Open Air Business June 2016

ISSUE 2 | June 2016 | www.openairbusiness.com
BUSINESS
FUNCTION VENUES
Outdoor Ceremonies
ACCOMMODATION
Glamping Growth
Marketing Toolkit
CHARM
EVENTS
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WELCOME
Welcome
Introducing Open Air Business
WELL, I AM still reeling from the launch
issue’s feedback! I am delighted to report that
Open Air Business has been overwhelmingly
well-received by the outdoor hospitality
industry. Thank you to all who took the time
to write or email your words of support and
encouragement, and to all who returned the
subscription request forms to continue to
receive Open Air Business for free. This really
assists with our ABC audit – an independent
circulation appraisal which helps the magazine
be as transparent as possible to advertisers.
Speaking of advertisers, I would like to
thank those who have supported us in these early issues. I really do appreciate
your enthusiasm for this new publication and your trust that we will deliver
your message effectively to this exciting, expanding market. Readers, if you see
something you like and make an enquiry, please do mention you saw it in Open
Air Business.
One of the most enlightening aspects of my work as editor is hearing from
our case study businesses. Early on in the conception of Open Air Business,
the team thought it valuable to include interviews with business owners in the
Function Venue, Accommodation and Events sectors of the outdoor hospitality
industry. In this issue we have a diverse selection, two of which span the sectors
in their offerings: a glampsite that holds weddings, and a wedding venue that
provides glamping as well as running an event. That’s exactly the message Open
Air Business wants to promote: maximising revenue by embracing outdoor
hospitality in all its forms. I hope these interviews will inspire you to investigate
new opportunities too.
Visitors’ first impression of a function venue, glampsite or outdoor event will be
how each is ‘dressed.’ However, there are many more mundane considerations
that go into their preparation. In every issue you will find a product focus for
each editorial section, with words of wisdom from an industry expert and some
product choices. I have enjoyed these features so much that the next time I visit
an outdoor hospitality offering you may well find me round the back checking out
the generator (page 22), site facilities (page 42), or asking how they got Wi-Fi to the
middle of a field (page 56).
Finally, I would like to introduce a new ‘voice’ to the magazine - Periwinkle (page
66). I will leave you to ponder how long this rural entrepreneur and his eccentric
friends will remain in business. One thing’s for sure, we’ll have some fun reading
about their exploits along the way!
PUBLISHERS
Tally Wade - tally@openairbusiness.com
Steve Rix - steve@openairbusiness.com
EDITORIAL TEAM
Richard Kruger - richard@openairbusiness.com
Tally Wade - tally@openairbusiness.com
ADVERTISING SALES
Antoinette Marley - 01892 677721
antoinette@openairbusiness.com
DESIGN
James English -
www.jamesenglishdesign.co.uk
PUBLISHED BY
Coffee Shop Media
t: 01580 848555
www.coffeeshopmedia.com
The House on the Hill, Friezley Lane,
Cranbrook, Kent, TN17 2LL
t: 01580 848555
Find more expert advice online:
www.openairbusiness.com
NOW
LIVE
FOLLOW US ON
TWITTER
@openairbusiness
FOLLOW US ON
FACEBOOK
www.facebook.com/
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Tally Wade
Editor / Publisher
COVER PHOTO
Polly’s Dynamic Pictures. Making the
most of a rural venue from page 13
WWW.OPENAIRBUSINESS.COM 3

INSIDE
Contents ISSUE #2 | June 2016
6 News
9 Industry Talk – How to
find grants, finance and
alternative sources of
business funding
FUNCTION VENUES
13 Case Study – Deepdale
Farm on what will be
its first full year as a
wedding provider
16 Charm in Demand –
Gwil Jones on making
the most of a rural
venue
18 Al Fresco Nuptials
– Legalities and
practicalities of holding
outdoor ceremonies
22 Power to Hand – How
to specify generators
and what to consider
24 Product Focus – Heat
and power options for
function venues
ACCOMMODATION
27 Case Study – Harvest
Moon Holidays boasts
seven treehouses and a
location to die for
30 Glamping Growth –
Sarah Riley unearths
the latest stats on
glamping’s rapid rise in
popularity
34 Marketing Toolkit –
Get set to market your
glamping enterprise
to the max with Bella
Given’s insights
38 Call of Nature – ‘Dry’
toilets can be installed
anywhere and offer a
pleasant, reliable facility
42 Product Focus – Site
facilities for glampsites
45 Company Profile –
CampPlus en-suite
toilet and washroom
facilities
EVENTS
47 Case Study – Hodder
Valley Show remains a
traditional agricultural
affair
50 Festival Glamping –
Extra revenue from prepitched
accommodation
at festival events
54 Safe, Profitable
Events – NCASS’ 10
point checklist for
best practice in event
organisation
56 Why Wi-Fi? – Meeting
exhibitors’ and the
general public’s
expectations for
connectivity
60 Product Focus –
Professional services for
outdoor events
62 Spotlight
64 Classifieds
66 Introducing Periwinkle
✁
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Your details
Ms/Miss/Mrs/Mr
Surname
Company
Website
Address
First Name
1) What best describes your business?
2) Which sector(s) do you operate / are you interested in?
Outdoor Accommodation, Outdoor Events, Outdoor Functions,
OTHER (please specify)
3) What best describes your job role?
4) Are you involved in the purchase of products and/or services?
Email
Phone Number
Postcode
5) Open Air is independently audited by the ABC. Please answer the
following question for auditing purposes. What make of car do you
drive? (you can put ‘Don’t drive’ etc.)

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The latest news from the world of outdoor hospitality
50 Tonne Monster Move
AN EMBALMER FROM
Enniscrone, Co. Sligo, Ireland,
has moved a Boeing 767
aeroplane from Shannon runway
to Enniscrone beach, and
intends to convert it into luxury
glamping accommodation.
David McGowan took delivery
of the 159ft plane on 8 May
following 36 hours at sea,
transported by barge.
Speaking to Today FM, Ireland, McGowan said: “I have
a 15 acre site of marshy field and I was wondering what I could do with
it. Whatever I was going to do with it had to be tourism because we’re
on the Wild Atlantic Way. I looked at different types of accommodation
and unusual places to stay and saw that glamping was a modern type
of camping that was spreading throughout Europe.
“I then got the idea that I might like a plane. There are so many
planes that have been decommissioned so I rang around three different
airports and Shannon got back to me.”
The 30 year old Boeing 767 cost £16,000 and will be converted into
accommodation for a transport themed glamping village together
with 10 buses, three train carriages, four boats and eight London taxis.
McGowan is raising money for the project via crowd funding and VOOM,
Richard Branson’s annual start up competition where businesses pitch
for a share of a £1million fund.
READER OFFERS
OPEN AIR BUSINESS is delighted to announce two special offers
for readers.
› CAPITAL ALLOWANCE SPECIALISTS is offering readers a free,
no obligation assessment as to their potential Capital Allowance
entitlement. Contact 01992 505011 / rajesh.parmar@casluk.com
or visit www.casluk.com. Turn to pages 9-11 for more on financing
options.
› SARAH RILEY OF Inspired Courses is offering readers 10% off the
‘Ultimate Glamping Business Guide,’ with code BM10. Visit
www.inspiredcourses.com/glamping. Turn to pages 30-32 for more
from Sarah.
NCASS Award Win
The Nationwide Caterers Association (NCASS) has been
named as the winner of the Business category in the
Regulatory Delivery’s Primary Authority Awards. The
awards are designed to recognise outstanding work
by those involved in the Primary Authority scheme (a
gateway to simpler regulation) and to celebrate frontline
success.
NCASS won the Business category, highlighting its
commitment to helping mobile and event caterers
comply with food safety regulations and reducing
burdens on both member businesses and regulators
by decreasing the number of inspections that caterers
experience at events.
To these ends NCASS produced a common set of
standards and due diligence pack, including online
editable risk assessments that members can tailor to
their individual needs. They also created the Connect
system; an online database of members which allows
enforcement officers to upload inspection reports
to help inform other local authorities whether any
enforcement contact is needed at future events.
Judges said: “NCASS has embraced Primary Authority
as a mechanism for assisting members to provide safe
food and reduce the burden of over-inspection. The
Connect System is an innovative approach that enables
local authorities to access, check and store information
on transient businesses, enabling them to benefit from
the same risk-based intervention frequencies as fixedpremises
businesses.”
6 WWW.OPENAIRBUSINESS.COM

Tourism Awards
adds Glamping
VISITENGLAND HAS ADDED
a new category to its
national tourism awards.
The ‘Glamping Provider
of the Year’ category will
celebrate excellence in
glamping provision in the
2017 round of awards.
To be eligible to enter,
businesses must be an
individual or a multiunit
glamping-only site, have
a non-traditional and
alternative feel, provide hot
water, private bathroom
facilities and private
cooking facilities to each
unit and must be open for
business at some point
between 17 October 2016
to 24 February 2017.
Applications will open in
late August with an awards
ceremony in April 2017.
Where there is a local
(county or regional) awards
programme, businesses
VISITENGLAND
must apply to the regional
programme first where
a glamping category
exists. Winners at county
or regional level are then
eligible to be put up for
the national awards. In
some cases finalists are
also put forward to the
national level. If there are
no awards in a particular
location then glamping
businesses can apply
directly to the national
awards. Details on each
region will be posted at
www.visitenglandawards.
org in coming weeks.
Open Air Business has
made enquiries to the
national tourism boards of
Northern Ireland, Scotland
and Wales but has not been
able to ascertain whether
glamping will be included
in their respective award
programmes.
Don’t Discount the
Growth Programme
“WHILE THERE HAS been criticism of the government’s £177m
Growth Programme, it shouldn’t be discounted if you are planning
to develop a rural outdoor hospitality business in the next five
years,” says Annie Hunter, a senior consultant at How2 Business
Solutions.
Last month Farmers Weekly stated that only two applications had
been reported by the programme since its launch in 2015, as part
of the Rural Development Programme fund, to support projects in
areas that created jobs and growth in rural economies.
“While only two projects have been approved at the time of
writing, and there being a potential nine month time lag from initial
outline application to, hopefully, a final offer, the Rural Payments
Agency has stated that others are in progress, with over 400 initial
applications received since the scheme’s launch and 200 projects
invited to submit full applications,” Hunter explains.
“The grants are managed by The Rural Payments Agency (RPA),
working with Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs). The RPA
publishes calls for applications for grants in specific LEP areas. Each
call will reflect the priorities set by the LEP and will state what types
of grants are open and the application dates. Currently there are
grants available for business development and small scale tourism
infrastructure, as well as tourism cooperation and food processing.”
Worth more than £450m over the period 2015 to 2020, there
are a number of other schemes under the Rural Development
Programme, an umbrella initiative with separate programmes for
Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
GETTY IMAGES
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INDUSTRY TALK
GETTY IMAGES
In what, for some outdoor hospitality businesses, is a fallow grant funding landscape, the
good news is that alternative funding and financing options for new ventures or to expand
businesses do exist. How2 Business Solutions’ Annie Hunter shows you where to look
FOR OUTDOOR HOSPITALITY business
owners, sourcing business funding
whether for start up, land use
diversification or business expansion and
growth is often a frustrating struggle.
Undertaking a search for available grants can be
time-consuming, confusing and disheartening.
While hundreds of UK business grants do exist and
can help fund many business expenses, identifying
one that you can apply for, meet the criteria on and
have a good chance of being awarded, can appear
like a ‘post code’ and industry sector lottery.
That’s because the grant scheme provider will
have objectives, strategies or aims which the
funding supports, hence many grant programmes
are targeted to assist regions defined as
economically disadvantaged, specific industry
sectors and projects. Usually these have criteria
for directly creating or safeguarding jobs and
involve capital investment. It is extremely rare for
a grant to finance the total cost of a project, unless
it is for a very small amount. Many grants require
equivalent funding: you need to match the funding
from the grant provider.
To help identify the few grants that your
business may be eligible for, visit government and
grant funding information sites (see below). Each
listed website provides information on different
grants: there is no one source. Secondly, contact
your local Regional Development Authority (RDA),
Business Link service, Chamber of Commerce or
Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) Growth Hub. ›
WWW.OPENAIRBUSINESS.COM 9

INDUSTRY TALK
If you do put in the hours to find
a suitable grant, ensure you are
prepared for the following:
› Be ready to put up your own money.
Grants typically cover 15 to 60% of
the total required project finance and
you almost always need to match
grant funding. The smaller a grant is,
the quicker it will usually be awarded
and going for a smaller grant can
often help ease overall financial
pressure. Find out when the grant
money would actually be paid. It can
be up to a year between winning a
grant and receiving the money.
› Grants are usually targeted to
specific projects. Supporting the
organic growth of a business
does not normally qualify, though
there may be grants in your region
themed to accelerate job creation or
investment.
› Grants are typically aimed at
new projects and often impose
restrictions. You will need to
demonstrate that your project
will help achieve the objectives or
strategic aims of the grant provider
and that the project would not take
place and achieve the same benefits
without the grant.
› Have a credible business plan
and show that your business is
sustainable. You could have the best
idea in the world but if you are not
worth investing in then you won’t
get the money. So, you need to write
a compelling, easily understood
story and ensure you have read and
shaped your application to meet all
stated grant criteria, including the
financials.
› Use a grant consultant. Doing so can
save search and application time and
increase your chances of success.
However, a consultant typically takes
about 10% commission and doesn’t
usually get involved in grants worth
less than around £20,000.
Start up or SME hospitality
businesses looking for an external
expert to help their business growth
can apply for an innovation voucher
worth up to £5,000. Applications are
made online and subject to a random
draw. Most schemes are operated
locally or regionally and operate
periodically. For current available
schemes visit https://vouchers.
innovateuk.org
ALTERNATIVE
FINANCING OPTIONS
The 2007-2008 global financial crisis
and ensuing UK recession of 2008-2013
inflicted a period of real hardship for many
businesses and their owners. However, a
by-product of many banks and traditional
financing institutions closing their doors
to new borrowers and withdrawing
overdrafts from SMEs was the emergence
of vibrant and increasingly competitive
alternative financing sources. Today these
sources threaten to eclipse banks in terms
of attractiveness for smaller businesses.
Generally, they are also easier to apply for
and more flexible, and you are more likely
to have your funding application accepted.
Although alternative finance as a
whole, including peer-to-peer and peerto-business
lending, crowdfunding and
other products, has more than doubled
since 2014 and is fast becoming viewed as
mainstream, 56% of SMEs are unfamiliar
with any form of alternative finance. So,
here are a few pointers to the wealth
of alternative financing options, from
equity crowdfunding to innovative invoice
platforms and debt options, for businesses
seeking funds at more reasonable terms.
› Business Angels - these investors make
equity investments (the raising of capital
through the sale of shares) in businesses
in the early stages of development or in
established businesses seeking expansion
capital. They tend to back higher-risk
opportunities, seeking to have a high
return on their investment over a period
of three to eight years when they exit.
Most Angels invest through syndicates.
In addition to the capital they put in,
valuable first hand skills and experience
will usually be shared with the business,
as well as their network of contacts. Many
operate within small geographic areas.
Charges are between £250 and £750. www.
ukbusinessangelsassociation.org.uk
› Equity Crowdfunding
- many internet-based
platforms exist that connect
businesses looking to borrow
with, potentially, hundreds of
thousands of investors. You will
need to show that your business
is investment ready and, like other
forms of equity finance, have a business
plan and financial forecasts. A short video
to summarise the business opportunity
can be beneficial. Crowdfunding platforms
typically charge a success fee. www.ukcfa.
org.uk
› Peer to Peer (P2P) Loans - these
internet-based platforms operate as a
marketplace, matching lenders with
borrowers, removing any financial
institution and usually at better rates.
Typically, secured and unsecured loans
from £5,000 to £1m over six months to five
years can be quickly arranged. P2P loans
are also a way of allowing family, partners,
friends and customers, who invest through
the platform, to share in the returns of the
business. As a borrower you will be credit
checked. Lenders can state an interest
rate at which they will lend, allowing the
borrower to accept the lowest on offer.
P2P platforms charge an arrangement fee.
www.p2pfa.info
› British Business Bank - this government
owned business development bank is
dedicated to helping those looking to start
a business, expand or stay ahead of the
competition. The bank works with over
80 finance partners to unlock finance for
smaller business be it general working
capital, debt capital, or equity finance.
www.british-business-bank.co.uk
› Asset Finance - in the form of a finance
lease or an operating lease, asset finance
is usually used to obtain items and
equipment for your business without
incurring the cash drain of an outright
purchase. Due to the fact that the loan is
10 WWW.OPENAIRBUSINESS.COM

