Issue 56

ISSUE 56 | 2023 | www.openairbusiness.com 

BUSINESS 

FESTIVAL READY 

GLAMPSITES 

› Structure Siting 

› Direct Bookings 

FUNCTION VENUES 

› Venue Investment 

› Booking Trends 

EVENTS 

› Power Plan 

› Local Authorities 

CASE STUDIES: 

THE DEN AT FOUR ACRES • TRACTORS & CREAM • POOLE HARBOUR FESTIVAL

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ISSUE 56 | 2023 | www.openairbusiness.com 

WELCOME 

WHO’S GOING ‘festivalling’ this year? Loads of us I hope. 

The Event Production Show at Excel London is imminent 

and, by the time we go to print, both the Association 

of Festival Organisers (AFO) and the Green Events and 

Innovations conferences will have been held. Loads of 

great work is going on (I wonder who’s going to take the 

A Greener Festival top accolade? – see news pages) in the 

sector despite huge challenges, so please do get out and 

support events large and small. 

Obviously spare cash isn’t really a thing among many customer demographics 

at the moment and we have several articles referencing this and how businesses 

can respond without losing their bottom line (pages 22-23 and 25). One way to 

ensure you aren’t eroding revenue unnecessarily is finding ways to get in front 

of your customer without the help of a third party. Direct marketing is now more 

accessible but a targeted approach through social media and Google (other 

search engines are available) will be at the heart of this strategy (see page 37). 

Love him or hate him, Jeremy Clarkson certainly has our attention and I have 

to say I am loving Series 2 of Clarkson’s Farm. I’m disappointed in myself that 

it has taken this show to educate me in the realities of making a living from the 

land in a traditional sense. If he isn’t cancelled beforehand, I wonder if a Series 3 

will have episodes on “Weddinging”, “Glampsiting” and, yes, “Festivalling”… 

Tally Rix 

Editor / Publisher 

PUBLISHERS 

Steve Rix - steve@openairbusiness.com 

Tally Rix - tally@openairbusiness.com 

EDITOR 

Tally Rix - tally@openairbusiness.com 

ADVERTISING SALES 

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marney@openairbusiness.com 

David Hobden - 01892 677741 

david@openairbusiness.com 

ADMINISTRATOR 

Kirsty Farrow – 01892 677740 

kirsty@openairbusiness.com 

DESIGN 

James English - 

www.jamesenglishdesign.co.uk 

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01580 848555 

RECEIVE 9 ISSUES FOR £20 

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Contents ISSUE 56 – 2023 

UP FRONT 

4 News 

7 Product News 

11 Entrepreneur’s Chat 

– Annie Green, Field 

Good Bar 


17 The Den at Four 

Acres – 

22 Wedding Budgets 

– wedding venue 

investment in 2023 

25 Venue Finding 

Trends – the rules 

have changed for 

business event 

bookers 

26 Interiors & 

Furniture – products 

in action 

GLAMPSITES 

29 Tractors & Cream 

– family friendly 

dome glamping in 

Somerset 

37 Where to Market 

– quick tips on 

direct marketing to 

customers 

38 Siting Structures 

– foundation and 

securing options 

40 Landscape & 

Exteriors – products 

in action 

EVENTS 

43 Poole Harbour 

Festival – one of 

Dorset’s largest 

family friendly 

gatherings 

49 Power Efficiency – 

power plan priorities 

for 2023 events 

50 Local Authority 

Wins – advice on 

working with the 

powers that be 

52 Festival Ready – 

products in action 

54 Spotlight 

55 Classifieds 

57 Behind the Scenes… 

Gemma England and 

Julia Hall, Ludlow 

Castle 

Find more expert advice online: 

www.openairbusiness.com 

SUBSCRIBE 

ONLINE 

FESTIVAL READY 

GLAMPSITES 

FUNCTION VENUES EVENTS 

› Structure Siting › Venue Investment › Power Plan 

› Direct Bookings › Booking Trends › Local Authorities 

CASE STUDIES: 

THE DEN AT FOUR ACRES • TRACTORS & CREAM • POOLE HARBOUR FESTIVAL 

COVER PHOTO 

Poole Harbour Festival – pages 43-46. 

www.pooleharbourfestival.com 

BUSINESS 

WWW.OPENAIRBUSINESS.COM 3

Award finalist Cambridge Folk Festival 

A Greener 

Festival Finalists 

A Greener Festival (AGF) has revealed 29 events 

and arenas from 11 countries as finalists in the 

International AGF Awards 2023. The awards 

are given across nine sustainability categories 

including power, water, food and travel. Finalists 

of the top accolade – the International Greener 

Festival Award 2023 – are Cambridge Folk Festival 

(UK), DGTL Festival Amsterdam (NL), Green 

Gathering (UK), Øya Festival (NO), Paradise City 

(BE), Pete The Monkey (FR), Platinum Jubilee 

Pageant (UK), Shambala Festival (UK) and We Love 

Green (FR). 

The awards ceremony will be held on 28 

February at the Green Events and Innovations 

Conference. 

Wold Meadow, East Yorkshire – a county enjoying huge growth in bookings 

Pitchup.com Reveals Top Trends 

Outdoor accommodation booking 

platform Pitchup.com has identified 

some surprising post-pandemic camping 

and glamping habits following a detailed 

analysis from over 24 million users and 

more than 32 million visits to its website. 

Results showed holidaymakers 

are booking last minute breaks, with 

the average lead time falling by 15% 

in 2022 compared to the previous 

year, likely due to less concern about 

domestic accommodation availability as 

international travel options opened up 

further post pandemic. 

There has also been a surprising 

peak in inbound interest in outdoor 

accommodation, with a rise of 58% in 

non-domestic UK bookings. The season 

is also extending, with UK winter arrivals 

for 21 December to 20 March up 118% 

compared to 2019/20 and up nearly 30% 

compared to 2021/22. 

While almost all destinations have 

seen bookings grow significantly when 

comparing 2019 to 2022, those with high 

growth include Cumbria, Hampshire 

and Powys, while Cornwall, Devon and 

Somerset all saw lower growth rates. 

Emerging areas that saw a huge growth 

spurt year-on-year include East Yorkshire 

(409% rise), Oxfordshire (353% rise) and 

Staffordshire (499% rise). 

Glamping Show Gears 

up for September 

The Glamping Show has 

confirmed a record number of 

exhibitors already confirmed 

for its September dates. Now 

in its eigth year, the show is 

held at the NAEC Stoneleigh 

in Coventry, returning on 

14-16 September 2023. It 

is widely recognised as the 

one-stop-shop for starting and 

improving short-term rental 

businesses with past shows 

attracting over 120 exhibitors. 

Last year’s show welcomed 

over 5,000 visitors from 47 

countries. 

Dan Wiseman, exhibition 

manager, said: “With close to 

50 companies confirmed and 

an exciting host of first time 

exhibitors, The Glamping Show 

2023 promises new talent in 

the expanded new space at 

NAEC Stoneleigh Park.” 

4 WWW.OPENAIRBUSINESS.COM

Elopements 

on the Rise 

says Top 

Scottish 

Venue 

Elopements and intimate ceremonies 

are becoming a more regular post-Covid 

wedding option, according to Scotland’s 

top venue. 

Dunglass Estate in East Lothian was 

named Wedding Venue of the Year at the 

Scotland Prestige Awards. A spokesman 

said: “The impact Covid and lockdown 

had on weddings has really shaped a 

change in the expectation of what the 

day needs to be. We’re seeing so many 

more couples having intimate, weekday 

weddings or even elopements with just 

the two of them.” 

Best Wedding Venue 2023 

Bowers Mill in Barkisland, Halifax, has been awarded Best Wedding 

Venue at the Wedding Industry Awards 2023. The venue won the regional 

category as well as the national award at the event held at the end of 

January. 

Co-owner Nicola Walton said: “This is an incredible achievement for 

our hardworking teams, many of which live in the Calderdale area. To be 

recognised nationally is absolutely fantastic. Our venue beat hundreds 

within the same category. 

“The Wedding Industry Awards is a prestigious award body and judges 

not only looked at our business model, but also requested direct feedback 

from the couples who have hosted their day with us and so we must take 

this opportunity to thank those who took time to send such fabulous 

feedback.” 

Outdoor Toilets 

and Showers 

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FIVESTARGROUP 

CREW | SECURITY | PROJECTS | TRAINING 

The Five Star Group comprises four divisions: Crew, 

Security, Projects & Training, all supporting the events 

industry across the UK. Our wide range of services 

include local & skilled crew, event security, bespoke 

structures, accredited training and much more. 

www.thefivestargroup.co.uk 

info@thefivestargroup.co.uk + 44 (0)333 444 2739 

No matter how busy your day has been, there’s 

always time to relax in one of our bespoke hot tubs. 

E-MAIL 

info@woodpeckertubs.co.uk 

PHONE 

+44 7435 8669 29 

WEB 

www.woodpeckertubs.co.uk 


PRODUCT 

For Sale – Dorset Bell Tents 

Dorset Bell Tents is now for sale. It has grown as far as the current owners wish to take 

it and is ready for someone who is ready for a life away from the office to take and mold 

as they wish. 

In other news, its owners are also delighted to announce that it has received the 

Plastic Free Business award from Surfers Against Sewage. This little wooden plaque 

signifies that the company has significantly reduced its single use plastic usage, 

especially in respect of those pesky zip ties! 

01202 374188, info@dorsetbelltents.com, www.dorsetbelltents.com 

Supporting 

the Events 

Industry 

Five Star Group is proud 

to announce its first 

appearance at the Event 

Production Show at Excel 

London. Located just by the 

main stage at stand C66E, 

pop by for a chat about your 

outdoor events needs in 

2023! 

2022 saw Five Star 

Crew, Security, Projects 

and Training all travelling 

throughout the UK working 

on some of the biggest 

outdoor events supplying 

structures, crew and security 

to the likes of Belldrum, 

Brewdog, Reading & Leeds 

Festival and beyond. 

Five Star Group is primed 

and ready for another 

fantastic year in 2023 

with services available 

throughout the UK and 

offices in every major city. 

Five Star Crew offers a 

range of services from local 

crew to plant operators, 

stage hands, production 

runners, steel hands and 

more. 

Five Star Security offers 

a wide range of corporate, 

gatehouse and festival 

security ahead of the 

outdoor season. Its trained 

guards have worked up and 

down the country at some 

of the UK’s leading festivals, 

including Glastonbury. 

Five Star Training offers 

a variety of courses – from 

first aid to tele handler, the 

training division has got you 

covered. 

Five Star Projects has 

a wide range of outdoor 

structures and staging 

ready for 2023 including 

scaffolding, bespoke, 

and television and film 

structures. Projects is also 

proud to announce the new 

Super Galactic 22 metre 

stage with 30 tonne rigging 

capacity. 

0333 444 2739, info@ 

thefivestargroup.co.uk, 

www.thefivestargroup.co.uk 

Future-proofed 

Eco Structures 

The Tiny Housing Co. has created a 

set of new models tailored to meet 

the greener standards expected 

in 2023 while reducing energy 

bills significantly and enhancing 

profitability. With increasing evidence 

that eco-friendly, sustainable and 

responsible travel is much more than 

a fad (as it’s fast becoming an industry 

standard) it has worked on futureproofing 

its homes. 

“Gas prices are increasing and 

there is a fear of the future removal of 

gas appliances,” says Dane Smith- 

Burchnell, co-founder of The Tiny 

Housing Co. “We have created an 

energy-efficient, all-electric range 

of homes where there’s no need for 

expensive retrofitting as they will run 

efficiently from the get-go. 

“As part of the package we have 

added triple-glazing, air source heat 

pumps and mechanical ventilation 

heat recovery (MVHR). Collectively, 

they reduce the need for significant 

amounts of energy to maintain a 

comfortable room temperature inside 

the home.” 

Going further, with a human-led 

design approach, the team has 

worked on looking at their materials 

and have come up with some novel 

options. “44% of adults have at least 

one allergy and in the UK there are 

eight million asthma sufferers. Due to 

this, we have reduced plastics, toxic 

glues, paints and harsh chemicals 

to a minimum, replacing them with 

healthier, natural materials to reduce 

reactions of allergy and asthma 

sufferers alike.” 

The Tiny Housing Co’s futureproofed 

collection, The Kokas 

Collection, is now available in three 

sizes. 

01260 711010, 

info@thetinyhousing.co, 

www.thetinyhousing.co 


PRODUCT 

Restructure at LS Events 

LS Events has announced changes to its 

company structure which will see Dave 

Grindle and Steve Reynolds take on the 

role of Co-CEOs with immediate effect. 

Whilst they will continue to play key 

operational roles, the move recognises the 

significant strategic contribution Grindle 

and Reynolds make within the business as 

it continues to experience growth. 

Dave Grindle was a founding member 

of LS Events (formerly Loud Sound) 

with Jim King in 2004 and has played an 

integral role in shaping the organisation’s 

reputation for delivering event excellence. 

Steve Reynolds joined in 2016 and has 

been instrumental in widening the 

scope of the LS Events client portfolio, 

developing the business in new areas 

including sports, public sector and 

ceremonial events, whilst continuing to 

deliver to live entertainment clients. 

This strategic announcement comes 

ahead of a busy 2023, with a diverse 

and exciting rosta of projects including 

delivering two of the UK’s major music 

festivals in American Express presents BST 

Hyde Park and LUNO presents All Points 

East. 

