March/April 2021

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GLAMPSITES How did you tackle getting planning? We didn’t make use of the 26-day rule and to be honest we were really lucky. The planning process was smooth for us. I think we have the solar panels to thank for this! As we all know, it can be difficult when diversifying from traditional farming and planning can be a big issue, but because we had already diversified in 2014, and the accommodation was going in the same field, the hard work had already been done. We used a fantastic planning consultant, Ian Firth, who specialises in planning for glamping accommodation. How did you finance the project? Part savings, part business loan. What glamping accommodation do you offer and why did you choose it? We have two safari tents sleeping up to six people and one shepherd’s hut, which is the perfect cosy retreat for a couple or young family. The reason we chose the safari tents is that we liked the idea that it’s still technically ‘camping’ without having to trudge through the mud to the toilets or sleeping on a cold floor. I think lots of people, especially families, do really enjoy being in the great outdoors and embracing nature in all its glory. The safari tents still feel like you are embracing the wild as you can hear the wind and the rain on the canvas, while staying cosy, dry and warm inside! We decided to go for a shepherd’s hut as well to offer something slightly more designed for couples. It’s a very ‘romantic retreat’. Having different accommodation types allows us to appeal to difference audiences, which is important. The safari tents are open from the last weekend in March to the first weekend in November. We wouldn’t want to keep them open through the depths of winter as the weather in Cornwall really is unpredictable. This way everything it kept fresh for reopening in the spring. The shepherd’s hut is open all year as it really is so cosy inside, so in each different season it’s a perfect retreat to nature. What occupancy levels and price per night do you achieve? We mainly operate on weekly bookings, but we do offer shorter stays, especially in the lower seasons. For the safari tents, a week booking in March starts from £722 and in August the top price is £1,570. From May through to October we are usually fully booked. There is more availability in the winter for the shepherd’s hut, as this is obviously out of season, but we still see a good demand. 36 WWW.OPENAIRBUSINESS.COM
GLAMPSITES How did you work out your brand and how do you publicise yourself? The name ‘Mount View Luxury Glamping’ is obviously inspired by the view of the mount. Our view really is our unique selling point. Everyone who arrives is taken aback by how stunning it is. It feels amazing to share it with others. Our ethos is ‘Relax and Unwind’ as this really is how we want our guests to feel during their stay. We market ourselves through Classic Glamping, who operate across the UK. They have been fantastic right from the get-go. They cover everything, from photoshoots, blogs, advertising us on their social media channels, right through to helping with pricing and even taking the bookings. It’s lovely to have a company who have a base in Cornwall as I know if we ever need any advice, they are 20 minutes away and are always happy to help! We don’t have our own website, but we do market ourselves though Facebook and Instagram. It’s nice to show progress and share little snippets of what we do from day to day, but the main marketing is left to Classic Glamping, they’ve got it covered. “AT THE END OF THE DAY, IT’S THE GREAT OUTDOORS, YOU HAVE TO BE PREPARED WHATEVER THE WEATHER!” How did you choose your interior decoration? We designed the interiors for the safari tents based on their names. We have Sunrise Safari tent which has a yellow theme, and Horizon Safari tent which is blue themed. The shepherd’s hut is red and white. We liked the classic country style so ran with it. What challenges have you faced? To be honest the only real challenge we face is the weather. I check the forecast and if it’s looking unsettled, I have to make the decision of whether to remove the front sail. The tents themselves can absolutely hold their own in whatever weather, but the front sail can cause problems. Our guests have been extremely understanding and embrace the elements with us. At the end of the day, it’s the great outdoors, you have to be prepared whatever the weather! How have you coped with Covid? Overall we have coped very well. Cornwall saw one of the busiest seasons ever once we opened last year and this year is looking equally busy. Because we have self-contained accommodation, we can open from the 12 April, which we are very grateful for. We have hand sanitiser positioned all over the site and have used sanitising smoke bombs on change over days. We took out all unnecessary soft furnishing like blankets and cushions, but I’m hoping to put these back into the tent this year as they do add a nice touch. We are looking for a sanitising spray to use on all the soft furnishings this season. What are your plans for next season? Later this season we are hoping to open our brand-new Ocean View Lodge. We’ve been keeping very busy through lockdown and used the time to get creative. I have a great team of local tradesmen who have worked so hard to help make this happen. We are hoping to have the lodge up and running later this season. It will sleep six and has a hot tub like the other accommodation. It’s just over the hedge so is slightly separate. We are so proud that we have been able to grow the site further and we are hoping for Ocean View to be equally successful! 01228 577 385 / 07881 921 339 www.loghomesfinland.co.uk BESPOKE LOG CABIN SUPPLIERS AND BUILDERS WWW.OPENAIRBUSINESS.COM 37
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Page 5 and 6: The Highlands’ Covid-safe Glampin
Page 9 and 10: PRODUCT New Pricing for the Schiede
Page 11 and 12: Amazingly Versatile, Strikingly Bea
Page 13 and 14: PEOPLE “RURAL IRELAND IS PRETTY M
Page 15 and 16: PEOPLE “WE MAKE THE DOUGH AT MOUN
Page 17 and 18: FUNCTION VENUES Diversifying from f
Page 19 and 20: FUNCTION VENUES How do you publicis
Page 21 and 22: There has never been a better time
Page 23 and 24: FUNCTION VENUES “THIS IS ABOUT PU
Page 25 and 26: STRETCH TENTS Custom also available
Page 27 and 28: FUNCTION VENUES show that would exc
Page 29 and 30: FUNCTION VENUES trivial but to them
Page 31 and 32: FUNCTION VENUES PRODUCT IN FOCUS Ba
Page 33 and 34: DRIVE YOUR REVENUE WITH A DRIVE-IN
Page 35: GLAMPSITES CASE STUDY Mount View Lu
Page 39 and 40: glamping pods perfect for even the
Page 41 and 42: GETTY IMAGES GLAMPSITES MAINTENANCE
Page 43 and 44: GLAMPSITES living. This does not im
Page 45 and 46: GLAMPSITES 5 STORIES, GUIDES AND RE
Page 47: GLAMPSITES SUPPLIER PROFILE The Pod
Page 50 and 51: GLAMPSITES WE LOVE… Stainless ste
Page 52 and 53: Don’t pack your guests in like sa
Page 54 and 55: EVENTS related to the land owners w
Page 56 and 57: EVENTS What provisions do you make
Page 58 and 59: EVENTS A Point of Difference We Are
Page 60 and 61: EVENTS Breaking Bread Impact Study
Page 62 and 63: In Partnership with REGISTRATION IS
Page 64 and 65: EVENTS PRODUCT IN FOCUS Toilets & S
Page 66 and 67: EVENTS OAB Loves Marquees & Structu
Page 68 and 69: Spot light A roundup of products fo
Page 70 and 71: Classified Directory Finman Glampin
Page 72 and 73: 10 & 11 NOV 21 NEC, BIRMINGHAM RUNN
Page 74: PEOPLE SPINNING PLATES Whilst my la

March/April 2021

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