INDUSTRY TALK
secured on the asset
being financed, the need
for additional collateral
is reduced, together with
the flexibility to update
the asset at the end of
the lease. Available directly
from specialist providers or
equipment suppliers or brokers.
www.fla.org.uk
› Invoice Financing and Discounting -
this form of asset-based finance provides a means
to borrow money against cash owed to you by your
customers, supporting cash flow and releasing monies
for investment, effectively helping your credit control.
Factoring companies purchase invoices owed, advancing
the majority of the value of the invoice, managing the
sales ledger and collecting the money owed by customers.
With invoice discounting your business retains control
over the administration of the sales ledger. Interest rates
are between 1.5 to 3% plus a management fee of 0.2 to
0.5% of turnover. www.compare-invoice-factoring.com
CASE STUDY
An example of the potential benefits gained by using a specialist to
assess all due Capital Allowance tax relief.
Company Profit
Integral Features
AIA (200K from Jan 2016)
Balance of Integral Features
General Plant & Machinery
£ CA identified £
268,000
500,000
(200,000) (200,000)
68,000 x 8% (5,440)
50,000 x 18% (9,000)
DOES HMRC OWE YOU MONEY?
Before you start to work through the financing maze
to determine the best option to meet your business
needs, it’s well worth ascertaining if you or your business
is owed money by the HMRC in the form of Capital
Allowance tax relief. Why? Well, 95% of businesses do
not claim their full entitlement, equating to billions of
pounds of unclaimed tax relief that can provide an often
much needed business cash injection and negate the
need to seek financing.
Capital Allowances provide tax relief against
expenditure on commercial properties (freehold and
leasehold). The scheme benefit is typically 20 to 40% of
the qualifying base cost and applies to:
› commercial properties which have undergone
renovation, fit out, extension or conversion
› fixtures and integral features applied to a new build or
property acquisition
› items integral to running the business such as power,
lighting and heating installations, fire and security
alarm systems, sanitary and kitchen fittings, phone
and data installations, specialist equipment, flooring,
windows, ceilings, signage and even artworks.
Commercial property owners and investors can
retrospectively claim for unused allowances (often going
back years) for alterations, extensions and upgrades
to their building, even for eligible work carried out by
previous property owners. It can pay significant dividends
to engage a Capital Allowance specialist who will often
identify up to four times in additional allowances
versus the standard accountancy approach, assigning a
specialist quantity surveyor to carry out a full site survey
and advise on environmentally friendly items, that are
subject to 100% tax relief.
Taxable Profit
20% Corporation Tax claimant = £42,888 Tax Saving
40% Personal Tax claimant = £85,776 Tax Saving
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Annie Hunter is a consultant for How2 Business Solutions, an information and advisory
service for SMEs and large companies. Delivered mainly through a nationwide
programme of free seminars, the company provides free information, advice and
practical solutions for your business issues to help you achieve more sales and more
money with less tax and less risk.
FREE READER NO OBLIGATION ASSESSMENT
Open Air Business has partnered with Capital Allowance
Specialists Ltd to provide readers with a free no obligation
assessment as to their potential Capital Allowance entitlement.
Simply contact 01992 505011 / rajesh.parmar@casluk.com or
visit www.casluk.com
USEFUL LINKS
285,560
www.gov.uk/business-finance-support-finder
www.greatbusiness.gov.uk
www.gov.uk/business-support-helpline
www.gov.uk/guidance/regional-growth-fund-programmes-guide
www.smallbusiness.co.uk/financing-a-business/government-grants
www.smarta.com/tools/grants
www.idoxgrantfinder.co.uk
www.startups.co.uk/growth-finance
WWW.OPENAIRBUSINESS.COM 11

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FUNCTION VENUES
CASE STUDY
Deepdale
PHOTOS BY: POLLY’S DYNAMIC PICTURES
Farm
A truly rustic wedding experience
with on-site accommodation
and flexible party spaces
Inspired by holding two family weddings at Deepdale Farm,
Charlotte Lawson and her husband James were encouraged
to offer a similar opportunity to couples seeking a rustic wedding location.
With enviable views and the freedom to design the barns and fields as couples
desire, Deepdale Farm provides imaginative scope and exclusivity

FUNCTION VENUES
Tell us about your venue
Deepdale Farm is a 12 acre
smallholding set on the edge
of the North Yorkshire moors,
on a hill with views across open
countryside. We have been
here for six years now. In the
main we keep horses, although
we do have two token goats!
During the winter the whole
farm works as a livery yard but
from May to September most of
the horses are in the fields and
we use the farm as a wedding
venue. We have three wooden
barns: one is used for the
horses year round; one is open
at both ends and usually used
for the ceremonies; the third is
enclosed and mostly used for
dining, dancing and general
celebrations.
What made you decide to cater
for weddings?
We wanted our wedding in 2011
on the farm so we erected a
marquee in one of the barns.
Then a friend of a friend saw the
pictures and asked to use the
farm as a venue too. After that
more and more people became
interested so I built a website for
Deepdale last summer. This year is
our first as an official business.
What facilities do you offer?
We have a bow top caravan for
overnight stays plus eight bell
tents for the wedding party.
They are 5m diameter and can
hold four single beds or one big
double; it all depends on guests’
requirements. The decor is very
country shabby chic. Maybe, in
the longer term, we’ll branch out
beyond weddings, like holding
hen parties. Our middle barn can
be adapted for different purposes
such as beer pong, a photo
booth or chill out area. Couples
interested in having a humanist
service will hold the service here
as it has fantastic views.
How did you research and
source your marquee?
For our wedding a local company
lined our barn like a marquee at
a third of the price of having a full
outdoor marquee. We have stuck
with that company since. Some
guests want the full marquee
set-up but more are opting for the
rustic look of the barn. There’s
definitely a wow factor when you
walk into the barn and discover

FUNCTION VENUES
a marquee inside! It’s erected by
placing the pole structure within
the barn and then adding the
lining. The floor is carpeted, the
dance floor is black and white
squares and the walls and roof
are white lining fabric. It can hold
150 seated with the option of an
extension marquee to the back
of the barn which increases the
capacity.
How would you describe your
‘style’?
We offer a blank canvas for guests
to ‘paint’ with their own ideas
and decorations and do whatever
they like. We allow people the
freedom of choice; it makes us
more appealing. Yes, we have a
recommended suppliers list of
caterers, florists and the like but
guests are not obliged to use it.
Certainly, a DIY venue requires
more work but guests should be
allowed to add their personal
touch – it’s their wedding after all.
This year will be tough in terms
of the workload but I’m going to
enjoy the process and what each
couple brings to their wedding
will provide me with more ideas to
suggest to others.
Where does your husband fit into
the business?
Well, it is a joint enterprise. James
is a self-employed farrier but looks
after the everyday maintenance
work. He also built a grillkota (a
wooden structure designed for
cooking grill meals outside the
house), with a fire pit in the middle
and festoon lighting in the tree
line. It’s a great space for evening
celebrations: at a recent wedding
guests congregated there to play
their musical instruments and
sing. James is also a keen gardener
GUESTS
SHOULD BE
ALLOWED TO
ADD THEIR
PERSONAL
TOUCH –
IT’S THEIR
WEDDING
AFTER ALL
so all the flower beds and hanging
baskets are always perfect for
the wedding days. He’s now also
offering a bacon butty breakfast
service for campers the morning
after the wedding.
How do you publicise the venue?
I made the website myself; I’m
not particularly technically
minded but it was quite easy. The
website is linked to our Facebook
page. These two seem to have
provided sufficient publicity to get
bookings. We thought about using
Festival Brides, which insisted
on taking charge of the booking
process and website, but I wanted
to stay in control.
What challenges have you faced?
None yet although this year,
our first as a proper wedding
venue, will likely be a steep
learning curve. The pressure of
being responsible for couples’
special days will be a challenge:
I don’t want to let anyone down.
Hopefully my own experience of
the space and being wed here will
help.
Have you any other hospitality
interests?
We hold a charity hog roast called
‘Deepdale Do.’ The first year we
attracted some 120 and raised
about £2,000 for the Yorkshire
ambulance service, and last year we
gave to the local riding group. We
have music and food and a bar; it’s
a fun event.
Any advice for those entering the
industry?
Just don’t be greedy. Although this
is a business I want to give couples
a wedding in a beautiful setting on
their own terms. At Deepdale they’re
able to have a really spectacular
wedding without spending a
fortune, although they can if they
want to!
Do you enjoy the business?
Every day is different, every
wedding is different – what’s not to
like?
ADDRESS BOOK
MARQUEE
Black Cherry Events - 01924 254738
07990 558475
www.blackcherryevents.co.uk
Will’s Marquees - 07790 221252
01423 339915
www.wills-marquees.co.uk
FURNITURE
As above and Black’s Furniture Hire -
01347 878838
www.eventfurniture.com
BELL TENTS
Good In Tent – 07928 084605
belltenthire@gmail.com
LIGHTING
Black Cherry Events - 01924 254738
07990 558475
www.blackcherryevents.co.uk
Fabulously Finished - 01439 788416
www.fabulouslyfinished.co.uk
CATERING
Hog and Apple - 07984 319168
thehogandapple.co.uk
TOILET HIRE
Loos2ewe - 01723 582346
www.loos2ewe.co.uk
DETAILS
A: Deepdale Farm, Keldholme, York, YO62 6LE
T: 01751 430919 or 07887 691810
W: www.deepdalefarmweddings.com
E: charlotte@deepdalefarmweddings.com
WWW.OPENAIRBUSINESS.COM 15

FUNCTION VENUES
GETTY IMAGES
Charm in
Demand
More and more landowners, writes Gwil Jones, are opening
their gates to a wide range of commercial opportunities which
embrace their rural roots
stage: functional and practical.
You can then dress the stage, be
it a marquee, barn, woodland
or garden, to suit the audience.
Flair and imagination brought to
bear, with modern touches, can
transform the simplest site into a
venue in demand.
DIVERSIFICATION IS NOTHING
new and when agricultural prices
are at a low, as they currently are,
farmers need to fully harness the
potential of their assets. The Great
British Public now embraces the
countryside more keenly than ever
before. This unquenchable thirst is
constantly being fed with TV and
advertising, promoting everything
from food to fashion and lifestyle
in the great outdoors.
This is no bad thing, indeed
quite the opposite, but merely
a change in the status quo. The
British countryside is no longer
the playground solely for those
dressed in tweed: a traditional,
mixed farm now harvests the
sun and the wind for its crop, has
industrial lets in stables, weddings
“HAVE A
KEEN
SENSE OF
KNOWING
WHO
YOU ARE
APPEALING
TO”
in barns and an obstacle race
over fields.
When you’re setting up a new
enterprise everything that needs
doing generally has a number of
zeros behind the Pound sign. So,
it’s important to stay focussed
on your end goal and have a
keen sense of knowing who you
are appealing to. Often, even
with these thoughts etched on
the brain, so many make the
mistake of thinking their potential
customers are just like them: “If we
like it, they will too.” Wrong!
Simplicity and quality should
be your initial watchwords.
Thereafter, you’ll have time to
refine the areas you want to
concentrate on in the future.
Think of your venue as a theatre
Rough around the edges
If redeveloping an old building
don’t be led by an architect who
loves to over spec and wants to
design a structure as if it were a
show home. This would be crazy.
There are also occasions when
unnecessary money has been
spent on a beautiful, old barn
transforming it into something
that resembles a bland conference
room suite, taking away all its
former charm and appeal. This is
not always the case, and I am not
endorsing the cutting of corners to
save money, but often the appeal
of a country venue tends to be the
slightly ‘rough around the edges’
look.
New wedding and event venues
are springing up everywhere
16 WWW.OPENAIRBUSINESS.COM

FUNCTION VENUES
offering the exclusivity and
bespoke appeal which hotels
cannot match. These venues,
even at the top end, are also
considerably cheaper than
private one-off marquee events,
once everything is taken into
consideration. Regardless of the
type of farm venue you intend
on setting up, there is room for
many more entrants yet, and all at
differing levels of involvement and
investment.
The events industry is closely
knit and intertwined; it relies
heavily on mutual cooperation.
So do your research and find likeminded
suppliers to build up a
network to support your business.
They’ll often be as keen to work
with you, as you are with them.
Key considerations
The events industry is about
1 working when your guests want
to play, so busy days, evenings and
weekends become the norm.
How close are you to your
2 neighbours? People who live
in the countryside fear noise and
traffic more than anything, so if you
intend to set up a venue you need a
plan to deal with this.
Chimney pots. In order to get a
3 critical mass, you not only need
be close to your customers but be
close enough to other amenities like
hotels, main roads, taxis, suppliers
and a labour force.
Something that sets your venue
4 apart from the rest, regardless of
competitive factors. Some venues
GETTY IMAGES
ABOUT THE
AUTHOR
Gwil Jones is the
director of The Venue
Group, a leading
provider of bespoke
event management
solutions to unique
rural venues
and country
estates. www.
thevenuegroup.
co.uk
will be able to draw customers
further than others.
Don’t try and be something
5 you’re not. Play to your strengths
and the strengths of your venue.
Planning permission and
6 highways access. Get
professional advice to fully
understand the financial and legal
implications of what you will need.
Risk assessments and Health
7 & Safety. This is all very dull,
but don’t just push it to one side
and ignore it. The countryside,
and farms in particular, can be
dangerous places and many of your
guests may be very unfamiliar with
these dangers. Mix this with over
excitement and alcohol and you will
soon find that things can quickly get
out of control.
Running a countryside events
8 venue can be a very lucrative
business but don’t rest on your
laurels. You need to keep investing,
improving and evolving to keep the
pennies coming in.
Hospitality and events are not
9 something that is limited to the
summer months only, they happen
all year round, so make sure you are
open to the possibilities.
There is always so much that
10 can’t be done until the last
minute. So if it can go wrong, it
inevitably will. Always plan for the
worst case scenario so you’ll always
be prepared.
SWALLOWS NEST BARN, WARWICKSHIRE
WWW.OPENAIRBUSINESS.COM 17

FUNCTION VENUES
Al Fresco
Nuptials
A wedding ceremony outside: how difficult can it be? Isabel Smith guides
Open Air Business readers through the legalities and practicalities
PHOTO BY LEMORE MANOR, HEREFORDSHIRE

FUNCTION VENUES
GETTY IMAGES
BEACH WEDDINGS BOURNEMOUTH / ANNELI MARINOVICH PHOTOGRAPHY
WE LIVE IN an age where a
wedding taking place in Singapore
can be live-streamed to a bride
sitting in her pyjamas in Denmark,
and where a couple can look to
Big Sur, California, for inspiration
for their Norfolk coastal wedding
via Google images or Pinterest.
Couples view stunning and
creative imagery of fairytale
weddings taking place in every
imaginable setting and think to
themselves ‘we want some of
that’ even if it means braving the
unreliable British weather.
In fact, outdoor wedding
ceremonies are becoming so
popular that the mainstream
venue directories, like Hitched.
co.uk, allow you to filter search
results by those offering outdoor
ceremonies or, at least, feature in
their descriptions the outdoors
policy of each venue. Yet, both the
public and the industry remains
largely uneducated about what
is and what isn’t allowed when
it comes to legally marrying out
of doors. The investment and
administration to set this up isn’t
as terrifying as you might think
and really does add another string
to your bow.
The legalities
The first thing to know is that
registering an outdoor space
as an approved venue with
your local registry office is, in
truth, no different to registering
one of your indoor spaces.
UK law does require that the
wedding itself take place under
a permanent structure, large
enough for the bride, groom,
officiant, registrar and actual
registry documentation to sit,
but beyond this (ie, where the
guests might sit) is totally up to
you. This structure might consist
of a wooden or stone pagoda, a
purpose built hut or garden room
or indeed simply the stone porch
which leads into a building, such
as that found at Lemore Manor in
Herefordshire.
“UK LAW DOES
REQUIRE THAT
THE WEDDING
ITSELF TAKE
PLACE UNDER
A PERMANENT
STRUCTURE,
LARGE
ENOUGH FOR
THE BRIDE,
GROOM,
OFFICIANT,
REGISTRAR
AND ACTUAL
REGISTRY
DOCUMENT-
ATION TO SIT”
According to the official
guidance from the Registrar
General’s office, ‘premises’
are defined as ‘a permanently
immovable structure comprising
at least a room, or any boat or
other vessel which is permanently
moored. Any premises outside
this definition, such as the open
air, a tent, marquee or any other
temporary structure and most
forms of transport, would not be
eligible for approval.’
If you are fortunate to be
building your own structure,
think sensibly about positioning:
far enough away from your main
building to create the romantic
atmosphere, but not at such a
distance that guests in heels will
struggle to reach it if the ground
is a little soggy. And, of course,
make sure that the couple and the
guests will get the best possible
view.
Your local licensing officer
will then need to visit the site:
to ensure that the space fits in
with the above definition; to
determine its suitability in terms
of fire regulations and other health
and safety concerns; to ensure
that the venue can reasonably be
accessed by the public; and, that it
is deemed ‘seemly and dignified’
for the purpose of marriage
WWW.OPENAIRBUSINESS.COM 19

FUNCTION VENUES
BEACH WEDDINGS BOURNEMOUTH
“...AS THE ONLY
VENUE IN ENGLAND
AND WALES WHERE
WEDDINGS CAN
LEGALLY TAKE PLACE
ON THE BEACH, YOU
CAN WELL IMAGINE
THAT WE KEEP A CLOSE
EYE ON THE WEATHER
ALL THE TIME”
ceremonies. Once approved, there
is a fee to license your venue and
ongoing conditions to be met, but
from a legal perspective you are
good to go.
Legalities aside, should your
couples be looking for an outdoor
ceremony that suits their spiritual
needs, there are no hard and
fast rules regulating non-legal
ceremonies. If their vicar, priest,
rabbi or imam is willing to officiate
at your venue, then crack on by
all means, as long as your clients
are aware that they will need to
legally marry at the registry office
some other time. Another option is
the Humanist Society which has a
number of trained professionals all
over the UK who are able to write
and perform symbolic ceremonies
entirely tailored to the client’s
beliefs and outlook.
The practicalities
Whether going down the legal
route or not, once you have the
formalities sorted there are, of
course, still one or two practical
issues to be thought through – not
least the weather. Your bride and
groom will be covered during the
ceremony itself – the registrar
will have ensured that during the
legal process - but what about the
guests? You’ve got to have a plan!
Melanie Kiani of Beach Weddings
Bournemouth - the master at
weather planning - says “...as the
only venue in England and Wales
where weddings can legally take
place on the beach, you can well
imagine that we keep a close
eye on the weather all the time.
We need to erect a marquee for
each and every event. If we’re
lucky with the weather, the guests
can sit with two sides open to
create the al-fresco feeling with
the couple and registrar in our
bespoke wedding beach hut, but
if the weather doesn’t play ball
we drop the two sides with their
panoramic window walls so you
still know you’re at the beach.”
If you’re not on the beach or
able to build coverage for each
individual event, use common
sense to keep things simple. If you
have an indoor space that seats
120, don’t sell an outdoor wedding
for more than that number of
guests or where will you put them
all if the weather fails on the day?
When weather proofing, don’t
overlook the importance of the
smaller details. Simply having a
couple of white golf umbrellas to
hand can help ensure your bride
remains pristine as she makes it
from her room or the car to the
aisle.
It’s worth giving a little thought
to what your guests will be sitting
on too. Your venue might already
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Isabel Smith has 10
years in the wedding
industry behind her
both as one of the
UK’s top wedding
planners as well as a
business consultant
for venues and other
suppliers. Isabel’s
expertise spans
marketing, sales and
operations as she
helps new vendors
launch as well as
assisting established
businesses should
they find their
sales falling. www.
isabelsmithconsulting.
co.uk / www.
isabelsmithweddings.
co.uk
USEFUL LINKS
have a stock of lovely dining
chairs for receptions, but do you
want them to be available for
outdoor use? Bear in mind that
even a light sprinkling of rain can
ruin furniture or cause your seats’
legs to sink into the mud, and will
quickly sustain damage if moved
from place to place a great many
times.
One final, practical
consideration for outdoor
weddings is sound. You will be
amazed how little can be heard by
guests at the back when outside,
even from the lips of the most
confident officiant and couple. I
strongly recommend investing in
a portable PA/speaker/mic system
to ensure that every word can be
heard.
All in all, if you offer indoor
wedding ceremonies, there really
isn’t much standing in your way
to offer an outdoor option too. It
provides another feature for your
marketing efforts and might just
open up a broader range of clients
and, of course, more weddings.
Isn’t that what it’s all about?
www.gov.uk/approval-of-premises-for-civil-marriageor-civil-partnership
www.lemoremanor.com
www.beachweddingsbournemouth.co.uk
www.humanism.org.uk
GETTY IMAGES
20 WWW.OPENAIRBUSINESS.COM

