?
The market place is changing
rapidly. Only a few years ago,
people spent a large proportion
of their income in the retail
sector. This has changed and
continues to evolve. People
are now spending money
on experiences. It’s not as
important for them to have the
latest new car, they are happy
with a model that is a few years
old. People are increasingly
looking for family events and
entertainment experiences that
they can enjoy together. The
festival market has exploded
among people from all
backgrounds.
With Zipbar we see how
important the beverage service
system is. Serving drinks
off dressed up MDF boxes
is not ideal. The bar itself is
the primary visual platform
providing the point of contact
between your company and the
customer. In addition, with staff
working efficiently, we have
seen sales of £10,000 for a 20
metre bar serving 3,500 people
in one evening. It’s a massive
statistic. As I always say, “If
the customers can’t get served
at an event, they don’t come
back later and the revenue is
gone.” We are fast becoming the
market leader in portable bar
systems and we intend to be the
industry standard. All over the
UK there are event companies
that own the Zipbar product.
They cross hire Zipbar to each
other, which enables them to
have a reasonable amount of
Zipbar stock, and if they want to
tender for a much larger event
bar, then they simply hire more
and add it to their stock.
This flexibility in using hire
equipment is the future for
event organisers and their
clients. Our commitment to
the constant development of
products and accessories that
remain compatible across
the product range will ensure
our customers enjoy years of
satisfaction.
DETAILS
Zipbar
01752 787422
www.zipbar.co.uk
THE PORTABLE BAR SYSTEM
THE PORTABLE BAR SYSTEM
®
®
WWW.OPENAIRBUSINESS.COM 55

EVENTS
Visitor Management
Tally Wade talks to industry experts about successful visitor management - from planning
to safety, controlling movement and making a good impression
VISITOR MANAGEMENT IS a legal
requirement of any event. In line with
guidance from the Health and Safety
Executive (HSE), crowd management is an
important element of the overall safety
plan for an event, which will be enforced
by local authorities. As an event organiser
you will be ultimately responsible for the
safety of visitors, even if, for example, you
contract services such as stewarding out to
another company.
As with most things, preparation is
key. The strategies for managing people
throughout their visit will play a significant
role in event risk assessments and
management plans. Get it wrong and there
will be more at stake than slow admissions
and chaotic queues; organisers could face
serious legal and financial implications.
Visitor management starts from the
moment visitors leave their arrival route
(their car, the bus stop, train station etc).
In this feature we chat to industry experts
about the considerations that need to be
made from planning safety management
to handling admissions, stewarding inside
the event and the use of barriers to control
movement.
Making a plan
Part of your pre-event planning should
include comprehensive risk assessments
and safety plans. Steven Allen, founder
of event safety consultancy Crowd
Safety, suggests the following: “The
documentation required by a local
authority for an event will vary depending
on its type, but as a basis you will need
a crowd management plan along with
an event risk assessment, a fire risk
assessment, and a raft of further risk
assessments from food safety and
hygiene through to noise and dangerous
substances (LPG, diesel etc), and other
appendices depending on the event
(safeguarding, welfare and lost children
policies etc).”
So what does a crowd management
plan consist of? “The plan needs to detail
to the local authority, and those agencies
it liaises with, such as the police, how the
organiser will manage crowds,” continues
Allen. “This includes how the event is laid
out to allow circulation space, the number
of lanes for admissions and the expected
egress – whether people will leave en masse
or drift off over a period of time. The plan
should also detail emergency measures. It is
a sad state of affairs, but in today’s climate
these procedures should include measures
for terrorism and marauding gunmen.”
Within these documents there should be
detailed consideration given to the layout
of the event, any barriers used to control
visitors, provision of escape routes, signage,
gates, fences and where dead ends and
bottlenecks may occur. Identification of
these elements will help alleviate many
crowd problems before any member of the
public enters the site.
It seems it pays to get these things
right. The crowd management plan will
be brought before a QC in the case of a
fatality. “These documents will be presented
with a coroner’s report should the worst
happen,” says Allen, “so they have to be
comprehensive and demonstrate the
highest level of preparation.”
