Issue 62

GLAMPSITES
INDUSTRY
John Newberry &
Austin Newberry
Company: Logspan
Roles: Managing directors
Contact: info@logspan.com,
www.logspan.com
FUN FACTS
Favourite tipple: Cider or G&T
Last holiday destination: Cumbria
Cats or dogs? Dogs
Something surprising: Austin has run/
walked from Glasgow to Inverness!
Give us a brief history of Logspan
Logspan was started back in 1996 as a family
business selling sheds and summer houses.
As it became evident that people wanted
more substantial timber buildings, it slowly
grew into the markets required to satisfy
customer needs. From that point, it grew
into the largest independent seller of garden
buildings in Scotland and now supplies the
glamping and hospitality sector throughout
the UK.
What are your backgrounds?
John’s background is entrepreneurial. He
has always run his own businesses and all
those that know him acknowledge both his
great business sense and his ability chat to
anyone. Austin came into the business 10
years ago after working in education and
took over as managing director when John
retired due to his wife’s health.
What makes Logspan stand out in the
market?
We are always looking for niches where
a customer needs something but it is not
being supplied. Whether that is the unique
Finman glamping range, or modular tiny
houses; we want to supply quality products
at an affordable price that allows our
customers’ businesses to grow.
What are your predictions for the growth
and shape of the glamping industry?
The glamping industry is looking towards
unique and different structures as
holidaymakers are becoming increasingly
particular as to what they're renting. The
industry is saturated with similar types of
structures, and as the homeowners come
into the short let market through Airbnb and
Booking.com there is a requirement to make
sure that you can stand out from the crowd.
Whether that's with a unique building or an
additional offering, for example a hot tub,
BBQ hut, or sauna, there is a requirement to
offer something more, over and above just
accommodation.
What are you most proud of?
We are proud of being able to supply these
products, and to work with our customers.
We’ve built relationships over many years
and customers continue to come back and
purchase additional items as we support
their growth. We’re always looking for
something a little bit different that helps our
customers diversify their offering.
Are you working on exciting projects?
We’ve got a few things we’re working on just
now, importing high-quality saunas from
Europe, as well as unique shepherd huts,
which we’re really excited to launch this
summer.
What are your future plans?
Logspan will always be a family business,
and with the forecasted growth of the
glamping industry, there is potential for
us to continue growing in our niche and
expand our offering throughout the UK. We
look forward to supporting the local and
wider economies for many years to come,
providing a quality service that works within
our company values of integrity, teamwork,
service, and quality.
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