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PEOPLE “Over the last few years we have done almost everything ourselves really in terms of the bar and the food and promoting the events, but this year we are going to be launching a series of partners that we are really excited to have on board. The first is a traditional Japanese restaurant called Hakko House, who are currently finishing setting up in converted shipping containers on site. It is going to be a very exciting addition to the local area to have this top notch Japanese food offering and also for guests to experience this cuisine with a local twist. “We are also announcing a fantastic bar partner who are based out of Bath and run a couple of places including the Hideout, which has been awarded 18th best bar in the UK. They do amazing cocktails and grow a lot of their own garnishes, so again has a lovely local story.” The final partner Marston Park is announcing this year is Toniq, a spa partner who will be enhancing the facilities already on offer under the name Toniq Elements. “We have a cold water plunge pool and wood fired hot tub, which have both been really popular and we’ll now have breathwork classes and exciting exercise and wellness classes. The interest in cold water therapy and those sorts of things is exploding and it’s something that I have personally really gotten into – yes, I am a winter lunatic! “We are excited to see how our story unfolds with these various partners who are all at the top of their game. I think for us we are making quite a marked shift in bringing in the partners – it’s the best way we can think of to grow the business in the long term, keeping all the pieces doing something really exciting.” MEMBERSHIPS Marston Park currently operates from May to October and originally, as a part of its license agreement, needed to charge a paid membership to those coming onto the site. “We had some push back from certain people and we were keen to make the place an open and inclusive space so we managed to get our licence changed. We now offer a free membership which means you can come and enjoy the place any time there isn’t a ticketed happening or event. We also have a small gang of 1,000 who pay a nominal fee and get a small heads up on events as a lot sell out quickly.” Staying at Marston Park is open to all. “We like to think of ourselves as a hotel without walls. The tents are a bit like hotel rooms in that they don’t have cooking facilities at the moment. The Futuro house is however being fitted out with a traditional 1960s kitchen and a wet room and will be the first of our spaces with a self-catered option.” Michael is investigating the potential of adding more solid structures with kitchens and bathrooms and has plans to restore some of the old listed buildings on the site. “I think we will naturally become an all year round sort of place; a little more introverted and retreat-like in the winter and more communal in the summer.” The current bell tent accommodation offers more than luxury interiors. Michael and Charlie’s canvas studios and suites offer guests artist supplies, an easel and a guitar! “We want people to use the landscape as a muse for their creativity. We find we get a lot of musicians, painters, sculptors and writers as well as people breaking out of the city. I am personally a big believer that the surroundings and the people you are around have a huge impact on what you’re making, whatever that is, and the way you think. It’s nice that nearly everyone that comes picks up the guitar in their room and thrashes out a tune (well or badly) or picks up a paintbrush. “We get a lot of art gifted to us left out on easels and it’s fantastic to come across a stunning oil painting by a very famous artist and then find a messy duck drawn by a four year old that somehow really nicely captures a duck! We’ve been collecting the best ones – they are currently sat at my house but it would be nice to do a history of art created on site in our gallery.” FESTIVAL INFRASTRUCTURE Michael admits to spending a lot of time on Pinterest, Google Images and Instagram looking for infrastructure to suit the site that offered something slightly different. “It is a festival-style set up here. We are far away from any mains so have power laid above ground, being very careful to tread as lightly as possible on the landscape. “We have been experimenting with solar and battery to minimise generator use and are trying to understand the power usage of different parts of the site. It's heating stuff that’s the killer. The reception area is quite light