Although by law organisers are not
required to use an external consultant, many
choose to employ external expertise to
prepare these documents. “Legally you must
ensure your safety plans are carried out with
someone who is competent in the field and
has experience,” says Allen. “This person
may well be from within the organising team
or be a consultant. The Occupational Safety
and Health Consultants Register (OSHCR)
can provide you with a list of people who
have had to undergo a rigorous verification
process to determine their suitability. The
process includes qualifications, experience
and references.”
If you are planning to keep your visitor
safety in house, advice can be found through
the HSE and the Purple Guide – a resource
created by a panel of experts in the UK event
industry.
GETTY IMAGES
56 WWW.OPENAIRBUSINESS.COM

EVENTS
Barriers supplied by GAP Group
HSE HAZZARD
CHECK LIST
In preparing any plan, knowledge
of the potential hazards
presented by both crowds and
venues is essential. The HSE lists
these as:
Crowd hazards
› Crushing between people
› Crushing against fixed
structures, such as barriers
› Trampling underfoot
› Surging, swaying or rushing
› Aggressive behaviour
› Dangerous behaviour, such
as climbing on equipment or
throwing objects
Venue hazards
› Slipping or tripping due to
inadequately lit areas or poorly
maintained floors and the build
up of rubbish
› Moving vehicles sharing the
same route as pedestrians
› Collapse of a structure, such as
a fence or barrier, which falls
onto the crowd
› People being pushed against
objects, such as unguarded, hot
cooking equipment on a food
stall
› Objects, such as stalls that
obstruct movement and cause
congestion during busy periods
› Crowd movement obstructed
by people queuing at bars etc
› Cross flows as people cut
through the crowd to get to
other areas, such as toilets
› Failure of equipment, such as
turnstiles
› Sources of fire, such as cooking
equipment
Barriers
Barriers at events serve several purposes.
The HSE lists these as follows: an aid to
manage and influence the behaviour of
an audience; to line routes; to prevent the
audience climbing on top of temporary
structures and putting themselves at risk of
falling; to relieve and prevent overcrowding
and the build up of audience pressure; to
provide physical security, as in the case of a
high perimeter fence at an outdoor event; to
shield people from hazards.
If you decide to use barriers and fencing
as a crowd management tool, then they
should be risk assessed too. Depending on
the complexity of the risk and barrier(s), you
may need advice.
Daimon Dunhue, event services division
manager at GAP Group, explains the types
of barrier available. “The core barriers we
supply are lightweight pedestrian barriers
used for demarcation purposes, creating
walkways, queuing systems and perimeters
for sites, and heavyweight barriers used in
situations where there are higher crowd
pressures, such as lining the course of a
Stage barriers from Mojo Barriers
running event. These are harder to move
or push over. From there you go to front of
stage barriers for festivals and gigs, which
are even stronger.
“You can also get water filled barriers,
which tend to be lower and are useful for
demarcation of car parking areas and race
routes, although they are too low for people
to stand behind. Finally, there are fencing
systems that are higher and barriers that can
take branding too.”
The HSE guidelines state that, ‘It is crucial
that the type of barrier or fence used does
not present greater risks than those they are
intended to control. In some cases, barriers
have failed due to incorrect selection.’
On this Dunhue advises that barriers and
fence systems be suitably fixed and braced
where necessary, depending on the weather
conditions and crowds expected.
“Barriers and fences will be interlocking,
with hooks and eyes. Front of stage systems
are usually bolted together for extra
strength. You shouldn’t need to pin systems
to the ground, and often this is not possible
if they are running over concrete or land
where there are underground services. If you
are expecting high winds, systems can be
braced by placing a 45 degree arm into a tray
with a ballast or by arranging the barriers
into a T-shape for extra brace. Fences may
need bracing if they are used with branded
boards as the wind won’t be able to pass
through them.”
Barrier systems are usually hired by
the metre, and a good supplier will help
calculate the amount required plus a

EVENTS
GETTY IMAGES
Gatekeeper turnstiles from Mojo Barriers
contingency amount. Installation should be
relatively straightforward and can often be
handled by the event organiser. However,
for more complex systems, such as stage
barriers, the supplier will often be able to
help.
