Glamping Business Issue 1 by Glamping Business Magazine

l mping G BUSINESS

The Glamping Show a resounding success

Issue 1 November 2015

CLAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Richard Goodwin: All Your Planning Issues Explained

Inspiration and Information for Glamping Operators

Welcome and contents

Welcome to

l mping G BUSINESS

What is Glamping? That is a question that was asked a few times during the seminars at the first ever Glamping Show in September. Glamping can be anything from bell tents, pods, cabins to more exotic accommodation such as train carriages or airstreams. It can involve en suite bathroom facilities or a shower block in a field. The fact is that Glamping can be all manner of experiences and that’s fine – as long as the customer knows what they are paying for! The thirst for knowledge among would-be Glamping operators was evident at the show, as people crammed into our pods to listen to the seminars. “Has the Glamping bubble burst?” was another question I heard during the show. The answer was clearly a resounding “No!” With this soft launch of Glamping Business magazine we bring you a comprehensive report on the many products and services that were featured during the show. We also feature a round-up of the myriad of planning issues that Glamping operators might face, brought to you by the CLA. We hope you enjoy this first issue

Steph Glamping Business Editor

Contents 04

Glamping Show exhibition round-up Visitors flocked to Stoneleigh Park to enjoy the fine weather and the wide range of glamping options from bell tents and yurts, through to pods and cabins, plus related accessories and services.

Guiding you through the planning maze By Richard Goodwin MRICS Midlands Rural Surveyor, CLA When it comes to planning the first things to think about are the site, the premises, the location and the facilities and services to be provided. You will also need to consider the access to the site and the occupation and operation periods.

www.theglampingshow.com

Show report

The first-ever dedicated glamping show in the UK was a tremendous success. Aquashell Aquashell manufacture and supply innovative, ecological and contemporary floating lodges, for luxury Glamping and tourism projects. Visitors flocked to Stoneleigh Park to enjoy the fine weather and the wide range of glamping options from bell tents and yurts, through to pods and cabins, plus related accessories and services.

Alfresco Arch Alfresco Arch have designed and developed Arc shaped structures since 2001. Their design principle is: “Function first then let form follow”. Research and development has resulted in beautiful arch shelters designed to wow the Glamping industry. AlfrescoArch.com

Almeira Almeira sells and supports clients with world-class online booking and channel management solutions from STAAH. The team has many years of industry experience . As the STAAH reseller in Europe, the company helps customers to get the best out of their STAAH booking and channel management system. This advanced system offers unparalleled performance for both single and multi-site businesses.

Anytime Booking Anytime Booking is a web-based booking and management system designed for campsites, holiday parks and self-catering properties. The system helps to reduce those time-consuming day-to-day admin tasks making them refreshingly easy, taking the load off and saving you precious hours. Anytime Bookings offers the flexibility to manage your business your way by delivering real-time availability and bookings to your website, handling payments in the way you choose, firing out emails automatically and calculating extras such as dogs, hampers and electric hook-ups. The clever reporting – whether routine, housekeeping or financial – also helps you to keep your finger on the pulse.

They are specialists in making floating structures but these can also be placed on land. The company can also manufacture bespoke designs for hotels and restaurants. Visitors to the show were amazed at the affordability of the lodges which cost from £18,000 to £50,000 fully furnished and insulated with double glazing and suitable for year round use, either on your private lake, river or on the land. These can also be used on flood plains with a special mooring system that can lift the house up to 6 mtrs Web: www.aquashell.uk

Aquashell – Harry Singh – Managing Director “We are launching a complete range at The Glamping Show. We have had such good enquiries from operators who have lakes or riverfronts that they want to make use of. We have even had a customer come to see us from Spain. It has been great to meet the CLA here – 60% of their members have lakes on their land, so it is a huge opportunity.”

The company has partnerships with third parties such as Pitchup.com and Trip Advisor to naturally increase your exposure to potential visitors, while the inbuilt marketing features mean you can target your customers more effectively. www.anytimebooking.co.uk

Wendy Radford-Gaby, Managing Director Anytime Booking “We didn’t know what to expect on the first day but the show was better than we had even hoped. I would say that the visitors we spoke to were split about 50/50 between those who already operate Glamping sites and those who are planning to set them up. We got such good quality leads that we would have gone away happy on the first day.”

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Show report

Ashwood Shepherd Huts

Ashton Shepherd Ashton Shepherd Huts is a high quality builder of traditional shepherd huts, based upon the original Victorian principles. The company offers clients a beautifully crafted hut, made from traditional materials and built by craftsmen. They can either deliver a complete hut for clients to furnish themselves; or with an optional extras package, they provide the complete experience delivered ready to use. Suitable for placing in a garden, driveway, woodland or paddock, the shepherd huts are built for extra, luxury outdoor space.

Ashton Shepherd Huts - Les Wheeler Proprietor “We have had a lot of good quality interest in the first day. I was very heartened by the number of people who are purchasing land with the aim of setting up Glamping sites in the future. This is a market that is growing. The number of enquiries we received yesterday made it more that worth our while to attend the show, we handed out well over 200 brochures to quality visitors. We are extremely happy.”