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This document and its content is copyright © of Capital Allowance Specialists ltd 2016. All rights reserved.
WWW.OPENAIRBUSINESS.COM 21

FUNCTION VENUES
to Hand
Richard Denholm talks to Open Air Business about generators, the essential
but largely unsung kit at the heart of a successful outdoor function
GETTY IMAGES
When might you need a
generator?
Any activity which takes place
outdoors and requires power
should have its own, temporary
source to get the event up
and running. Temporary
power solutions, in the form
of generators, offer event
and function organisers more
flexibility, being brought on-site as
and when, with the ability to hook
up directly where they’re needed.
We’re seeing a growing
demand for portable power
across a diverse range of sectors
from boutique festivals like The
Secret Garden Party, through
county shows and major festivals
including T in the Park and
Glastonbury, to weddings and
pop-up events. An example of
the latter was when we supplied
ultra-silent generators to the
Manchester Christmas markets.
Outdoor power also lends itself
“EVALUATING
THE TOTAL
COST OF
OWNERSHIP
OF A
GENERATOR
IS CRUCIAL”
to communications, with high
demands for network coverage in
the remotest locations.
Specifying the correct size
of generator requires that the
voltage requirements of each
‘plug-in’ product are totalled. It is
good practice that the generator
be able to power the actual
load plus 20%. If in doubt seek
an electrical contractor or site
electrician to confirm your loads.
What should one consider?
Choice of a generator should be
based on the power requirements
for the event, the footprint
and weight of the generator to
determine where it should be
sited, and the emissions, including
CO2 and sound levels. A further,
operational factor is the total
hours of use to determine how
many times it will need to be
refuelled during the period of an
event.
Transport to, inside and from
the site needs to be appraised.
Our Eventa 37kVA generators
are available for road tow so are
easy to get onto site, eliminating
the need for heavy lorries. This
generator size, for example, can
power a bar, disco, lights and
heating, toilets and welfare units
for a wedding depending, of
course, on numbers and what
equipment is used.
The cost: hire or buy?
If the event is a one-off, such as a
birthday or wedding, I advise the
client to hire a generator, but for
multiple events purchase is best.
A small, 2kw petrol generator
could cost around £1,000 while
a 100kw super-silent diesel,
on road tow, could cost some
£25,000. Evaluating the total cost
of ownership on a generator is
crucial. Many buyers are often
22 WWW.OPENAIRBUSINESS.COM

FUNCTION VENUES
swayed by cheaper alternatives
but, in the long run, these
tend to cost more in terms of
maintenance, parts and servicing,
along with high on-site fuelling
costs.
How noisy are they?
There are many makes and
models of generators available
on the market, however, we offer
a range of ultra-silent generators
with sound pressure as low as
55Dba. This is really quiet when
you consider that a normal
conversation level is about 65Dba.
For events, super- and ultrasilent
generators offer the best
experience because they don’t
create extra noise pollution or
disturbance.
How noxious are they?
In 2011, the European Union
established a series of increasingly
strict regulations for diesel-powered
equipment, including generators,
to regulate the emissions within an
urban zone and ensure acceptable
use. Over the coming years, as
more and more cities introduce
acceptance levels and increasingly
regulate emissions to meet
environmental targets, I anticipate
that emission levels will be further
reduced. In fact, the EU is already
working towards the introduction
of Stage IV.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Richard Denholm
is sales director at
Morris Site Machinery,
a leading British
manufacturer and
distributor of on-site
machinery through its
brands ArcGen, Hilta,
SMC and Denyo. For
over 25 years Morris Site
Machinery has supplied
to a host of industries
including hire, rail and
construction. Since its
entry into the events,
TV and film sectors five
years ago, the company
has enjoyed growth
and prominence as the
go-to power source
for its generators
and lighting tower
product range. Its SMC
lighting and Denyo
generator ranges
have been used on a
number of blockbuster
film sets and events
from Glastonbury to
Goodwood Festival of
Speed.
“MANY BUYERS ARE OFTEN SWAYED BY CHEAPER
ALTERNATIVES BUT, IN THE LONG RUN, THESE
TEND TO COST MORE IN TERMS OF MAINTENANCE”
What about siting?
Issues start when a large truck
has to deliver a heavier generator
over soft ground. In such cases I
recommend using floor mats or
trackways, which your event hire
company will be able to advise
on. Even if a smaller, road-tow
unit is to be supplied the surface
must be sufficiently firm for a
van to bring it to site. The larger
generators (100+kw) are generally
heavier and will need a hard base
to stand on. Refuelling is also a key
consideration during the event.
Larger generators may require
a fuel bowser to sit alongside to
increase running time. Generators
should be positioned close to
where they are needed to prevent
undue cabling so improving site
safety.
WWW.OPENAIRBUSINESS.COM 23

FUNCTION VENUES | PRODUCT FOCUS
Heat & Power
The lifeblood of any marquee event
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SYNCHRONISED GENERATORS
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back-up and load-sharing capability into
the reach of the marquee and wedding
sector. Coupled on a single 16 foot trailer,
each generator provides 175 amps of
single phase electricity, negating any
phasing issues associated with threephase
power. They are believed to be the
only generators of their kind in the UK.
EASYGRID
Energy Solutions
01634 290772
www.energy-solutions.co.uk/
products/easygrid
CREATING THE RIGHT
hire
‘ATMOSPHERE’
Cooling and sales
Heating Solutions Ltd
01590 681434
portable units
www.coolingandheatingsolutions.com
temporary systems
If your site isn’t connected to the main
For weddings, parties, corporate events,
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24 WWW.OPENAIRBUSINESS.COM

COOLING & HEATING SOLUTIONS
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26 WWW.OPENAIRBUSINESS.COM

ACCOMMODATION
CASE STUDY
Harvest Moon
Holidays
Seven treehouses, luxury safari tents and a private
beach put this glampsite firmly on the map
Lochhouses is mainly an arable farm, with rolling fields of barley, wheat and market garden
vegetables, inland from its magnificent beach with woodland, lochs and wetland. Alex Mitchell
grew up on the farm but worked at a bank in London until he returned to run the hospitality
side of the business - Harvest Moon Holidays. Alex talks to Open Air about the enterprise.
What glamping accommodation
do you offer and why did you
choose it?
In 2007 we started out as a
franchisee of Feather Down Farms
but after a couple of years decided
to run the business independently.
Our experience had been with
tents so we opted for them again.
We now have seven of a safari
style, each sleeping six to eight
people in two bedrooms and a cosy
‘cupboard’ bed. About half a mile
from the tent site we’ve erected
seven treehouses purposely
positioned to take advantage of
the breathtaking views to the sea
and forest behind. These were built
by Cheeky Monkey Treehouses to
our specification for space - large
decking areas - and comfort.
Each treehouse offers two double
bedrooms, one with an extra, single
bunk above and an en-suite WC
and hot shower room.
What are the differences between
operating as a franchise and
running independently?
A franchise requires less initial
capital outlay and aspects like
marketing and bookings are
taken care of, so there is much
less to worry about. Basically,
we managed the day to day
operations: tent cleaning, site
maintenance and customer
satisfaction. As a franchisee your
responsibilities are fewer but you
have a lot less control and less
profit. It is much more rewarding,
both financially and personally,
running the business ourselves.
We are fortunate as we have an
excellent site and initial outlay
wasn’t an issue. Once a business
gets to a certain size it doesn’t
make sense to franchise any longer;
you can be much more in control
and make a better profit from being
independent.
Tell us about your location and site
We’re in East Lothian, the south
eastern corner of Scotland. There
are so many glamping sites out
there now but something that’s
hard to replicate is a great location,
which we have. Our safari tents
are pitched by the beach. There
WWW.OPENAIRBUSINESS.COM 27

ACCOMMODATION
are woods nearby and a diversity
of bird and wildlife. We’re only
45 minutes drive from Edinburgh
and 15 minutes from a main train
line. Guests may feel like they’re
in the middle of nowhere but, in
reality, our site is quite convenient.
There are local, complementary
businesses including a farm
park and another offering wakeboarding,
although our guests
seem to just spend all day on the
beach. There’s a communal BBQ
and deck area for all to use.
How did you tackle planning?
The planning guys were fast
and efficient, as was economic
development. At times we found
dealing with building control a
challenge; if we were to need
them again direct contact would
be best to establish what was
required of us.
What is your unique selling point?
Definitely our location. We’re next
to a lovely, lovely beach. It’s as
good a beach as I’ve seen anywhere
in the world. Added to that we’ve a
fabulous landscape.
How did you choose your interior
decoration?
We prefer a homely, farmhouse
style. We have wood burning
stoves and soft furnishings so the
tents and treehouses are cosy and
comfortable, with chickens, ducks
and lop-eared rabbits running free.
What convinced you to become a
wedding venue too?
That started by accident. Having
enjoyed their holidays so much a
couple asked whether they could
get married here. Initially we said
no. However, they kept asking
and, liking them, we eventually
agreed. The event went well and
was fun for all. So, what began as
a one off has evolved into some 10
weddings every year. Weddings are
a completely different kettle of fish
to glamping. Running a holiday site
is more consistent in terms of hours
and responsibilities: it’s much
easier to plan the work that needs
“IT’S AS GOOD
A BEACH AS
I’VE SEEN
ANYWHERE IN
THE WORLD”
doing. Weddings are busier, more
full on affairs with the additional
headache of dealing with marquee
suppliers and caterers; there
is far more that can go wrong.
Certainly, they’re high stress but
fun, enjoyable and working out to
be profitable.
We never have weddings
planned for July and August due to
the school holidays. Our customers
want to stay for at least a full week
28 WWW.OPENAIRBUSINESS.COM

ACCOMMODATION
but that would be impossible if
we had an event every weekend.
We organise the weddings to fill in
during quieter times like May and
June, to top up bookings. First and
foremost we are about glamping
and family holidays.
What challenges have you faced?
Finding good staff has been a
problem. Seasonal running is to
blame; we have days when we
could employ double the number
of staff but then in winter we need
no one. The best decision we made
was to hire a cleaning company
instead of doing it ourselves. It
has the infrastructure to cope with
issues like sickness while we just
pay a set fee.
What is your experience of
outside suppliers?
We have a list of recommended
suppliers which we hope wedding
clients will use: working with
new people can be a pain in the
backside! If something goes wrong
then we are the first point of call.
We suggest that cheaper isn’t
always best. For example, at one
wedding the toilets, booked for £80
less than our recommendation,
broke after an hour. We always
try to help but sometimes it’s a
challenge; in that instance our
expertise proved insufficient.
How did you research your
business?
Feather Down Farms first
approached having recognised
that we had a good site.
Becoming a franchisee is a good
way of dipping a toe into the
market, learning about the day
to day operations of a business
like this, especially if you don’t
have a background in hospitality.
For farmers to run a successful
glampsite they have to deal
successfully with people. Many
find that’s too much hassle and
they have to stop after a couple
of years. At the end of the day, if
you don’t have the social skills
then the hospitality industry isn’t
for you.
How do you publicise yourself?
To help get us off the ground for
the first year we employed a PR
person who had contacts in the
press. She invited journalists
to stay and write a review. This
proved to be a worthwhile
but expensive exercise. We’ve
scaled back on press days but
if publications approach us we
invite them to visit. Social media
and optimising Google searches
“FOR FARMERS
TO RUN A
SUCCESSFUL
GLAMPSITE
THEY HAVE
TO DEAL
SUCCESSFULLY
WITH PEOPLE”
is really important; we spend a lot
of time on that. Now we’re using
Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Our website accounts for over two
thirds of our bookings overall.
We’re also listed on glamping
booking websites which tend to
be quite high on Google listings,
so they’re useful for promotion.
Canopy and Stars, for example,
takes 20% of the fee for a booking.
What are your plans for next
season?
We could build more accommodation
but I don’t want to ruin
what we have. I grew up here so
my attachment is emotional. At
capacity there are 100 people: our
hands are full enough as it is!
What’s your advice for someone
coming into the industry?
Aim to provide the best service
possible. Don’t assume it’ll be an
easy buck because it’s not. Be ready
to give your time and resources
unsparingly. Be ready and willing to
be a jack of all trades.
Do you enjoy the business
and why?
I do! Sure, it’s busy, busy, busy
and I’m always on call but I enjoy
working with people and our
location is to die for.
ADDRESS BOOK
TREE HOUSES (BESPOKE DESIGN)
Cheeky Monkey Treehouses -
01403 732452
www.cheekymonkeytreehouses.com
INTERIORS
Stoves by Nordica -
www.lanordica-extraflame.com/en
BOOKING SYSTEM
Supercontrol - 01556 506701
www.supercontrol.co.uk
DIRECTORY SITES
Canopy and Stars - 0117 2047830
www.canopyandstars.co.uk
Cool Camping - www.coolcamping.co.uk
Goglamping – www.goglamping.net
Awaywiththekids -
www.awaywiththekids.co.uk
INSURANCE
NFU Mutual - www.nfumutual.co.uk
DETAILS
A: Harvest Moon Holidays, Lochhouses
Farm, Tyninghame, East Lothian
W: www.harvestmoonholidays.com
E: info@harvestmoonholidays.com
WWW.OPENAIRBUSINESS.COM 29

ACCOMMODATION
Glamping
Growth
What is it about the portmanteau ‘glamping’ that’s making us lose interest in our usual
holidays abroad and seek out staycations in highly original and sometimes peculiar
structures instead? Sarah Riley offers some answers.
IT SEEMS GLAMPING goes really
well with our current need to have
unique experiences that fit our
reduced budgets and increased
environmental principles: to buy
locally and economically while
reducing our carbon footprint. This
has been helped by an increase
in overall UK staycations, a result
of expensive overseas holidays,
fluctuating fuel prices, European
political unrest and major external
factors such as the refugee crisis.
Recently, IBISWorld reported
growth in the outdoor hospitality
industry of 1% and revenue of 3bn.
It noted that this surprisingly solid
growth followed the economic
slump and bucked the trend of
many other sectors. Analysis
showed the recession provided
a perfect mix of conditions that
“...encouraged many to travel
domestically, to make trips to
campsites or holiday parks near the
coast or in the British countryside,
rather than forgoing a holiday
altogether.” The report said that
growth had “...been supported by
the expansion of glamping sites,
luxury campsites that offer modern
facilities and services, such as
Wi-Fi, and aimed at higher income
customers who may not normally
camp.”
Trends in the location of
campsites can also provide us with
more insight into the industry. IBIS
Worldwide further reported: “The
“GLAMPING IS
PERFORMING
EXTREMELY
WELL BY
GROWING
RAPIDLY ON
A STRONG
INCREMENTAL
LINE”
GOOGLE ADWORDS
South West accounts for the largest
number of establishments, at
18.1%. Cornwall, Devon and Dorset
are popular for holidaymakers
seeking warmer weather and
beaches. Ideal surfing conditions
also make the region a hotspot.
Wales accounts for 16.8% of
establishments, the second largest
share of establishments, with
most sites being located on the
coastline. Sites in the vicinity of the
Pembrokeshire Coast National Park
and Snowdonia are particularly
popular.”
To support this, the Journal Of
Outdoor Recreation And Tourism
found that the outdoor hospitality
industry had shown “...stellar
performance during the recent
global financial slowdown”.
Analysis of The Camping and
Caravanning Club’s own members
also noted an increase in families
holidaying in yurts, pods and other
forms of glamping. In addition,
INTEREST IN CAMPING OVER TIME
figures from the National Caravan
Council showed an increase in
bookings of caravan and camping
holidays, attributing this to the rise
in the popularity of glamping.
As this niche is such a new and
emerging segment of outdoor
hospitality, it is unfortunate that no
official studies have currently been
conducted within the industry.
Indeed the Journal Of Outdoor
Recreation And Tourism made a
direct plea for further investment in
this area by stating that glamping
was “an area in need of academic
research.”
There is one place we can go
to get a very good idea of what
people are looking for as their next
vacation, as well as discovering
other new and emerging trends.
This place is the most popular
online search engine in the world…
Google. When we study data
Google provides about its users,
it shows that the term ‘camping’
2005 2007 2009 2011 2013 2015
30 WWW.OPENAIRBUSINESS.COM