Stewards / marshals
Deploying barriers and fencing will aid
proper crowd management, and in many
cases will be absolutely essential for the
safety of the public. However, stewards or
marshals are vital for all-round effective
management of risk. They are invaluable
for directing and managing crowds as they
will be able to give information in a timely
manner. Matt Babiy, head of security for
Your Events Team, explains the factors that
determine stewarding requirements.
“The majority of outdoor events are
based around families and are advertised
as such, so this predetermines the type of
crowd you would be expecting. A family
type event will require fewer stewards or
marshals than a music festival for instance,
which is likely to attract a different type of
crowd with a different social mix.”
The primary role of a steward is to assist
with the delivery of a safe, enjoyable
experience for event audiences, says
Babiy. “Stewards should help to maintain
a high level of customer care and provide
assistance where needed. They also act
as ‘front of house’ upon arrival at an
event, directing traffic, checking tickets,
performing bag searches, and giving
directions and information.
“A good steward should know all the
information needed when asked, be able
to spot potential trouble before it occurs,
and understand crowd management and
control procedures. As an individual, they
should be a good team player yet able to
work independently and, above all, should
have a friendly disposition. Stewards are
often the first and last people visitors see at
an outdoor event and the impression they
create is vital to the event’s overall success.”
Of course, providing stewards with
the right resources is imperative. Babiy
recommends that the steward / marshal
manager should ensure they communicate
their brief to the stewarding team on the
day of the event. This will involve health and
safety information, details on emergency
exits, information that the general public
may require and where the stewards should
be positioned. Stewards should also sign in
and out at the event command centre at the
start and end of their shifts.”
Where it may be tempting to use
untrained volunteers or organising team
members in the place of professional
stewards, Babiy warns against this. “Using
volunteers in any event environment
without adequate training is seen as a cost
cutting ploy throughout the event industry.
Not only are they unlikely to be prepared for
what the job entails, which might impact
on your health and safety standards, but
you have to prepare for some of them not
to turn up on the day, turn up late or just
wander off!
“Trained stewards on the other hand have
many benefits. The majority will be NVQ
spectator safety qualified, which means
they will have the required knowledge to do
a good job. To hire in stewards or marshals
for an event you are looking at a cost of
between £9 and £11.50 per hour.”
Controlling access
One area in which crowds are likely to
gather is at the entrance and exit of an
event, where tickets are processed, money
taken, wristbands / hand stamps applied
and visitors checked out. Whereas this can
be overcome with an adequate number
of ‘lanes’ and enough staff to process the
traffic, some event organisers may choose a
more high tech option.
“In recent years technology
advancements have led to the development
of our intelligent turnstile system
Gatekeeper 2.0, which incorporates ticket
scanning capabilities,” says Kevin Thorborn,
UK manager at Mojo Barriers. “Designed to
integrate with any type of scanner, including
RFID, QR, mobile ticketing and barcode,
the Gatekeeper is a solid temporary
entranceway, meaning it can be used to
control access into events, festivals, venues
and designated areas (VIP, staff only and
camping).
Event fencing from GAP Group
“Our Gatekeeper turnstile is a popular
product and its popularity has only
increased in recent years with the growth of
RFID technology at festivals and live event
sites across Europe for cashless payments
and access control. It can take any of the
RFID providers’ reader systems and give
them an intelligent turnstile to regulate any
entrance or egress. Recently, we worked
alongside Starticket at Zurich OpenAir 2015,
to integrate its ticketing technology into our
barrier system. The Starticket sensors were
integrated into Mojo’s Gatekeeper system,
which helped reduce queuing times,
manpower and improved crowd safety
through the audience ingress.”