Blackdown Shepherd Huts Blackdown Shepherd Huts are providers of luxury complete living spaces. Will and George set up the business in 2011, laboriously building their first hut in a garage, using our 20 years of carpentry and bespoke building experience. Since then they have been fortunate enough to work with some really lovely customers, growing the business along the way. They now employ a team of skilled craftsmen in our 6000 sq. ft. workshop based near Ilminster in Somerset. Email – info@blackdownshepherdhuts.co.uk Website – www.blackdownshepherdhuts.co.uk

Shepherds hut, fishing hut, studio, summerhouse, b & b, office, glamping, guest room, studio, craft room, changing room, shop, tea room and much more. Delivery available worldwide. Our huts should give you and future generations many hours of enjoyment. We hope they will be the antiques of the future. http://www.ashwoodshepherdhuts.co.uk/

Barry Davies and Co Chartered Surveyors Barry Davies BSc MRICS IRRV, is a Chartered Surveyor specialising in advising leisure and tourism operators on Business Rate Appeals, undertaking negotiations on behalf of clients in reducing their rateable values and Business Rates paid. He is a member of the Institute of Revenues, Rating and Valuation.

BCT Outdoors Ltd BCT Outdoors Ltd have been manufacturing tents for over 100 years in Bradford Yorkshire and manufacture a range of tents for the Glamping market which are all based on commercial usage which include Bell Tents, Tipi`s, Yurts, tent suites and custom made products. They supply major users such as Eurocamp, Contiki and Glastonbury Festivals, as well as many smaller users. All the products are made in-house in Bradford where there is a manufacturing facility offering both sewing and welding capability coupled with state of the art printing options. All products meet British, EU and US standards for fire retardency and most products are designed for commercial year round use. www.bctoutdoors.com

Boutique Camping The company lovingly makes and distributes a range of renowned luxury bell tents and beautiful accessories that will turn any campsite into a home away from home. From festival ‘glamping’ to unforgettable family holidays and everything in between, Boutique Camping brings comfort and colour to your camping experience. The luxury bell tents are unique, fully waterproof and exclusively available in a range of gorgeous colours to suit any occasion. Boutique Camping uses high-quality materials and products so customers are provided with durable, ergonomic and ornate goods. Info@boutiquecamping.com www.boutiquecamping.com

www.theglampingshow.com

BorderLoos & Event Hire BorderLoos & Event Hire has over 25 years’ experience providing a wide range of highly versatile facilities, which can be delivered and installed quickly and efficiently to site. The company has supplied many of the UK’s leading events including Radio 1’s Big Weekend, T in the Park, Edinburgh’s Hogmanay celebrations and Glastonbury. The bespoke 4 berth shower units are some of the most luxurious gasoperated mobile units available. New up-to-date technology allows the units to be situated wherever required at your event. A single-phase electrical connection, fresh water supply, grey water drainage and LPG propane gas are all that’s required on site. Recently introduced is the GroundProtector all-weather surface protection and sturdy folding picnic tables to create on-site seating areas. Whether it’s a large festival or small occasion, a dedicated Event Manager will personally help you achieve the best solution to suit your requirements and budget.

Chainsaw Carving Will Lee is an awardwinning chainsaw carver basing near Tring in Hertfordshire. He has been carving for almost ten years and has carved all over the UK and abroad. In 2014, he won the European chainsaw carving championships defending his title from 2012. He not only specialises in chainsaw carving he also makes furniture, signage, green oak framing, outdoor classrooms and natural play areas. The majority of his work are for large corporations, councils, schools, The National Trust, the Forestry Commission and The Woodland Trust but also takes on many smaller commissions through out the year. Example of his work can be found on his website. Carvings can either be made in his workshop and transported to site or they can be carved in situ from existing timber or stumps. chainsawcarver@mail.com

Show checklist

CampPlus CampPlus en-suite campsite facilities offers a private bathroom right next to your tent or caravan. It’s the missing link between a fully serviced pitch and a bungalow. The CampPlus unit significantly increases the turnover and occupancy of your campsite pitches. It’s an investment that pays for itself. Recent studies show that 89% of the people who have used a pitch with private facilities will want it again on their next camping vacation. Seventy-three per cent said that private facilities would be at the top of their wish list. Website - www.campplus.co.uk

Cedartree – Faraway Lodge Glamping Cabins Cedartree is a longestablished, British manufacturer of high quality cedar buildings for residential, commercial and educational applications. The company showed its latest “Cedar Cabin” to The Glamping Show. It truly is the definition of a “transportable building”. This altogether new development offers the rural or holiday park entrepreneur, the opportunity of acquiring a top quality, British-built accommodation unit, and at a price level that enables the very maximum returns on investment. Attractively-built, attractively-designed, and attractively-priced for the forward-looking entrepreneur. www.farawaylodge.co.uk

Centre of Alternative Technology CAT is an education and visitor centre demonstrating practical solutions for sustainability. It covers all aspects of green living: environmental building, eco-sanitation, woodland management, renewable energy, energy efficiency and organic growing.

Clear Sky Safari Tents In the four years Clear Sky have been in business, they have become the ‘go to’ company for safari tents and it’s not hard to see why. They specialise in supplying stunning safari tents, made to the very highest quality, but due to the fact they manufacture in large numbers they are 30-40% lower in price than many of their competitors. Not only that, they run their own glamping site in Kent, which means from planning permission to creating a website they have done it all and are more than happy to share their knowledge with you! website : www.safaritents.net

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Classic Glamping Classic glamping is the wild younger sibling of classic cottages! If you think of Classic Cottages as the dependable, affable 37yr old holiday cottage specialist, Classic Glamping is the feral one who always wanted to be outdoors, climbing trees, whittling sticks and making fires. But the two are of the same stock with the same purpose - to make your time away as great as it can possibly be.