Steve Reynolds said: “This exciting 

evolution of our structure enables Dave 

and I to continue to focus on our clients’ 

needs whilst empowering our incredible 

team to deliver first class operational 

solutions.” 

Dave Grindle comments: “Having 

been with LS Events since its inception, 

it’s humbling to reflect on how far the 

business has come. I’m proud to be 

stepping into this role alongside Steve at 

such an exciting time in our company’s 

development.” 

www.ls.uk 

Exclusive Bell Tent Porches 

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the 2023 season. Choose 

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both sizes have the option 

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The tents come with 

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Measuring 1.5m deep and 

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ample space for luggage 

and cool box storage or a 

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porch and remove it when 

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Perfect for glamping 

sites offering customers 

extra room to store their 

wet clothes, dogs or 

children(!), trade discounts 

are available for bulk 

purchases. Just call Emma 

or Max to discuss a bespoke 

package that works for your 

business. 

0330 223 6376, hello@ 

lifeundercanvas.co.uk, 

www.lifeundercanvas.co.uk 

Why The Dome Company? 

The Dome Company’s geodesic domes are used at public, corporate and private events, 

theatres, festivals and functions throughout the UK and beyond. 

Over the past 40 years, and spanning two generations, the company has developed its 

own distinctive style of beautiful and functional geodesic domes and structures with an 

exclusive feel. 

If you have production or installation in mind, the load bearing capacity and many 

rigging points will save you the need for internal ground support and additional costs in 

most cases. 

From small intimate events, brand activations, weddings, film and live broadcast, to 

large festivals and sporting event venues, or simply a bar or bespoke environment with 

blackout options too, The Dome Company’s structures are capable of withstanding long 

term or permanent installation. 

07876 673354, info@thedomecompany.co.uk, www.domecompany.co.uk 


Get In Touch 

Website - https://www.greensh2o.co.uk/ 

Office - 01256 225635 

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ISSUE 51 | 2022 | www.openairbusiness.com 


BUSINESS 

ISSUE 46 | October/November 2021 | www.openairbusiness.com 

BUSINESS 

BESPOKE GLAMPING 

ISSUE 49 | March/April 2022 | www.openairbusiness.com 

EVENT STRUCTURES 


› Bars & Catering 

› Outdoor Ceremonies 

GLAMPSITES 

› Compost Toilets 

› Booking Systems 

EVENTS 

› Seeing Red 

› Total Immersion 

BUSINESS 

INFRASTRUCTURE 


› Sharing Snaps 

› Kitchen Efficiencies 

GLAMPSITES 

› Architects 

› Natural Pools 

EVENTS 

› Green Hydrogen 

› Tent Waste 

GLAMPING 

SHOW 

PREVIEW 


› Accommodation 

› Eco Marketing 

GLAMPSITES 

› Research 

› Sewage Strategy 

EVENTS 

› Stage Build 

› Ticketing 

BUSINESS 

FUNCTION 

VENUES 

› Pricing 

› Websites 

GLAMPSITES 

› Business Rates 

› Building Regulations 

EVENTS 

› Reusable Cups 

› Festival Costs 


STRUCTURES 

ENTREPRENEUR’S CHAT 

Tim Bowles -Campwell 

BUSINESS 


/ / 

GLAMPSITES 

EVENTS 

› Shoot Styling 

› Logo Protection 

› Insurance 

› Saying Thanks 

› Treehouse Builds 

› Going Hybrid 

CASE STUDIES: 

ROKA BELLA ROSE WEDDINGS • THE MEADOWS AT POLEHANGER • BURRS LIVE 

CASE STUDIES: 

GREEN & AWAY • BIRDHOLME GLAMPING • SHREWSBURY FOOD FESTIVAL 

CASE STUDIES: 

SYCHPWLL CENTRE • BROOK FARM SHEPHERD HUTS • IRLAM LIVE 


Derry Green - The Secret Garden Glamping 

› Derry Green - The Secret Garden Glamping 

CASE STUDIES: 

HYDE ESTATE WILD GARDENS • BROCKLOCH ECO RETREAT • TRAMLINES FESTIVAL 

CASE STUDIES: 

OLD OAK FARM • DRAGONFLY CAMPING • TORCHLIGHT FESTIVAL OF CAMPING 

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PEOPLE 


ANNIE 

Lindridge 

Annie Lindridge brings party and fun loving vibes to her pop-up festival-style events at 

The Field Good Bar in Bath. Focusing on weddings and corporate celebrations, 

but with a few community and public events per year 

MEGAN DONATI PHOTOGRAPHY 


PEOPLE 

PHOTOGRAPHY BY VIKI 

“OUTDOORS IS THE ORIGINAL ‘VENUE’ AND 

WE ENCOURAGE CUSTOMERS TO BRING 

THE MAGIC AND MAKE IT THEIRS” 



usic promoter and DJ Annie Lindridge started 

her journey into venue creation after turning 

around a failing pub in Bath. “I transformed 

it into a great boozer through music and art,” 

she says. “I then converted a mobile bar into a 

shiny disco bar and we did festivals with it but 

I decided it was too heavy to move about so 

started looking out for a home for it.” 

Annie found a farmer who shared her vision 

and The Field Good Bar venue was born – a 

May to September operation perfect for any event that requires a 

festival vibe. 

“That was seven years ago and we now run events using 

temporary event notices, but never more than one a week. It’s 

important for us to keep things in balance with nature and not to 

overdo it with back-to-back events and it’s lovely to see the wildlife 

in abundance as we work on site.” 

Annie planted 1,000 trees four years ago at one end of the 

site and this year will open a new area – the ‘Secret Circle’. “This 

will feature ‘molecule’ seating. I’ve designed it to represent 

the molecule of love with lots of hexagons – it will be called 

‘Chemistree.’” 

Hexagons feature large (literally) at the venue, with bespoke 

wooden structures framing the views, and also on Annie herself! “I 

am big into the hive mentality, and an avid fan of bees.” 

Annie’s abundant creativity draws a lot of inspiration from the 

‘Second Summer of Love’ in the late 80s. “You could say I think 

outside the box, but I have no idea – what’s a box?! 

My approach is similar to the sense of freedom I felt when I 

was younger – it’s all about self-expression and being free to be 

yourself. 

“Outdoors is the original ‘venue’ and we encourage customers to 

bring the magic and make it theirs. I also try and encourage them 

to name their event and a great friend and fantastic artist Samuel 

Lindup creates awesome custom festival-style stationary for them.” 

FOR THE LOVE 

This philosophy transcends Annie’s business model, especially 

when it comes to pricing. “I’m not about how much money I can 


WELL CHUFFED MEDIA 


PEOPLE 

PHOTOGRAPHY BY VIKI 


“THE ONLY STUFF WE HIRE IN IS THE LUXURY 

LOOS AND THE SHOWERS AND THAT’S 

BECAUSE IF ANYTHING GOES WRONG WITH 

THEM THERE’S SOMEONE THAT COMES OUT 

AND FIXES THEM. WITH A LIVE ‘SHOW’ YOU 

CAN’T LEAVE ANYTHING TO CHANCE” 

eek out of a wedding. They’re in love for God’s sake! I want these 

couples to have enough wriggle in their budget to have the music 

and food that they want. Don’t get me wrong, these aren’t low cost 

events – I’d say the average wedding here costs between £15-£20K 

in total.” 

Happy couples are good for business and most of Field Good 

Bar’s bookings come direct, either via word of mouth or through 

the website. “We do great on social media too – our photography 

has had over 50,000 views.” 

Facilities at the field are temporary by the very nature of 

the venue and the festival feel that it aims for. “We own all our 

own stuff – a firepit people love to sit round, a kitchen we build 

each season and a beautiful traditional marquee from Bennetts 

Marquees. We had it made bespoke and are extending it this year to 

incorporate a lounge area, which is really exciting. 

“The only we hire in is the luxury loos and the showers and 

that’s because if anything goes wrong with them there’s someone 

that comes out and fixes them. With a live ‘show’ you can’t leave 

anything to chance.” 

In the winter all the kit gets stored at Bath Caravan Storage. 

“They’re brilliant,” adds Annie. 

Annie’s team numbers up to 15 depending on the event. “I 

work as co-operatively as possible with my staff and it is like a 

community here. There’s a lot to do to keep the venue looking good 

and we all work hard – a six day week with Mondays off. 

“That said, I am a one-band-woman in many aspects and this 

quote really resonates – ‘I’m a small business owner. If you see 

me talking to myself please do not stop me, I’m having a staff 

meeting!’” 

IN-HOUSE ACTION 

Past years have seen Annie work with external organisers on public 

facing events but she now runs everything in house. “My friend is 

an incredible body artist and we run the Bath Bodyart Weekend 


TINKERBELL TENT HIRE 


PEOPLE 

TINKERBELL TENT HIRE 

BATH BODYART WEEKEND 

“HAPPY COUPLES ARE GOOD FOR BUSINESS 

AND MOST OF FIELD GOOD BAR’S BOOKINGS 

COME DIRECT, EITHER VIA WORD OF MOUTH 

OR THROUGH THE WEBSITE” 

in June, and this year will be the first Skafield – a weekend of 

ska, Northern sole and reggae. I’m particularly excited about this 

as I’ve found some excellent female acts that I promote under 

‘Ladies Take the Stage’”. 

As if she wasn’t busy enough, she also finds a spare weekend 

or two to run her own branded ‘I HEART Camping’ events 

which started during Covid. “It made good sense to get a bell 

tent supplier in (pictured is Tinkerbell Tent Hire) and run small 

camping/festival-style events when people couldn’t get on a 

plane. We have a bit of music and some light-hearted fun. People 

love it.” 

And in her downtime? You will find her in Bulgaria hanging out 

in a forest watching the world go by! 

DETAILS 

Field Good Bar, Bath, Somerset BA2 9DZ 

www.fieldgoodbar.co.uk 


FOR 

SALE 

BELL TENT 

BUSINESS 

This is an excellent opportunity to purchase 

a well-established and expanding reputable 

Dorset/Hampshire based bell tent company. 

Sale includes stock and order book 

for 2023 (bookings already at £50k) 

with sales increasing an average 148% 

yearly. Preferred supplier for 

Shillingstone House and Moon Acre 

Party Field. 

Built up over 6 years, with repeat 

customers and verbal recommendations, 

this is a fantastic opportunity for 

anyone who is looking to start with a 

brand new company, or develop their 

own even further. Full training given 

if required. 

Stock includes: 

• 40 bell tents 

• mattresses, bedding, linen, tables, 

rugs, fairy lights, storm lanterns, 

and handmade bunting 

• 10m x 7.5m stretch tent including 

lights and festoon lighting, ratchet 

straps and rigging 

• Fully braked Ifor Williams Trailer 5’ 

x 9’ to carry 3,500kg 

Please contact Tiffany or Tim at info@dorsetbelltents.com or 07503 000 188 with any questions and we will be delighted to help you. 

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CASE STUDY 

The Den at Four Acres 

A rustic, individual Cumbrian wedding venue available 

for hire over three days, April through to September 

Inspired by their own 

wedding in a tipi on this 

site back in 2013, Sarah and 

Adrian have recently opened 

a beautiful tipi wedding 

venue in Kirkbride near 

Wigton in Cumbria. We talk 

to Sarah Carruthers. 

When did you start your venue 

business and what is its history? 

We had our own wedding in tipis 

on this site back in 2013 so the 

idea stemmed from there – to give 

people who don’t have their own 

land the chance to have this style 

of wedding. We started last year 

and 2023 will be our first proper 

season. 

Tell us about your location 

and site 

Our tipis are set between the 

Lake District fells and the Solway 

coast. It was our dream to create 

a hidden magical venue nestled 

in spectacular countryside, 

somewhere that you would 

never expect to stumble across in 

amongst trees, high hedgerows 

and meadowland. 

The site is open yet secluded – a 

secret den (hence the name) – and 

our interior décor reflects the 

outside space with ivy and floral 

decoration mixed with old metal 

cartwheels as lighting, an indoor 

firepit, rustic wooden ladders and 

“THE FRONT 

OF THE TIPI 

STRUCTURE 

LOOKS 

ONTO A 

LANDSCAPED 

GARDEN 

WHICH WILL 

SOON BOAST 

AN OUTDOOR 

CEREMONY 

SPACE” 

vintage leather couches. 

Inside there is a whole section 

of the tipi dedicated to the 

dancefloor, which is created from 

reclaimed wooden boards, then 

trestle tables and benches to 

seat up to 200 guests as well as a 

separate tipi offering seating and 

rugs; a perfect space to chill out in. 

The front of the tipi structure 

looks onto a landscaped garden 

which will soon boast an outdoor 

ceremony space. There is an 

abundance of outdoor seating 

and a rustic stone campfire in 

the middle to sit round on warm 

evenings. All the outdoor and 

indoor spaces are subtly lit with 

festoon and fairy lights which 

create a magical ambience day 

and night. 

The Den At Four Acres is open 

April to September. The venue 

is available on a dry hire basis 

over three days. All food, bar and 

entertainment can be chosen by 

the customer to cater for their 

individual preferences, whether 

it’s a formal sit down meal or a 



laid back hog roast in the garden. 

We help organise the day as much 

or as little as needed and work 

alongside many supplier partners. 