USEFUL LINKS
Crowd Safety - 02380 010918
www.crowdsafety.org
GAP Group - 0141 225 4600
www.gap-group.co.uk
Health and Safety Executive (HSE)
www.hse.gov.uk/event-safety
Mojo Barriers - 01708 687440
www.mojobarriers.com
Occupational Safety and Health
Consultants Register (OSHCR)
www.oshcr.org
The Purple Guide
www.thepurpleguide.co.uk
Your Events Team - 01295 700053
www.youreventsteam.co.uk
58 WWW.OPENAIRBUSINESS.COM

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Visitor Management
Creating safe, well managed environments for visitors
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01295 700053
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We are your comprehensive
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TicketSource is a free online
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TicketSource has recently
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The TicketSource wristbands
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In addition, each wristband
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EVENT SAFETY CONSULTANTS
02380 010918
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We are a professional crowd
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event organisers in safety
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including: event safety
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Our consultants have extensive
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well versed with CDM for
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the Purple Guide.
TRUSTED BARRIER SUPPLIER
Mojo Barriers
01708 687440
www.mojobarriers.com
Mojo Barriers is the original
international supplier of
aluminium stage barrier
systems, providing an
extensive range of products
and services to live events
including festivals, tours,
corporate events, sporting
and cultural occasions.
The favourite among event
organisers looking for a safe,
sustainable and cost effective
system, Mojo Barriers’
continual investment in
research and development has
resulted in the creation of its
proprietary event barriers and
related products, which are
adaptable, reliable and proven
to improve safety.
Skilled at working closely
with clients to design and
build bespoke event barrier
configurations and layouts,
Mojo Barriers has been the
trusted global stage barrier
supplier for over 20 years.
60 WWW.OPENAIRBUSINESS.COM

ULTRA QUIET
DENYO EVENTA GENERATORS
• 20kVA to 100kVA
• Ultra quiet operation
• Tier III diesel engine approval
• Up to 26 hours of uninterrupted operation
INNOVATIVE • TRUSTED • PROVEN
0845 409 0276
sales@morrismachinery.co.uk
www.denyogenerators.co.uk
Event Hire Equipment
Pre & Post Event Support
Nationwide Coverage
CALL: 0845 601 5427
www.winnerevents.com

ADVERTISING FEATURE
Spot light
A round-up of products for the outdoor hospitality industry
SHEPHERD HUTS AND PODS
Pendock Pods
07807 135030
www.pendockpods.com
Beautifully British and
handmade to order, our
huts and pods are insulated
structures with windows and
electricity. They are simple
but comfortable, well made
and built to last. Our shepherd
huts are for sale whereas the
pods are available to rent or
buy, and both provide perfect
accommodation solutions
for your events, festivals or
to boost bookings on your
glampsite.
Based in Gloucestershire, we
also have a glampsite (www.
watersedgeholidays.uk) where
customers can come and stay
for a few day to try before they
buy / rent! Shepherd huts start
from £6,500. A stay is £110 for
two nights.
WOOD FIRED REFRACTORY
OVENS
Dalby Firewood
01653 917803
www.dalbyfirewood.com
Wood-fired refractory ovens
from Alfa Pizza bring the
ritual of good food into the
great outdoors. Made in Italy
and loved by al fresco chefs
worldwide, these stunning
ovens are perfect for cooking
pizzas, barbecues, grills
and roasts. They’re sleekly
designed, fuel-efficient and
informed by centuries of
Italian culinary tradition.
Dalby Firewood is proud
to stock these exceptional
ovens, each of which is
manufactured to impeccable
standards under the care of
expert engineers. Why not
give your glampsite a fiery
Mediterranean heart to delight
your guests this summer? It’s
going to be love at first bite.
CLEAR SKY’S CLIENT, CARR’S HILL IN STIRLING
MAKE PROFIT WITH
SAFARI TENTS
Clear Sky Safari Tents
0845 299 6484
www.safaritents.net
If you want to get into
glamping, come and talk to
us. Clear Sky are the UK’s
leading supplier of high
quality, exclusively designed
Safari tents, at prices that
make setting up or extending
your glamping business a
profitable decision.
With a choice of styles, sizes,
colours and frames starting
from only £2,990+VAT, and
expertise gleaned from
running our own glamping
site, we can help turn your
glamping dream into a
reality. Call us today for more
information or to book a free
consultation.