Classic Glamping – Jakie Jewell “We have been inundated with people coming to us for advice on how to set up Glamping sites on the first day of the show. We are able to tell them how long the process will take realistically, to go and visit the site with them and advise them on what kind of glamping accommodation would suit. We can hold their hand through the whole process.”

CLA

Decking NI Ltd

Formed in 1907, the CLA is the membership organisation for owners of land, property and business in rural England and Wales. Anyone who owns rural land, no matter how much, will benefit from joining the CLA. The CLA is the only organisation dedicated to defending your interests as a landowner and is your only truly independent and authoritative source of advice on matters including planning, diversification and rural tourism.

Decking NI Ltd was established in 2002. Since then, the company has emerged as a UK market leader in the manufacture, importation and supply of high quality, lowmaintenance Eco products to the Landscaping, Construction, Leisure, Equestrian and Playground industries. Their low maintenance outdoor products are designed, engineered and manufactured to withstand the harshness of the UK climate, particularly the high levels of rainfall. The working life of their products range from 15 years to 40 years and are made from recycled plastics and recycled rubber.

www.cla.org.uk

CLA – Mike Ashton “We have been very busy dealing with enquiries all day. The two burning issues have been planning permission and Twitter! People know we are active on Twitter and they want to know how social media can help their businesses.”

Cool Camping The Cool Camping website is one of the most popular curated glamping websites in the UK with well over 2 million unique users each year. The recent launch of an industry-leading online booking system now enables glamping site owners to take bookings directly via www.coolcamping.co.uk, while also offering an integrated solution to take bookings on the glampsite’s own website. Visitors to the Cool Camping stand at the show found out more about how the unique booking system can generate extra bookings while reducing workload. They also had the chance to win a boutique Podpad glamping unit worth over £5,000, and to talk to the Podpad representatives about this new glamping phenomenon. Cool Camping’s free-to-list sister site can be found at www.iLoveThisCampsite.com

Driftwood Campers Rocky and Wendy take old campers and give them a new lease of life, in fact making them more beautiful and luxurious than they ever were before. Their vans are wrapped with insulation that was designed for the Space Shuttle and covered in a wonder wood called Accoya® using techniques learned from 30 years of carpentry. The team reclaims 1920’s oak parquet flooring, french copper and mixes it up to give me a cool contemporary look inside. Carbon neutral and sustainable they offer a bespoke service working closely with their customers to create a truly beautiful caravan. Driftwoodcampers.co.uk

driftwoodcampers@gmail.com

Dappr Aviation Using a commercial airliner fuselage that would otherwise have been scrapped, Dappr Aviation upcycles it to make a fantastically well engineered building. Aeropods are fully insulated and finished to the highest specification. Electricity and water can be installed. Options include heated floors and a wide range of finishes both internal and external. They can even strip the shell back to its original aluminium with a highly polished finish. The company has hundreds of ideas to make unique and elegant pieces using their raw materials. These can be desks or chairs; lamps or tables; chimineas or fire pits or simply great works of art. Website : http://dappr-aviation.com

www.theglampingshow.com

Show report

Deepee

Ecotoilets

The DeePee is an eight segmented, collapsible portable building made from hemp, cork or balsa wood and a soya-based resin. Originally designed as a survival pod for extreme conditions it is a tough but comfortable living or work space that can house up to five adults (in its standard design). Well insulated, it provides a warm and spacious temporary to mid-term home in any weather condition and can even be fitted with a stove and chimney for cooking. It takes approximately two hours to build and when not in use the segments fit snuggly together and can be stored flat. Each segment weighs between 8 – 18 kilos (depending on individual specification and intended use) and therefore can be easily transported. It is as versatile as your imagination and can be built with multiple doors, windows, bullet and blast proof walls and even connecting walkways to create whole villages. Doors have been built with disabled access in mind and other creature comforts are available such as spiral water-catchers, solar panels and electric cabling – everything to make your DeePee feel like home wherever you are, whatever the conditions. With a life-expectancy of approximately 25 years, it is durable and can be used time and again as a valuable and cost-effective living or work space. www.deepee.co.uk

Whether you are glamping, camping, organising an outdoor event, or any kind of activity where people are involved you are going to need toilets. So…imagine a toilet that has no need for water, a sewage system, miles of plumbing, or septic tank, that can be placed anywhere, even where you could not put a conventional WC. This product is called an Ecotoilet. The Ecotoilet is a dry separating toilet that works using the design of the human body. Urine is directed one way and the solid material another. The design is simple, and clever. www.eco-toilets.co.uk

Freedomes Freedomes tents are unmistakable, offering a unique shape and experience to visitors. The intricate framework of the Freedome structure creates an incredible sense of space and unrivalled insulation. Freedomes can be placed almost anywhere and offer great flexibility to operators.