What facilities for outdoor 

functions do you offer? 

We have four giant interlinked 

tipis, one smaller tipi and a 

catering tent. Toilets, furniture, 

the firepit and a generator is all 

included and loads more (all listed 

on the website). Customers only 

have the bar, entertainment and 

catering to hire in separately. 

What services do you offer? 

Our venue is mainly dry hire and 

customers can do what they want 

with it (within reason). We do 

offer the option of a bar, which we 

can run ourselves. This year we 

are also constructing a dedicated 

outdoor ceremony space which 

can be used for celebrant 

ceremonies. 

We support our clients in 

their planning as much or as 

little as they need and have a 

comprehensive supplier list which 

we provide at an early stage of 

interest. They can use this to get a 

head start on everything from food 

and accommodation to florists, 

hairdressers and crockery hire. 

We hire the venue for three 

days at a time which gives people 

enough time to tailor things to 

their own taste and make their 

event truly unique. 

Describe how you researched 

and sourced your structures 

Our tipis were sourced from 

Tentipi who are based in Devon. 

We had them delivered and then 

received a two day training course 

on how to erect them etc. The 

toilets are a luxury unit which 

we just hire in for each event 

separately. 

How do you work with your 

customers to make their events 

unique? 

Well the whole business idea is 

based around it being unique to 

them. We give them the beautiful 

basic structure and they tailor the 

décor, food and entertainment 

around what they want. They can 

arrange the furniture how they 

like, bring in or take away bits. Also 



“MY HUSBAND DOES A LOT OF THE MANUAL STUFF LIKE PUTTING THE TIPIS UP AND DOWN, 

ALONGSIDE A FEW GOOD FRIENDS AND FAMILY” 

hire bouncy castles, face painters, 

bucking broncos or whatever they 

choose. 

How do you publicise yourself? 

We have a good website and are 

busy on social media (mainly 

Facebook and Instagram). We also 

advertise with a couple of wedding 

platforms, attend local wedding 

shows and engage with local 

media. 

How would you describe your 

style or unique selling point? 

We offer a bespoke venue with no 

fixed plan to an event. Customers 

pay one price to hire the whole 

venue and can provide their own 

food and drink if they want to. 

What challenges have you faced ? 

Trying to make sense of the laws 

in terms of planning and licensing, 

and trying to convince people that 

the idea is a good one and not 

just a passing dream or just plain 

ridiculous! 

How large is your team – any 

special people you’d like to 

mention? 

Our team is mainly family, headed 

up by myself and my husband. 

I do most of the organising and 

paperwork, handle the bookings 

etc. My husband does a lot of 

the manual stuff like putting the 

tipis up and down, alongside a 

few good friends and family. The 

business rung alongside the family 



“TO PROMOTE AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE AND JUST WORK HARD TO MAKE SURE THE EVENTS 

THAT ARE ALREADY BOOKED RUN AS SMOOTHLY AS POSSIBLE” 

farm so it has become part of the 

day-to-day farm work. 

As most suppliers are hired in, 

they bring their own staff. If we 

do need anyone to run the bar 

etc. we hire in casual staff (mainly 

students etc.) from the local 

village. 

What are your plans for next 

season? 

To promote as much as possible 

and just work hard to make sure 

the events that are already booked 

run as smoothly as possible. 

What do you enjoy about the 

business and why? 

It’s fairly new at the moment but 

so far the actual events have been 

the most fun, even though you are 

working very hard to ensure things 

run smoothly. You have a lot of fun 

looking after the guests and it’s 

good team work. 

What are you most proud of? 

What we’ve achieved so far! 

What advice could you give 

to someone coming into the 

industry? 

Do your research into everything, 

the laws, the licensing, the 

industry, the competition etc. You 

can’t do enough! 

ADDRESS BOOK 

TIPIS 

Tentipi www.tentipi.com 

TOILETS 

Borderloos 

www.bordergroupltd.com 

INSURANCE 

NFU Mutual www.nfumutual.co.uk 

DETAILS 

The Den at Four Acres 

Longland’s Head 

Wigton 

Cumbria CA7 5HW 

www.thedenatfouracre.com 


C RE® 

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Expert 

advice to help you 

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business. 

S2T GRASS 

REINFORCEMENT 

ADVERT-EVENT-STRUCTURES.indd 1 27/01/2022 12:07:22 

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Tel. 01992 522797 

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Wedding 

Budgets 

The 

wedding 

venue investment 

GETTY IMAGES 

EVERYONE IS watching their pennies this 

year but weddings are very much still in 

the planning and 2023 is expected to be 

another busy year for the industry. 

Rising interest rates and the war in the 

Ukraine are causing global inflation and a 

rise in the cost of living. This is having an 

effect across all businesses particularly 

hospitality as people become more careful 

with their cash. But that doesn’t mean all 

couples are looking for a cheap wedding. 

Weddings are important life events. 

Couples want their wedding to be special 

and memorable and they want all their 

loved ones to be a part of it. This means 

that they are willing to make a significant 

investment. 

Most couples, when they begin wedding 

planning, will have a budget in mind and 

price is always an important factor in 

helping them to decide on everything from 

their venue to their outfits on the day. With 

costs rising for all wedding suppliers, it’s 

likely that wedding budgets may not stretch 

as far this year and there will be pressure 

on suppliers to control costs and squeeze 

profits to remain competitive. The same 

pressure is on wedding venues to minimise 

“IT’S OFTEN THE FIRST 

DECISION AND BIGGEST 

INVESTMENT THEY WILL 

MAKE IN PLANNING THEIR 

WEDDING. THE VENUE IS 

THE LYNCHPIN TO THE 

WHOLE EVENT AND 

CHOOSING THE RIGHT 

VENUE IS CRUCIAL TO 

HAVING THEIR PERFECT 

WEDDING” 

their outgoings while still maintaining the 

same level of service and comfort for their 

couples and reassuring clients that they will 

deliver what has been promised. 

Couples have more choice than ever 

when it comes to wedding venues. It’s often 

the first decision and biggest investment 

they will make in planning their wedding. 

The venue is the lynchpin to the whole 

event and choosing the right venue is 

crucial to having their perfect wedding. So 

how do they choose and how do you make 

sure your venue is the one they invest in? 

TRUST 

People buy from people. Couples need to 

trust in the people they are investing with. 

They want to be assured that they are going 

to receive the best possible service and that 

you will understand their needs and support 

them to have the best wedding day. 

You can start building this trust from 

the very first contact in your marketing 

campaign. Show the person behind the 

business, tell them something about 

yourself, help them get to know you. Share 

your testimonials as evidence that you are 

good at what you do. 

When they make an enquiry listen to their 

needs, communicate effectively, sharing 

relevant information and providing helpful 

guidance. Make them feel comfortable; 

be friendly, offer convenience and as 

much flexibility as possible. Don’t promise 

anything you can’t deliver. Be honest with 

them. Manage their expectations to ensure 

that at the very least you meet them and 

hopefully exceed them. 

VALUE FOR MONEY 

Couples understand that their wedding is a 

big investment and they want to know what 



they will be receiving in return. They want 

to know that they are getting good value 

for money. The more desirable services and 

facilities you can supply the more value 

you will present. Communicate with your 

prospective clients, explaining what is 

included in the hire fee and all the ways you 

add value. Share details on your website 

and in brochures. Talk about and show off 

all your services and facilities when clients 

come for site visits. 

WELL-PRESENTED VENUES 

Love your venue and your venue will shine. 

Couples aren’t looking for lacklustre, 

unappealing spaces. They want a venue 

that is fresh and inspiring. Block time in 

your calendar to refresh your venue. Give 

the walls a lick of paint, make repairs and 

deep clean all your spaces. Show couples 

that you really take pride in your venue and 

that it is well looked after. 

A well-presented venue adds value. It 

also gives indication that you are going to 

look after the couple if they book. It also 

encourages the couple to take care of your 

venue. 

EXTENDED CELEBRATIONS 

Couples want to make the most of their 

investment. Lockdown forced couples to 

reduce their wedding party size to more 

intimate affairs with many couples settling 

to have a small legal ceremony with just 

their immediate friends and family followed 

by a bigger celebration when restrictions 

were over. While we wait for the marriage 

law to catch up to the 21st century we will 

see more and more couples choose this 

option with a second, bigger celebration 

afterwards. With the legal bit out the way, 

couples then have the freedom to stage 

a wedding ceremony on their own terms 

under the guidance of a celebrant. 

Wedding venues that can offer weddings 

over multiple days are becoming 

increasingly popular. Venue hire is a big 

wedding expense so couples want to get 

the most for their money. Venues that 

can offer accommodation, whether it’s a 

bedroom or a tent pitch, enable couples 

to extend their celebration. This is also 

appealing for guests, some of whom may 

have travelled some distance and may want 

to extend their stay rather than rush back 

home. 

GETTY IMAGES 

MARKET RESEARCH 

Who are your competitors? The other 

venues local to you that are similar in size 

and style. Get to know them really well. 

What does their venue offer? Does your 

venue offer something that others don’t? 

Do this market analysis regularly to build 

your awareness of the marketplace and 

stay competitive. Comparing your venue 

with your competitors will help you to 

continuously improve your business. They 

may also be just as keen to find out more 

about you so be friendly with them and 

support one another. 

Ask your couples what other venues they 

are considering. This will give you greater 

insight into the couple themselves, about 

the style of wedding they are planning, 

their budget and what type of venue they 

are favouring. If you know who you’re 

up against and have some background 

knowledge of the other venues then you can 

use this to highlight the unique virtues of 

your own venue. 

Do not be dismissive of your competitors. 

Your venue might be the best in your eyes 

but in the eyes of someone else could be the 

runner-up. Comparing and criticising your 

competitors out loud is not a good way to 

sell and can be a fast way to put people off. 

If you do lose a booking to a competitor, 

ask the couple why they chose the venue 

over yours. Is there something you could be 

offering couples to make your venue more 

attractive? Can you improve your service? 

Your venue might not be right for everyone 

but welcome all feedback and use it as an 

opportunity to learn and improve. 

Feedback from past clients is also 

very important. Feedback gives you the 

confidence in knowing what you are doing 

right and helps you review what you can 

do better. Create a questionnaire to send 

to your clients after their wedding with 

questions designed to provide useful 

feedback. 

I have been working in the events 

industry for over 20 years and have 

experienced the fallout from pandemics, 

terrorism, financial crashes and natural 

disasters. Not much stands in the way of 

people wanting to celebrate and invest in 

weddings and events. Every year brings 

challenges, changing circumstances and 

new opportunities. Regularly planning, 

reviewing and evaluating your strategy to 

ensure you are meeting the needs of your 

customers and your business will help you 

to stay resilient and adapt to whatever is in 

store in 2023. 

FLEXIBLE PAYMENT TERMS 

What payment terms do you offer? Couples 

are often booking their wedding venue 

years in advance and many will welcome 

being able to spread the cost of the hire 

fee. Be very clear about when you require 

payment and also your cancellation policy. 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR 

Charlotte Winship has over 20 years’ experience transforming good wedding and events 

venues into great ones. She is an expert in helping venues reach their ideal customers, 

maximise sales opportunities, increase profitability, establish effective teams and 

streamline venue operations. 07493 350303 / charlotte@charlottewinship.com 

www.charlottewinship.com 




The inspiring spaces at Sheepdrove Organic Farm's 

green event venue 

INDUSTRY COMMENT 

Venue Finding 

Trends 

The rules have changed for 

business event bookers 

EVENTS AND their ‘what, why and where’ 

continue to transform and adapt. Sending 

out a dictate to attend a meeting or 

conference no longer washes in the hybrid 

workplace where employee duty of care 

and retention tops the agenda. Add in the 

migration of corporate event managers to 

different industries during the pandemic, 

and we are appealing to a new generation of 

organisers along with the new expectations 

of delegates. 

Events need to be a draw not a bore and 

to encourage maximum delegate numbers 

the rules have changed. 

EVENT-ONOMICS 

There has been a marked change in 

budgets for events. Demand for events 

for employees has continued to grow at a 

steady pace, however budgets attached to 

them have slowed as it’s believed that the 

more transactional events (such as statutory 

training and learning and development) can 

be carried out online, or in the office, just as 

adequately. This is due to workplaces having 

been reconfigured over the last two years 

and new tech established in-house to enable 

the new hybrid workplace. 

External events for clients, partners and 

suppliers are benefiting from bigger budgets 

on conferences, corporate hospitality, client 

offsites, lunches and dinners. Strategising 

and brainstorming events along with 

experiences that require people to network 

and get creative are a focus for corporates 

as they strive to drive business, embed 

relationship and focus supplier and partner 

relationships. 

Rising energy bills and food costs also 

mean that venues need to be canny and 

conscious of the longevity of the delegate 

rates (on inclusions) they are contracting 

with the client. 

BETTER AND BOLDER 

The event industry has come of age and the 

value of in-person marketing is tangible, 

trackable and trusted. Events are a proven 

means of driving awareness and brand 

equity, and as organisations compete with 

each other to attract the best guest list, 

events are becoming better, bolder and 

more focussed on building relationships 

that pay. 

Events are being used to encourage 

internal teams together. And for client 

facing events budgets are on the up to 

secure the best delegate list and maximum 

return on investment. For client facing 

events it means more interesting venues, 

more interesting speakers and a value-add 

networking element or experience such as a 

health and wellbeing activity or behind the 

scenes access related to the venue. 