GLAMPING’S DEDICATED
EVENT
The Glamping Show
01582 767254
www.theglampingshow.com
Glamping has become
increasingly popular during
the past few years and as a
consequence has become a
prominent part of the leisure
business. Where it was once
a niche or novel concept, it
is now a recognised and well
respected part of the outdoor
lifestyle industry.
The Glamping Show is a
dedicated event that brings
together, all in one place,
manufacturers and suppliers
of every type of structure,
product and service that
the glamping industry has
to offer. The show will take
place at Stoneleigh Park in
Warwickshire from Thursday
22 to Saturday 24 September
2016.
62 WWW.OPENAIRBUSINESS.COM

EVENT KITCHENS AND CATERING
EQUIPMENT
PKL Group
01242 663000 | www.pkl.co.uk
PKL Group is the UK’s leading
supplier of modular commercial
kitchens. With 27 years in the
industry, we have hundreds of
temporary kitchens and 9,000
items of catering equipment
available to hire. We work on
around 500 events each year,
including festivals, sporting
events and pop-up restaurants in
all sorts of weird and wonderful
places!
From stand-alone catering
equipment for use in marquees
or existing buildings, to complete
modular kitchens and coldrooms,
we supply events of all sizes. We
are CDM Regulations compliant
and offer a complete turnkey
service, from design and project
management to installation and
24-hour technical support.
MOBILE FRIDGES FOR
WEDDINGS AND EVENTS
Fresh Fridge Hire
0800 612 6512
www.freshfridgehire.co.uk
Fresh Fridge Hire is a specialist
temperature controlled vehicle
rental company born out of
the multi award winning Fresh
Logistics. Ideal for outdoor
weddings or events, we can
offer a truly flexible 24/7 service
with national coverage, extra
storage capacity and emergency
support if you ever have a
refrigeration breakdown.
We have top of the range vans,
plus a variety of 7.5t’s, 18t’s
and artic trailers with tail-lifts.
Each vehicle is fitted with a
removable bulkhead, meaning
you can have frozen and chilled
at the same time. Our specially
designed power leads mean
that our van refrigeration unit
can be run using a standard
household plug.
FISH & CHIPS FROM A HORSE
TRAILER!
Food Genie
01386 834 693
www.food-genie.co.uk
Really treat your guests by
having your own mobile fish
and chip shop at your event
- still acclaimed as being a
true British favourite! Stand
out from the crowd with this
traditional horse trailer - fully
equipped, staffed and able
to cater for large numbers of
guests at your outdoor events,
functions, weddings and
parties.
We are a family run business
that has been providing
our mobile fish and chip
van service for weddings,
christenings, birthday parties
and corporate events for over
eight years. The trailer runs
on its own gas supply so we
can park up anywhere at your
venue.
RESTRAINING TEMPORARY
STRUCTURES
Anchor Bloc
0800 122 3304
www.anchorbloc.co.uk
Concrete ballast solutions for
all types of temporary structure
for hire or purchase. Lloyds
British Testing Certified in
accordance with BS5975:2008.
Ensure you are CDM compliant
when planning your next event
with the use of Anchor Blocs.
Available in four standard sizes
250, 330, 500 and 1,000kg.
Bespoke design service
available to suit your needs,
as well as a huge selection of
accessories to accompany your
Blocs from branded custom
covers, painted finishes to
all-terrain pallet trucks and
protective matting. Anchor Bloc
can look after your transport
needs and can even deliver, offload
and place your Blocs ready
for use.
WWW.OPENAIRBUSINESS.COM 63

CLASSIFIED DIRECTORY
Classified Directory
Stuck for furniture hire?
www.europainternational.com/oa
hire happy
Call 08454 303015
Providing luxury bell tents available
for both hire & purchase
info@boutiquecamping.com
Providing
Providing
luxury bell
luxury
tents perfect
bell tents
for:
perfect for:
• Camping • Camping
+44(0)203
• Outdoor
394 2986
• Outdoor summer play summer roomsplay rooms
boutiquecamping.com
• Garden • lounge Garden areas lounge areas
• Festivals • Festivals
info@boutiquecamping.com
info@boutiquecamping.com • Weddings
• Weddings
and much
and
more!
much more!
