August 2021
The UK's outdoor hospitality business magazine for function venues, glamping, festivals and outdoor events
The UK's outdoor hospitality business magazine for function venues, glamping, festivals and outdoor events
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ISSUE 44 | <strong>August</strong> <strong>2021</strong> | www.openairbusiness.com<br />
WELCOME<br />
THERE ARE some interesting statistics that I have come<br />
across in compiling this issue. Thanks to the pandemic,<br />
dog ownership has rocketed, as have searches for<br />
dog-friendly holiday accommodation. Cold water<br />
swimming participation has also increased three-fold.<br />
Savvy business owners are already capitalising on these<br />
opportunities; welcoming dogs to a glampsite is one thing<br />
but turning your body of water into a safe swimming<br />
location takes some more thought. Fortunately, Charlotte<br />
Winship has researched what you need, with inspiration<br />
taken from Compton Verney’s offering.<br />
Our entrepreneur of the issue, Amber Lort-Phillips, has also made the most of<br />
her coastal location with wild swimming, one of the wellness activities offered<br />
at her Little Retreat on the Lawrenny Estate. So in demand are her retreats that<br />
she co-founded the Big Retreat Festival, which has grown each year into a major<br />
event and yet another string to this remarkable estate’s bow.<br />
The big news is that events finally have government-backed insurance – let’s<br />
hope this allows an acceleration of the re-emergence of the industry. Not many<br />
events have managed this summer, but things are ramping up for the autumn.<br />
Our case study is on The Forest Showcase Food Festival in the Forest of Dean<br />
which takes place in October. Having lost its district council support in 2010, it<br />
is now a sustainable business in its own right – huge congratulations to coorganisers<br />
Amanda Smith and Rachel Salway.<br />
The Glamping Show is coming up, one of my favourite trade events. We’ll be<br />
there on Stand OSA 14 – come and say hello!<br />
Tally Rix<br />
Editor / Publisher<br />
PUBLISHERS<br />
Steve Rix - steve@openairbusiness.com<br />
Tally Rix - tally@openairbusiness.com<br />
EDITOR<br />
Tally Rix - tally@openairbusiness.com<br />
ADVERTISING SALES<br />
Marney Whyte - 01892 677743<br />
marney@openairbusiness.com<br />
ADMINISTRATOR<br />
Kirsty Farrow – 01892 677740<br />
kirsty@openairbusiness.com<br />
DESIGN<br />
James English -<br />
www.jamesenglishdesign.co.uk<br />
PUBLISHED BY<br />
Coffee Shop Media Ltd<br />
www.coffeeshopmedia.com<br />
Milroy House, Sayers Lane,<br />
Tenterden, TN30 6BW<br />
01580 848555<br />
Contents ISSUE 44 – AUGUST <strong>2021</strong><br />
OPEN AIR BUSINESS IS<br />
NO LONGER FREE<br />
To start a paid subscription, please visit<br />
www.openairbusiness.com/subscribe<br />
UP FRONT<br />
4 News<br />
7 Product News<br />
10 Glamping Show<br />
Preview<br />
12 Entrepreneur’s Chat<br />
– Amber Lort-Phillips,<br />
Lawrenny Estate<br />
FUNCTION VENUES<br />
16 Thief Hall – a no<br />
rules wedding venue<br />
with guest glamping<br />
20 Bad Reviews –<br />
Caroline Cooper<br />
advises how to<br />
handle them<br />
23 Business Loyalty<br />
– it’s time to think<br />
about how to win<br />
more business<br />
24 Open Water<br />
Opportunity –<br />
capitalising on the<br />
rise of cold water<br />
swimming<br />
28 Outdoor<br />
Accommodation –<br />
products in action<br />
GLAMPSITES<br />
31 Hedgerow Luxury<br />
Glamping – a no<br />
children, no pets<br />
luxury retreat<br />
36 Trade Secrets –<br />
designing signage<br />
for Leafy Fields<br />
Glamping<br />
39 Finding Money – the<br />
secrets to securing<br />
a rural business<br />
mortgage<br />
42 Social Media<br />
Planning – working<br />
out your posts for the<br />
year<br />
44 Infrastructure –<br />
products in action<br />
EVENTS<br />
48 The Forest<br />
Showcase Food<br />
Festival – a foodie<br />
haven in the Forest of<br />
Dean<br />
52 Safety Specifics –<br />
how to choose your<br />
safety consultant<br />
56 Tackling Travel –<br />
ecolibrium’s Travel<br />
Carbon Calculator<br />
app for events<br />
60 Professional<br />
Services – product<br />
snap shots<br />
62 Spotlight<br />
63 Classifieds<br />
65 Behind the Scenes –<br />
Deborah Collins, The<br />
Belfry Hotel & Resort<br />
Find more expert advice online:<br />
www.openairbusiness.com<br />
SUBSCRIBE<br />
ONLINE<br />
LUXURY ACCOMMODATION<br />
FUNCTION VENUES GLAMPSITES<br />
EVENTS<br />
› Open Water Swimming › Finding Money<br />
› Travel Emissions<br />
› Bad Reviews<br />
/<br />
› Designing Signage<br />
/<br />
› Safety Consultants<br />
CASE STUDIES:<br />
THIEF HALL • HEDGEROW LUXURY GLAMPING • THE FOREST SHOWCASE FOOD FESTIVAL<br />
COVER PHOTO<br />
The Roof Terrace Eco Lodge, a masterpiece of innovative<br />
design and engineering. Introducing an Outerspace<br />
building that takes you to a special place of comfort and<br />
relaxation. Hand built in Britain to the highest standards<br />
for all season use. www.outerspacegroup.com<br />
BUSINESS<br />
WWW.OPENAIRBUSINESS.COM 3
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