Freedomes Dominka Rogacewicz

Exclusive Tents – Safari Tent Structures Exclusive Tents eco-friendly tent designs are quickly becoming the standard for alternative luxury accommodation worldwide. From the remote African safari to the five star ultra luxury island resorts, Exclusive Tents leads the way to a new era of sustainable green living. The Glamping Show was the first UK exhibition attended by this South African Company which has supplied Richard Branson among other high profile clients. www.exclusivetents.com

“We are very pleased with the enquiries we have received from the show. People have been looking around our domes outside and then coming inside to talk to us about investing. It is a really good show.

Futurerooms The company designs all of its Pods in-house and they are delivered as one complete unit to your site. There is a range of different sizes, and as with all of their garden rooms, each can be upgraded or designed to meet your exact needs, including furniture and equipment. There are six models to choose from: - See more at: http://www.futurerooms.co.uk/pods

The Garden Oven Company The company offers a range beautifully designed and efficient wood-fired outdoor ovens. Made in Great Britain, these iconic ovens become a focal point of your venue. The practical and easy to use oven allows creation of dishes limited only by the imagination: from roasts, curries, bread and pizza, to bbq and smoking. garden-oven.co.uk

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Glamping Fields

Glampotel

Glamping Fields offers a partnership franchise agreement to the right landowners, with the right land in the right locations, where you can run your own site with our support and expertise and where they take care of all the sales, marketing and customer bookings.

Glampotel is one of the most luxurious glamping solutions for campsite and caravan park owners. Large and beautifully appointed Canvas Cottages built on large wooden decks offer spacious private accommodation, luxurious bedding, and the only ensuite bathrooms available today. Glampotel is designed so you don’t have to give up any land that is generating income for you today.

If you have an attractive piece of land currently unoccupied Glamping Fields can help you put it to good use in a fun way and create extra revenue for you.

The turnkey off-the-grid solution means campsite and touring park owners and operators can easily add Glampotel to their existing businesses, without having to worry about building the units, marketing the business, managing reservations, and payment collection. By adding a Glampotel to your current business you are guaranteed to increase income, attract new customers and extend your season by at least 3 months.

http://www.glampingfields.co.uk/

Glamping Solutions Do you want to own your own Luxury Log Cabin with a guaranteed return? Glamping Solutions have opportunities for you to own a log cabin situated on one of the Feather Down Farm sites; Europe’s leading glamping operator. Alternatively you may just be interested in buy a cabin for your sole use or placing it on your own farm, estate or holiday site. Glamping Solutions Limited Email: Enjoy@glampingsolutions.co.uk

Hearthworks Hearthworks was formed in 1999 as manufacturers of traditional North American Tipis and central Asian Yurts. They now have over 15 years experience in manufacturing and hire, and also import felt Yurt covers and decorations from Kyrgyzstan. From the beginning they have offered Tipis & Yurts for hire to Private Parties, Corporate Events and Weddings. This has expanded into the provision of accommodation at a large number of major Festivals over the summer season. The Glamping phenomenon has led the company in exciting directions with bespoke projects for Holiday Accommodation, Schools, and multi Yurt complexes with ensuite bathrooms, platform floors, and wood-burning stoves. Website: http://www.hearthworks.co.uk Emails: info@hearthworks.co.uk

www.theglampingshow.com

http://www.glampingfields.co.uk/

Glampotel – Paul Woolnough Founder and CEO

We are extremely pleased with the show it has been very busy and we received five really good quality enquiries on the first day and talked to around 40 groups of potential customers. Having the public come on Saturday is an extra bonus for us.

GTF Event Equipment Finance GTEEF is a leading Independent Finance Broker specialising in Equipment Finance and Leasing for operators within the event and hospitality sectors in the UK. They can arrange bespoke finance packages for all types of equipment and have extensive industry experience in everything from the seasonality issues to the sometimes obscure assets we are required to finance. www.gtfeventequipmentfinance.co.uk/

Hooked on Glamping Hooked on Glamping is a small, creative company supplying many unique glamping products, all designed and manufactured in the Wiltshire countryside. The unique Glamp Clamp™ selfsupporting and self-adjusting Pole-Table, Hooks and Hangers (fitting all pole diameters) all proved very popular at the show. The Glamp Yourself Pole Table is a cost effective way for glampers to create their own individual designs.

Log Pod Conceived as an all-year-round living space, a Log Pod is as welcoming in winter as in the heat of summer , and unlike any tent the Log Pod has been designed to have a lifespan of least 25 yrs, assuming a basic amount of routine maintenance. Almost every component of the Log Pod is either bio-degradable or recycleable. www.thelogpod.co.uk www.thelogpod.co.uk

Show report

Inspired Courses – A Glamping Business Guide – see seminar round-up Inspired Courses has developed one of the most comprehensive online courses for luxury camping and glamping the outdoor industry has ever seen, to give new businesses the launch pad they need to set up their business quickly, avoid pitfalls, and jump ahead of the competition, while allowing their new enterprise to start earning immediately. Developed by Sarah Riley – a consultant, trainer and independent glamping industry expert with no affiliations with any specific companies or brands – in partnership with Inspired Camping, it has been developed as an online guide with explanation videos and detailed information to support learners through every step of the process, while releasing some very profitable trade secrets and helping new businesses to thrive. From the fundamental business idea, the options available, the set up process, timelines and essential launch plan, to relevant market statistics, business planning, expected costs and income, marketing, photography, website optimisation, environmental issues, general site maintenance and event management. It also includes a social media course for beginners, which is essential for creating a buzz about your new project from the beginning. This step-by-step, easy to follow guide gives you the perfect launchpad for your luxury camping and glamping business, to secure its success and significantly boost your income.