+44(0)203 394 2986
+44(0)203 394 2986
boutiquecamping.com Available for both hire & purchase.
boutiquecamping.com Available for both hire & purchase.
InPartyTentsCo.
HIRING ALL OVER KENT & SUSSEX, NO VAT
AND FREE DELIVERY WITHIN 30 MILE RADIUS
O7917 457 820 | inpartytentsco@aol.com
STYLISH & UNIQUE MARQUEES
FOR WEDDINGS & PARTIES
COOLING COOLING && HEATING SOLUTIONS SOLUTIONS
temperature control specialists
hire
sales hire
portable sales units
temporary portable systems units
temporary systems
sales@candhs.co.uk – coolingandheatingsolutions.com – 01590 681 434
Marlwood House, Silver Street, Lymington, Hampshire SO41 6DG, UK
sales@candhs.co.uk – coolingandheatingsolutions.com – 01590 681 434
Marlwood House, Silver Street, Lymington, Hampshire SO41 6DG, UK
sales@candhs.co.uk
coolingandheatingsolutions.com
01590 681 434
traditional tepees with a
modern twist...
Retailer of single pole canvas tepees with fly
screens & windows in 3,4,5 and 6m diameter
tent hire in the north east
www.northernstartepees.co.uk
LIVE 2016
COUNTRY HOUSE
BUSINESS INNOVATION 2016
INNOVATION 2016
The event for farmers, land owners and rural business
entrepreneurs to gain inspiration, resources and advice
INSPIRING RURAL ENTREPRENEURS
6
A WORLD OF IDEAS
TO MAKE YOUR LAND
MORE PROFITABLE
9 & 10 NOVEMBER 2016, NEC BIRMINGHAM
The event 7,500 for farmers, VISITORSland owners
and rural business entrepreneurs to gain
200 SEMINARS
inspiration, resources and advice
400 EXHIBITORS
Register for FREE tickets at
www.farmbusinessshow.co.uk
Weather services for
outdoor events
Speak to a forecaster
09065 77 76 75
Calls cost £1.50/min plus network access charges
weatherquest.co.uk
@weatherquest_uk | /Weatherquest
Your own private bathroom
right next to your tent or caravan
Tel. 0031 186 769 054 ❤ info@campplus.co.uk
www.campplus.co.uk
64 WWW.OPENAIRBUSINESS.COM

CLASSIFIED DIRECTORY
Festival
Trackway
• 21ft and 18ft • Dry winter stored
For sale. Our green and white USED
Tipi 18ft. which has done three summers 2013‐2015 (stored • Complete dry winter). Comes with extras
complete with ground sheet, liner, cocounut floor matting, door flap, rain catcher,
• Used
For pegs
two
sale. and Ozan.
and
Our Some
three
black very and
summers
white Tipi 21ft.
respectively
which has done two summers 2014‐2015 (stored dry winter). Comes
. Our green minor and mouse white
TIPIS
damage Tipi 18ft. and which marks. cost has 3,500.00 done three new. summers Offers (Could 2013‐2015 deliver within (stored 75 complete miles. dry winter). £75.00). with liner, Comes cocounut floor matting, door flap, pegs and Ozan. Some Multi very award-winning minor mouse damage trackway and
e with ground sheet, liner, cocounut floor matting, door flap, rain catcher, pegs and • marks. Offers Ozan. cost Some - £4,000.00 delivery new. can Offers be (Could arranged
Ec
deliver within 75 miles. £75.00). & safety flooring solutions Track
ouse damage and marks. cost 3,500.00 new. Offers (Could deliver within 75 miles. £75.00).
& Access Ltd
For sale.
Tel:
Our
01258
black
880006
and white
| cj.moonfleetfarm@btinternet.com
incorporating
Tipi 21ft. which has done two summers 2014‐2015 01455 (stored dry 553700 winter). Comes UmTech
Epic Group
complete with liner, www.moonfleetfarm.com
cocounut floor matting, door flap, pegs and Ozan. Some sales@ecotrackway.co.uk
very minor mouse damage and
marks. cost £4,000.00 new. Offers (Could deliver within 75 miles. £75.00).
