Open Air Business June/July 2018

The latest news from the world of outdoor hospitality
MATT EACHUS
NOEA AWARDS
OPEN FOR ENTRY
THE THEME for this year’s National
Outdoor Events Association (NOEA)
Awards has been announced and
entries are now open. The Awards,
which take place on the evening of
the NOEA Convention in Bath (21
November), will follow the theme of ‘It
Could Never Happen to Me’, and judges
will be looking for examples of diligent
business.
There is no fee for entering and
businesses and individuals have until 24
August to submit their entry into a choice
of 18 different categories, including a
new ‘Best New Outdoor Event’ option.
Each category will recognise different
sectors of the outdoor events industry
and will also include a Judge’s Award
and a President’s Award for outstanding
achievements throughout the year.
There will also be the return of the ‘I’
award, launched two years ago for
Michael Eavis and recognising high levels
of innovation that have shaped the
events industry.
“The standard of entries continues
to get better every year and we’re
expecting some really great competition
from some exceptional events and event
businesses,” commented Alistair Turner,
chair of the judging committee. “Many
of the winners have gone on to achieve
even more extraordinary things in the
last year, and our ‘I’ award for the City
of Manchester was exceptionally well
received in the aftermath of the One
Love concert.”
Prince's Foundation submits plans to
build outdoor luxury wedding venue
ACCORDING TO plans
being led by Prince Charles,
Dumfries House near
Cumnock in East Ayrshire
is to have a state-of-theart
facility that will allow
parties of up to 200 guests
to attend weddings of the
“highest quality”.
The 18th century
property, designed by
Robert Adam, was put up
for sale by its previous
owner, former F1 racing
driver Johnny Dumfries,
in 2007. In a deal that cost
£45 million, Charles’ own
charitable foundation
contributing £20m, the
intention, together with the
Scottish government, was
to save the listed mansion
house and its collection of
rare Chippendale furniture.
Following intensive
restoration work, it opened
to the public in the summer
of 2008. With the Prince’s
Foundation intent on
maximising commercial
opportunities, a decision on
the planning application for
a luxury wedding venue will
come before East Ayrshire
Council at the end of June.
Documents lodged
with the local planning
authority propose an oak
pavilion, clad in larch and
cedar shingles designed
to complement the
surrounding woodland.
Weddings are currently
held at the estate, where its
Tapestry Room is licensed
for ceremonies hosting up
to 120 guests. However,
the main celebrations
currently take place in a
temporary marquee, which
is thought to detract from
the character of Dumfries
House. It is hoped the
facility will open by 2020.
wins Accessibility Award
THIS YEAR’S Download festival was not only noted
for its star-studded line up, but it also won an award
for its commitment to accessibility. Organisers added
viewing platforms to each stage and increased shuttle
bus services to and from the campsite for disabled fans.
18 performances were also interpreted in British Sign
Language and an on request service was available. These
commitments did not go unnoticed, and Download was
awarded the gold standard of Attitude is Everything’s
Charter of Best Practice.
Download’s achievement makes it only the third festival
with an over 80,000 capacity be recognised. Glastonbury
Festival was the first, while Reading Festival was second.
2018 also saw the launch of the festival’s first eco
campsite, sponsored by Greenpeace, which meant
campers had to take all of their rubbish and camping
equipment home, as well as an incentive scheme, where
fans could earn cash rewards for recycling their plastic.
WWW.OPENAIRBUSINESS.COM 7