Lotus Belle – Glamping Tents Lotus Belle tents are made from 360gsm Waterproof, and fire/ rot resistant canvas – this is the primary reason their tents cost more than other Bell Tents (plus there’s a lot more fabric in our tents, so they’re much bigger on the inside even with the same size floor space). The groundsheet is made with 540gsm pvc. The tent will come with everything you need to put it up, including the groundsheet, pegs, poles, guy ropes, and even a mallet! Tel: 07531543488 Website: www.lotusbelle.co.uk

Naked Flame Eco-Tubs Ltd Naked Flame Eco-Tubs Ltd – Luxurious hand-crafted Scandinavian wood-fired eco Hot Tubs. No electricity or gas needed, no pumps or filters. Low maintenance and low running costs. Fully sustainable, totally natural and totally beautiful. Inclusive packages meaning no hidden add-ons with exclusive trade discounts. Give your site a fantastic “Wow” factor not to mention giving you great returns. www.nakedtubs.com

Outstanding® safari tent Outstanding® safari tents is the online portal of Donselaar Glamping B.V., which is based in Renswoude in the Netherlands. The company discovered the demand for luxury holidays in safari tents in 2009 and also saw that it wasn’t easy for campsite owners to provide for this demand, so they decided to take the lead and produce their own quality tents.

Mattressman Ltd Mattressman trade sales look after all a site’s needs from new mattresses, divans, beds, duvets, pillows and mattress protectors. All in stock for next day delivery.

Park Resorts Park Resorts have 25 award-winning Holiday Parks and camping sites in fantastic UK coastal locations. There’s a wide choice of camping pitch types and great touring amenities, with plenty of free facilities that all the family will enjoy. We have a great choice of pitch types available at each of our Holiday Parks, from basic camping pitches to super pitches with electric hook up and TV aerial connections. This year the company is introducing brand new safari tents at Nodes Point and Thorness Bay Holiday Parks on the Isle of Wight.

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Pennine Pods

Paull’s Matting Paull’s Matting are suppliers of the highest quality natural coir matting with the most extensive range of Half Moon coir mats available on the market. The specifically designed half moon mats are prefect for Bell Tents, Yurts & Tipis and other Glamping applications. Coir is a totally sustainable material made from the spun fibres of the coconut husks and the company’s four treadle weave mats finished with brown cotton or ginger nylon edging give an elegant luxurious finish to any floor, inside or out.

Playgrounds Direct Playgrounds Direct showed a range of equipment at the exhibition including swings, climbing frames, play towers and fitness trails. In addition they displayed a range of fall-protection surfaces including Safety-Paving™, Wetpour-Tile™ and Eco-Rubber-Grass Matting™ Email: info@deckingnigroup.co.uk Website: www.playgroundsdirect.co.uk

Quality Unearthed – Glamping Accommodation Guide A holiday isn’t just about where we put our heads at night. It’s about the whole experience; exploring new places, sampling new food and creating memories. Quality Unearthed aims to find you unique places to stay, in areas of outstanding beauty. What about a luxury tree house for two, a super family holiday in a yurt or offgrid cottage? The team at Quality Unearthed visit each abode personally to ensure it provides the kind of experience they can wholeheartedly recommend. info@boutiquecamping.com www.boutiquecamping.com

www.theglampingshow.com

Pennine Pods has introduced a new concept to glamping in the form of the foam/fiberglass infused pod. This is one complete sealed unit bonded together which is lightweight and versatile. Pennine Pods are warm in winter and cool in summer. They are draught-free and do not rot, therefore they are very easy to maintain. They float and can be attached easily to other pods – in fact the multi-pod can sleep at least 20 people. What’s more they are very environmentally friendly. W: www.penninepods.co.uk E: penninepods@gmail.com

Popaloo Popaloo is a unique, compact, space-saving, chemical and water-free, highly portable Eco friendly toilet that is Made In England from durable and recyclable ABS. Popaloo uses a biodegradable dry powder waste bag system that gels the waste, powder bags can cope with both solid and fluid waste and will gel approximately 1.5 to 2 litres of fluid, after use the bag can be placed in a normal waste bin, composted or buried with the land-owners permission. Popaloo is just 430mm square x 90mm high closed and builds to a normal toilet seat height of 432mm, weighing just 4.2 Kg it can take weights up to 175 Kg/27 stone. Popaloo comes in a handy carry case, with ten powder bags, wet wipes and emergency toilet tissue.

