Open Air Business February 2017

ACCOMMODATION
MATT SWEETING PHOTOGRAPHY
and quiet – and we provide that. I
like to think that we offer five star
luxury in a field – we really do go
that extra mile for our guests.
How did you choose your interior
decoration?
We wanted to reflect the heritage
of shepherd huts, so everything is
either made in the UK or vintage.
I have a friend who is brilliant
at sourcing things, so she and I
worked together and came up with
a unique look for Dimpsey that
reflects the handmade heritage of
the shepherd’s hut itself.
What challenges have you faced?
We were new to the hospitality
business, so we had to learn how
to provide a great guest experience
and how to deal quickly with any
issues that arose.
What are your plans for next
season?
We are improving our outdoor
kitchen facilities and providing
more food from the farm, as well
as reviewing more local places so
we can recommend really great
places for our guests to visit and
dine out.
Describe your average day midseason
I do other things as well as the
shepherd hut, so I’m generally
doing that during the day. The
lovely Megan who works, does
the hut changeovers for me in
the week and hubby and I do it at
weekends. I’m usually to be found
taking photos for our social media,
sourcing new things for the hut
or dealing with the bookings. My
favourite job is helping people
BEN CARPENTER PHOTOGRAPHY
ADDRESS BOOK
plan surprises for their partner
– we’ve had five proposals here
so far.
Do you enjoy the business and
why?
I absolutely love it – it’s so
amazing to know that we have
given people a really lovely
break. Reading the feedback in
our visitors’ book inspires us to
keep coming up with delights for
our guests. There aren't many
ACCOMMODATION
Blackdown Shepherd Huts - 01460 929774
www.blackdownshepherdhuts.co.uk
WASHROOM / WC
Blackdown Shepherd Huts - 01460 929774
www.blackdownshepherdhuts.co.uk
HOT TUB
Hikki (available to buy from Dimpsey)
www.hikki.se
COOKING
The Garden Oven Company - 01256 581014
www.garden-oven.co.uk
INTERIORS
Various – of special note Winser & Hill
Curtains
www.winserandhillcurtainmakers.co.uk
industries where you get the
opportunity to see the process
all the way through to happy
customers.
In what other outdoor
hospitality sectors do you
operate and how do they
integrate with your glamping
operation?
We’ve learnt so much about the
glamping sector that we are
now helping other glampsites
to set up and to get the word
out there about themselves. I
originally come from a business
development background and, as
part of Niche Brands, collaborate
with four ladies who offer website
design, social media and PR. My
part is to input some glamping
business experience.
What advice could you give
to someone coming into the
industry?
Do what you enjoy – it makes
everything so much easier.
BOOKINGS
Bookalet - www.bookalet.co.uk
PROMOTION
Canopy & Stars - 0117 204 7830
www.canopyandstars.co.uk
Cool Camping - www.coolcamping.com
Cool Stays - www.coolstays.com
INSURANCE
NFU Mutual - 0808 274 9600
www.nfumutual.co.uk
DETAILS
Beetham Lane, Chard, Somerset, TA20
01460 477770
www.dimpsey.co.uk
30 WWW.OPENAIRBUSINESS.COM