ACCOMMODATION
GETTY IMAGES
has strong seasonal fluctuations and
is on a very gradual decline. This
demonstrates that users of Google
are starting to use different search
terms, which in turn can indicate a
change of behaviour.
However, when we study the
term ‘glamping’ we discover that
it is performing extremely well
by growing rapidly on a strong
incremental line, while still
demonstrating seasonal fluctuations.
GLAMPING PROVISION
IS RAPIDLY BECOMING
A ‘LIFESTYLE
BUSINESS’ CHOICE FOR
ENTREPRENEURS
INTEREST IN GLAMPING OVER TIME
GOOGLE ADWORDS
2005 2007 2009 2011 2013 2015
Google can also give us more
clues about how our habits as
tourists are changing, as new ways
to book our holidays are becoming
more common. For example, the
hospitality booking system Airbnb
is rapidly increasing in popularity
and showing no signs of slowing
down. This online system gives
owners of unique glamping stays the
opportunity to easily and cheaply list
their structures and generate healthy
annual bookings and financial
returns.
WWW.OPENAIRBUSINESS.COM 31

ACCOMMODATION
GLAMPERS WHO HAVE NEVER
CONSIDERED TRADITIONAL CAMPING
GOOGLE ADWORDS
2005 2007 2009 2011 2013 2015
An interesting aspect of glamping
is how it is attracting an entirely
new group of customers into the
outdoor hospitality market. People
who have never before considered
traditional camping - and never
will - are exploring the possibilities
of glamping. This is helping the
market grow while opening up
opportunities and prospects for the
future.
Unsurprisingly, as the glamping
trend increases, the popularity
of starting a glamping business
increases too as it offers an exciting,
new opportunity for lifestyle
entrepreneurs and landowners.
One of the best kept secrets in this
industry is that some glamping
business models can achieve a
return on investment and pay for
set up costs within the first two
years, and sometimes even before.
This is quite an achievement for a
new business.
Glamping is also a diversification
option for farmers and landowners
wanting to broaden income
achieved from a plot of land and
spread their earning portfolio to
cushion fluctuations throughout
the year. Previously this may
have been bed and breakfast,
but the impact on everyday life
with strangers wandering around
the family home can prove to be
difficult. It may also have been
possible to develop self-contained
holiday accommodation within an
unused space, but for many the
early development costs can prove
to be too much. As a result, the low
cost and high income benefits of
starting a glamping business are
being explored.
In addition, glamping provision
is fast becoming a ‘lifestyle
business’ choice for entrepreneurs
who have become increasingly
disillusioned with the day job and
turn to it as a way of improving
their quality of life. New owners
are able to use their time being
creative and in charge of their
future, while spending much more
time outside. It’s an empowering
shift from the conventional 9 to 5
existence and is another reason a
glamping business is proving to be
so popular.
From my experience as an
independent industry expert,
helping new businesses launch into
this market, I have identified many
key areas that lead to success.
However, it’s particularly important
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Sarah Riley is a coach,
trainer and advisor
supporting the outdoor
hospitality industry
through tailored
programmes designed to
nurture new businesses
launching into the
glamping market. This
includes ‘The Ultimate
Glamping Business
Guide’, a comprehensive
step-by-step guide to
success in the market
today.
Sarah is offering readers
of Open Air Business a
special 10% discount to
gain access today with
code: BM10. Claim your
discount by visiting www.
inspiredcourses.com/
glamping or gather more
inspirations from www.
inspiredcamping.com
to focus on a degree of uniqueness
- not impossible when glamping
options are so various and flexible.
It comes in many different forms,
from tree houses to retired Boeing
767 aircraft (http://bit.ly/1ZWljQ6).
This is what’s thrilling the
glamping customer and enticing
them to come back for more.
So, if a business wants to get an
immediate boost at the beginning,
the key is to stay different.
This is all great news for holidaymakers
as their choice of luxurious
yet affordable family breaks is set
to improve with the increasing
number of exciting options being
offered. However, people are now
more astute than they’ve ever been
about what makes a glamping
service great. Their expectations
are growing and keeping pace
with increases in the market itself,
making this a very exciting time for
both customers and the outdoor
hospitality industry.
32 WWW.OPENAIRBUSINESS.COM

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WWW.OPENAIRBUSINESS.COM 33

ACCOMMODATION
A Marketing
Toolkit
Entrepreneur Bella Given shares her marketing
know-how which helped develop Longlands, a
glamping business with an annual turnover of
£200,000 and 95% occupancy in its first year
NOT SIMPLY IMPORTANT to
the success of your business,
marketing is absolutely essential.
It’s about creating a brand that
will set your business apart from
every other glampsite. At its
simplest, your brand is a promise
to your guests. It is more than
just a set of features or benefits;
it should encapsulate the values
and feelings that run through
everything, from your logo to the
manner in which you answer the
telephone.
Marketing is about identifying
your potential future guests,
or ‘target market’. You need to
understand what they expect
from a glamping holiday so
you can deliver it. A family with
four children and a dog will
be looking for different things
compared to a couple or a
group of friends. Marketing is
about knowing what to say,
how to say it and through which
media channels to ensure your
messages not only reach your
future guests but engage and
motivate them to take action: to
book!
Here are a few of the key
branding and communication
tools that you need to consider,
plan and budget for.
34 WWW.OPENAIRBUSINESS.COM

ACCOMMODATION
GENERAL
› Name and logo: these are the
primary branding elements and
will appear on everything. The
longer the name the harder it will
be to recall.
› Photographs: a picture paints
a thousand words. Find a
professional whose work is in
keeping with your brand and
don’t skimp on the number of
shots you take. You need fantastic
photography for your website and
your brochure, and for editorial
coverage: those with the best
pictures will get the publicity.
Without great photographs you
cannot expect to engage potential
guests. They are judging your
offering from the pictures they
see on your website, listing page,
TripAdvisor page or advert. You
need to hire a photographer who
can help style the images so that
guests can easily see themselves
in each setting.
› Your competitors: keep an eye
on other websites, particularly
those who you feel are direct
competitors because they are
in your area or offer something
very similar. Benchmark yourself
against two or three and ensure
your website and photographs
are as engaging and inspiring, or
more so.
› Networking: there are real
opportunities to learn from
others in the same business and,
possibly, your competitors may
become some of your best allies!
Take the opportunity to attend
glamping shows or sign up for a
course and get networking. So
often it is about who you know
and not what you know.
› Pricing: check what others charge,
in your area particularly. What will
you ask extra for? How will your
pricing change throughout the
season?
› Promotion: think added value
rather than discounts when
offering special promotions during
the year. ‘Free’ is the biggest
motivator of all! Think what will be
relevant to families with children
of different ages or to couples.
› Remember: marketing is essential
to the success of your business so
budget accordingly.
WEBSITE
› Domain name: keep it simple, short,
easy to spell and easy to remember.
› Website: ensure it is responsive (easily
viewed on devices such as mobiles
and tablets) and can be updated
easily by you or your web agent. An
active management package should
allow for monthly updates of text and
photos. The website needs to be easy
to navigate, be highly visual and have
a clear call to action, usually ‘Book
Now!’ Your logo and branding should
sing through and copy should be kept
to a minimum and in clear, easy to
understand sections or pages.
› Copy: when writing about your
accommodation never talk ‘features’,
always talk benefits and paint pictures
for your future guests to engage with.
You can then use features as support
points. When you think about what
you are offering ask yourself, ‘so what?’
For example, ‘there is a wood burner,’
becomes ‘curl up in front of a flickering
fire with a good book.’
› Blog/latest news: ensure your website
has this functionality so you can add
content regularly. Think of it as a
means of story-telling; guests love to
hear the tale behind a particular site
or read more information about an
area. This is vital for search engine
optimisation (SEO).
› Search engine optimisation: your
website copy needs key search terms
built in so that when a potential guest
types a search term into Google your
website ideally appears on page one,
but certainly page two. To increase and
maintain your Google ranking you need
to add ‘refreshed, relevant content’ to
your website on a regular basis.
› Links with local businesses:
include links on your website to
businesses that offer relevant
activities, along with a list of
favoured restaurants and pubs.
Some of these business may
reciprocate with links to your
website. This helps boost your
search engine rankings and, most
importantly, provides guests with
more information about things to
do in the area and where to eat.
› Social media: Facebook, Twitter,
Pinterest… the list keeps growing.
Learn to use Facebook at the very
least. Think of it as a photo album to
showcase your accommodation, site
and area. It should engage guests who
will then want to share with friends.
Link your Facebook presence to your
website’s blog or latest news section.
› Bitly.com: this is an invaluable website
enabling you to convert long links to
short, bitly links. For example http://
www.longlandsdevon.co.uk/news/blog-
159-10-reasons-to-come-glamping-atlonglands
becomes just bit.ly/1OTaXub.
WWW.OPENAIRBUSINESS.COM 35

ACCOMMODATION
BOOKINGS
› Booking agent: even if you decide to
take bookings direct think about using
a booking agent, at least in the first few
years. A booking agent will increase your
exposure and maximise your reach and
awareness. Canopy & Stars, part of the
Alastair Sawday group, generated half the
bookings in our first year.
› Booking engine: Supercontrol is an
excellent booking engine enabling guests
to book any time of the day or night.
The majority of my bookings are made
between 10 and 11pm at night. Most
people will spend an evening researching
their preferred holiday options. Once they
have identified where they want to stay
they want to be able to book then and
there. If you don’t have the means for
them to book immediately you may well
lose the booking to someone who does
have online booking.
› Endorsements: VisitEngland and the AA
are now offering glamping accreditation
and are worth considering if they will
motivate your future guest.
› Glamping listing sites: these are sites
where you pay for an annual listing rather
than a commission per booking. These will
certainly increase your reach by generating
interest and enquiries. The top sites with a
Google search for “glamping” are:
• Love Glamping – www.love-glamping.
co.uk
• Go Glamping – www.goglamping.net
• Cool Camping – www.coolcamping.co.uk
• Cool Places – www.coolplaces.co.uk
• Glamping UK – www.glamping-uk.co.uk
• Quirky Accommodation – www.
quirkyaccom.com
• VisitEngland – www.visitengland.com
• Don’t forget county, area and local
websites
› TripAdvisor: sign up and pay for a business
listing so you have links to your site,
can manage your page, post offers and
announcements and monitor reviews. Do
not invite guests who have experienced
any problems to write a review! Tell them
you hope they will rate you as ‘excellent’
and, if not, ask why they wouldn’t. Act on
feedback.
ABOUT THE
AUTHOR
With 18 years
of marketing
experience
working on
brands such
as Beefeater Gin,
Solpadeine, Hedex and Huggies
nappies, plus two of her own
businesses, Bella Given knows how
to create and market brands. Five
years ago she started Longlands, a
glamping operation in Devon. With
an occupancy of 95% in its first year,
Longlands produced a turnover
of almost £200k in year two and is
generating an operating profit almost
twice that of the business plan.
In response to the dozens of would-be
glampsite owners visiting Longlands
and asking for the secrets behind
the site’s success, Bella decided
to package her insight, guidance
and useful contacts for setting up
and running a successful glamping
business into a one-day course. As one
delegate said: “Bella has not just been
in the business, she is the business!
Fantastic and essential insight from
the dream to the first guest arriving.
Save yourself a fortune and get a
guru!”
If you would like to learn more
about how to plan, set up and run
a successful glamping business
Bella runs one-day courses at
Longlands and also provides
bespoke consultations. Visit www.
learningsfromlonglands.co.uk or
telephone 01271 882004.
For more on Longlands, visit
www.longlandsdevon.co.uk
PRESS & PR
› Adverts and advertorials: think who is the key decision maker
in making a booking and what they might read. Magazines allow
for more images and more information than, for example, radio.
Keep it simple with one key message and some supporting text
and some knock-out visuals. Ensure you know the circulation and
readership of the magazines you want to use and take time to
compare costs between similar titles. The best way to do this is to
calculate the cost per thousand people reached. Remember that
price is negotiable depending on the size of the advertisement and
the number of issues you want to advertise in.
› PR: good editorial is priceless. Go out of your way to make friends
with a freelance travel writer or good freelance journalist. Make
good use of coverage on your website. Don’t expect all coverage to
generate enquiries; some just helps move people from interested
to actually booking.
› Competitions: the offer of a free weekend as a competition
prize should buy you some good coverage. Make sure you ask for
entrants’ email addresses for the future.
› Use your local area: people aren’t just coming to stay at
Longlands they’re also buying into North Devon, the coast and
Exmoor. We use photographs and stories from the locality to help
us promote our glamping operation.
IN CONCLUSION
With so many elements to consider it is easy to lose sight of
what you are trying to do. This is why it is important to capture
your objectives and actions in a marketing plan. Know what
you are trying to achieve for each part of the year so you can
be clear what messages you need to convey in what months.
These objectives will then cascade into a series of action
points against the marketing vehicles you have decided
to employ. For example, offers on TripAdvisor or which
magazines you are advertising in and for how much.
Be clear about how much you intend to spend and ensure
you measure the effectiveness of each element of your plan so
that you can be certain it is generating value for money. At the
very least ensure you know where every booking comes from!
36 WWW.OPENAIRBUSINESS.COM

LIVE 2016
COUNTRY HOUSE
BUSINESS INNOVATION 2016
INNOVATION 2016
The event for farmers, land owners and rural business
entrepreneurs to gain inspiration, resources and advice
INSPIRING RURAL ENTREPRENEURS
6
A WORLD OF IDEAS
TO MAKE YOUR LAND
MORE PROFITABLE
9 & 10 NOVEMBER 2016, NEC BIRMINGHAM
7,500 VISITORS
200 SEMINARS
400 EXHIBITORS
Register for FREE tickets at www.farmbusinessshow.co.uk
@Farm_Innovation
#FarmBiz
IN
PARTNERSHIP
WITH:
LINKING ENVIRONMENT AND FARMING

ACCOMMODATION
Waterless toilets are suitable for all kinds
of remote and environmentally sensitive
locations – this toilet is on the Handa
Island nature reserve in Scotland
SITE FACILITIES
Call of Nature
For sites with no mains water or sewer connection, ‘dry’ toilets
offer a pleasant, reliable alternative to conventional toilets,
writes Andrew Warren
IMAGES COURTESY OF NATSOL.CO.UK
FOR ANY OUTDOOR venue
premises, one of the first
considerations is sanitation.
Without toilets, that lakeshore,
woodland glade or scenic meadow
- potential locations for magical
nights under the stars, romantic
wedding ceremonies or outdoor
pursuits - have much less potential.
Provide toilets and immediately
visitors can stay longer: events can
be run, refreshments provided,
overnight stays become possible.
Even if you have conventional
toilets in one or two locations,
adding remote toilets means you
and your visitors will be able to
make the most of the whole site
and reduce pressure on the ‘hot
spots.’
Yet bringing mains services to a
remote location can be expensive,
difficult or even impossible. With
water but no sewer, septic systems
and leachfields can be deployed
but these can be large and very
expensive - and they are not always
permitted. Gardens and historic
buildings are also sensitive sites
that should not be subject to
extensive digging and trenchlaying.
The bottom line is, however, that
customers - especially young
families and relatively elderly or
infirm visitors - are much happier
“DRY TOILETS
HAVE BEEN
SUCCESSFULLY
INSTALLED IN
ALL KINDS OF
LOCATIONS
FROM
GLAMPING
SITES TO
REMOTE
SCOTTISH
ISLAND
NATURE
RESERVES”
visiting attractions with easy toilet
access.
Fortunately, it is possible to
install toilets even when a water
supply or a sewer connection
are impossible to provide. We
are familiar with toilets that use
water, however the flush is mainly
a vehicle to carry away the waste
for biological treatment at a
sewage works. Yet, instead, this
treatment can take place right on
site, also using biological processes,
removing the need for any mains
connections.
Even where flush toilets are
possible (connected to a sewer,
cesspit or septic system) it can
be cheaper and easier to install
toilets that require no water - either
coming in or going out. These toilets
can also be more reliable and more
pleasant for customers to use than
the conventional kind. And, as they
don’t add five to 10 litres of water
from the flush for each user visit,
there is far less waste to deal with.
‘Wet’ toilets in outdoors settings
may have to contend with frost
which can render them unusable
or, worse, lead to burst pipes and
flooding when it thaws. Flush toilets
sometimes block; it is depressing
how often the floor in outdoor toilet
facilities seems to end up wet and
with an unhappy smell of urine.
‘Dry’ sometimes known as
composting, toilets don’t block
and tend to smell less than wet
toilets. They are more likely to stay
pleasant and functional between
staff checks. Most dry toilets also
incorporate a ventilation system
(often passive and therefore silent,
and requiring no power supply).
How dry toilets work
The decomposition process
that breaks down the waste is
kick-started by bacteria that are
naturally present. Instead of a
flush, users or staff add aerating
38 WWW.OPENAIRBUSINESS.COM