Robin Laidler – Popaloo “It has been unbelievable. We brought so many leaflets with us and we practically ran out on the second morning. We were not sure if our product would be ideal for this sector but lots of large companies have shown an interest in having our portable toilets in more secluded pitches. We are very pleased.” Popaloo also provide two variants of pop up toilets for complete privacy. Website : www.popaloo.co.uk

RotoSpa RotoSpa is the only UK manufacturer of truly portable hot tubs. Because they build their spas on site, they can offer great savings and after-sales care. Their spas are purpose-built for the reality of daily use, with renowned health and social benefits. RotoSpa’s portable spas are lightweight, robust, can fit through doors and can be rolled into place by 1-2 people making them ideal for hire. The company also specialises in acrylic spas, swim spas, in-ground spas and commercial spas. Find out more at www.rotospa.co.uk

Show report

Reestore – Max McMurdo Upcycler Reestore takes everyday waste objects and playfully upcycles them into beautiful accessories and functional pieces of furniture. From its Bedfordshire based studio, the company designs and manufactures a range of handmade products for the home, office and retail sectors. The current range includes chairs made from shopping trolleys, roll-top baths transformed into sofas, fun carnival lights and Magic Chalk! Visitors to the show recognized Max and his creations following his successful appearance on BBC’s Dragons’ Den where he secured investment from Theo Papthitis and Deborah Meadon. Max can now be found as a judge on Channel 4’s Amazing Spaces Shed of the Year, Kirstie Allsopp’s Fill your house for free and at upcycling events around the country. Website: www.reestore.com

Spatex Ltd As the longest established and leading event for the wet leisure sector, whether you are an exhibitor or a visitor, SPATEX provides a unique annual opportunity for you to come and do business from 31st January to 2nd Feburary 2016 at the Ricoh Arena in Coventry. With over 100 exhibitors, SPATEX brings together under one roof the country’s largest showcase of new products and innovations but it is much more than just an exhibition. SPATEX hosts the popular (and free to attend) Institute of Swimming Pool Engineers Workshops, which pass on valuable business and technical expertise.

The Bunting Stables All of the bunting from The Bunting Stables is handmade in Yorkshire, in a converted stables in a small village overlooking the Yorkshire Wolds. The bunting is created from high quality materials and pretty fabrics all chosen to create beautiful bunting designs that add a stylish finishing touch to your shabby chic, country living or vintage style decor. Website www.thebuntingstables.co.uk

Silverlining Silver Lining Networks is an established family run business specialising in the installation of commercial wifi into caravan parks, campsites, marinas and small businesses such as B&B’s, shops and restaurants, allowing your customers to access the internet 24 hours a day. The company is based in Swansea is now the largest wifi installer in Wales.

Silver Lining Networks – Marc Jones “Compared to other shows I have exhibited at, this one stands out because of the relevance of the enquiries. It is great to talk to decision-makers, that makes the difference.”

The Authentic Mongolian Yurt Company Visitors to the Glamping Show were delighted to explore the 19’ Authentic Mongolian Yurt seeing close up, the hand painted decoration, pure wool felt and hand crafted framework. With 9 years’ experience running Hidden Valley Yurts, a glamping site in the Wye Valley, this company can safely say they know their product inside out. The Authentic Mongolian Yurt Company was born when the founders headed to Mongolia to buy a shipment of 12 yurts, five of which were for their own use and the rest that they sold on. Since then, they have sold over 150 and helped numerous customers to set up their own unique glamping sites. They have learned a lot along the way – the quality of their yurts, their knowledge, the design of their rain caps and the waterproofing have improved year on year. They will visit sites anywhere in the country and also run courses on setting up yurt glamping sites. www.mongolianyurts.co.uk

The Little Hut Company The Little Hut company designs and constructs unique wooden, handcrafted shepherd huts and other wooden structures. Every Hut is beautifully handcrafted and tailored to your needs using sustainable and local materials. They can be used as garden hideaways, spare rooms, modern offices, craft studios or secret retreats. What ever you wish for, we will make that happen for you. Unlike most shepherd huts constructed from steel cladding, the company decided to use wood as a alternative and they really blend into the surrounding landscape. Their huts also can have the addition of chainsaw carved features which make them really stand out amongst the competition. Web: www.thelittlehutcompany.uk

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Show report

The Septic Tank Store

Thermo Tents

This is a family business that has been supplying and installing tanks, reed beds and associated products for over 20 years. Most products are priced on the company’s website with free delivery to England and Wales. Visitors to The Glamping Show were able to take advantage of a special offer of £1290 plus vat for a 6500 litre Graf Septeic Tank complete with baffle, inlet, and outlet, and a telescopic lid to 1.5 tonne loading. The company is also doing a 30 population sewerage treatment system £5900 plus vat.

Email: info@theseptictankstore.co.uk Website: www.theseptictankstore.co.uk

Info@thermotents.com www.facebook.com/thermotents www.thermotents.com

Mark Bishop – The Septic Tank Store.co,uk “We have had quality leads from all over the UK – from Cornwall to Fife, Ireland and beyond. We have already got four site visits planned as a result of conversations we had with customers on the first day of the show and an order that came in last night that could more than justify the costs of being here. We are very happy indeed, the timing of the show is perfect.”