Corporates are looking to use venues 

that will attract and engage delegates. 

Blank walls and bland environments are 

found in the office – events now need to 

take attendees out of their regular state of 

mind so they can see things differently and 

to ensure maximum return on delegate 

experience. 

FLEX AND FLUX 

The financial climate and industrial actions 

are having a major impact on the events 

sector. The trend to contract numbers as 

low as possible is mitigating corporate risk 

but is causing headaches from venues when 

final numbers are confirmed a few days out 

and sometimes at twice the size. Not only 

does it impact operations teams, it’s hard 

for venue kitchens to order adequate food 

and find the manpower at short notice. 

SOCIALLY CONSCIOUS 

Organisations want to work with 

likeminded brands who share their 

values and outlooks on the environment 

and society. The growing requirement 

to highlight environmental, social and 

governance means many planners are 

seeking reassurance that their partners 

have a demonstrable purpose. 

At the very least be green and follow the 

reduce, reuse, recycle mantra in all areas 

of your event. Food and drink is simpler 

to put into practice but are pads and pens 

at each delegate setting really necessary 

nowadays? 

ACCESSIBLE TO ALL 

It goes without saying that venues must 

offer ease of access to everyone. At 

minimum, considerations need to include 

microphones and lecterns that are heightadjustable 

for speakers, ensuring lighting 

and audio is sufficient for those with visual 

or auditory impairments, and provision of a 

sign interpreter or note taker if required by 

attendees. 

Ensure that at any panel sessions the 

speakers’ seats are the same height, 

rather than wheelchair users ending up 

lower down than other speakers. A diverse 

workforce is also essential and a huge part 

of being a responsible organisation. 

Those venues in biggest demand are 

the ones that are different, whether that’s 

a historic house, a museum with brutalist 

architecture or a pop-up amphitheatre. At 

the end of the day four walls can be found 

in the office – if you want delegates to 

attend in person change up where you want 

them to meet up. 


Andrew White is 

MD of Triggerfish 

Communications, a 

specialist in helping heritage 

venues and leisure attractions 

build awareness and market share 

in the business of events. 

www.triggerfish.co.uk 

25 WWW.OPENAIRBUSINESS.COM 



PRODUCT SNAPSHOTS 

Interiors & 

Furniture 

Elani Lighting 

07979 267507 

www.elanilighting.com 

Elani Lighting provides decorative 

outdoor lighting systems for 

marquees, glamping and terraces 

with elegant and fun lamps suitable 

for use in all weather. Offering 

a diverse range of stylish Italian 

designed light fittings and cables, 

lighting can be assembled to your 

exact requirements. 

Combine natural finishes, 

coloured cables and elegant and/ 

or fun lamps with components that 

are IP65 water resistant, protecting 

them from the weather whatever 

configuration you create. 

Showcase Your Space With 3d Tours 

Striking Places 

0800 298 2119 

hello@strikingplaces.com 

www.strikingplaces.com 

Stand out as a venue 

or accommodation 

provider and make 

an online search 

easy, showcasing 

your destination 

with an interactive 

virtual tour. 

Assure guests that 

your space is perfect 

for their event or 

that a staycation in 

your accommodation 

will make their precious 

summer break as brilliant 

as flying off abroad. 3D virtual 

tours give peace of mind and 

offer you the chance to show off 

your space and how it goes above and 

beyond for customer experience. 

Allow clients to explore from the comfort of their own 

homes before booking confidently with you. Call Jo 

for an affordable quote and Covid-sensitive payment 

options. 

Parquet Dance Floors 

LPM Bohemia 

01892 725489 

national@lpmbohemia.com 

www.lpmbohemia.com 

Inspired by architectural influences 

from across the globe, LPM 

Bohemia’s passion is for the 

creation of beautiful and large 

scale tented venues, pioneered by 

the unique and stunning Pavilion 

range of wooden framed canvas 

structures. We have the most 

comprehensive range of beautiful 

marquees and interesting tents. 

To complement our structures we 

stock a range of ancillary equipment 

and furnishings to complete your 

event, such as a unique black and 

white circular dance floor of a 

nautical compass design. This works 

wonderfully in our Pavilion range as 

a central focal point, around which 

guests can dine, creating a simply 

stunning effect. 

The Ekol ApplePie 

Saltfire & Ekol Stoves 

01929 555211 

sales@saltfire.co.uk 

www.applepiestove.com 

Part of a very limited group of stove 

products designed specifically for the 

outdoor-space market, the Ekol ApplePie 

stove is engineered with specific safety 

and environmental requirements in mind. 

Amongst an elite handful of small-space 

stoves fully compliant with DEFRA and 

Ecodesign 2022, the ApplePie can be used to 

burn wood anywhere in the UK and can be 

sited very close to combustible surfaces. 

Several years in development, the time 

has been worth it to produce one of the most 

user friendly and cleanest compact stoves 

available. With its funky design aesthetic 

and multiple paint and bespoke options, as 

well as modular bolt-ons for cooking, it is 

able to fully satisfy the design-led interior 

styling so important to commercial glamping 

accommodation. 

Part of the Saltfire Stoves Group based in 

Dorset, Ekol has many years of experience 

building small-space stoves all of which are 

fully engineered and designed in-house. 



Event Furniture in a Box 

Core Bar & Event Hire 

0845 299 6499 

sales@core-barandeventhire.com 

www.core-barandeventhire.com 

Core Bar & Event Hire now offers The QUBE range of event furniture – a 

high quality, extremely durable and versatile range of event furniture 

which is uniquely designed to pack down into easy to transport pallet 

sized boxes. 

The QUBE range has the cool urban feel of pallet furniture but is 

actually made from the highest quality materials and has the added 

feature of being significantly smaller to transport and store than pallet 

furniture. 

British Bed Company’s Contract 

Hotel Collection 

Mattressman 

0800 567 7625 

tradesales@mattressman.co.uk 

www.mattressman.co.uk 

Exclusive to Mattressman, the British Bed Company’s 

Contract Hotel collection has been designed to bring 

unparalleled sleep to glamping establishments, hotels 

and B&Bs across the nation. The range’s versatility is 

unmatched, with mattresses varying in size, pocket 

spring composition, firmness, filling type and budget. 

Mattressman’s dedicated trade team is here to provide 

expert sleep advice and help you find the perfect 

mattresses for your establishment. Not only can we 

guarantee bulk discounts on large orders, but also free 

next-working-day delivery, so your guests can be on their 

way to super sleep in no time. Please contact our trade 

team today, or explore the Hotel collection and extended 

ranges. 

Premium Quality Coir Matting 

Coir Store 

07884 303082 

andy@coirstore.co.uk 

www.coirstore.co.uk 

As importers and purveyors of premium quality coir matting for 

the glamping, marquee hire and event sectors, we offer a range of 

manually woven 

premium quality coir 

mattings suitable 

for the majority of 

structures on the 

market, from 3m up 

to 12m lengths. 

Mattings are 

currently available in 

two specifications – 

high quality Anjengo/ 

Vycome yarns in 

herringbone weave, 

and 100% Vycome yarns in a Panama weave. These mats are currently 

available in 3m, 6m, 9m, 10m and 12m lengths. Even if we don’t offer 

your ideal length we can provide mats at bespoke lengths. 

All our products have been flammability tested and certified by 

UKAS to BS 5287:1998/BS 4790:1987. 

We welcome early contact from customers so we can fully 

understand your requirements, this way we can offer advice and a 

variety of solutions to suit every situation. 

Coir Store delivers throughout the British Isles and further afield if 

required. 

Luxury Matting and 

Artificial Grass 

Marquee Floors by 

William Armes 

01787 372988 

info@marqueefloors.co.uk 

www.marqueefloors.co.uk 

Marquee Floors by William 

Armes supplies high quality 

luxury matting to the marquee, 

tent and tipi hire sectors. DandyDura 

has a long-standing reputation as the 

UK’s bestselling polypropylene matting. It’s 

extremely durable, easy to maintain, fully reversible, 

water resistant and lightweight. DandyDura matting 

can easily be rolled for handling, transporting and 

storage. Available in seven colours, supplied in rolls, 

cut length pieces and bespoke shapes. 

Marquee Floors also supplies DandyCoco, a made 

to measure traditional woven unbacked coconut 

matting, made from natural fibres. This matting 

is eco-friendly, flame retardant, bio-degradable, 

extremely durable and has excellent insulating 

properties. 

Marquee Floors has also launched Likelawn 

artificial grass. Extremely hardwearing yet soft 

underfoot, Likelawn can be laid on any surface 

and is 100% weatherproof. Its durable backing has 

perforation holes to allow drainage and can be easily 

cleaned. Ideal for use all year round. Rolls and cut 

lengths available. 


Quality Glamping 

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GLAMPSITES 

CASE STUDY 

Tractors & Cream 

Family friendly dome glamping on the Somerset Levels 

We talk to Vicki Jones 

about the evolution of her 

beautiful glamping site, 

the decision on geo-domes 

and how her family’s 

documentation of the 

business has led to 8,500 

YouTube subscribers. 

What’s your back story – your life 

before glamping? 

Bryan and I lived in Surrey. I was a 

full-time dance teacher about to start 

my own dance school and Bryan was 

working in international banking, 

commuting back and forth to Jersey. 

Then he got offered a promotion in 

Bristol so we made the decision to up 

sticks and leave our friends and family 

to start a new rural way of life on a small 

holding in Somerset. 

Back then we knew nothing about 

glamping – I was planning to open a 

dance school in one of the outbuildings 

on the land. Then, two children later, my 

dance teaching job wasn’t working with 

raising a family so we started looking at 

how we could use the land to create a 

different business. 

What made you decide to start 

offering glamping accommodation? 

Just after our son was born in 2015 we 

started to seriously think about having 

some accommodation units of some 

kind. We still didn’t know anything 

about glamping but we had a yurt and 

I was running ‘afternoon tea in a yurt’ 

experiences. I was teaching dance 

classes from my newly renovated dance 

studio and I had also started a cake 

decorating business. 

“WE STILL 

DIDN’T KNOW 

ANYTHING 

ABOUT 

GLAMPING 

BUT WE HAD 

A YURT AND I 

WAS 

RUNNING 

‘AFTERNOON 

TEA IN A 

YURT’ 

EXPERIENCES” 

We needed to create a business 

name that encompassed it all with 

the potential for glamping too, so we 

picked the completely random name 

of Tractors and Cream and established 

that in 2015. We put in planning for a 

glamping site in 2016 and then had our 

first guests in our brand new Mongolian 

yurt in May of 2017. 

How did you research the business 

before entering it? 

Bryan and I met working in a hotel so we 

had hospitality experience and decided 

we could create our own “hotel” on the 

land using yurts as we were used to our 

tea yurt. We went and stayed in a yurt 

in Devon to test it out and see what 

glamping was all about and we learned 

a lot from that one stay. 

I was heavily pregnant with our 

youngest at the time and the toilets 

were a long way away up a hill which 

when you are pregnant and need a wee 

in the middle of the night was not fun! 

I said to Bryan, “If we are going to do 

this, there is going to be a toilet right 

next door.” 

Other than that one trip, we did 

barely any research at all. We were 

never big on camping, preferring to stay 

in hotels, and I think this has shaped our 

glamping business as we have made 


GLAMPSITES 

the accommodation into something we 

would actually want to stay in. 

Tell us about your location and site 

We are on the Somerset Levels so have 

beautiful flat landscape around us and 

big skies. The site is set in six acres of 

meadow and we have been rewilding 

areas and planting trees ever since the 

cows moved off the land in 2016. We’ve 

landscaped the whole area, planting 

around 1,500 trees to create interesting 

areas along with large mown areas for 

the children to play. 

Our challenges were the fact that the 

Somerset Levels are known for flooding 

and our house is in a flood risk zone. 

Our field can get waterlogged in winter 

which is why we opted for seasonal 

glamping. 

How did you tackle getting planning? 

When we started looking into planning 

permission we asked an agent to 

quote. They said it would cost around 

£2,000 and they advised us to apply 

for one yurt and then apply for more 

later. To be perfectly honest we weren’t 

really worried if we got the planning 

permission or not at the time so we 

thought we would just have a go 

ourselves. Our main tricky point was 

the flood risk zone so we had to do a 

full flood assessment report. Again, we 

did that ourselves and got planning 

permission granted within eight weeks 

for up to 10 structures! We couldn’t 

believe it! 

Our only main compromise was that 

we could only have canvas structures. 

They didn’t want us to have any 

caravans or shepherd’s huts as there is a 

caravan site in our village already. 

How did you finance the project? 

We financed the project through a small 

loan and my mum who bought the first 

two yurts for us. Since then, all profit 

has gone back into the business so each 

year we add another structure. It means 

we don’t really take any wages from 

the business but hopefully next year we 

might start! 

It’s been helpful for us with a young 

family to build the site slowly rather 

than jump in straight away with five 

units. 

What glamping accommodation do 

you offer and why did you choose it? 

We sold the yurts last year to replace 

them with domes as we got fed up of 

taking them down and packing them 

away in the winter. We chose domes as 

we were looking for the most windresistant 

canvas structure that could 


GLAMPSITES 

stay up all year round, and that was 

most definitely a geodesic dome. We 

currently have six domes – two are 

en-suite with their own kitchens and 

three have a private toilet and kitchen 

next door and a private shower room 

near the communal games room and 

full communal kitchen. We also have 

a compact dome which is used for 

additional accommodation for groups. 