Luxury Toilet Trailers, Event Loos,
Themed Toilets, Shower Units &
Accommodation Hire
FOR ALL YOUR
FURNITURE HIRE NEEDS
AN ALL EXCLUSIVE LUXURY KITCHEN FOR YOUR
GUESTS. PUT IN THE BACK OF A CAR AND GIVE
THEM FREEDOM TO TOUR THE AREA.
www.campchamp.at
UK distributor - The Shack at www.instinctive-retreats.co.uk
01256 384 134
www.site-equip.co.uk
event@site-equip.co.uk
0845 459 9875
Info@furnitureonthemove.co.uk
www.furnitureonthemove.co.uk
1
1
1
Simply the Best Events own and operate over 350
different attractions in house for Corporate Fun Days
and It’s A Knockout events throughout the UK.
Speak to one of our Event Managers
on 0800 019 3908
www.simplythebestevents.co.uk
1
Ensure your guests have the best!!
• Luxurious eco-friendly modular vacuum toilet facilities
• Bespoke and stylish
• Ideal for all prestigious corporate and private outdoor events
• Covering the UK
Ensure your guests have the best!!
• Luxurious eco-friendly modular vacuum toilet facilities
Tel: • Bespoke 0345 and 459 stylish 0589
• Ideal for www.classicalloocompany.com
all prestigious corporate and private outdoor events
enquiries@classicalloocompany.com
• Covering the UK
Tel: 0345 459 0589
www.classicalloocompany.com
enquiries@classicalloocompany.com
Ensure your guests have the best!!
• Luxurious eco-friendly modular vacuum toilet facilities
• Bespoke and stylish
• Ideal for all prestigious corporate and private outdoor events
• Covering the UK
Tel: 0345 459 0589
www.classicalloocompany.com
enquiries@classicalloocompany.com
Tel: 01945 463857 Mob: 07775 921182
info@fireworksdisplayteam.co.uk
www.fireworksdisplayteam.co.uk
WWW.OPENAIRBUSINESS.COM 65

PERIWINKLE
LOCH UP YOUR
DAUGHTERS!
Periwinkle finds that festival organisation isn’t quite as
straightforward as one might think
I TOLD YOU last month that a frozen brain
fart caused me to undergo some sort of
religious experience. A voice commanded me
to stage the mother of all festivals in my lower
paddock. The first thing I did was to scoot off
to the Scottish Highlands for a week to see
whether I could stage a small scale concert as
a dry run as it were. I found a suitable site near
Ullapool and set myself the ambitious target of
organising the entire thing by late afternoon. I
mean, how difficult could it be?
In my mind all the elements of the ideal gig
clicked perfectly together like Lego - catering,
music, stage construction, advertising,
security. I already had a name for the event:
Loch Up Your Daughters. With a slack handful
of luck, McBob would soon be my Scottish
uncle.
I broke fast with a Paisley-patterned plate
of lightly buttered kippers. Then, with a spring
in my brogues and a hole in both Argyll socks,
I strolled from my B&B to the post office to
pick up a concert licence, the heady odour of
seaweed in my nostrils; the screech of gulls in
my ears (though I confess it might have been
the screech of seaweed in my ears and the
odour of gulls up my nose - I’m not really the
outdoor type despite owning 5,000 acres).
The first in a series of ego-deflating events
came when the postmistress explained that
getting a concert licence was a tad more
complicated than filling in a form. It would be
easier to play a piano sonata wearing boxing
gloves, she said.
It got worse. My plan to select a caterer
from among the tradesmen’s postcards in the
newsagent’s window down the High Street
keeled over and sank on discovering that
catering wasn’t catered for at all in this shop
window marketplace. You could have your
pick of rhododendron planters, wheelbarrow
repair wallahs or TV chefs keen to make a fast
buck teaching tourists how to prepare gorseflavoured
shortbread, but local caterers? Not
one.