touch and the one battery we have can run it for eight hours but boil a kettle and it halves that time! Similarly, in the communal area we have a highly directional sound system, lights and fridges running for eight hours from one battery but turn on the coffee machine and it sucks it down to 30 minutes. Working all this out isn’t something we find easy – there is obviously a lot of information out there but lots of equipment isn’t fit for purpose when you are using things in an off-grid set up.” Now entering year four, the business is moving in the right direction. “I guess it’s a similar journey to many other businesses – you’re not profitable as you start working everything out and then when things settle you become profitable. We have a great little group of shareholders, all people we know really well and who are coming along for the journey with us. It’s set to be a long journey as there’s a lot to do, and everyone got on board with that in mind.” 16 WWW.OPENAIRBUSINESS.COM
PEOPLE Behind the seasonal operation, is a local workforce. “Our team has flexed a lot over the last few years. At our peak we have about 40 staff and we make a point of hiring a lot of young people as locally as we can. For a lot it will be their first job and they either walk or cycle to work. I think these sorts of businesses are really important to a rural community as it helps youngsters get a bit of training and introduces them to some life experience.” TIME OUT The duo uses the off season to evaluate, plan and process before launching back into Marston Park's operating months. “I do some gigs, travel and work on developing our offering for the next year. Perhaps the hardest thing is taking time out. I have learned that you have to create the time to have a hobby, go for a walk or spend time with friends and family or it just won’t happen, and you won’t necessarily be any better at your job if you don’t! I liken it to when you are a kid and stay up late to finish your homework and it turns out rubbish because you are so tired! “The key is to build in time for yourself so when you are focused on a project you are at your best. I am currently really enjoying getting in cold water; I am quite nervous that it isn’t going to be cold enough in the summer but I’ll find a way to deal with that.” DETAILS Marston Park, Tuckmarsh Lane, Frome Somerset BA11 5BP www.marstonpark.co.uk CWC Advert (Open Air Magazine).pdf 1 23/02/2021 12:04:51 C RE® EVENT-STRUCTURES UNIQUE OUTDOOR MULTI-LEVEL STRUCTURES Expert advice to help you achieve the most from your venue business. C M Y CM MY CY CMY K • Increase profitability • Reach your ideal customers • Maximise sales opportunities • Streamline your processes CALL NOW FOR A FREE QUOTE T: 0845 299 6499 - E: sales@core-eventstructures.com www.core-eventstructures.com www.charlottewinship.com 07493 350303 / charlotte@charlottewinship.com ADVERT-EVENT-STRUCTURES.indd 1 27/01/2022 12:07:22 WWW.OPENAIRBUSINESS.COM 17
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Page 5 and 6: £500,000 S-Pod Installation FOLLOW
Page 7 and 8: In-House Manufacturing with new Par
Page 10 and 11: INDUSTRY OVERVIEW Event Production
Page 12 and 13: PHOTO SOURCED FROM SAULEDA HIGH PER
Page 14 and 15: PEOPLE riends and business partners
Page 18 and 19: FUNCTION VENUES CASE STUDY Higher H
Page 20 and 21: FUNCTION VENUES time to drive aroun
Page 22 and 23: Stunning tents for stunning events!
Page 24 and 25: FUNCTION VENUES Tipi Wedding Trends
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Page 28 and 29: A SUBSIDIARY OF WILD HARE EVENTS LT
Page 30 and 31: GLAMPSITES we loved being here. The
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Page 34 and 35: GLAMPSITES GETTY IMAGES THE TIKTOK
Page 36 and 37: GLAMPSITES Tech Wins Touch Stay’s
Page 38 and 39: GLAMPSITES FIVE TECH OPTIONS FOR YO
Page 40 and 41: A SLAB FOR ALL SEASONS • Act now
Page 42 and 43: S2T GRASS REINFORCEMENT PERFO inter
Page 44 and 45: GLAMPSITES PRODUCT IN FOCUS Alfresc
Page 46 and 47: EVENTS CASE STUDY New Forest Folk F
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Page 50 and 51: EVENTS Staging GETTY IMAGES Matt Ki
Page 52 and 53: EVENTS Sustainability in the Field
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Page 56 and 57: THE DOME COMPANY DESIGN, MANUFACTUR
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Page 62 and 63: Spot light A roundup of products fo
Page 64 and 65: Classified Directory Finman Glampin
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PEOPLE Some front of house staff ar
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