We are seasonal, so open for Easter 

weekend and close normally mid- 

October, but this year we are extending 

our season to include the October 

half-term holiday. 

What occupancy levels and price per 

night do you achieve? 

Our occupancy rates are around 85% 

as we are extremely family-friendly 

so find the mid-weeks in September 

harder to fill. We charge £110 a night 

for the smaller domes and £150 a night 

for the en-suite domes. We don’t put 

our prices up in the school holidays 

as we know the struggles of trying to 

get an affordable family holiday and 

don’t charge for extras like extra beds 

or travel cots. 

How did you work out your brand 

and how do you publicise yourself? 

The Tractors and Cream brand has just 

naturally developed. I designed our 

logo in the depths of sleep-deprived 

maternity leave once we had decided 

on the name we put it all out there on 

social media and friends and family 

shared it. The first year we listed on 

Airbnb but now all our bookings come 

direct through our website. 

In 2020 we decided to start a 

YouTube channel as so much crazy stuff 

happens here we thought we’d better 

“BEING HERE 

MAKES 

FAMILIES 

CREATE 

MEMORIES 

TOGETHER 

AND SPEND 

QUALITY, 

UNINTER- 

RUPTED 

TIME WITH 

THEIR KIDS” 

document it! We’ve now got about 

8,500 subscribers and get messages 

from people all over the world asking 

us questions about glamping. This 

has now changed the brand a bit as 

we now go all over the country filming 

other people’s glamping sites and 

interviewing them for the channel. 

How would you describe your ethos 

and unique selling point? 

Our ethos is around ensuring we 

provide an affordable family glamping 

experience where parents connect 

back with their kids. We are all too 

surrounded by social media and we see 

the frazzled parents who can’t switch 

off. Being here makes families create 

memories together and spend quality, 

uninterrupted time with their kids. 

When children are crying because they 

don’t want to leave, then I know I’ve 

done my job! 

How did you choose your interior 

decoration? 

We wanted to make each dome 

completely unique. We were really 

lucky that we went on the BBC 

program My Unique B&B which 

interior designed our first dome for 

us as part of the TV makeover. We 

then got designer Zoe Hewett from 

Stylemongers of Bristol to design our 

second dome for us and then I did our 

third one in a slightly Moroccan theme. 

The two new domes for this year I will 

again be doing myself with a lot of help 

from Pinterest. 

What challenges have you faced? 

I think the biggest challenge is juggling 

work with the kids. They are a little 

bit older now, Annabelle is nine and 

William is seven, but when we first 

started William was only two and I 

would make a bed and then he would 

climb on it or chuck all the logs out of 

the basket! I still do all the cleaning 

and now have some extra staff but in 

the summer when the children are 

off school they have to muck in or 

entertain themselves. 

Bryan is still working full time so 

has to juggle that and all the mowing, 

gardening and site maintenance 

so I think spare time is our biggest 

challenge. 

What are your plans for next season? 

We need to build two more domes 

to replace our two yurts and I would 

like to get outdoor baths in the three 

smaller domes too. Plus we want to 

renovate the outdoor kitchen area and 

add new play equipment, so lots to do 

before the season starts. 

Describe your average day midseason 

On a changeover day, I get up early 

to finish off the ironing and bake 

the brownies that we give to all the 

guests. At about 10am I go and visit the 

departing guests to check they had a 

lovely time and they tend to book their 

dates for next year with me then. My 

cleaning team arrives at about 10.30am 

to start the communal areas. Once 

the first guests leave we will go in and 

clean that dome together and then 

move around as guests leave. 

In the summer holidays, my cleaners 

will bring their children with them so 

sometimes there can be nine children 

here helping/hindering! So we go and 

give them lunch and then go back and 

finish the cleaning. Once guests start 


GLAMPSITES 

arriving I do the check-ins while they 

finish off. 

Once everyone has arrived I will 

quite often do a campfire for all the 

guests and bring marshmallows for 

everyone to toast. If it is a group 

booking then I tend to leave them to it. 

Check-ins can be any time from 

3.30pm until about 8pm when I put 

the kids to bed and then collapse in a 

heap! 

Do you enjoy the business? 

I really enjoy hosting people here. 

We have made some amazing friends 

through running this business and 

as around 80% of our bookings are 

repeat customers it is like continually 

having friends here, which is why I do 

so much chatting! Obviously you get 

the odd difficult guest but on the whole 

we have such lovely families with the 

same ethos as us and everyone gets on 

really well. 


I’m really proud of the awards we’ve 

won. We won silver awards for the 

last two years at the Bristol, Bath and 

Somerset Tourism Awards and I’ve 

also won a sustainability award for 

the things we have done here to make 

the site as sustainable as possible. 

But I think I am most proud of the fact 

“OBVIOUSLY 

YOU GET THE 

ODD DIFFICULT 

GUEST BUT ON 

THE WHOLE 

WE HAVE 

SUCH LOVELY 

FAMILIES WITH 

THE SAME 

ETHOS AS US 

AND EVERYONE 

GETS ON 

REALLY WELL” 

that we have taken an empty field and 

turned it into something magical, all 

on our own with a lot of hard graft, and 

we are showing our children that hard 

work can pay off. 

What other outdoor hospitality 

sectors do you operate in? 

We run small scale events here as we 

also have a 10 meter event dome, a 

large studio space and a five metre 

octagonal wooden cabin. I mainly run 

afternoon teas for private groups such 

as hen parties or baby showers but we 

also run Pilates retreats, where I cater 

full board, and day retreats for fitness 

or networking groups where I provide 

lunch or tea and cakes. 

I can keep the events fairly separate 

if we have guests staying here just 

for glamping but when we have full 

retreats then they take over the whole 

site so it works really well. 

What advice could you give to 

someone coming into the industry? 

It’s a crowded market so think about 

your USP and what you can offer that 

no one else can. Join the glamping 

owners Facebook groups and don’t be 

afraid to reach out and ask for advice! 

ADDRESS BOOK 

DOMES 

Trudomes www.trudomes.com 

INTERIOR DESIGN 

Stylemongers of Bristol www. 

stylemongersofbristol.co.uk 

BOOKINGS SYSTEM 

Bookalet www.bookalet.co.uk 

INSURANCE 

Friar Best www.friarbest.co.uk 

DETAILS 

Tractors & Cream 

Bedwell Lane 

Othery 

Somerset TA7 0QJ 

www.tractorsandcream.co.uk 


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GLAMPSITES 

SUPPLIER PROFILE 

Hot tubs, saunas and 

accommodation pods, 

handcrafted in-house at 

great prices 

What does your company do? 

Woodpecker Tubs proudly produces 

bespoke hot tubs, saunas and 

accommodation pods to meet and exceed 

the needs of our customers. All products 

made are created with the customer in 

mind, enabling us to deliver high quality 

products to the marketplace, whether that 

is a glampsite, caravan park, or a farm 

looking to diversify its offerings. 

What makes your business stand out? 

It’s simple really. We listen to our 

customers and are able to produce 

products that are bespoke and 

handcrafted in relation to the ever 

changing market, therefore allowing 

customers to receive products that are 

suited to their needs. 

Please give us a potted company history 

Woodpecker Tubs as a company began 

over 15 years ago, created by the current 

ownership team from an idea developed 

around the needs and wants of the ever 

changing customer base, as well as a need 

to provide high quality hot tubs, saunas 

and accommodation units. During this 

time the company has added a wealth of 

experience from the industry and further 

afield, creating a team that allows the 

company to grow and evolve its product 

ranges ready for the UK/EU and Nordic 

markets. 

Describe your brand proposition 

To provide high quality, bespoke, 

handmade products to meet and exceed 

the needs of the customers, as well as 

creating products that are priced in 

relation to the ever changing economic 

situations around the globe, making them 

cost effective. 

What is your ‘hero’ product/service? 

For us to have a ‘hero’ individual product 

would be like picking a favourite child, 

which as we all know isn’t fair or right! I 

would say that from our product ranges 

we would ‘highlight’ the Ofuro tub, the 

barrel saunas (any size) and our new 

accommodation units (which are available 

from 2023). 

Any extra special people? 

Everyone in the Woodpecker team is 

extra special to us, as each person is able 

to bring their own skill sets to the table, 

creating a great team to be a part of and 

work with! Every day, it is important 

to bring every aspect of Woodpecker 

together for the benefit of our customers. 

In addition to the team, I think it is 

important to mention our families, as 

they are as much a part of the team. 

Without their support we wouldn’t be 

able to deliver on a daily basis to the high 

standards we set ourselves. 


As a company we are proud of the way in 

which we are able to continue to grow, 

whether that is in terms of our product 

ranges, our levels of service or the people 

who work for and on behalf of Woodpecker 

Tubs. 

Right from receiving an order via the 

website, phone or email, we take care of 

every aspect of design, build, delivery 

and installation, ensuring that we meet 

and exceed the needs and expectations of 

our customers; something which we are 

incredibly proud of as a company. 

Why should a customer get in touch? 

We are able to deliver high quality 

products and service levels that allow us 

to continually help, support and guide 

customers to the most appropriate 

products for their businesses, or as a 

domestic customer. 

If you are interested in what we do, 

the health benefits that our hot tubs and 

saunas can provide, and importantly 

how our accommodation units can 

revolutionise your businesses as you look 

to reach out to new audiences, then please 

get in touch. We will be happy to help you 

on your journey from design to delivery. 

DETAILS 

Woodpecker Tubs 

07435 866929 

info@woodpeckertubs.co.uk 

www.woodpeckertubs.co.uk 


Have you got yours? 

2023 

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GLAMPSITES 

GETTY IMAGES 

Where to 

Market 

Quick tips on direct 

marketing to customers 

IT'S DIFFICULT to estimate the exact 

number of people who book glamping 

holidays direct with their hosts in the UK, 

as there is no centralised data. It makes 

sense as many sites in the UK are small, 

independently owned operations and don’t 

share their booking data publicly. 

However, it is worth noting that direct 

bookings with hosts have become 

increasingly popular in recent years, as 

more and more glamping sites offer online 

booking systems on their own websites. 

This allows customers to bypass third-party 

platforms and deal directly with the owner/ 

manager, potentially saving on booking 

fees and having a more personalised 

experience. 

Given the potential reach of social media 

channels (if you get your content and 

targeting right) and the software solutions 

out there to manage your own bookings, 

it is safe to say that marketing direct to 

customers is growing trend and certainly 

pays off. 

There are several effective ways to 

market directly to potential customers – 

here are some of the most popular and 

effective channels: 

SOCIAL MEDIA 

Social media platforms such as Facebook, 

Instagram and TikTok can be great places 

to showcase your site, share photos and 

videos of your accommodations and 

engage with potential customers. You can 

also use targeted advertising to reach a 

specific audience. 

As with everything in marketing it is 

critical you identify your target customer, 

ensure your offering matches what they 

are searching for and work hard to capture 

images and content that resonate with 

them. There are many online resources to 

help you do this. 

SEARCH ENGINE OPTIMISATION (SEO) 

Optimising your website for search engines 

like Google can help potential customers 

find your glampsite 

when they 

search for relevant 

keywords. This is 

particularly important 

if you offer something 

different to the rest that 

you know will be searched 

for by potential customers. 

As with so much of this, 

if you don’t know 

you need to find 

out. Google is your 

friend for many 

free resources on 

this topic or you 

could employ an 

SEO specialist to 

tweak things for you. 

QUICK TIP 

For industry specific 

help and support, checkout 

glampsite owner Sarah 

Orchard’s industry specific 

direct marketing club – 

www.get-fullybooked.com 

EMAIL MARKETING 

Building an email list of past guests and 

potential customers and sending regular 

newsletters and promotional offers can 

help keep your business top of mind. 

Be clear on your privacy policies and 

GDPR regulations so you don’t fall foul of 

‘spamming’ people. 

REVIEW SITES 

Encouraging guests to leave positive 

reviews on sites like TripAdvisor and Yelp 

can help build your online reputation and 

attract new customers. Again, there are 

strategies you can employ to encourage 

this and many online resources to help. 

Being able to handle negative reviews is 

also a skill that you need to master. 

REFERRAL PROGRAMS 

Create a referral program that rewards 

customers for referring new bookings to 

your glampsite. This can be a powerful way 

to generate new bookings and build brand 

loyalty. 

LOCAL TOURISM BOARDS 

Partnering with your local tourism board 

can help promote your glampsite to visitors 

in your area and connect you with local 

events and attractions. Getting on the map 

in your area is important. 

PAID LISTINGS 

Most glamping directory sites 

are online travel agents (OTAs) 

and will take a commission for 

each booking (usually around 

15%). However there are a few 

sites that charge an annual fee to list 

but then take no commission. Check out 

Go Glamping (www.goglamping.net), 

Glamping UK (www.glamping-uk.co.uk) 

and To Wander (www.towanderuk.co.uk). 

Make sure to do your own research as to 

what might work for you and perhaps 

contact some of those sites listed to find 

out how successful their listings have been. 

Overall, the most effective marketing 

channels for glampsite owners will depend 

on their specific business, target audience 

and marketing goals. A well-rounded 

marketing strategy that includes a mix of 

online and offline channels can help ensure 

a steady stream of direct bookings. 

