Open Air Business February 2017

EVENTS
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As far as cars and parking goes,
we do have a dedicated car park
but, as we don’t use it much, it is
leased to a company that manages
the parking for people visiting
the Isles of Scilly. We use a field in
front of the house for the design
fair visitors and have a tractor
ready if the weather is bad to help
people if they get stuck. We have
disabled parking nearer the house.
The whole set up gives the event a
nice, enclosed feel.
How do you publicise the event?
Mainly using signage. We have
some rather large signs that we
put out on the big roads near Truro
up to a month before the event,
and they have been very effective.
However, they aren’t strictly ‘legal.’
The local authority hadn’t minded
on a limited basis – after all we are
encouraging people and money
into the area – but recently they
have cracked down on the number
of signs going up in the area.
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What challenges have you faced?
The biggest challenge has to be
competition from other events in
the area. We need to keep one step
ahead. Originally the Cornwall
Design Fair was seen to be a bit
different but now we are having to
prove we are different.
What are your plans for next
year?
The design fair will continue much
as it already is, although we will
continue to think up ways to make
it appealing to families. As for
events in general at Trereife, we
are planning on reducing costs
by using more of the buildings
at the back of the house rather
than having to hire in multiple
marquees. The plan is for smaller,
more intimate events.
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What other hospitality sectors
do you operate in?
We offer self catering holidays on
the estate, and bed and breakfast
in the main house and converted
courtyard block. We regularly host
country fairs, concerts, functions
and other events and provide a
unique setting and facilities for
unforgettable weddings and other
important occasions.
The estate also boasts home
produce, a well known horse
breeding stable and many other
country family holiday pursuits
suitable for all ages, as well as
a treasure trove of history to
explore.
What advice could you give
to someone coming into the
outdoor event industry?
When running an event, don’t
assume the public will know
what’s going on throughout the
day. Make information widely
available and invest in a public
address system if necessary.
If running an event is something
you are doing above and
beyond another activity, such as
weddings or accommodation,
then make sure you have the
team in place to handle the
organisation. It can be a strain on
the system otherwise.
DETAILS
Trereife, Penzance,
Cornwall TR20 8T
01736 362750
www.cornwalldesignfair.co.uk
48 WWW.OPENAIRBUSINESS.COM