ACCOMMODATION
ABOVE Compact, waterless toilets need
emptying more often but easily fit into
a small cabin or, as here, a shepherd’s
hut used for glamping holidays at Penn
Farm, Devon
LEFT NatSol full access, twin vault
toilets serve shepherd’s huts at Hollow
Ash, Broad Oak, Herefordshire. The
customer designed and built the
structure to suit the venue
BELOW LEFT Churches and churchyards
are very sensitive sites. This architectdesigned
accessible compost toilet
has been installed in a churchyard
in Gloucestershire with minimal
disruption
‘soak’ such as wood shavings; the
air in the mixture helps the process
along, and means it smells a lot
less than at the sewage works. The
waste breaks down over a period
of months and years to form an
inoffensive loamy compost that can
safely be returned to the soil. This
natural process makes it possible to
build a dry toilet almost anywhere
and it is not as difficult to manage
as you might think. All these toilets
require some maintenance and
time to remove the waste but,
depending on the system, this may
only take a few hours a year.
A variety of different dry toilet
options are available, from a
range of suppliers. They have been
successfully installed in all kinds
of locations from glampsites,
golf courses, parks and gardens
to remote Scottish island nature
reserves. Some dry toilets can be
put in new buildings, some can be
retrofitted into existing ones. Some
suppliers will install the entire
facility, including a building, some
give options for you to design and
construct your own shelter, some
supply a kit.
What all have in common is that,
rather than large volumes of flushed
waste, much smaller quantities
of more solid waste are produced
which can be managed on site. This
is usually straightforward for site
staff and not necessarily unpleasant
or difficult. One or two suppliers
also offer service contracts for
ongoing or seasonal maintenance.
Although it is more or less
sterile, urine (especially lingering
urine) is what usually leads to the
worst toilet smells because its
high nitrogen content produces
ammonia. Many dry toilets,
therefore, separate the urine and
drain it directly to the ground where
it soaks away harmlessly into the
soil, removing the problem at
source. The remaining compost is
lighter and easier to manage as a
result. To improve separation, many
systems recommend adding a
waterless urinal; some provide one
in the toilet cubicle as standard.
The choice: big or small
The most important difference
between the options available is
probably the size. Put simply, a
large installation stores the waste
for longer, meaning it will be broken
down further before it needs to be
removed. The longer it composts in-
situ, the less material remains to be
removed, as the bacteria gradually
break the waste down into carbon
dioxide and water. The longer it
composts, the more inoffensive it
becomes.
Where there is room for a large
chamber or ‘vault’, composting can
continue for one to two years, or
even longer, before any emptying
is required. For toilets that only
need emptying yearly, pretty big
chambers (or sometimes twin
chambers) are required - usually
at least 1 x 1 x 2m in volume. Large
systems are suitable for freestanding
toilets or toilet blocks.
They can also be included in the
design of a full-sized building,
though excavation - or a storey
below the bathroom - is needed to
accommodate them.
For smaller huts or cabins, or
existing buildings or shelters, it may
be easier to opt for a compact unit.
These store less waste so require
more frequent emptying; the
waste is removed for composting
elsewhere. However, the weight
and volume is still a lot less than
with a chemical toilet and waste
management can be completed on
site. Some neat systems have been
developed that make this process
straightforward and help keep the
waste contained, and good design
can make these systems as simple
and pleasant for customers to use
as the larger units.
WWW.OPENAIRBUSINESS.COM 39

ACCOMMODATION
Between the two extremes there
are units that need fairly regular
emptying but allow the waste to be
removed and stored for composting
to continue in the same container
(eg, a wheelie bin) so waste is not
handled for several months or
longer. Depending on the length
of time the compost has been
in-situ, most systems recommend
further composting of the waste
but, usually, this can be achieved in
regular slatted compost bins. The
quantities diminish even further
during this process and the small
volumes remaining can safely
be spread in non-food garden or
landscape areas.
If a power supply is available,
waste treatment in a dry toilet may
be taken a step further. Composting
can be accelerated by tumbling or
aeration, or the waste dehydrated,
or even incinerated leaving only
a very small quantity of ash for
disposal. These approaches are
more complex so potentially more
prone to malfunction but may be
appropriate if outdoor space is
restricted and the waste needs to
be taken off site. Incinerating toilets
are also available to work off grid,
powered by propane.
Toilets can work very well
without water but users still need
to clean their hands. Dry toilets,
therefore, usually make provision
for antiseptic gel. This has the
advantage of working even in subzero
temperatures and it makes less
mess than a washbasin.
They’re not complicated
Compost toilets are generally very
acceptable to users who are, after
all, likely to be grateful the facility
is there! Most compost toilets look
superficially like ‘normal’ toilets but
with a hole or holes instead of a pan
with water. A simple explanation
is generally all that is needed (for
example requesting that men and
boys sit, or use the urinal, to ensure
urine separation) but, as with all
toilets, it is important to provide
and maintain appropriate bins
for disposing of sanitary towels,
nappies, etc.
As well as for sites in regular use,
dry toilets can also make sense in
outdoor venues that are used only
a few times a year. Here, if there are
no mains services, the alternative
is likely to be a hired toilet trailer
or chemical toilets. For one-off or
sporadic use at low numbers these
may be the economical option but
it is worth performing a cost/benefit
analysis over say 10 or 15 years,
looking at the recurring costs of hire
versus the investment in permanent
facilities. If the capital investment
in a dry toilet is made, there are a
couple of additional advantages to
consider:
› dry toilets are generally reliable,
pleasant and odourless and can
be decorated to suit the venue
and occasion (for example with
fresh flowers or pictures and
posters)
› the (toilet-related) marginal
cost of running extra events
at the same venue is reduced
to virtually nothing. This may
mean it is possible to generate
extra income or extra value from
the site.
Add to the flexibility and
convenience of these toilets the fact
that they are resource efficient and
environmentally friendly and ‘going
naturally’ has a lot going for it!
LEFT Most venues need fully accessible
toilet provision. This compost toilet,
at Leabrook Allotments, Derbyshire,
comes with wheelchair space and
handrails as standard
RIGHT A
farm shop in
Bernard Castle
constructed this
magnificent
structure of
timber, stone and
thatch
OUTDOOR TOILET CHECKLIST
SUPPLIER SHOULD
ASK YOU:
USAGE
› Total uses over the
year, expected pattern
and highest in any one
day / week / month
› Daytime or overnight?
Food and drink on site?
› Users and their access
needs (eg, wheelchair
access, young children,
etc)
SITE
› Services available
(water, sewer, power)
› Access for vehicles /
tankers / construction
equipment
› Space and height /
depth available for
toilets and waste
management
› Vandalism risk low /
high
› Type of ground
› Environmental
considerations
(eg, watercourses,
ecologically
sensitive sites, risk
of waterlogging or
flooding
YOU SHOULD ASK
SUPPLIER:
LEFT Compost
toilets can adapt
to all kinds of
locations. Here
an accessible
toilet in a
vandalism
resistant shed
has been
installed at an
urban allotment
site in Cardiff
COSTS
› Groundworks, toilet,
building, (capital + person
hours)
› Consumables (eg, soak,
liners)
› Design life of installation
SITE REQUIREMENTS
› Dimensions, footprint, depth
of excavation if needed
› Drainage – height of drain
outlet, what area and
conditions needed downhill
of drain
› Further composting – space,
equipment, location
› Vehicle access requirements
(for delivery, construction
and management)
MAINTENANCE (BEYOND
NORMAL CLEANING)
› Frequency of visits / person
hours / equipment required
› Quantity, management
and disposal of composted
waste
› Some suppliers may be
able to point you to existing
installations that you can
visit
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Andrew Warren is the managing director of NatSol, a company that designs, manufactures and supplies wheelchair accessible waterless
toilets for a wide variety of remote sites. These toilets require no mains connections and are odour free under normal use. With designs for
very low and very high use situations, NatSol toilets are ideal for glampsites, wedding venues, allotments, nature reserves, churches, golf
courses, gardens and all sites without mains services. www.natsol.co.uk
40 WWW.OPENAIRBUSINESS.COM

Private bathrooms mean happier
guests and increased revenue
Studies show that campsite users wish to have more
privacy and luxury. En-suite facilities are certain to
appeal to the new breed of guest looking for more
luxury from their camping experience. A great fit for
glamping sites, as well as more traditional
campsites seeking to improve their guests' comfort.
An investment in CampPlus private campsite facilities
has an attractive payback period because of the
increase in turnover and occupancy.
You will be creating an affordable luxury for your guests
and enhance the atmosphere of your campsite.
THE ADVANTAGES:
❤ Higher turnover and occupancy
❤ Short payback period
❤ High quality – long lifespan
❤ Freestanding units = easy to set up and move
❤ Very compact 5'3" x 6'5" = 33ft², yet very
spacious inside
❤ Durable and low maintenance
❤ Easy to clean
❤ Lots of options and extensions

ACCOMMODATION | PRODUCT FOCUS
Site Facilities
Facilities to give your glampsite the edge
WOOD FIRE TASTE
The Garden Oven Company
01256 581014
www.garden-oven.co.uk
These transportable wood oven
BBQs are bang on trend, and are in
high demand to create the ‘smoked’
and ‘wood fire’ taste. They enhance
the outdoor living experience with a
whole host of uses. Designed for all
year round cooking, this is a multi
function oven and will bake, grill,
roast and smoke a wide range of
dishes from pizza to fish, bread to
Sunday roast!
EN-SUITE PODS
CampPlus
+31 186 769 054
www.campplus.co.uk
The CampPlus unit is a compact plug
and play building with a complete
shower room and WC. Designed to feel
spacious and be easy to clean, it is the
missing link between a fully serviced
pitch and a lodge, and increases the
occupancy and profitability of pitches
where installed. A unit costs around
£4,200 – check out our online calculator
to help you work out your return on
investment.
LET YOUR IMAGINATION
RUN WILD!
Modular Building Blocks
01933 411159
www.modularbuildingblocks.co.uk
From modern tables and funky benches
to bars and screens, create your own
designs with our modular building
blocks. Available in 15 colours and four
formats, they can be lit up too! Each full
size block contains two cable channels
that allow you to run power cables,
creating illumination with LED lighting
strips. Make sure to check out our online
3D modelling tool for more inspiration.
COMPACT PIZZA OVEN
Dalby Firewood
01653 917803
www.dalbyfirewood.com
This compact Alfa Pizza wood-fired oven
for bread and pizza features castors for
easy moving. Perfect for glampsites,
it has a refractory oven floor, stainless
steel dome and rapidly reaches cooking
temperature in five minutes. Taking
two pizzas at time, it can cook six in 15
minutes. We are stockists for a range of
Alfa Pizza refractory wood-fired ovens
and larger sizes are available.
BESPOKE DESIGN
DAPPR Aviation
01359 271876
www.dappr-aviation.com
We have access to many varied and
interesting aviation parts and pride
ourselves in producing unique, inspiring
and innovative furniture, firepits, BBQs
and pizza ovens using the highest levels
of craftsmanship. Stand out from the
crowd this season with a truly bespoke
piece to wow your guests – it is sure
to be a talking point! Give us a call to
discuss your requirements or view our
work.
HANDCRAFTED HOT TUBS
Naked Flame Eco Tubs
01484 766233
www.nakedtubs.com
Give your site the ultimate ‘wow’ factor
with a luxurious Scandinavian woodfired
eco hot tub. Handcrafted to a size
that suits you, choose a totally natural
chemical free experience or add our
Dual Fuel option which provides filter,
bubbles and electric thermostatic heater
and allows the use of chemicals with
a touch screen. Surveys show that the
highest rated searches within glamping
are now for hot tubs.
42 WWW.OPENAIRBUSINESS.COM

DO YOU HAVE AN UNUSUAL
PROPERTY, OR LAND SUITABLE
FOR GLAMPING?
We are always interested in representing additional
quality, unique holiday properties, and offer advice to
those thinking of setting up glamping or unusual holiday
accommodation.
WHAT WE OFFER
We are an independent, conscientious family business and work
closely with property owners to achieve good results for them. We
also keep an eye on glamping trends and domestic tourism so we
can continue to offer sound advice about site and accommodation
development, pricing and marketing.
50 years of experience in self catering rentals
Targeted marketing knowledge
A bespoke online booking and payment system
Superb office with helpful holiday advisors
Hassle free payments to owners
Quality photography and marketing
Whatever the nature of your interest, please contact us to discuss
your plans and options.
Call Kate on 01348 830 922 or email kate@qualityunearthed.co.uk
www.qualityunearthed.co.uk
ROTO SPAS
AT HOLIDAY LETS
Hot tubs increase accommodation
occupancy by 25% and drive out
of season bookings.
Only RotoSpa build
hot tubs in the UK
and provide ongoing
service and support.
Call 0121 354 3428
www.rotospa.co.uk
WWW.OPENAIRBUSINESS.COM 43

LUSHNA Villa Air
Hotel bed in the open nature
FRESH AND MODERN DESIGN
wooden frame with waterproof canvas
BRIGHT AND AIRY BEDROOM IN NATURE
king size bed with the view
ALL THE COMFORTS
lighting, AC/DC plugins, mosquito net
EASY TO SET UP
eco Ground Screw Foundations
www.glamping-lushna.co.uk / info@lushna.com / +386 30 440 330
Glamping & Safari Tents
All of our structures are handmade at our
Gloucestershire factory using the highest
quality performance materials.
We have over 25yrs experience in the design
and manufacture of bespoke marquees and
Glamping structures.
Visit our website and give us a call to discuss
how we can help you enter the rapidly growing
market of Luxury Camping.
0 1 4 5 3 7 6 7 1 7 1
www.bondfabrications.co.uk
enquiries@bondfabrications.co.uk
44 WWW.OPENAIRBUSINESS.COM

ACCOMMODATION
COMPANY PROFILE
CampPlus
Some Erik Verwaaijen, of the best the solutions man behind for CampPlus’ glamping plug in and style
play toilet / shower unit, expands on the business and
its product offering
What is a CampPlus unit?
The CampPlus unit is a compact
plug and play building with a
complete shower room that
turns any camping or glamping
site into a 5 star facility. It is the
missing link between a fully
serviced pitch and a lodge, and
increases the occupancy and
profitability of pitches when
installed.
Who are the people behind
CampPlus?
Erik Verwaaijen: Having spent
30 years as a lighting director
and stage manager in music and
theatre, Erik moved to England
in 2006. He settled in Cornwall
where, some time later, he was
asked to design a camp site for a
friend. This is where the idea of
an en-suite toilet / shower pod
for camping guests was born.
Wietse Tjoelker: Wietse, a retired
KPMG partner is still very active
as a consultant, mainly for
family-owned businesses. He
also invests in start-ups and has
been co-owner of CampPlus
since 2014.
When did you start the
company and why?
I started the company in 2013
and Wietse joined in 2014. The
inspiration was to increase the
level of comfort for guests while
camping. Being an experienced
camper myself, I always felt that
the trip to the toilet / shower
block was a big negative. This
is where I began to explore
the idea of providing a facility
for every pitch. I knew I would
be more than happy to pay
extra for the added comfort
and privacy, and was certain
that a lot of other camping
guests would feel the same. We
started designing a small but
comfortable outhouse but soon
realised that, since you need
water, sewerage and electrics
anyway, we might as well turn
it into a complete en-suite with
a shower, toilet and washbasin.
Basically a private shower room
right next to a guest’s tent or
caravan.
What product options do
you offer?
To keep the product affordable
we keep it simple. There are
only two options for most
elements like cladding, toilet,
wash basin: Good and Excellent.
On our website there is a
downloadable Excel calculator
that allows customers to choose
all the different options. Tick
the boxes and it gives an instant
quote.
Describe your target market
Campsite owners who:
• Want very happy campers
• Want to make their pitches
more profitable
• Want to clean once a week
on changeover day, instead of
twice a day
Can you provide some average
return on investment figures?
It depends on the situation.
If units are installed instead
of a toilet and shower block
the payback time is usually
two to three years. It’s hardly
ever more than four years,
whatever the situation. A base
unit costs around £4,200 and
our downloadable calculator
quickly helps customers work
out the return. The bathrooms
are made of solid materials and
will last easily more than 10
years.
What do customers say?
Simon Williams, commercial
director of Bridge Leisure Parks,
said: “We were convinced of the
advantages of en-suite campsite
pods and ordered 16 CampPlus
units. We have been really
pleased with the customer
reaction and forward bookings
have been very impressive. We
will be installing further en-suite
pods on our other parks as well
as expanding the number at our
Trevella and Sand le Mere sites.”
How many units have you sold
in the UK?
On top of the 16 units for Bridge
Leisure Parks, CampPlus has
sold seven more units to three
other campsites in the UK.
See the projects page on our
website.
What is CampPlus working
on now?
We are currently working on
the new Duo unit which sits
between, and serves, two
pitches. We will be touring it
on a trailer throughout the
UK this summer and would
be very happy to visit readers’
sites so that they can see the
advantages first-hand. We are
also working on a unit with two
separate toilets and a small
wash basin.
What are your future plans for
the business?
To make en-suite facilities a
regular option on campsites
and, in the long term, to make
it a standard facility. It was not
so long ago that hotels had
shared showers and toilets in
the corridor - nowadays you
expect a hotel room to have a
bathroom. We want to achieve
the same at campsite pitches.
DETAILS
CampPlus
+31 186 769 054
info@campplus.co.uk
www.campplus.co.uk
WWW.OPENAIRBUSINESS.COM 45

EXPLORE THE
UK'S FIRST
FULLY INTERACTIVE
MOBILE CAVING
SYSTEM
IS THE TRAILER CAVE
COMING TO YOUR NEXT EVENT?
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EVENTS
CASE STUDY
Hodder Valley
Show
A traditional agricultural
show where the centrepiece
remains the livestock itself
Tracing its history back to 1864, the Hodder Valley Show prides itself on
being a traditional agricultural and horticultural event and a perfect family
day out. Held on the second Saturday of September each year, the Show
offers a slice of rural life in the community. Mark Blakey (Committee Chair)
and Julie Harrison (Committee Secretary) describe the event to Open Air Business
Describe your event and how
many visitors it attracts
Hodder Valley is a traditional
agricultural show; our centrepiece
remains livestock. ‘Traditional’
is the highlight word: we don’t
want a car boot sale kind of vibe!
There are usually about 100 cattle
and 380 sheep and some shire
horses. Uniquely, the show site
moves every year between three
villages - Dunsop Bridge, Newtonin-Bowland
and Slaidburn. It’s the
kind of event where people catch
up once every so often. We aim to
bring the community together.Each
show’s content, other than the
livestock, changes every year. It’s
“EACH
SHOW’S
CONTENT,
OTHER
THAN THE
LIVESTOCK,
CHANGES
EVERY YEAR”
hard to continuously reinvent but
worth the trouble. We rely on the
generosity of the local farmers and
landowners for the site. The show
is pulled together by the Show
Committee, a non-profit making
charity, of enthusiastic, hardworking
rural people and friends
who look to provide visitors with
an insight into how the community
works, coupled with a day out
to remember. Different people
join us all the time while the
chairman stands for one cycle,
so three years (one show in each
village). Attendance is very much
dependent on the weather but it
averages out at about 3,000.
What are the challenges of
moving location so often?
As said, every show is different
so every plan varies. We need to
consider how large is the ring,
how many trade stands will we
have, what is the layout going to
be. We haven’t cancelled recently
but severe rain would make us
reconsider, for health and safety
reasons. The whole field just
becomes a quagmire. Since the
land is theirs we have to consider
the farmers’ and landowners’
thoughts on how the ground will
hold out. We always take their
advice on whether the show should
go ahead or not.
WWW.OPENAIRBUSINESS.COM 47