Filling empty dates 

As much as direct booking is financially 

the best option for site owners, quite 

often you will have dates left that 

you would prefer to sell at a reduced 

revenue than leave unbooked. This is 

where OTAs like Booking.com, Airbnb 

and Pitchup.com can help you reach 

a wider audience and handle the 

booking process for you in exchange 

for a commission. Most of these charge 

around 15% per booking. 


GLAMPSITES 

GETTY IMAGES 

TRADE SECRETS 

Siting Structures 

Quick tips on foundations options and how to secure solid glamping structures 

THE SPECIFIC foundation you choose 

for your glamping unit will depend on 

a number of factors, such as the size of 

unit, the terrain, ground conditions and 

planning permission. Your structure 

supplier should be able to provide 

you with calculations regarding your 

accommodation’s weight and the forces 

it needs to withstand – some key ones to 

note are loads on any jacks or supports for 

the structure, uplift and horizontal force. 

You should also consider the uplift at 

any anchoring points – such as a chassis of 

a caravan type structure. These forces are 

generally measured in kilonewtons (kN) 

which translate roughly into tons force (tf) 

– eg. 10kN – 1.01tf. 

If you are building your own structures, 

it might be worth engaging with a 

structural engineer as although you may 

not be bound by Building Regulations (if 

your creation falls within the Caravan Act) 

you should ensure it is safe, fit for purpose 

and that you have considered the forces 

both it and its foundation system will need 

to withstand. 

Here are some common foundation 

options for glamping units: 

GETTY IMAGES 

CONCRETE PAD 

A concrete pad is a popular option for larger glamping units and provides 

a solid, level surface which can be reinforced with steel rebar for added 

strength. This foundation is typically poured on-site, so it requires 

some preparation and planning. Local authorities will consider this as 

‘development’ so planning permission is going to be needed unless you 

are covered by any particular permitted development. 

PIERS 

Piers are vertical supports made from concrete or wood and are used to support the 

weight of a glamping unit. This foundation is often used in areas where the terrain 

is uneven or sloped. It is relatively simple to install and can be adjusted to ensure a 

level surface. 


GLAMPSITES 

DECK 

An elevated 

deck can be used as 

a foundation for smaller 

glamping units (see Issue 55). 

This provides a solid, level surface 

and allows for better views and a 

more elevated experience. This 

foundation is typically made 

of wood and can be 

easily installed. 

GROUNDSCREWS 

Groundscrews are metal screws with a 

helical shape designed to be screwed 

into soil, providing a stable and secure 

anchor point. They are commonly used 

in construction and for outdoor structures 

such as decks, fences, and sheds. They 

can be used to provide a strong and stable 

foundation without the need for concrete 

footings or other types of supports and can be 

very useful in areas with poor soil conditions. 

Groundscrews come in a variety of lengths and your supplier will be able to advise 

on the correct number and sizes for your application. Quite often a ground survey 

is necessary, especially for larger structures, in order to check the ground type and 

thus the length of screws you need. It’s worth noting that although this option often 

does not require planning permission, some of the larger screws may constitute 

‘development’ in a local authority’s eyes. 

You can have screws professionally installed or there are some DIY systems. 

Groundscrews come with a variety of head options for fixing. 

GOOD OLD ‘TYPE 1’ 

You can create your own pads by digging square holes (about a foot) and filling them 

with MOT Type 1, a popular type of sub-base used for driveways, car parks and footpaths 

comprising crushed limestone, gritstone and granite making it easy to compact. 

It is worth compacting in 150mm layers, then topping with some sand and using 

a paving slab or similar on which you can place a jack or axle stand to support your 

structure. Make sure to choose a National Caravan Council (NCC) approved axle stand. 

GETTY IMAGES 

GETTY IMAGES 

EARTH ANCHOR 

An earth anchor, also known as a ground 

anchor, is a device that is used to secure 

structures or objects to the ground – 

perfect for preventing wind uplift. They 

typically comprise a metal rod or cable 

with a helical shape that is screwed or 

driven into the soil, providing a secure 

anchor point that can withstand forces 

such as wind, seismic activity or tension. 

These can often take very large loads in 

terms of uplift and may work out cheaper 

than ground screws for anchoring things 

down. Check out the caravan kit from 

Platipus Anchors www.platipusdirect. 

co.uk 

JACK PADS 

A jack pad is a portable, flat, loadbearing 

surface that is used to 

distribute the weight of a building or 

structure and prevent it from sinking 

or settling into the ground. Jack pads 

are often made of concrete and are 

typically used in conjunction with 

jacks to level or lift a building. There 

are a few solutions on the market. 

Just Google ‘foundation pads for 

sheds’. 

PLATIPUS ANCHORS 

MAIN CHASSIS 

BEARERS 

HEAVY DUTY STANDS 

(MIN 12T/1200KG 

CAPACITY) 

600 X 600 PAVING 

SLAB ON 25MM SAND 

TO FORM LEVEL BASE 

MIN. 

600 X 600 

450MM THICK HARDCORE 

COMPACTED IN 150MM 

THICK LAYERS 

NUTS AND BOLTS 

You can find all the shackles, 

chains, ratchet straps, axle stands, 

jacks and more at a good static 

caravan online shop/warehouse. 

Perfect for siting and tying down 

any type of caravan structure. 


GLAMPSITES 


Landscape & Exteriors 

Landscape-led Design 

Reed Studio 

07887 747393 

emma@reedstudio.co.uk 

www.reedstudio.co.uk 

Honeydown, Devon 

Product: Battery powered festoon lighting, 

compact uplighters and TablePoints with 

solar panels 

Supplier: CORE Lighting, 01452 812597, 

info@corelighting.co.uk, www. 

corelighting.co.uk 

Details: With creativity 

and careful placement of 

lighting you can transform 

any outdoor space or 

glampsite into a magical 

setting for guests. 

Done well, lighting 

enhances the enchantment 

of the setting, but battery power 

may be essential across inaccessible 

areas due to the cost or impracticality 

of mains installation. CORE Lighting has 

spent 14 years developing the perfect 

range of outdoor water-tight and rugged 

battery lighting for just that purpose, all 

manufactured in the UK. 

Honeydown’s woodland collection of offgrid, 

hand-crafted wooden domes (known as 

Truffles) in Hatherleigh, Devon, uses several 

of CORE’s products to create charm: battery 

festoon lights for outdoor lounging, plus 

Truffle interiors lit with warm glow hanging 

lamps powered from CORE’s battery packs. 

The power and warm tone of these lights 

allow areas to be visually appealing but also 

properly lit and safe. The lightweight 

lithium batteries are charged using 

CORE’s solar panels on-site or 

from mains rechargers every 

few days. 

On dining tables, covered or 

outdoors, CORE’s TablePoints 

light appropriately rustic 

lamps. The unique lamp 

adaptor allowed Honeydown 

to select their own base and 

lampshade combination. CORE’s new 

compact uplighters, developed for the 2022 

Green Space Dark Skies project, are planned 

to be added to illuminate surrounding trees 

for additional spectacle. 

Customer feedback: Honeydown’s owners, 

John and Sarah, are delighted with the look 

and quality of the lighting, having worked 

closely with CORE to get the right solutions 

for them. 

Emma Reed is a chartered 

landscape architect and 

director of Reed Studio. 

Perched on the Pennines of 

West Yorkshire, Reed Studio 

provides landscape, garden, 

farm diversification and 

architectural design services 

for clients across the UK, with 

projects ranging from glamping 

sites to rural businesses, 

workshops and destination 

cafés. 

The studio offers a 

landscape-led approach to 

design, creating sites and 

buildings which nestle within 

their surroundings. The team 

prides itself on providing 

clients with a plethora of 

design options and also writes 

technical landscape and 

visual appraisals to satisfy 

local authorities, meeting 

planning policy requirements 

and assimilating into local 

landscape character. 

Perfo Ground 

Reinforcement System 

S2T Group 

01992 522797 


S2T Group’s PERFO range of ground 

protection products comprises a system 

of interlocking, self-anchoring permeable 

plastic tiles which are embedded into an 

existing surface, eg. a mature grass area 

or prepared base consisting of a layer 

of crushed stone chippings, depending 

on the application. A number of light to 

heavy duty solutions are available to suit 

varied ground conditions, traffic profiles 

and loading requirements. 

Unlike other geogrid systems, PERFO 

tiles are usually installed without the 

need for excavation, being compacted 

directly into the existing surface using 

rollers or compactor plates. Installation is 

therefore rapid and planning issues less 

problematic. 


GLAMPSITES 

Chapelfield Outdoor 

Furniture Range 

Gardenman 

0333 200 8333 

customerservices@garden 

man.co.uk 

www.gardenman.co.uk 

An ideal addition to any 

glamping site, the Gardenman 

Chapelfield outdoor furniture 

range is available in grey and 

natural weaves. Constructed 

using a full aluminium 

structure wrapped with 

hand woven flat and round 

grey weave, the sets can 

comfortably fit the whole 

family with ease and peace of 

mind. 

The tables from this range 

come with a glass tabletop 

and are available with firepits. 

The chairs are complemented 

with showerproof cushions 

so your guests can relax 

throughout the day and night 

too. 

Firestorm Patio Heater 

Pinnacle Agri Products 

01432 667567 

info@pinnacle-agri.co.uk 

www.pinnacle-agri.co.uk 

Keep your guests warm and entertained with the 

eco-friendly Firestorm patio heater range from 

Pinnacle Agri Products. Simple to use and easy 

to maintain, Firestorms provide fantastic heat 

and dazzling flames for hours while keeping the 

environment in mind by burning sustainable wood 

pellets. 

Load the Firestorm with pellets and light. The 

flame fills the 1.5m glass tube in just 15 minutes 

providing over an hour of inviting warmth. 

Adding more pellets extends the burn time as 

required. Leave the Firestorm to self-extinguish 

once your evening finishes, ready for its next use. 

Launched in 2021, family business Pinnacle 

Agri Products has already made its mark on 

the home and lifestyle industry. It is devoted 

to providing quality products to its customers 

which is why it manufactures entirely in the UK 

from British steel. A robust high temperature 

powder coating allows the Firestorm to be left 

outside in all weathers. 

Festival-proof Qorone Seating 

Qorone 

07798 902209 

info@qorone.com 

www.qorone.com 

Qorone has developed a range of 

outdoor furniture using the same 

construction techniques as its Qorone 

structures, for the same look, feel and 

durability. Handcrafted in Somerset, 

the furniture sets comprise tables and 

bench seating that are designed to be 

festival-proof! 

Coated in the same high quality 

varnish as the Qorone walls, mud is no 

problem and the furniture can be easily 

wiped clean. And like the benches built 

into the Qorone walls, the seating is 

angled just right for optimum comfort. 

The idea for the furniture arose from 

a desire to expand Qorone’s offering 

at events. While the structures draw 

people inwards with their welcoming 

circular space and central fire, the 

design team wanted to create a seating 

area outside that fits perfectly with 

the aesthetic. As standalone items, 

the natural wood finish will enhance 

any setting, providing comfort and 

practicality. 

Available to purchase, or to hire 

alongside The Magic Teapot or one of 

the larger Qorone structures. 

Shady Spot – What Will It 

Do For You? 

Hunter Outdoors 

07970 647873 

hello@hunteroutdoors.co.uk 

www.hunteroutdoors.co.uk 

At Hunter Outdoors we produce 

the Shady Spot, an architectural 

tensile canopy that can be set 

up in 10 minutes by one person. 

This is the lounge space for your 

tipi, the terrace for your yurt 

and the shade for your sand 

pit. Soak up the view from your 

stunning spot in the shade. 

Enclose the space by simply 

clipping on side and rear 

sails; or connect Shady Spots 

together to grow the space. 

The studio for your yoga class, 

the pop-up dining room with a 

view, the shaded walkway to the 

beach or a dozen champagne 

serveries. What will it do for 

you? 


Stunning 

tents for 

stunning events! 

WE LOVE STRETCH TENTS! 

Years of experience, passion and enthusiasm 

to get what you want from your event. 

Sales, full installation and custom 

design services. 

t: 01920 830256 e: info@alternative-stretch.co.uk 

w: www.alternative-stretch-tents.co.uk 

@alternative_stretch_tents 

TOPCAT 

BIGTOPS 

T E N TS & MA R Q U E E S 

TOP CAT BIG TOPS manufacture & hire 

out colourful Big Big Top Top style style Marquees. 

Staffed by a crew of highly experienced 

personnel with many years of in experience the 

festival, in the festival, local authority, local authority, educational educational & 

corporate & corporate fields. fields. We We can can supply supply small small 

to 

to 

large 

large 

colourful structures built 

built 

by 

by 

our 

own craftsmen, that can withstand 

our own craftsmen, that can withstand 

extreme UK weather conditions. 

extreme UK weather conditions. 

01654 700030/07599 882654 Email: info@topcatbigtops.co.uk Web: www.topcatbigtops.co.uk 

t: 01654 700030 

07956 878157 

e: info@topcatbigtops.co.uk 

w: www.topcatbigtops.co.uk 


EVENTS 

CASE STUDY 

Poole Harbour 

Festival 

A family friendly 

event, second 

only to Camp 

Bestival as 

Dorset’s largest 

event of its kind 

We talk to founder and 

organiser Ben Dyas about 

the challenges of running 

an event where half its 

catchment area is water, 

and how working with the 

community has helped reach 

over 20,000 attendees. 

