March/April 2022

Dark Skies Generates £200,000
THIS FEBRUARY’S Dark
Skies Festival is estimated
to have helped generate
more than £200,000 of
income for businesses and
organisations across both
the North York Moors and
Yorkshire Dales National
Parks.
Running across four
protected landscapes, North
York Moors National Park,
Yorkshire Dales National
Park, Nidderdale Area of
Outstanding Natural Beauty
AONB, and Howardian
Hills AONB, a significant
proportion of the 100-plus
events sold out early and
attracted a healthy waiting
list. The popularity of
this, now biannual, event
underlines its status as a
UK calendar fixture and its
importance as a valuable
off-season income booster
for businesses.
Based on the attendance
numbers and using an event
evaluation calculator, the
National Parks estimate
this year’s festival will
have helped generate over
£200,000. The figure relates
to both direct purchases
such as event tickets as
well as indirect spending
on items such as food
and drink or overnight
accommodation for a
proportion of visitors.
Helen Dalton, tourism
Friends @The Farm 2022
officer for the Yorkshire
Dales National Park, said:
“When we look back to the
initial festival, the events
were mainly centred on
traditional stargazing and
astronomy evenings. While
these still remain a core,
and very important part
of the festival, we’ve seen
how more businesses and
organisations are putting
their own spin on the
theme to appeal to new
audiences.”
AN INFORMAL gathering of glamping professionals is planned
for 30 June–1 July in Peckham Bush, Kent.
“The aim is to create an informal and friendly event where
interested/would be site owners can meet and talk with
professionals in the glamping market,” says co-organiser Lisa
Bullen. “The key words here are friendly and informal. We
aren’t chasing big numbers; it’s about enabling visitors to see
structures and products in a natural setting.”
Exhibitors include Tree Tents International, Lotus Belle, Glamping Fires, Coal Bunker,
TruDomes, Solar Technology, Glampsan, DPage Contractors plus service providers to include
social media, marketing, web development and photography. For free tickets, visit
www.trybooking.co.uk/BNBN
IN SHORT
› BREWERY AND VENUE PLANS
A former farm park in North Ayrshire has
unveiled plans to create an exclusive
wedding venue and micro-brewery.
Blackshaw Farm in West Kilbride, which
closed to the public as a tourist attraction
in 2000, intends to host weddings all yearround
and a Blackshaw Farmhouse Ale will
be crafted on-site and sold at the venue and
in local pubs.
› COTSWOLD FARM PARK LAUNCHES
SAFARI TENTS
Cotswold Farm Park has revealed six
new safari tents, extending its holiday
accommodation which includes lodges,
camping pods and pitches, and pop-up
glamping village, Strawberry’s Field.
Bookings for the safari tents start from
£100 per night. Entry to the park is included
in stays and the tents are dog friendly.
› BUSINESS AFLOAT VIA
ROSEBUD LOAN
A Lancashire boat hire
company has diversified
into weddings and
other events. Canal Boat
Cruises, based at Riley
Green Marina, Hoghton, allows customers
to hire canal boats for special occasions,
events, romantic dinners and holidays. The
business purchased land adjacent to the
site then developed this into a wedding
venue with the help of a £130,000 loan from
Rosebud which it secured in 2018.
Rosebud is owned by Lancashire County
Developments (LCDL), a wholly owned
subsidiary of Lancashire County Council. It
aims to support the growth of Lancashire
businesses and the local economy, offering
loans between £10,000 and £300,000 and
business support.
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Whether you are looking to start,
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MAC Cabins brings you the
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MAC Cabins actively supports and promotes the sustainable tourist industry.
0800 999 1564
maccabins.co.uk
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