EVENTS
Tell us more about working with
trade stands
We attract many agricultural trade
stands of farm machinery dealers,
vets, auction markets and so on.
We also have trade stands for
food and children’s activities, like
bouncy castles, and a craft tent for
locals to demonstrate their skills
and sell their wares. Last year, in
the handicraft and horticultural
classes, we received 1,400 entries
- from floral decorations to knitted
items and cakes. It’s competitive
but in a friendly fashion. There’s
also a farmers’ market. To offer
suppliers a good bite of the cherry
we don’t have five burger stands,
for example, and we try to be
different by offering hog roasts and
Indian food, with no two stands
the same. We tend to stick to those
traders who have worked with us
for a long time and provide a good
service.
How does permission to run the
event work?
Most farms are tenanted in this area
but we’ve found that landowners
(there are three different estates
in the valley) and farmers are very
sympathetic towards the show.
Since the foot and mouth outbreak
in 2001 any event with livestock has
to have a foot and mouth licence.
The land has to be livestock free
for 28 days before the event and
the site has to be inspected. This
is quite a commitment for the
farmers whose land we use. Cattle
“KEEPING
THE SHOW
TRADITIONALLY
AGRICULTURAL
IS IMPORTANT;
THAT’S WHY
PEOPLE
LOVE IT AND
RETURN
EVERY YEAR”
need animal passports and farmers
must register the movement of the
animals. Then we have to verify
the presence of the animals at the
show. New movement rules have
just been announced regarding
Bovine TB. This is all to ensure
traceability in case of a disease
outbreak.
How do you plan the layout?
We have a chap who does that:
he creates the layout with the
aid of computer software taking
into account the size of the ring,
the quantity and size of stands,
the routes of egress and exit for
livestock and people, etc. It’s quite
a responsibility! He tries to change
the layout every year, not least
because of the different locations.
Where larger shows have avenues
and straight lines, we place stands
in groups around the ring; it’s not
so formal. We want everyone to
have a chance to do good business
so we place different people in
the prime positions on different
years. We make sure the food hall is
placed near the exit so people may
purchase on the way home.
Tell us about the marquees
you use
The marquees are our biggest
outlay so any provider has to be
competitive. Although a national
operator, our marquee supplier
is based locally so we benefit
from smaller transport costs. He’s
someone we use year on year
although he’s not a given; his price
is always compared to others’.
Having said that, we’ve built up a
good relationship over time; we
trust him and his structures.

EVENTS
What entertainment do you offer?
Sheep shearing features every year,
for the local farm lads. Judging is
based on quality of work as much
as it is speed. For up to 21 year olds
we hold sheep and cattle handling
competitions. It’s an art form
really: how to wash the animals,
trim them, polish their hooves and
so on, as well as learning how to
present themselves - showmanship
can make a huge difference. The
young people love it. If they don’t
have an animal but want to get
involved they can borrow one from
farmers at the event. We hold two
or three forms of entertainment so
that the ring is never empty and our
visitors get good value for money.
Last year we had motorcycle
displays and dog agility both of
which proved popular. A vintage
tractor show is held every year,
with many demonstrating their
machines’ capabilities in the ring.
How do you manage admissions
and visitor safety?
We employ a security company
to marshal the public and the car
park, run admissions and sort out
any problems. The show committee
also assists with these duties: it’s
all hands on deck! Hodder Valley
ADDRESS BOOK
is not a wealthy show, its success
is reliant on people giving their
time freely. We live in a community
where people like to be involved
but don’t push themselves forward.
However, they’re happy to give
their time when we ask.
How do you publicise the event?
Hodder Valley is on Facebook
and Twitter, has a dedicated
website and is advertised in the
local newspapers as well as on
posters. However, word of mouth
seems to work best. Keeping the
show traditionally agricultural is
important; that’s why people love it
and return every year.
What challenges have you faced?
Our main challenge is financial.
One or two big banks sponsor the
show as does the NFU and local
companies are a great help. We
like to keep the admission price
low, provide something of interest
for everybody and offer value for
money so visitors come again
and again, year after year. Higher
admission costs might deter visitors
from spending at the stands which
would be counter productive. While
it’s not driven by making a profit,
the show has to make up for the
inevitable losses such as when the
weather is wet. Usually we hold a
function, like a dance on a farm or a
fund-raising event in the village, to
generate more funds in advance of
the event.
What’s the secret of the show’s
success?
Without the enthusiasm,
dedication and time given so freely
by our committee, and the support
from the community, the show
just wouldn’t happen. A driven,
active, friendly team is the essential
component to our success.
MARQUEES/FLOORING
Nationwide Marquees - 01282 617398
www.nationwidemarqueehire.com
LIGHTING/POWER
B A Wills - 015242 61438
SOUND & STAGE
Yorkshire Sound Service - 01535 637273
www.yorkshiresoundservice.co.uk
TOILET HIRE
North West Portables - 01254 249433
www.northwestportables.co.uk
VISITOR MANAGEMENT
Exlusec Security - 0844 8707495
www.exclusec.co.uk
INSURANCE
NFU Mutual -
www.nfumutual.co.uk
DETAILS
A: Boarsden Farm, Dunsop Road,
Newton-in-Bowland, Lancashire,
BB7 3ED
T: Mark Blakey (Chairman)
01200 447671 or 077110827,
Julie Harrison (Secretary) 01200 446698
W: www.hoddervalleyshow.co.uk
E: harrophall@sky.com
WWW.OPENAIRBUSINESS.COM 49

EVENTS
Festival
Glamping
PHOTO BY TIPI GURU
More than just an extra revenue stream, to offer
glamping accommodation at festivals opens up a
whole new clientele writes Ian Hamilton
TEN YEARS AGO ‘glamping’ didn’t
exist in the lexicon of hip-talk.
There was just a handful of ‘prepitched’
accommodation providers
supplying units for festivals.
However, in a short period of time
(from 2005 to 2010) the scenario
changed dramatically. The demand
for pre-pitched accommodation
(later to morph into glamping) at
festivals was suddenly in demand
and grew from basic tipis and
yurts with air beds, to all manner
of structures, with ever-increasing
interior luxuries, with plenty of new
entrepreneurs joining the market to
provide them.
It was this move, I think it fair to
say, that led the way in glamping
as a holiday choice for many,
especially as the demand for
staycations increased due to the
economic climate. As the market
50 WWW.OPENAIRBUSINESS.COM

EVENTS
PHOTO BY p o d p a d s
“OF COURSE,
OFFERING
GLAMPING
AT FESTIVALS
ALSO
EXTENDS THE
APPEAL OF
A FESTIVAL
EXPERIENCE
TO A WHOLE
NEW
CLIENTELE”
PHOTO BY TIPI GURU PHOTO BY TIPI GURU
PHOTO BY TIPI GURU
expanded, glampers’ expectations
changed and they started to pay
more attention to what was going
into their tents rather than the
structures themselves. Yurtel were
one of the first companies to put
a full blown bed inside its yurts
at festivals. That is when things
started to change and a very small
market became very big, in fact
a multi-million pound market in
temporary real estate.
Today, practically every major
festival, and many of the smaller
ones, presents some sort of
additional accommodation to
the ‘bring your own tent’ offering.
Organisers quickly learned that
there was a considerable amount
of money to be made and that
hundreds of people, who had
already paid for a ticket and the
right to pitch a tent, were prepared
to spend even more for a prepitched
glamping option.
Offering glamping also extends
the appeal of the festival experience
to a whole new clientele. This has
gone hand in hand with the change
in image which many festivals
have undergone in recent years.
There is no better example than
Glastonbury; originally very much
‘underground’ it now appears on
many people’s bucket list. This
change in perception has opened
up different sectors of the market
and even different ‘classes’ of
festival goers. The comfort and
ease of festival glamping means
more families and, at the big name
festivals, the ability to ask sky high
prices. Perhaps the pinnacle of
festival glamping is Camp Kerala
at Glastonbury, where a supreme
concierge service in sumptuous
Shikar tents can set you back
over £8k, although you also enjoy
access to gourmet food, a cocktail
mixologist, a spa and ultimate
kudos.
Of course, the level of luxury
and the price commanded will
alter dramatically from festival
to festival, and guests will be just
as comfortable in a £450 familysize
tipi at a smaller festival with
lesser known acts. However, more
importantly, for organisers offering
glamping at the lower end of
the market there is still plenty of
margin left to make it a worthwhile
investment.
Business Models
There are three basic models for
an organiser who wants to offer
glamping at an event:
› Full package: an organiser hires
a contractor to manage the
whole glamping operation. The
contractor sets up the tents,
furnishes them and provides the
guest services. The organiser
will receive a percentage of the
bookings taken, which may be
handled by the festival or the
contractor.
› Dry Hire: a contractor provides the
tents and furnishings but nothing
else. It is then up to the festival
organiser to arrange security and
guest services. The organiser may
pay a fixed fee to the contractor
and keep the rest of the money
from the bookings, which it
handles directly.
› DIY: Some big festivals are giving
it a go themselves. Michael
Eavis (Glastonbury) has recently
purchased 1,000 coloured canvas
tents from China to add to his
pre-pitched accommodation.
This option takes a huge amount
of investment, not to mention
logistical and staffing capacity.
PHOTO BY p o d p a d s
WWW.OPENAIRBUSINESS.COM 51

EVENTS
Smaller scale festival organisers
probably have enough to worry
about without trying to arrange their
own glampsite, but it can be done.
How many tents?
The number of glamping units a
festival organiser can sell depends
on many things including the type
of accommodation being offered,
the demographics of the event and
the organiser’s budget. A small- to
medium-sized festival will have
attendance from between 3,000-10,000
people. A sensible start for a glamping
concession would be between 15 and
30 units.
It makes good sense to offer a range
of accommodation options to give
guests choice, and this may mean
working with a range of suppliers. As
in the tourism industry, consumers
are now looking for more and more
interesting structures so it is now not
uncommon to see Airstream caravans,
glorified sheds, even Japanese-style
pop up hotels. Each option will appeal
to a different demographic and help a
festival stand out from the crowd.
Of course, adding a glampsite to a
festival does come with costs above
and beyond that of the contractor
supplying the units. Fencing, security,
special wristbands, luxury toilets
and showers, etc all have to be
factored in, and the location of the
site needs to be carefully planned.
As part of the package, organisers
usually try to locate their pre-pitched
accommodation conveniently near to
the stage and amenities (but not too
close to be affected by noise) and may
CASE STUDY
DEER SHED FESTIVAL 7
22-24 July - Baldersby Park, Topcliffe, North Yorkshire
www.deershedfestival.com
› About: Deer Shed is a family-friendly music, art and science
festival. With a capacity of 6,000, it has an intimate feel. Acts
include Richard Hawley, Everything Everything, Beth Orton,
Anna Calvi and Steve Mason.
› Accommodation: A range of pre-pitched accommodation
options is offered over two nights - tipis (from £450), yurts (from
£260) and 1980s retro tents (from £200).
› Bookings: Bookings are managed through the
accommodation supplier who provides a full, turnkey package.
also designate a special car park for
ease of access. All these will add to
the appeal of paying a premium for a
more luxurious festival experience.
A good supplier
As with everything, finding a good
contractor is so important. Once the
type of accommodation has been
chosen there are some basic aspects
to look for. Experience is everything
in this industry, as is documentation.
Ensure contractors have all the
necessary Health & Safety policies,
public liability insurance, etc. Then
start the negotiations: what price,
how much can I make, can suppliers
agree to my terms? It’s always worth
negotiating as there is a big difference
between supplying units to an event
like Glastonbury or to a boutique
festival. Suppliers know everyone
needs to make some money and it’s
in their interests to support events of
all sizes.
CASE STUDY
FESTIVAL NO 6
1-4 September – Portmeirion, North Wales
www.festivalnumber6.com
› About: An annual art and music festival held
at Portmeirion, Wales, attracting 15,000 people.
The festival presents a wide range of music
genres including rock, folk, house, techno and
dance. 2016 acts include Noel Gallagher, Echo
and the Bunnymen, Hot Chip, Roots Manuva,
Super Furry Animals and Bastille.
› Accommodation: As well as a campsite of
pre-pitched tents, a range of bell tents (from
£760), yurts (from £1,510), luxury tipis (£1,465),
‘Emperor’ tents with memory foam mattresses,
fluffy bath towels and even a Chesterfield
lounge sofa (£1,465) and Airstream caravans
(£4,510) are on offer. Guests also have the
option of booking into the ‘No. 6 Boutique
Retreat’ which provides a reception, concierge
service (offering phone charging, a private
restaurant and bar) and a dedicated spa.
Accommodation here includes yurts (from
£2,675), Bedouin tents (from £2,765) and bell
tents (from £2,290).
› Bookings: Bookings are handled by the
organiser through its website. Suppliers provide
a turnkey service. The ‘No. 6 Boutique Retreat’ is
managed by the festival organiser itself.
PHOTO BY TIPI GURU
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Ian Hamilton is the owner of TIPI GURU and has been supplying pre-pitched accommodation to
the festival industry for over 10 years, with 30 years in and around festival culture. TIPI GURU can
be found at some of the largest UK festivals including Glastonbury, Download, the Isle of Wight
Festival, Latitude and Festival No6, as well as smaller boutique events. For further information
and free advice please contact Ian at festival@tipi.guru / 07889 288982 / www.tipi.guru
52 WWW.OPENAIRBUSINESS.COM

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09065 77 76 75
Calls cost £1.50/min plus network access charges
weatherquest.co.uk
@weatherquest_uk | /Weatherquest
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boutiquecamping.com
Providing luxury bell tents perfect for:
• Camping
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Available for both hire & purchase.
WWW.OPENAIRBUSINESS.COM 53

EVENTS
Safe, Profitable
Events
Mark Laurie’s 10 point checklist for success at outdoor events
WHEN IT COMES to running a public event there is much you should know and do to ensure
that it’s safe, legally compliant and, of course, profitable. Your traders, your employees and the
public will be your responsibility and there’s nothing more important than keeping them safe and
making sure they have a great time. Get started with this handy checklist.
1. FIND THE RIGHT VENUE
Before you start physically looking take
the time to write down the most important
elements you want from a venue and stick
to that list. If you find the right place at the
right price (especially if it’s in a high footfall
area), snap it up. Before you go in all guns
blazing, know that securing a high footfall
area is a hard task. For obvious, commercial
reasons, high footfall locations are very
expensive. Don’t be disheartened: with
the right promotion you can turn a venue
that’s off the beaten track into a must visit
destination.
2
GET INSURANCE
Having comprehensive event
insurance is vital; you must ensure
you are properly and adequately covered
by a reputable broker or insurer. You’ll
definitely need liability insurance and probably
equipment cover, cancellation, abandonment
or postponement and adverse weather cover
too. If you need help or advice you can reach
the only NCASS approved insurance
broker on 0121 603 2524. Among
other things, it specialises in
events insurance.
3. CREATE A SAFETY PLAN
You’ll need to carry out multiple risk
assessments to pinpoint every possible
hazard and put measures in place to
minimise them. Walk around your event
space looking for anything that potentially
could cause harm to workers or customers.
Don’t forget fire and electrical risks, crowd
management and emergency services’
access. Always bear in mind the location,
type of event, venue size and anticipated
attendance. There are some really useful risk
assessment templates on the HSE website
but if in doubt call in the help of an expert.
4. ENSURE YOU HAVE
THE RIGHT LICENCES
During the early stages of event
organisation contact your local
authority, explain the ins and
outs of your event and ask which
licences you will need. If you’re
planning to have alcohol or other
entertainment, which may require
additional licensing, ensure you
mention the fact. The licences
you’re likely to need will include:
› temporary events notice for
events where the capacity at
any one time is 499 or fewer and
which will run for less than 96
hours
› premises licence for events with
a capacity of over 499 and which
will run for more than 96 hours
(many venues already hold one)
› a personal licence (if you’re
planning to sell alcohol yourself)
› licences from the Performing
Rights Society and/or
Phonographic Performance
Limited for playing copyrighted
music
› a street collections permit
(necessary if you will be
collecting money or selling
goods for charitable purposes in
a public place).