Describe your event and how 

many people it attracts? 

The Poole Harbour Festival is a 

great value family event and has 

grown to be the biggest family 

friendly live music festival in the 

Bournemouth, Christchurch and 

Poole conurbation, with Camp 

Bestival being the only bigger 

family music festival in Dorset. 

We are expecting to reach 20,000 

visitors over the three days in 2023. 

Explain a bit about your venue 

and your history with it 

The site (Baiter Park) is a council 

owned park next to beautiful Poole 

Harbour and we have been using 

the site for various events since 

2016. It is a lovely location but 

it’s so exposed on the coast that 

“HAVING 

WORKED IN 

HOSPITALITY 

AND EVENTS 

FOR A 

NUMBER 

OF YEARS I 

REALISED 

THERE WAS 

A LACK OF 

QUALITY 

FAMILY 

AND MUSIC 

EVENTS 

LOCALLY” 

we have wind issues every year, 

sometimes severe. 

What is the event’s history and 

what made you decide to run it? 

Having worked in hospitality and 

events for a number of years I 

realised there was a lack of quality 

family and music events locally. In 

2015 we designed the event which 

was then approved by the local 

authority. We held the first festival 

in 2016. 

Since 2018 my event 

development manager, Serena 

Wren, and I have worked together 

to evolve the event successfully 

each year. Now in its seventh year 

the festival features an outdoor 

main stage, big top second 

stage, dance tent and children’s 


EVENTS 

entertainment big top. We also 

have over 40 street food and other 

traders, a funfair, dinosaurs, street 

performers and even a circus in 

2019. 

How does the relationship work 

with the venue you hold the 

event at? 

The venue is a council park. We 

have a good reputation of looking 

after the site and work to limit any 

negative impact to stakeholders. 

We leave some of the park for 

people to be able to use and give 

free family tickets to all adjoining 

residents. Working like this means 

the festival is now accepted by the 

local residents. 

How is your relationship 

with the local authority and 

community? 

Our relationship with the local 

authority was very good and we 

had been working well together 

for years towards a common goal 

of building quality annual events. 

However, due to recent issues with 

scheduling conflicting events, we 

are limiting developing new events 

in this area and looking to reduce 

“WE HAVE A 

GOOD 

REPUTATION 

OF LOOKING 

AFTER THE 

SITE AND 

WORK TO 

LIMIT ANY 

NEGATIVE 

IMPACT TO 

STAKEHOLD- 

ERS” 

our financial risk by developing 

new events in Southampton and 

Portsmouth instead. 

We are very much a community 

event and have designed the 

event to be as inclusive as possible 

with family day tickets starting 

at just £28. We also are the only 

experience of live music some 

people get each year and are 

proud to promote live music 

and give opportunities to local 

musicians and artists. 

How have you planned the 

layout and what structures do 

you use? 

The site is laid out to minimise 

noise for the local residents with 

the stages facing the harbour 

and the bars and traders located 

in between the stages. We have 


EVENTS 

We have worked with the same bar 

company since 2016 – they have 

grown over the years and now do 

marquees, bars and beer for up to 

10,000 people. 

What entertainment do you offer 

and how did you choose and 

source it? 

We have a mix of named, local, folk 

and tribute acts as well as kids’ 

entertainment. 2023 is headlined 

by the Lightning Seeds, Hoosiers, 

Space and the Cheeky Girls (why 

ever not). We book the acts inhouse 

and try to have bigger and 

new acts each year. 

What provisions do you make for 

power, lights and sound? 

We have numerous generators, 

power distribution and lighting 

towers across the site and 

production for three stages. The 

diesel consumption and price 

hikes for the above means we went 

from paying £1K in fuel to £4K in 

a year. 

How do you manage admissions 

and visitor safety? 

Our security company and H&S 

manager work with our box office 

team to develop the plan each 

year as the festival evolves. 

How did you cope during 2020 

and 2021? 

We ran a socially distanced seated 

gig in 2020; it was hard work but 

the customers were so grateful 

for live music it was worth it. We 

several hired big top tents and 

marquees and an outdoor stage 

which grows each year. 

How do you work with creatives to 

make these spaces work? 

We have built a lovely team of 

weirdos (you could say ‘characters’ 

if you want but they/we are happy 

with weirdos) who make these things 

happen and they don’t seem to want 

to leave! 

How did you research and source 

your marquees, flooring, bars etc? 

We have used the same big top 

company for several years and 

normally add bigger bits on each 

year, we also like working with them. 


EVENTS 

“WE WERE VERY LUCKY AND GRATEFUL 

THAT OUR CUSTOMERS WERE MAINLY 

HAPPY TO ROLL THE 2020 TICKETS OVER 

TO 2021, WHICH REALLY SAVED US FROM 

BANKRUPTCY” 

did run this event in 2021 and it 

was great to be back. Like many 

people we didn’t hear about the 

first round of the culture recovery 

fund but were very grateful to 

be awarded a small grant in the 

second round and also received 

some small council grants which 

helped keep the wolf from the 

door. We were very lucky and 

grateful that our customers were 

mainly happy to roll the 2020 

tickets over to 2021, which really 

saved us from bankruptcy. 

What additional challenges have 

you faced? 

Customers! If you draw a 30 mile 

catchment area around Poole 

and Bournemouth, half of it 

would be in the sea and no one 

lives there! With limited numbers 

of available customers we have to 

design our events to be appealing 

and affordable to the people 

who live on our doorstep. Most 

national event companies who 

hold an event in our area do not 

return after the first year. 

How have you financed the 

event and how profitable is it? 

The event is financed through 

ticket and bar revenue with some 

trader and sponsor revenue. It is 

normally profitable but earnings 

from 2021 and 2022 have really 

just covered the losses from 

Covid. 

What are your future plans? 

To develop similar events in 

Southampton and Portsmouth. 

What advice could you give 

to someone coming into the 

industry? 

Beware – it’s not for the 

faint hearted. Even if you do 

everything right the weather 

can still ruin your event and only 

pure determination will get you 

through to the next one. 

Do your research, assume 

nothing! Also researching other 

events is one of the joys of the 

job. 

Work with people who are as 

passionate as you. 

ADDRESS BOOK 

MARQUEES 

Immense Events & Bars 

www.immenseevents.net 

STAGES 

South West Sages 

www.southweststages.co.uk 

HEAT & POWER 

One Two Sounds (Poole) 

BARS 

Immense Events & Bars 

www.immenseevents.net 

TEMPORARY FENCING 

Capital Barriers 

www.capitalbarriersandtemporaryfencing.co.uk 

TOILETS 

Abbas Cabins 

www.abbascabins.co.uk 

SECURITY 

PPE Security 

www.ppesecurity.co.uk 

INSURANCE 

Event Insurance Services (highly 

recommended) 

www.events-insurance.co.uk 

DETAILS 

Poole Harbour Festival 

28-30 July 

Baiter Park, 

Poole 

Dorset BH15 1UY 

www.pooleharbourfestival.com 



You can find us at 

NOEAP2E (NOEA Pavillion) 

See our Event Staffing 

Coordinator Jessica 

at The Education Hub on 

1 March (15:00) discussing 

Writing a Killer CV 

Proud NOEA member 

and 2022 Winner of 

Best Unsung Hero 

Evan Morgan 

For 

For 

all 

all 

your 

your 

event 

event 

support 

support 

vehicles 

vehicles 

• 

2, 

2, 4 

and 

and 6 

seat 

seat 

diesel 

diesel 

Mules/Gators 

Mules/Gators 

• 

Utility 

Utility 

buggies 

buggies • 4 

and 

and 6 

seat 

seat 

buggies 

buggies • 

Trailers 

Trailers 

• 

Disabled 

Disabled 

access 

access 

and 

and 

ambulance 

ambulance 

buggies 

buggies 

Contact 

Contact 

us 

us 

as 

as 

we 

we 

would 

would 

be 

be 

delighted 

delighted 

to 

to 

talk 

talk 

to 

to 

you 

you 

Tel: 

Tel: 

0113 

0113 

393 

393 

4100 

4100 

Email: 

Email: 

info@eventbuggyhire.co.uk 

info@eventbuggyhire.co.uk 

Web: 

Web: 

www.eventbuggyhire.co.uk 

www.eventbuggyhire.co.uk 


EVENTS 

Event Power Efficiency 

Tim Benson on power plan priorities for 2023 events 

2023 IS set to be another monster of a 

year for our sector, with significant one-off 

shows in the UK including Eurovision and 

the Coronation, so let’s start off on the 

right foot with our energy planning and 

management. 

With so many different solutions 

available to us, from large scale mobile 

battery systems to hydrogen combustion 

generators, it is sometimes easy to lose 

sight of what is really important, i.e., being 

more energy efficient and reducing our 

dependence on liquid fuels. 

With this in mind, a good starting point 

is to refer to the Power Management 

Hierarchy, devised by ZAP Concepts and 

Hope Solutions. 

This hierarchy is intended to help event 

organisers and their power contractors 

prioritise the most environmentally 

sustainable interventions available to 

them and can be applied to an entire event 

site or to individual power zones. It further 

relates to all phases of the event lifecycle 

from build to break. 

REDUCING DEMAND 

We need to consider both how much 

energy we are using (expressed in 

kilowatts / kW and described as ‘the load’) 

and how long we use it for (expressed 

in hours); collectively these metrics 

make up the common unit of electrical 

consumption known as the kilowatthour 

(kWh) – which is often referred to as 

demand. 

Improving onsite energy efficiency 

means putting in place strategies that 

both reduce the load and cut the hours; 

these might include sourcing more 

energy efficient equipment, swapping 

out electrical catering appliances for 

those that run on alternative fuels like 

gas, introducing inline timers that switch 

circuits on and off, the introduction of 

photovoltaic sensors that activate circuit 

contactors when light levels change, and 

using the start/stop timer function on 

generator control panels. 

UNDERSTANDING LOAD PROFILES 

Load profiles are patterns in energy usage, 

typically viewed across a 24-hour period or 

longer. Most commonly at events we see 

asymmetric load profiles: periods of high 

usage sandwiched between periods of low 

consumption, which are known as base 

loads. 

Where a power contractor has previous 

experience of an event, they will be better 

placed to understand the nuances of the 

site load profile and plan accordingly 

for base load management; common 

strategies include hybrid power generators 

that manage periods of low load from the 

energy stored in their batteries, syncing 

smaller diesel generators with higher 

capacity ones and designing site layout 

so that applications that require 24 hour 

power are grouped in clusters. 

POWER ADVANCING 

Collecting accurate information on 

demand and load profiles in the advancing 

stages can be challenging, but remains 

absolutely crucial if efficiency is to be 

improved. It requires production teams, 

their contractors and suppliers to provide 

comprehensive equipment inventories 

and data on energy consumption, together 

with switch on/off schedules for the full 

lifecycle of the event. More often than 

not, what is actually supplied is a list of 

electrical connection requirements that 

bears little resemblance to the actual load. 

Inaccurate and incomplete advancing 

information is one of the chief causes of 

inefficiencies. It leads to the oversizing 

of generators because specifications 

are based on peak loads, and wasted 

opportunities for introducing 

alternatives power solutions for base 

load management. Processes such as the 

ZAP Concept’s Smart Power Plan, that 

inventory site-wide electrical consumers, 

can be helpful in matching energy 

production to actual demand, allowing 

generator downsizing and a reduction of 

fuel consumed. 

So, here’s to whatever 2023 chooses to 

throw at us and wishing you all ‘bonne 

chance’ for the coming year – it is going to 

be brutal! 

*This article originally appeared in the 

January 2023 Vision: 2025 newsletter. 

www.vision2025.org.uk 


Tim Benson is chair and 

project lead for Powerful 

Thinking, the outdoor events 

sustainable energy working 

group, and also sits on the 

Live Green sustainability working 

group. He has contributed content for a 

wide range of industry papers and is the 

author of the energy chapter in the Show 

Must Go On Report. He is also the founder/ 

production director of Smart Power and 

technical director at ZAP Concepts UK & 

Ireland. www.powerful-thinking.org.uk 


EVENTS 

GETTY IMAGES 

Local Authority Wins 

Some obvious but critical advice about working with your local authority 

AS AN event organiser, there are several 

best practice tips you can follow in order 

to achieve a successful and productive 

partnership with your local authority. 

First it’s worth identifying the 

stakeholders at the local authority level 

who may be involved in planning and 

managing festivals and events in your 

area. These can include: 

› Public safety officials: This includes 

police, fire and emergency medical 

services personnel who are responsible 

for ensuring the safety and security of 

event attendees, staff and local residents. 

They may work with event organisers to 

develop a security plan and manage any 

emergency situations that may arise. 

› Environmental health officials: These 

officials are responsible for ensuring 

that the event does not have a negative 

impact on the local environment, and 

will want to address issues such as waste 

management, noise pollution and air 

quality. 

› Traffic and transportation officials: These 

officials are responsible for managing 

traffic and transportation issues including 

road closures, parking and public 

transportation. They will help develop 

a transportation plan that minimises 

disruption to the local community. 

Each one may have concerns about 

events – particularly large scale ones. They 

are invariably around the following issues: 

1 

SAFETY 

Ensuring the safety of event 

attendees, staff and local 

residents is a top priority for 

local authorities. They may be 

concerned about issues such 

as overcrowding, security and 

emergency response. 