To cap it all, the Yellow Pages proclaimed
that the nearest stage supplier was in Milan. I
gave them a bell on my mobile. They wanted
three months notice. And did you know that
stages don’t come ready assembled? They
have to be constructed! On site. Who knew?
The poet Rabbie Burnett had it sussed,
didn’t he, with his ‘best laid plans’ sound bite?
As each detail of my fantasy version of
concert management crashed and burned,
the sheer scale of my naivety unfolded in all
its glory. I sat at a table by the window at the
local watering hole - the Tartan Partan - in the
late afternoon, working my way through their
stock of single malts and feeling damned sorry
for myself.
By the time the lunch menu did the rounds,
the anaesthetic effects of the firkin of whisky
I’d quaffed by then, rendered panic medically
impossible. But I didn’t feel too good. My
ill-placed and delusionally optimistic belief
that Loch Up Your Daughters would somehow
self-arrange, stemmed, I now realised, from a
reservoir of ignorance deeper than Loch Ness.
Never once having organised an outdoor event
before, of course, didn’t help.
However, you know what they say: ‘Cometh
the hour, cometh the gal.’ She cameth alright,
and how? She drifted in like dandelion fluff
on a summer breeze; a petite, diaphanous,
20-something. She had a soupçon of
the flibbertigibbet about her, giving the
impression that she was more highly strung
than a ukulele. She introduced herself with
an insult: “Dude, that’s not a tie, it’s a cry for
help.”
“Pleased to meet you too,” I said. “Actually
I could use some help. I don’t suppose you
know anything about event management?”
During a brief pause I thought I heard her utter
a soft-voiced ‘Ka-Ching!’ but perhaps it was
the malt.
“Like, this is your lucky day!” she said,
emptying her handbag onto the table. She
sifted through a pile of business cards,
eventually proffering one. The card read, ‘The
Seventeenth Chakra’ under which was written:
‘Ms Meadow Flowers, Event Organiser … and
then some!’
“Like, that’s not my real name of course,”
Meadow said, wafting her hands aloft as if
delineating the flight paths of two wind-blown
Cabbage Whites on a collision course. “My real
name’s the alchemical sign for chutney. You
know, like Prince? The artist formerly known
as?” I took this to be a reference to the Prince
of Wales, but could not connect His Royal
Highness to chutney in any meaningful way.
If her business cards were to be believed,
Meadow held prominent managerial posts
with at least 50 companies, each under a
different name. From the tilted epicentre of
my malt-induced fug I took this, not as a clear
warning sign of deception, but as a measure of
Meadow’s versatility.
We talked… Well, she talked, I listened,
as she set out her qualifications for the job.
Apparently, she had an honours degree
in 14th century Macedonian folk dance
and a Masters in ‘The Art of Experimental
Finger Buffet Management.’ She’d seen the
film Woodstock 56 times and felt that any
additional knowledge of event management
would only impact negatively on her panache,
a commodity she claimed to have in such
abundance that it had to be regularly
expressed - like breast milk - to avoid angst.
She went on: “Like I met Michael Eavis,
once. He goes: ‘What do you know about event
management?’ And I’m like, take a chill pill,
Eavey! Like, I’ve seen Woodstock, man. The
movie? Like, heaps of times. And he goes: ‘Big
deal.’ And I’m like, ‘Cool the beans Daddy-O.’
Like I was really communicating with the old
man in his native language, you know.”
At some point I must have passed out.
When I came round, the barman told me
that I had abandoned the idea of a Celtic
concert just before handing Meadow a cheque
for four thousand quid to come down and
organise a festival on my paddock. I can be
quite the entrepreneur it seems, even when
unconscious.
66 WWW.OPENAIRBUSINESS.COM

BUILD IT
BEAUTIFUL
WWW.FURNITUREONTHEMOVE.CO.UK
Sometimes the difference
between ordinary and
outstanding is simply the
furniture you choose to hire.
Flat rated delivery any
time of day or night
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Unique pieces in fantastic condition
New catalogue, showreel and
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CALL TODAY FOR MORE DETAILS 0845 459 9875