6. FIND YOUR TRADERS
There are many ways to find
great food traders for your event -
Twitter, word of mouth and NCASS
Connect to name a few. Use the
latter for free as many times as
you like and view trader profiles,
make shortlists, contact traders
and view hygiene documents.
You’ll find more information about
NCASS Connect below. You’ll also
want to decide, by considering
the demographic of your target
audience, which non-food traders
will enhance your event and bring
in revenue.
7. ENSURE ALL HANDS
ARE CLEAN
Before the event ensure that
every food trader has
separate hand washing
facilities within their
trading unit as it’s a
legal requirement. If an
Environmental Health
Officer (EHO) shows
up and finds people
trading without these
facilities then that’s going
to reflect badly on you and
may result in the trader being
shut down.
EVENTS
5. CREATE AN
EMERGENCY PLAN
Legally you’ve got to have
effective plans at the ready in
case you ever need to respond
to emergency health and safety
situations. Your plan should
be relative to the level of risk
presented by what’s going on
at your event and the potential
severity of the incidents that
could happen. You’ll need to
consider the key risks to your
event visitors and develop
emergency procedures that
staff and volunteers should
follow if it’s ever necessary. Your
emergency plan should address
these areas:
› getting people away from
danger
› calling for emergency services
› looking after casualties
› handling guests who are not
injured but who have had to
be moved
› liaising with the appropriate
authorities, and
› protecting property.
You should ensure all staff
and volunteers know what to
do in case of an emergency,
including:
› raising the alarm
› informing event guests
› responding to the situation
(eg, use of fire extinguishers)
› calling for emergency services
› crowd management
› evacuation
› providing first aid, and
› traffic management.
8. PIN DOWN PAPERWORK
Once you’ve agreed who’s trading, and before
you sign the contracts, ensure you have sight of
each trader’s legal and safety documentation
(like insurance and training certificates, gas
safety and electrical certificates, food safety risk
assessments, etc). You need to be certain that
your traders aren’t going to cause trouble by
holding out of date risk assessments or lacking
the appropriate hygiene training.
To protect yourself as much as the traders
you should always provide a written contract
outlining the terms of each pitch at your event.
You should include details of the pitch the trader
9. CONSIDER THE
WEATHER
Every good event organiser has
a contingency plan for when the
weather doesn’t play ball. You
might like to have emergency
options for undercover areas
in case the heavens open.
Depending on the size of your
event, investing in some gazebos
or even having full marquee back
up in place could do you no end of
favours if the weather just doesn’t
go your way on the day. Don’t
forget that you may also need
to provide trackway for vehicle
access and pallets to keep visitors’
feet dry.
has agreed to, the expected number of guests
and the total quantity of food and non-food
traders present, amongst other things.
If you have found and contracted your food
traders through NCASS Connect you’ll already
have their documentation stored for you to refer
to whenever you need it. You can share these
documents with enforcement teams with just
one click. EHOs can assess the documentation
and notify you of any potential issues with
individual traders. Not only is this useful for
your own peace of mind but it’s also a great
way to improve the relationship with your local
authority.
10. DON’T FORGET ABOUT
WASTE DISPOSAL
You’ll need to ensure you have a decent waste disposal plan
in place well in advance of the event. It’s not just general bins
that will need emptying regularly; think of the waste your food
and non-food traders will likely produce too. Waste needs to
go somewhere out of sight of customers, and quickly.
Similarly, if you’re holding your event in a loo-less location,
find a high quality toilet provision so that people can go in
comfort.
NCASS CONNECT
NCASS Connect is free for all UK event organisers and it’s
one of the most useful tools you can have under your belt.
NCASS Connect is an online hub system that essentially
helps you make fewer phone calls, to stress less, to improve
relationships with your local authority and to make some
‘me time’ during the run up to the big day.
With your free account you can create events like you
would on Facebook, browse traders’ profiles and pictures
and contact the traders you want to see trading at your
event. More importantly, you can review and store traders’
legal and training documentation and share them with
relevant enforcement teams so that they can confirm
traders are good to go. www.ncassconnect.co.uk
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Mark Laurie is director at the Nationwide Caterers Association (NCASS), the only trade association and primary authority for mobile caterers and street food
sellers in the UK. The NCASS mission is to provide traders with all the information, systems and support they need for a profitable, safe and legal business.
From start-ups to fully-fledged mobile ventures, NCASS offers support and materials to help caterers at any stage of business. Currently looking after 3,500 UK
catering businesses, NCASS continues to grow year on year as a result of its care for and support to the catering and events industry.
WWW.OPENAIRBUSINESS.COM 55

EVENTS
Why Wi-Fi?
In this Q&A with Morgan Denton, Open Air Business learns
that supplying Wi-Fi to an outdoor event is not about
having the biggest aerial!
How is Wi-Fi use changing at
outdoor events?
We have noticed that year on year both
people and their devices use more and
more data. This is due to people putting
more of their lives on Cloud-based services,
while social media sites and Apps like to
improve content by streaming video when
on Wi-Fi connections. Also, devices are now
more aware of conserving mobile data;
most mobile devices sync large amounts
of data when they have a Wi-Fi connection
(assuming it’s an unmetered, high speed
connection). This, therefore, increases
the load to the networks we build, most
specifically to the main internet connection
we bring to event spaces.
Furthermore, visitors to events expect
to pay for services, products and whatever
via card and contactless means so traders
have to adopt reliable technologies to
achieve this. It falls on the event organiser
to provide a contractor who can supply
and support this service on behalf of the
traders.
What is the public’s expectation?
We have had a client refer to Wi-Fi as
‘a human right’ before now! With the
increase of free Wi-Fi in coffee shops
and restaurants, expectations are most
definitely rising. When an event is all built
and shiny with the power, plumbing, stands
and showmanship open for business,
people seem to forget they’re standing in a
field which a month before had nothing but
sheep grazing in it.
When is internet connectivity essential?
Organisers always need to be connected to
send and receive emails during the build
and de-rig of an event. This is why we are
normally one of the first contractors on
site and the last to leave. Due to failing
mobile phone networks at most outdoor
events the use of GPRS or 3G PDQ machines
become unreliable. Exhibitors spend a lot
of money to attend shows and nothing can
be more frustrating than not being able to
take payments due to a technical difficulty.
Many exhibitors like to offer hospitality
IMAGES BY ATTEND2IT
56 WWW.OPENAIRBUSINESS.COM

EVENTS
GETTY IMAGES
services, showcasing online content and
products, so reliable internet connections
are critical to making sales. We have a
repeat client who attends three shows a
year and he always books a large, leased
package from us: if the internet fails he
could lose a £100k contract. And then you
have the visitors. Individual requirements
are actually quite small but their sheer
numbers can load the network very
heavily: this needs to be controlled. We
have different ways of managing this
which varys from event to event.
Are there any events to which you can’t
supply Wi-Fi?
We have never failed to get internet to
a site, and we have worked some very
interesting locations, from a 100Mb
leased line on a moving train to the
middle of a forest for a film shoot.
Can Wi-Fi give organisers a competitive
advantage?
Very much so; people always want to be
connected. If you are able to provide a
value-added service above and beyond
your competitor’s event site you’re in
a better position to increase visitor
numbers. You will also be able to use
services like Wi-Fi as a tool for your own
means.
What Wi-Fi options are there?
The list is endless: high use, low use,
secure, public, pay as you go, free,
hot spots, etc, etc. Which you go for
depends on your commercial goal. Is
user data more important than taking
money to recoup costs? A decent
supplier will help you work out your
requirements. We most commonly
work by reducing the risk and financial
outlay to the organiser by offering paid
services at agreed prices and then pay
a commission to them. This means the
service can be offered in sensible areas
of the site, without either the organiser
or the contractor wasting money and
resources.
In addition, the public attending an
event will always consume connectivity.
This is something an organiser can use
to its advantage either as a means of
generating more revenue or as a way to
capture data from visitors by requiring
they login at a Wi-Fi hotspot. In order
to achieve this we would bring a leased
line to site. Each business that wants
the hotspot pays for their own needs
and the service is then delivered to the
whole site. This requires co-operation
from the organiser which is one of the
reasons we pay a commission for all
services offered at its event.
TWO COMMON MYTHS
I get a great signal on my site visits so
exhibitors / show visitors will too
It’s almost a certainty that even if you do
have a mobile phone signal when you, as
an organiser, visit your site, that signal will
fail at the event. The reason is that mobile
phone operators build their networks for
the day to day population in any one area.
If that village of 1,000 devices suddenly
increases when 3,000 more turn up for
an event then the mobile phone cell site
literally runs out of space. So, the cell site
can’t provide service to devices like PDQ
machines. It’s not in the mobile phone
operator’s financial interest to spend
tens of thousands to expand the capacity
for the days of the show, even if it were
technically possible. This means services,
like properly deployed Wi-Fi networks, are
crucial for the success of outdoor events.
A big Wi-Fi aerial will fix my
connectivity problem
There are many technical reasons for not
doing this. Yes, you can buy an aerial that
is capable of ‘shouting’ internet across
the whole site. However, your mobile
has to ‘shout’ back and its aerial is only
capable of reliably transmitting 70m in
clear air and 50m in a crowded area or
one with structures and fixed objects. This
means multiple access points need to be
strategically deployed across the site to
cover areas of interest. The other technical
limitation is that an access point can only
handle a certain number of devices before
connectivity slows or fails. So, you can’t
install one big access point in the middle
of the site and expect 30,000 guests to
receive good service. People will berate an
event’s bad Wi-Fi on social media; you’re
better off having no Wi-Fi than risking the
backlash if it doesn’t perform.
WWW.OPENAIRBUSINESS.COM 57

EVENTS
CASE STUDY
Birdfair
• 42 acre site
• 3 day event
• 22,000 visitors
• 150 exhibitors
• 350 trade stands
• 450 concurrent devices
• 28 PDQ machines
• 31 wired connections
• 54GB of data used
Technical situation
Each exhibitor has slightly
different needs from their internet
connection. This varied from
checking international email to
streaming live footage from across
the globe - and everything in
between. All 150 exhibitors were
expected to order one of a variety
of connections. This would mean
around 400 devices requiring a
stable and reliable connection for
the duration of the event.
Birdfair encompasses the whole
spectrum of the bird watching
industry while supporting global
bird conservation. This is the event
of the year if you’re into birds and
wildlife. There are hundreds of
stands selling the latest products
for wildlife enthusiasts from
scopes to sculptures, binoculars
to bird food and eGuides to ecoholidays.
The event takes over a 42 acre
section of Rutland Water Nature
Reserve and has more than 22,000
visitors and over 350 trade stands
every year. The site has no regular
data infrastructure or 3G mobile
phone service but the organiser
had three separate requirements:
1) The organiser needed the
ability to sell internet connections
to the exhibitors. In past years this
had been problematic as various
suppliers failed to deliver a reliable
service
2) The exhibitors needed to take
electronic payments which, due
to the lack of mobile and data
infrastructure, had also proved to
be challenging in the past
3) A publisher required to launch
an iOS App to be downloaded by
visitors at the event
Solutions
› Wi-Fi: We created a unified Wi-Fi
network across the majority of the
site which was centrally managed.
This allowed us to control the
authentication of users and how
much data they were allowed,
based on the package they had
purchased. We used a branded,
captive portal that identified each
user to their package, meaning
one exhibitor only had one login
for all of its devices. This stopped
extra devices from affecting
the network and, therefore,
everyone’s quality of service.
An added benefit of this form of
authentication meant that users
could also roam anywhere on
site and still receive the same
connection. We segregated the
networks so the ticket gates,
organiser and exhibitors could not
affect each other. We did this to
ensure ticket gate traffic was given
the highest priority in the event of
over subscription.
› Electronic payments: We also
supplied some exhibitors with
PDQ machines and PayPalenabled
tablets for electronic
payments. These were also
locked down so only encrypted
IMAGE BY ATTEND2IT
transaction information could pass
uninterrupted. Many exhibitors
required payment terminals that
had direct connection to their
merchant provider. We hardwired
these terminals directly
into the network to ensure stable
connectivity.
We also offered a cheaper,
wireless solution to those not
requiring the above. This used
the PayPal platform, consisting
of a tablet computer to provide
a clear and easy to read screen
for customers and a PayPal
authorised Bluetooth card reader.
This enabled exhibitors with
smaller budgets to take credit card

EVENTS
payments, as well as those who
were simply not expecting to take
so many.
› App caching: Harper Collins, a
publisher of wildlife books, was
launching a new App for iPhone
and iPad. The challenges for this
on its own were quite measurable
before adding the element of
bringing the infrastructure to
a nature reserve. We devised a
solution to deliver this App to the
end device faster and without
the excessive bandwidth costs
by caching the App locally on our
servers. This meant that the device
would only need to communicate
with iTunes to get authentication
for the App to download. However,
our servers then seamlessly
replaced the download with the
locally cached version.
IMAGE BY ATTEND2IT
Benefits
As Birdfair sells connections
directly to the exhibitors, with
the profits going to charity,
reliability of this network is key.
Since Birdfair had had issues with
suppliers in previous years with
connectivity and stability issues,
the client was understandably
nervous that a repeat was
possible. We were confident that
both our chosen equipment,
method of delivery and our highly
skilled team would be able to
manage this without issues.
We successfully delivered and
as a consequence Birdfair is now
expecting an even greater number
of orders for next year. As an
event organiser is always busy
around and on show days it is
important that a sub-contractor be
autonomous, giving the organiser
one less thing to worry about. We
gave that freedom and peace of
mind. Birdfair was so pleased with
the Attend2IT service that it had
booked us for the following year
before the event had finished.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Morgan Denton is the
senior outdoor events
project manager
for Attend2IT, a well
established specialist
events IT company
that only offers IT
services for the events
industry. Attend2IT
has built its reputation
on understanding the
needs and reacting
to the fast pace of the
industry.
www.attend2it.co.uk
Festival
Trackway
the Ultimate solution
for restraining temporary structures
Multi award-winning trackway
& safety flooring solutions
01455 553700
sales@ecotrackway.co.uk
Ec
Track
& Access Ltd
incorporating
UmTech
Epic Group
www.anchorbloc.co.uk
0800 122 3304
WWW.OPENAIRBUSINESS.COM 59

EVENTS | PRODUCT FOCUS
Professional Services
Services for smooth running events
GETTY IMAGES
MANAGE YOUR EVENT
Event Owl
0330 123 0324
www.eventowl.co.uk
The national, all in one website for event
applications. A revolutionary UK centralised,
pay as you use, online exhibition / trade
stand booking system for organisers,
saving significant admin time for both
parties. Suits any industry / event. Create,
promote and manage your events with
tools for risk assessments, payments,
sales receipting and promotion. Also,
get your event seen by hundreds of
exhibitors with our online listings.
EVENT IT SOLUTIONS
attend2IT
01763 877477
www.attend2it.co.uk
We pride ourselves on a reputation for
constantly delivering a professional,
reliable, friendly and complete range
of event IT services including Wi-Fi,
broadcast / streaming, ticketing /
registration, EPOS / PDQS and event
Apps. Working alongside AV companies,
agencies, venues and end clients, we
deliver a high-end service to both small
and large shows alike. Give us a call for
a chat about your requirements.
WEATHER ANALYSIS
Weatherquest
01603 507605
www.weatherquest.co.uk
Weatherquest is a privately owned
weather forecasting and weather
analysis company based in Norwich
and located on the University of East
Anglia campus. We can provide a wide
variety of bespoke weather products to
outdoor event organisers, glampsites
and wedding venues alike. If you or your
business is affected by the weather you
should talk to us about how we can save
you valuable time and money.
EVENT STAFF
HR GO Recruitment
01604 621333
www.hrgo.co.uk/events
Your event is only as good as your
crew. We’ve got what it takes to make
your next event a big success! At HR
GO Recruitment we provide high
quality, experienced and skilled crew
and support staff to major events and
festivals across the UK. Everything
from site managers, marquee erectors,
plumbers, electricians, technicians and
engineers to waiters, admin staff, car
park / traffic marshalls and cleaners.
EVENT INSURANCE
Event Insurance Services
01425 484862
www.events-insurance.co.uk
Event Insurance Services was
established in 1996 and is the UK’s
leading intermediary, providing
comprehensive insurance for all types
of event. From a coffee morning to
a carnival, a food festival to a fete,
it offers competitive premiums and
comprehensive levels of cover. Rated 5*
by its customers on independent review
site Trustpilot, it is renowned for its
personal and friendly customer service.
EVENT SECURITY
Churchill Security
0808 274 8837
www.churchillsecurity.co.uk
Churchill Security Ltd is proud to offer a
complete range of security guard services
throughout the UK delivered by our team
of fully SIA licensed and trained guards.
Offering static and mobile guards plus key
holding and alarm response solutions,
we are experienced in providing
security guard services to a range of
industries including the corporate sector,
construction sites, retail establishments,
industrial warehouses and events.
60 WWW.OPENAIRBUSINESS.COM

ZooLoos
os’ luxury range of portable,
vacuum toilets, ts
showers and
washrooms.
Give guests the VIP (Very Important Portables) treatment. Reserve your luxury loos today.
+44 (0)1258 840233 | info@zooloos.co.uk
THE EVENT IT SOLUTION
SPECIALIST KEEPING
YOU CONNECTED
• EVENT WI-FI
• PAYMENT SOLUTIONS
• LOCATION SERVICES AND PEOPLE
COUNTING
• CCTV, 360 DEGREE AND TIME LAPSE
• ELECTRONIC POINT OF SALE
• STREAMING AND BROADCASTING
• TICKETING
We pride ourselves on a reputation for
constantly delivering a reliable, friendly and
complete Event IT service. Working
alongside AV companies, agencies, venues
and end clients, we deliver a high-end
service to both small and large shows alike.
01763 877 477 • www.attend2it.co.uk
WWW.OPENAIRBUSINESS.COM 61

