Issue 61
The UK's outdoor hospitality business magazine for function venues, glamping, festivals and outdoor events
The UK's outdoor hospitality business magazine for function venues, glamping, festivals and outdoor events
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FUNCTION VENUES<br />
CASE STUDY<br />
Oak Tree Barn<br />
A seasonal rustic chic venue in west Kent<br />
We talk to Renee Simpson<br />
about creating a striking<br />
festival-style venue with no<br />
previous experience of the<br />
hospitality industry<br />
When did you start your<br />
venue business and what is its<br />
history?<br />
The venue was previously a family<br />
home with a derelict barn that<br />
was used for storing farming<br />
equipment. We fell in love with<br />
the location and saw its potential.<br />
We were hoping to open in August<br />
2020 but due to Covid our first<br />
wedding was June 2021.<br />
Tell us about your location<br />
and site<br />
We are located in south<br />
Tonbridge, Kent, just off the A21<br />
with great access to London and<br />
the coast.<br />
We try to be sustainable so<br />
where possible we have reused<br />
materials so most of buildings<br />
“OUR THREE<br />
OUTDOOR<br />
BARS ARE<br />
CONVERTED<br />
HORSEBOXES<br />
AND OUR<br />
MAIN TOILETS<br />
MAKE<br />
USE OF A<br />
CONVERTED<br />
PRISON VAN”<br />
are built using reclaimed scaffold<br />
boards, tin roofing, windows and<br />
doors. Our three outdoor bars<br />
are converted horseboxes and<br />
our main toilets make use of a<br />
converted prison van. We also<br />
have an onsite beauty salon and<br />
hairdressers, where you can book<br />
beauty treatments, make up and<br />
bridal hair.<br />
What facilities for outdoor<br />
functions do you offer?<br />
We have an outdoor ceremony<br />
area “The Love Shack”, a<br />
multipurpose top hat tipi and<br />
offer up to seven glamping pods<br />
for our couples to use for up to<br />
14 people to stay in, along with<br />
a three bedroom cottage, The<br />
Bothy.<br />
18 WWW.OPENAIRBUSINESS.COM
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