Tiny Wood Homes Luxury Accommodation with a small footprint! Tinywood Homes creates beautiful homes for those seeking a luxury solution to tiny living. If you are looking for something a little different, unusual, eccentric and cosy, this is for you. The company’s holiday homes, the Tinywood One and Two, feature double bedrooms, kitchen, bathroom with plumbed WC & shower, combi-central heating boiler with radiators and on-demand hot water, full 240v electrics and woodburning stove. There is a lounge and upper floor with 2/3 single beds. The kitchen features a fullsize fridge, gas cooker with hob and 5-person dining table. Both properties also have a log-fired hot-tub and a covered barbecue/dining area. www.tinywoodhomes.webs.com

Aidan Reeve, Managing Director, Tiny Wood Homes “This is one of the best shows we have ever attended because the focus is solely on glamping so it is completely relevant for us. We have talked to a lot of people who are thinking of setting up a glamping business, which is great because it will start properly for them at this show. One day at this show has been more successful for us than an entire three days at Farming Innovation.”

www.theglampingshow.com

Tiny House UK The Tiny House movement is gradually catching on in the UK. More and more people are looking to their gardens to create a bit more living space or temporary accommodation. Whether it’s for a teenager, a spare bedroom for family or friends, a bit of extra B&B space, these custom-built, fully insulated, luxury cabins are built like a house and will last a lifetime. Tel: 07860 852714 www.tinyhouseuk.co.uk

UK Hideaways UK Hideaways have the largest size range of wooden Camping huts in the UK. These are bespoke wooden Pods designed in different sizes suitable for a back garden or a campsite or Glamping Park. Because of the company’s Monocoque building system they can build literally to any size needed A monocoque structure is like an aeroplane wing construction where you have a rib structure and an outer skin attached to give an unrivaled strength and this also means that the buildings do not need any internal walls in order to support the roof. www.ukhideawaysltd.co.uk

Seminar round up

Welsh Oak Frame Welsh Oak Frame is based in Powys, Mid Wales and has over 20 years of experience in building oak framed houses. In 2012 a sister company, Arboreta, started trading to produce bespoke garden structures. Arboreta combines traditional craftsmanship and contemporary engineering to create bespoke oak structures including garden rooms, orangeries and conservatories, along with other bespoke buildings. Arboreta spotted a trend in the leisure market where landowners were looking to diversify the potential uses for their land in terms of glamping, eco lodges, holiday parks etc and so they crafted a prototype for the Royal Horticultural Show at ‘Hampton Court’, to illustrate how stylish and original such a structure could look. Arboreta’s Verdante garden room offers exceptional versatility and was designed for a multitude of uses and was designed to not require foundations and as a rule no planning permission was required. www.arboreta-oak.com/products/verdante-garden-rooms

Wicklow Tree House Microlodge Ltd The Wicklow Treehouse and Micro Lodge Company designs robust glamping modules with an emphasis on aesthetic beauty. Underneath the wooden half barrel or PVC timber effect cladding lies a heavy steel frame, allowing the modules to withstand anything the natural environment can throw at them. The aim is to capture the imagination of both, kids and adults, alike.

Freedomes Wigwam Holidays has launched the new Wigwam Holidays Franchise. With several franchise sites now open the company is now offering more landowners in the country the chance to cash in on this market-leading holiday enterprise. Wigwam will provide all the business help you need to take the first steps and when you’re set up they will even market your business for you on their popular website with over 500,000 visitors a year – and the convenience of online booking. www.wigwamholidays.com/franchisees

Forest Holidays Special offer for readers of Glamping Business

8% off Forest Holidays - escape to one of nine idyllic UK locations and stay in luxurious woodland cabins with private hot tubs set exclusively on Forestry Commission land. Enter GLAMPINGBUS15 to save 8% at www.forestholidays.co.uk or call 03330 110495 and quote this code when you book before 31st December 2015 for holidays by 30th June 2016. The 8% discount applies to the cabin price only and not any extras. May not be used in conjunction with any other offer and cannot be applied retrospectively. Forest Holidays reserves the right to withdraw this offer at any time.

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Glamping planning

Guiding you through the planning maze When it comes to planning the first things to think about are the site, the premises, the location and the facilities and services to be provided. You will also need to consider the access to the site and the occupation and operation periods. In this way you will be able to decide whether you will be offering permanent or temporary accommodation and what kind of planning you will require from full planning permission, to permitted development, a camp site licence or CLEUD. We will go through all these options in this article. It is vital that you do your research before you go any further. There are a number of things to take into consideration. For example: national designations (protected areas), water and waste, electric hook-ups, health and safety and business rates. All of these will have a bearing on the type of accommodation you choose to provide. You can find information on all of these issues via your local authority’s plan policy and from the National Planning Policy Framework. Another good source of information is your local tourist board – you need to ask yourself if there is already enough tourist accommodation in your area? Look closely at your competitors who are

www.theglampingshow.com

By Richard Goodwin MRICS Midlands Rural Surveyor, CLA already providing this kind of offer – what are they doing and how successful are they? Once you have decided what you want to offer, such as tepees, pods, tents or yurts you will need to find out if you require planning permission. Here, the key issue is whether the temporary structure constitutes ‘development’ (as stated in s55 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990). ‘Development’ can be either a ‘building or engineering operation or a ‘material change in the use of land’. However, in some cases in which planning permission is required, it is deemed already to have been granted, under the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015 („GPDO ). In these ‘permitted development’ cases no actual planning application is needed.

Building and Engineering Operations If you have a substantial structure, which is kept on your land for a significant period of time, it is worth investigating whether it might be considered a “building operation” by the courts. They will consider three main factors when deciding: size, permanence and physical attachment. Recent court cases have shown that the erection of a large marquee, or any such substantial structure, for several months of the year is a ‘building operation’, and is therefore ‘development’ requiring planning permission. However, a structure which is smaller, less permanent, and/or not substantially attached may not constitute a ‘building operation’. It will depend on the individual facts of each case.