Spot light
A round-up of products for the outdoor hospitality industry
RESTRAINING TEMPORARY
STRUCTURES
Anchor Bloc
0800 122 3304
www.anchorbloc.co.uk
Concrete ballast solutions for all
types of temporary structures
for hire or purchase. Lloyds
British Testing Certified in
accordance with BS5975:2008.
Ensure you are CDM compliant
when planning your next event
with the use of Anchor Blocs.
Available in four standard sizes
250, 330, 500 and 1,000kg.
Bespoke design service available
to suit your needs, as well as a
huge selection of accessories
to accompany your Blocs from
branded custom covers, painted
finishes to all-terrain pallet
trucks and protective matting.
Anchor Bloc can look after your
transport needs and can even
deliver, off-load and place your
blocs ready for use.
SHIRE POD
The Little Hut Company
07763 055151
www.thelittlehutcompany.co.uk
The Little Hut Company
specialises in bespoke, one
of a kind structures mainly
for the glamping market. We
produce wooden shepherd
huts and our unique Shire
Pods. We pride ourselves in
designing and constructing the
most unusual accommodation
to make your site truly
memorable. Most of our huts
are mobile meaning you
can site them anywhere. We
use only sustainable local
materials and try to be eco
friendly in our construction.
The huts are built by craftsmen
and handmade individually.
Our shepherd huts start at
£8,000 and our Shire Pods
start at £12.600.
IT’S ALL COMPLEMENTARY
Furniture on the Move
0845 459 9875
www.furnitureonthemove.co.uk
You look fabulous, the catering
looks fabulous, the guests look
fabulous. The final thing is to
make sure the furniture does
too. The decision to choose
something that is elegant,
luxurious, even beautiful,
is part of every aspect of
wedding and festival planning
alike. Considering it’s the first
thing your guests see when
they enter the room, why is it
so often overlooked? Here at
Furniture On The Move, we are
not in the habit of overlooking
anything, which is why we are
rapidly becoming the ‘go-to’
company for new festivals and
weddings. Call now for more
information.
PODS FROM
FUTURE ROOMS
Future Rooms
01452 501455
www.futurerooms.co.uk
Our Pods are versatile,
affordable and perfect to
generate new income for
glamping, event and function
venue businesses. We design
and build all of our Pods in our
UK workshop and deliver as a
complete unit to your site. We
have a range of different sizes
which can be designed to meet
your exact needs, including
furniture and equipment.
Pods feature larch roofs and
cladding or a Metro tile roof
with cedar cladding. The walls
and floors are fully insulated
and feature a unique air flow
system. Power, lighting and
smoke / carbon monoxide
detectors are also included.
62 WWW.OPENAIRBUSINESS.COM

HOLLY WREN PHOTOGRAPHY
A PIECE OF QUIET
Losberger
01949 845070
www.losberger.co.uk
Losberger, manufacturer of
modular temporary event
spaces, have installed a
‘reading room’ in Finsbury
Avenue Square, London, for
Broadgate’s Literary Greats
season. The event space
has the look and feel of a
contemporary, high quality,
permanent building but was
delivered and assembled in
just 6 hours. Its modularity
means you can add additional
sections to increase the size
of the 30sqm room in 6m x
2.5m increments. The Reading
Room opened to the 30,000
or so people who work at the
Broadgate business campus
from 25 April to 20 May, as well
as those visiting or passing
though.
VINTAGE LICENSED BAR
Split Screen Bar
07459 864 634
www.splitscreenbar.co.uk
Split Screen Bar is the vintage
bar solution available to hire
at your next event. We are fully
licensed and can cater to suit
any occasion be it a wedding,
festival or community event.
We can also operate as a
full blown party bar with
music of any genre. We serve
draught beers, ciders, spirits,
wines, champagnes and
some spectacular cocktails.
Our friendly staff will be on
hand and are subject matter
experts in getting the party
in full swing. We specialise in
working with our customers to
create a unique and bespoke
experience, tailored to suit
their needs.
PORTABLE FULL
SERVICE BAR
Zipbar
01752 787422
www.zipbar.co.uk
Zipbar is first UK portable bar
system that has been designed
to offer a beverage service
platform for event organisers,
function venue owners and
private clients. The bar set up
offers a full front bar (in any
size or shape) and a full back
bar that you can set up on its
own or incorporate with our
connector bar. Whole systems
can be bought as a single 1.2m
bar, and you can add to them
at any time in the future by
buying or hiring additional
elements. The system packs
into flight cases and rigs with
no tools in minutes.
TRADITIONAL CANVAS BELL
TENTS AND AWNINGS
Cool Canvas Tent Company
07740 197838
www.coolcanvastentcompany.co.uk
We stock traditional bell tents
and awnings made from 100%
natural cotton canvas. We only
supply the ZIG model (zipped
in ground sheet) because
we believe that is the best.
Traditional design with modern
components to keep you
warm and dry, cotton canvas
is 285gsm and groundsheets
are a tough 540gsm PVC. Pegs
are heavy duty galvanised
steel. All doors and windows
have secondary bug mesh as
standard. Guy ropes are highly
visible and very tough. And
last but not least, our unique
canvas awnings are both a
practical and beautiful addition
that can also be used as a
freestanding multi-use space.
WWW.OPENAIRBUSINESS.COM 63

CLASSIFIED DIRECTORY
Classified Directory
Stuck for furniture hire?
www.europainternational.com/oa
hire happy
Call 08454 303015
COOLING COOLING && HEATING SOLUTIONS SOLUTIONS
temperature control specialists
hire
sales hire
portable sales units
temporary portable systems units
temporary systems
sales@candhs.co.uk – coolingandheatingsolutions.com – 01590 681 434
Marlwood House, Silver Street, Lymington, Hampshire SO41 6DG, UK
sales@candhs.co.uk – coolingandheatingsolutions.com – 01590 681 434
Marlwood House, Silver Street, Lymington, Hampshire SO41 6DG, UK
sales@candhs.co.uk
coolingandheatingsolutions.com
01590 681 434
traditional tepees with a
modern twist...
Retailer of single pole canvas tepees with fly
screens & windows in 3,4,5 and 6m diameter
tent hire in the north east
www.northernstartepees.co.uk
T H E L I T T L E H U T C O .
Bespoke, one of a kind structures for
glamping including 'Shire Pods'
07763 055151
www.thelittlehutcompany.co.uk
FOR ALL YOUR
FURNITURE HIRE NEEDS
AN ALL EXCLUSIVE LUXURY KITCHEN FOR YOUR
GUESTS. PUT IN THE BACK OF A CAR AND GIVE
THEM FREEDOM TO TOUR THE AREA.
www.campchamp.at
UK distributor - The Shack at www.instinctive-retreats.co.uk
Providing luxury bell tents available
for both hire & purchase
info@boutiquecamping.com
Providing
Providing
luxury bell
luxury
tents perfect
bell tents
for:
perfect for:
• Camping • Camping
+44(0)203
• Outdoor
394 2986
• Outdoor summer play summer roomsplay rooms
boutiquecamping.com
• Garden • lounge Garden areas lounge areas
• Festivals • Festivals
info@boutiquecamping.com
info@boutiquecamping.com • Weddings
• Weddings
and much
and
more!
much more!
+44(0)203 394 2986
+44(0)203 394 2986
boutiquecamping.com Available for both hire & purchase.
boutiquecamping.com Available for both hire & purchase.
0845 459 9875
Info@furnitureonthemove.co.uk
COUNTRY HOUSE
BUSINESS INNOVATION 2016
LIVE 2016
www.furnitureonthemove.co.uk
The event for farmers, land owners and rural business
entrepreneurs to gain inspiration, resources and advice
INSPIRING RURAL ENTREPRENEURS
6
A WORLD OF IDEAS
TO MAKE YOUR LAND
MORE PROFITABLE
9 & 10 NOVEMBER 2016, NEC BIRMINGHAM
INNOVATION 2016
• 21ft and 18ft • Dry winter stored
USED
• Complete with extras
• Used
For
two
sale.
and
Our
three
black and
summers
white Tipi 21ft.
respectively
which has done two summers 2014‐2015
TIPIS
complete Festival
with liner, cocounut floor matting, door flap, pegs and Ozan. Some very
• marks. Offers cost - £4,000.00 delivery new. can Offers be (Could arranged deliver within 75 miles. £75.00).
Trackway
For sale.
Tel:
Our
01258
black
880006
and white
| cj.moonfleetfarm@btinternet.com
Tipi 21ft. which has done two summers 2014‐2015 (
complete with liner, www.moonfleetfarm.com
cocounut floor matting, door flap, pegs and Ozan. Some very m
marks. cost £4,000.00 new. Offers (Could deliver within 75 miles. £75.00).
For sale. Our green and white Tipi 18ft. which has done three summers 2013‐2015 (stored dry winter). Comes
complete with ground sheet, liner, cocounut floor matting, door flap, rain catcher, pegs and Ozan. Some very
For sale. Our green minor and mouse white damage Tipi 18ft. and which marks. cost has 3,500.00 done three new. summers Offers (Could 2013‐2015 deliver within (stored 75 miles. dry winter). £75.00). Comes
complete with ground sheet, liner, cocounut floor matting, door flap, rain catcher, pegs and Ozan. Some very
minor mouse damage and marks. cost 3,500.00 new. Offers (Could deliver within 75 miles. £75.00).
The event 7,500 for farmers, VISITORSland owners
and rural business entrepreneurs to gain
200 SEMINARS
inspiration, resources and advice
400 EXHIBITORS
Register for FREE tickets at
www.farmbusinessshow.co.uk
Your own private bathroom
right next to your tent or caravan
Tel. 0031 186 769 054 ❤ info@campplus.co.uk
www.campplus.co.uk
Multi award-winning trackway
& safety flooring solutions
01455 553700
sales@ecotrackway.co.uk
Ec
Track
& Access Ltd
incorporating
UmTech
Epic Group
64 WWW.OPENAIRBUSINESS.COM
1

A4 - Full Page Ad.indd 1 04/04/2016 17:17
A4 - Full Page Ad.indd 1 04/04/2016 17:17
CLASSIFIED DIRECTORY
the Ultimate solution for
restraining temporary structures
the Ultimate solution for
restraining temporary structures
The coolest bar around available
to hire at your next event.
Completely self sufficient. We park up and
start serving “with a license” it’s that easy!
Specialist cocktails, bespoke
drinks and brilliant beers
Call Matt on 07459 864 634
www.splitscreenbar.co.uk
0800 122 3304 www.anchorbloc.co.uk
0800 122 3304 www.anchorbloc.co.uk
Simply the Best Events own and operate over 350
different attractions in house for Corporate Fun Days
and It’s A Knockout events throughout the UK.
Speak to one of our Event Managers
on 0800 019 3908
www.simplythebestevents.co.uk
ü Hire or buy your Anchor Blocs outright
ü Take advantage of our 'Anchor Managment'
programme - great if you have multiple events at
different locations.
ü
Hire
Full
or
logistics
buy your
and
Anchor
storage
Blocs
facilities
outright
are available
ü
Take
Payment
advantage
by credit
of our
card
'Anchor
for convenience
Managment'
ü
programme
Emergency telephone
- great if you
service
have
for
multiple
24/7 support
events at
different locations.
ü Full logistics and storage facilities are available
ü Payment by credit card for convenience
ü Emergency telephone service for 24/7 support
ü 1000kg, 500kg, 330kg and 250kg options
ü Perfect for securing marquees, inflatables and any
other fabric temporaty structures.
CDM 2015 compliant Lloyd British Testing Certifed
ü 1000kg,
in accordance
500kg,
with
330kg
BS5975:2008.
and 250kg options
ü Perfect
Custom
for
options
securing
avalible.
marquees, inflatables and any
other
Huge
fabric
Range
temporaty
of accesories,
structures.
From branded covers to
ü CDM
specially
2015
adapted
compliant
all
Lloyd
teraine
British
pallet
Testing
trucks.
Certifed
in accordance with BS5975:2008.
ü Custom options avalible.
Luxury Toilet Trailers, specially adapted Event all teraine Loos,
pallet trucks.
Themed Toilets, Shower Units &
Accommodation Hire
ü Huge Range of accesories, From branded covers to
01256 384 134
www.site-equip.co.uk
event@site-equip.co.uk
Weather services for
outdoor events
Speak to a forecaster
09065 77 76 75
Calls cost £1.50/min plus network access charges
weatherquest.co.uk
@weatherquest_uk | /Weatherquest
Why not have an Event in a tent?
Call us now: 01978 661449
www.event-in-a-tent.co.uk
Ensure your guests have the best!!
• Luxurious eco-friendly modular vacuum toilet facilities
• Bespoke and stylish
• Ideal for all prestigious corporate and private outdoor events
• Covering the UK
Ensure your guests have the best!!
• Luxurious eco-friendly modular vacuum toilet facilities
Tel: • Bespoke 0345 and 459 stylish 0589
• Ideal for www.classicalloocompany.com
all prestigious corporate and private outdoor events
enquiries@classicalloocompany.com
• Covering the UK
Tel: 0345 459 0589
www.classicalloocompany.com
enquiries@classicalloocompany.com
Ensure your guests have the best!!
• Luxurious eco-friendly modular vacuum toilet facilities
• Bespoke and stylish
• Ideal for all prestigious corporate and private outdoor events
• Covering the UK
Tel: 0345 459 0589
www.classicalloocompany.com
enquiries@classicalloocompany.com
Tel: 01945 463857 Mob: 07775 921182
info@fireworksdisplayteam.co.uk
www.fireworksdisplayteam.co.uk
WWW.OPENAIRBUSINESS.COM 65

PERIWINKLE
KEEPING YOUR FEET
ON THE GROUND
Periwinkle and friends fall victim to entrepreneurial zeal –
all in the name of the great outdoors
ALL THREE MEMBERS of the Toffee-Hammer
Club - ‘Chuffer’ Donaldson, ‘Tubby’ Cartwright
and yours truly - sat at our usual table in
the lounge of the Glamper’s Retreat for our
48th monthly meeting. We each own land in
the county, devoted to the entrepreneurial
pursuit of profit from the ‘Great Outdoors’.
Chuffer opened the Glamper’s Retreat in
2007 to offer guests rustic respite from the
relentless luxury of Tubby’s glamping site (a
couple of his tents have chandeliers).
The meetings always start with a discussion
to test our intellectual rigour. We had just
finished speculating on the degree to which
the Cubist movement might have been
influenced by the invention of the Walnut
Whip, had that particular confection been
around at the time. When this discussion
petered out, Tubby began bemoaning the fact
that the early promise of his latest, grand idea
for attracting more custom to his glamping
site had expired within a period shorter than
the lifespan of a moth. He’d nobody to blame
but himself of course: Chuffer repeatedly
warned Tubby that the introduction of an
adults-only bouncy castle as a
new service line was the worst
idea since the wind-powered
draught excluder.
Desperate to somehow
attenuate Tubby’s self-pitying
whine, Chuffer interjected to propose
a round of Knickerbocker Orange
Slammers - a proposal I foolishly
endorsed. I suppose you could consider
Knickerbocker Orange Slammers
the Toffee-Hammer Club’s signature
drink. It’s a fully fledged ice-cream
parlour Knickerbocker Glory into which
is decanted four hefty measures of
Cointreau.
Downing my slammer faster than was
medically advisable, I suffered that rarest of
senior moments - the frozen brain fart. This
is the synchronous occurrence of brain freeze
and brain fart. The brain freeze element of the
condition was like having the business end of
a professionally sharpened HB pencil jabbed
into my eye con gusto. The pain crescendoed
exponentially, stopping mercifully short of
outright agony, though it hovered at that
excruciating level for three minutes before
dissipating.
Boffins call these events nano-strokes.
Chuffer had one some years back. He was
lucky: only a small cluster of brain cells was
impaired. He had to re-learn the six times
table, but otherwise made a full recovery.
Luckily, I had no time to dwell on the pain: it
was masked by the confusion caused by the
brain fart element of the event. You know the
kind of thing, you find yourself half-way up
the ladder of a grain silo but can’t remember
whether you’re going up or coming down.
Or indeed why you’re wearing your pyjamas
while doing so.
Miraculously, I was unimpaired by the
frozen brain fart, but it did provoke a
spontaneous outpouring of entrepreneurial
zeal beyond my conscious control. You’d have
to go back to the days when Richard Branson
had a bum fluff goatee beard to witness such
commercial fervour. Before I knew it I was
possessed by a raging desire to turn my lower
paddock into an annual rock festival venue
that would make Woodstock look like the
Chipping Sodbury Scout Jamboree.
I didn’t fight it; I embraced it.
I resolved to make the event as
eco-friendly as possible (I have
been Ultra-Green since Bobby
Shaftoe was a sea cadet). The
Ultra-Green Party is a movement
founded on Green Party policies,
but leaning further to the left of
the Greens than a horse after a
trough full of Old Speckled Hen.
Think wind-powered butter churns,
home-knitted vegetable lasagne,
free-range mince and weekly
Dandelion and Burdock enemas.
Believers are encouraged to sell
their houses, buy a yurt and move
to the unpolluted Eden of Corsica from where
they should commute to their hydroponic
farming jobs by hang-glider and return home
on a llama.
Anyhoo, that’s your heads-up for this
edition. Catch you next time around.
P.S. Apologies, readers. I failed to tell
you the outcome of Tubby’s bouncy castle
for adults fiasco. As a means of testing the
contraption - which the safety instructions
said must be inflated to a pressure ‘similar
to that found at the bottom of the Marianas
Trench’ - Tubby launched himself from a 10m
diving board. He immediately executed a
triple half-Humphrey with pike and ricocheted
arse-first off the bounciest section of the
bouncy castle with the force of a bunker
buster bomb.
As the ambulance crew said later, had
Earth’s gravity been half of what it is, the
rebound force would have propelled Tubby
clean through the Van Allen belt into deep
space. After reaching the highest point he
plunged toward the planet’s surface at
terminal velocity where the concrete lid of a
septic tank broke his fall.
Unfortunately the septic tank belonged to
Tubby’s most westerly neighbour, Sir Donald
Twistleton-Penge. Sir Donald has cultured
a visceral hatred of Tubby since prep school
and immediately had Tubby charged with
‘breaking into a sewage processing unit
without the owner’s consent’. The bouncy
castle has been mothballed - a fate that may
well befall Tubby if he doesn’t start walking
with his feet a bit closer to the ground in
future.
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