2 

TRAFFIC AND 

TRANSPORT 

Events can create 

significant traffic and 

transportation issues, which 

can impact local residents 

and businesses. Local 

authorities may be concerned 

about traffic congestion, 

parking and the impact 

of large crowds on public 

transportation. 

3 

NOISE 

Festivals and events can 

generate a lot of noise, which 

can be a major concern for local 

residents. Local authorities may 

require organisers to obtain noise 

permits or impose noise restrictions 

to minimise disruption to the 

community. 

4 

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT 

Events can generate a lot of waste and put 

a strain on local infrastructure, including 

water and sewage systems. Local authorities 

may require event organisers to implement 

sustainability measures and minimise the 

environmental impact of their event. 

5 

PRESENTING YOUR CASE 

Presenting your case involves several key 

steps which are important to allow your 

festival or event to proceed, while also addressing 

any concerns and ensuring that the event has a 

positive impact on the local community. 


EVENTS 

Why your event is a 

great idea… 

If you are struggling to make your case, try 

reminding stakeholders of the following. Any 

evidence you can prepare to back up your 

claims will only strengthen your case. 

› Boosting the local economy 

Festivals and events can attract visitors from 

outside the area, bringing in tourism revenue 

and supporting local businesses. This can 

have a positive impact on the local economy, 

creating jobs and generating additional 

income. 

› Increasing community engagement 

Events can bring people together and foster 

a sense of community spirit. This can help 

to create a stronger sense of local identity 

and encourage people to get involved in 

community activities. 

› Raising the profile of the area 

Successful events can generate positive 

media coverage and increase the profile 

of the area. This can help to attract more 

visitors and investment in the future. 

› Showcasing local talent and culture 

Festivals can provide a platform for local 

artists, musicians and performers to 

showcase their work. This can help to 

promote local talent and culture and create 

opportunities for people to engage with the 

arts. 

› Improving public spaces 

Festivals and events can provide an 

opportunity to improve and enhance public 

spaces such as parks, streets and buildings. 

This can have a lasting impact on the area 

and create a better quality of life for local 

residents. 

6 

RESEARCH AND 

PLANNING 

Before you approach the 

local authority, you should 

conduct research to understand 

the local regulations and 

requirements for holding 

an event. This may include 

obtaining permits, submitting 

an application and developing a 

detailed event plan. You should 

also research the potential 

impact of the event on the 

local community, including 

issues such as noise, traffic and 

environmental impact. 

7 

MEET WITH 

LOCAL 

OFFICIALS 

Once you have done 

your research, you 

should arrange a 

meeting with the 

relevant local officials 

to discuss your 

proposal. This may 

include the local 

council, police and 

the environment 

agency. You should 

be prepared to 

discuss the details of 

your event plan and 

address any concerns 

that they may have. 

8 

PROVIDE SUPPORTING 

MATERIALS 

You should prepare a detailed 

proposal that outlines the purpose of 

the event, the expected attendance 

and the measures that will be taken to 

address any potential issues such as 

security, traffic and noise. You should 

also provide supporting materials such 

as maps, diagrams and photographs to 

help illustrate your proposal. 

9 

ADDRESS CONCERNS 

It is important to be prepared to 

address any concerns that local 

officials may have. You should be 

prepared to offer solutions to these 

concerns and work to develop a plan 

that addresses them. 

10 

FOLLOW UP 

After your initial meeting it 

is important to follow up to 

provide any additional information or 

materials. You should also be prepared 

to attend any public hearings or 

meetings to address any concerns from 

local residents or business owners. 

MORE ADVICE 

The Local Authority Event 

Organisers Group (LAEOG) was 

set up specifically to help support 

those involved in events working 

within local authorities. Although 

it is not open to general event 

organisers (those not working 

within a local authority) it exists to 

promote best practice within local 

authorities and its leadership are a 

good group to get to know. 

www.laeog.co.uk 


EVENTS 


Festival Ready 

Helping Eliminate Single 

Use Plastic from Events 

Green Goblet 

01278 238390 

info@green-goblet.com 

www.green-goblet.com 

We’re on a mission to save the planet one reusable cup at a 

time. We are the UK’s leading producer and supplier of reusable 

cups, coffee cups and food-ware. All of our reusable cups can be 

customised to suit your brand or event. Transitioning to reusable 

cups couldn’t be easier no matter how big or small your event 

is. Whether you’re looking to eliminate single-use plastic from a 

stadium or offer your wedding day guests the perfect reusable 

souvenir, we’ve got you covered. 

Barriers for Every Eventuality 

Red Herring Event Services 

07860 950894 

charles@redherringeventservices.co.uk 

www.redherringeventservices.co.uk 

From crowd barriers to police met barriers, Red Herring Event 

Services (Red Herring) provide a range of fencing solutions 

for any local to large scale event or festival. With previous 

customers being MSV Donington Park, Leicester City Council, 

LPH Concerts & Events, Live Nation (Music) UK, The X Factor, 

Formula E Operations and many more, Red Herring is wellknown 

in its field and is trusted as one of the best and most 

reliable fencing companies in the UK. 

The company was established in 2006 by Charles Herring, 

building a portfolio of products for short term, safe, efficient 

and cost-effective perimeter solutions. As well as 2.3m crowd 

control barriers, 2.1m steel shield hoarding, 3.5m temporary 

fencing, and 1.5m police met barriers, Red Herring stocks 3.5m 

x 2m anti climb temporary fencing that is made up of anti-climb 

modular mesh and has proven very popular at large festivals. 

Lotus Belles for 300 People 

Wild Hare Events 

07855 229568 

info@wildhareevents.com 

www.wildhareevents.com 

Wild Hare Events is the largest supplier of Lotus Belles in the 

UK and is partnered with a number of other companies (under 

the Wild Hare banner) offering a complete one-stop-shop for 

weddings, events and festivals. 

Its inventory includes a fleet of Lotus Belle tents and interiors 

to sleep up to 300 people, and two Lotus Mahal structures – a 

medium size marquee in the same style as the Lotus Belles, 

which is perfect as a reception, bar, guest lounge etc. 

Wild Hare also provides event lighting and electrics, luxury 

toilets and showers, a fully licensed bar and professional 

catering, commercial firework displays, as well as furniture, 

crockery and linen hire as part of the glamping package. 

It offers a full build and break service and an experienced crew 

who can offer reception/concierge 24/7. Committed to providing 

excellent customer service, the team can take customer bookings 

direct if required and deal with all payments. In addition, Wild 

Hare offers flexible, staged payment terms and is fully insured 

(public/product/employers’ liability). 


EVENTS 

Battery Power with 

Solar Built In 

Lifos 

01952 200198 

hello@lifos.co.uk 


The Lifos Fort PV 

is an innovative, 

all in one solar 

battery system 

designed to reduce 

diesel consumption 

and help deliver 

greener, low carbon 

events. 

With a range of battery 

options from 11kWh to 35kWh, 

the Fort PV comes packed with 18, 

ready to use solar panels. That’s 3.4kWh of 

solar power, enough to run a large house and enough to run some 

events diesel free. 

The smart battery management system provides real time data 

and carbon reporting so when combining with diesel gen-sets 

you can monitor usage and diesel savings, which are usually 

significant, often above 40%. 

Every Fort has a five year guarantee and a seven year switch 

programme to replace and reuse battery cells, significantly 

reducing the lifetime cost of ownership and making the Fort even 

more affordable to hire or buy. Invest in a Lifos Fort and you’re 

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Utterly Passionate About Stretch Tents 

Alternative Stretch Tents 

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Why source your festival or party stretch tent from Alternative 

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Gridshell Event Tents 

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en/industries/eventtent-rental 

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hello@festivall.services 

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Established in November 

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Our management team 

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Our staff can be supplied to 

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and event runners. 


Spot light 

A roundup of products for the outdoor hospitality industry 

THE ‘APPLEPIE’ RANGE BY EKOL 

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01929 555211 

sales@defrastoves.com 

www.applepiestove.com 

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sales@glampsan.com 

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hello@lifos.co.uk 


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PEOPLE 

Behind the Scenes with… 

Gemma England 

and Julia Hall 

Gemma England and Julia Hall give us a glimpse into 

the running of Ludlow Castle 

PROFILE 

Gemma England initially looked 

after weddings and events at 

Ludlow Castle and this year has 

returned to take up the reins 

as general manager. Working 

closely alongside Gemma 

is newly promoted deputy 

manager Julia Hall who has 

been at Ludlow Castle for over 

five years. 

What do you enjoy most about working at 

Ludlow Castle? 

Gemma: Having grown up locally and 

living in Ludlow for many years, I now 

feel hugely privileged to work at such an 

important landmark. I enjoy the sense of 

teamwork and pride that everyone takes 

in working here and the huge scope and 

variety my role brings me. We are a visitor 

attraction, a wedding venue, self-catering 

accommodation, gift shop and home to a 

café and gallery, so obviously I have to wear 

a lot of hats! 

Julia: I also love the variety of tasks involved 

and seeing our apartment guests and 

visitors happy and enjoying their time 

here. The castle has so many facets – there 

is never a dull moment. I have learnt so 

much about a variety of subjects from the 

importance of the castle in British history, 

to analysing a spreadsheet and how to fix a 

toilet! 

What can a typical day at Ludlow Castle 

look like for you both? 

Gemma: Monday mornings start with 

catching up with Nigel, our groundsman, 

and going over anything that’s urgent for the 

week before doing a routine test of the fire 

alarm system. 

Today was changeover day for our 

self-catering apartments so I bid farewell 

to our lovely guests who were here to 

celebrate their wedding, then I liaised 

with the housekeeping team to ensure 

the apartments are prepared to our high 

standards ready for our next guests to arrive. 

I then popped out to our wonderful local 

deli, Broad Bean, to pick up supplies for 

guest welcome hampers. This afternoon has 

been head down in the office, replying to 

emails, confirming bookings for weddings 

and the apartments, looking at our 

marketing options and the not so pleasant 

task of speaking to environmental health 

regarding an unpleasant fly tipping situation 


PEOPLE 

on the Castle Walks. No two days are the 

same and it keeps me on my toes! 

Julia: I don’t think there is such a thing 

as a typical day! Mine usually starts with 

checking e-mails and replying to queries. 

I then move on to the banking and 

completing financial spreadsheets. I usually 

try to get the day-to-day bits and pieces 

done in the morning so I can spend at least 

an hour or so in the afternoon on tasks that 

require more focus. So, for instance, this 

morning I ordered more stock for the shop 

and completed the staff rota for the next 

month, as well as booking in some group 

visits and arranging maintenance visits by 

contractors. This afternoon I’m completing 

the planning for our summer holiday 

activities. 

Gemma and I will liaise throughout the 

day to make sure the castle is running 

smoothly. 

What are you particularly looking 

forward to hosting? 

Gemma: The Ludlow Food Festival is 

always a huge success and we love seeing 

the castle buzzing with lots of visitors and 

exhibitors. We are also looking forward to 

lots of families visiting over the summer 

holidays with events planned like last 

year’s ‘Heraldic Roll’ activities. For those of 

you who don’t know, this is a fantastically 

preserved record of coats of arms from 

the 16th Century and is a really important 

document in the castle’s history. There 

were treasure hunts around the castle and 

a children’s craft activity with a shieldmaking 

competition. 

Julia: Can I also say the ‘C word’ yet? 

Christmas at the castle will be pretty special 

this year – or so Santa tells us! Our lips 

are sealed with regards to 2023, but let’s 

just say that we have exciting plans in the 

pipeline… 

How do you manage the castle’s 

stewardship and upkeep as an historic 

monument? 

Gemma: The castle is very robust but 

being exposed to the elements, regular 

inspections are required to ensure any 

maintenance work is flagged up and carried 

out, and that it is safe to open to the public. 

Powis Estates is committed to a five 

year £1 million rolling programme of 

maintenance and remedial work, in light 

of the castle’s nationally important Grade 

1 Listed status. Profits are reinvested into 

the ruin to ensure its long-term future. 

For instance, Castle House was acquired 

from the district council in 2002 to reunite 

all the buildings of the castle under one 

ownership. It was subsequently renovated 

to provide office and café facilities, a 

function room and self-catering holiday 

apartments. 

Prior to this a section of the Outer Bailey 

buildings were turned from a shell into the 

current gift shop. In 2019, the Round Chapel 

roof was replaced, enabling weddings 

to take place despite the vagaries of the 

British weather! There are further plans 

to enhance the visitor experience in the 

future, so watch this space. 

Where is your favourite spot in the 

castle? 

Gemma: We are so lucky that the castle 

is usually bustling with visitors, and we 

don’t often get a quiet moment, but I get 

so much enjoyment from looking out of 

the office window and watching everyone 

enjoying themselves and exploring. I do 

however love the end of a busy day, when 

the gates are closed and the town drops 

quiet. There is something magical about 

the castle at this time. 

Julia: I love walking around the castle first 

thing in the morning – there’s no time to sit 

down, but just being in the Inner Bailey on 

your own, imagining all the history that has 

taken place there, is magical. 

DETAILS 

Ludlow Castle 

Castle Square, Ludlow 

Shropshire, SY8 1A 

www.ludlowcastle.com

Issue 56

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