In addition, any significant ground preparation works for a temporary structure could in themselves constitute a ‘building or engineering operation’ requiring planning permission.

Material changes of use Even where a temporary structure is not a ‘building operation’, planning permission would be needed if its use amounted to a ‘material change of use’. For example, a marquee for one or two private parties in the garden of a private house should not be a change of use, because such parties are incidental to the enjoyment of houses and their gardens. That would probably remain the case if the marquee was used for a charitable event, or hired out for say one or two events. But a marquee regularly hired out commercially for a number of parties, or used for retail purposes, probably would amount to a material change of use, because these are essentially a business use. Conversely, a hotel using a marquee for parties would probably not involve a material change of use.

Glamping planning

Planning Permission It is always important to seek the appropriate advice from a planning consultant, surveyor if you think you will need full planning permission. A change of use application fee will cost you £385 and will allow you to customize your site. A decision will be made by Local Planning Authority within 8 weeks, on average, and you will have the ability to appeal if you are refused. It is worth remembering that conditions can be attached to the permission to limit occupation rates and operating periods and to cover highways alterations, LPG storage etc.

local authority in its role as licensing authority. Site licence conditions are likely to cover the following issues: boundaries; spacing between caravans; roads, gates and footpaths; hard standings; fire fighting appliances; storage of LPG; electrical installations; water supply; drainage and sanitation; refuse disposal; parking; recreation space; notices etc.

A site licence will also be required if the site is used for 42 consecutive nights or more than 60 days in a 12 month period. The campsite licence will not be granted until full planning permission is granted.

Proposals for caravan sites located in designated areas (Green Belts, Sites of Special Scientific Interest, Areas of Outstanding Beauty, National Parks, Gardens of Historic or Landscape Interest etc) may be permitted in exceptional circumstances. Proposals in these areas may require higher standards of design, layout and landscaping and preference may be given to small sites over large sites so pre-application discussions with the local planning authority is encouraged to resolve any potentially contentious issues.

No Planning Permission

Excepted ‘Certified’ Sites

Your application will be judged against local plan policy and the The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF).

If the land is to be used for a limited time period, and the activity will have minimal impact upon the area, it is possible planning permission and licences would not be required.

If your land is approved by an exempted organisation, such as The Camping and Caravan Club, it is possible planning permission and licences would not be required.

Scenarios are:

The Caravan and Camping Club hold exemptions from Natural England which allows them to certify small caravan and campsites for use by club members. Once certified you would be able to: ■ Accommodate up to 5 caravans or motorhomes, and 10 tents at any one time including glamping pods. ■ Be open all year round if you wish, or you can specify your opening months. ■ Keep all of the site fees.

■ Tent pitches for no more than 28 days of camping within the year (GDPO) ■ a single caravan on a piece of land for no more than two nights, up to 28 days a year ■ No more than three caravans on a piece of land over 5 acres for no more than 28 days ■ If the site is occupied and supervised by an exempted organisation such as the Camping and Caravanning Club.

Site Licences A caravan site is defined as any land on which a caravan is stationed for human habitation together with land used in association. Subject to permitted development rights, caravan sites therefore require both planning permission and a site licence before it can operate. A site licence has to be applied for separately and can only be acquired following the granting of planning permission. While planning permission attaches to the land, the site licence is held by the occupier of the land and is nontransferable without the prior consent of the

Certification can be for full sites (caravans, motorhomes and tents), Caravan Only sites (no tents) and also Tent only sites (no caravans or motorhomes – also suitable for sites where access is particularly poor). However, whether the member is camping

in a tent, caravan, motor caravan or trailer tent, they may only camp on your site for a maximum of 28 days at a time. If you are not next door to a licensed site, there’s a good chance you would qualify. You will need: ■ At least half an acre of fairly level land ■ Safe access and egress from the site; a Certified Site Officer will assess this for you but they base it on approximately 100 meters of clear view in either direction. It doesn’t matter if you have a narrow or single track lane either, provided there is good visibility and enough passing places. The facilities you will need to provide before a certificate is issued are: ■ A drinking water tap ■ A rinsing water tap (for swilling out toilet cassettes) ■ Dry waste disposal – something as simple as a bin that can be emptied regularly ■ Chemical Disposal Point (CDP)

Certificate of Lawfulness of Existing Use or Development (CLEUD) If you have already erected temporary structures without planning permission, you can seek a Certificate of Lawfulness of Existing Use or Development (CLUED) under s191 of the 1990 Act. After four years (for ‘operational development’) and 10 years (for ‘material changes of use’) a CLEUD must be granted automatically, even if the activity was not legal. In some cases this may be a better startingpoint than a planning application, which the LPA of course has discretion to refuse. The application of this rule to temporary structures can be uncertain, but the CLA is aware of cases in which CLEUDs have confirmed the legitimacy of temporary structures and uses over a wide area of land. For more information on these issues consult the CLA: www.cla.org.uk

The Country Land and Business Association (CLA) is the membership organisation for owners of land, property and businesses in rural England and Wales. They speak for everyone who believes in a living and working countryside. Founded in 1907 to promote and protect the interests of owners of agricultural and rural land, today our membership encompasses the full diversity of land owning, business and professional interests. The association has 33,000 members who own and manage 50 percent of the land in England and Wales.

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