Considering a glamping business to diversify your farm?
Diminishing basic payment schemes means that many farmers will be looking for alternative income streams and the installation of a glamping business to a farm may be something for clients to consider.
The rural tourism sector significantly contributes to the rural economy and many farmers are looking to diversify their smallholdings. Previously we have seen traditional farm buildings being converted into office accommodation or holiday letting cottages but now the new option is to set up a glamping business.
The staycation and the countryside getaway are still in high demand, many clients are considering adding holiday accommodation to their farm but do not want the capital outlay of refurbishing traditional stone barns. Glamping units offer a cheaper and quicker solution and are seen as a more profitable business opportunity.
The idea of a farm stay and getting away to the country is popular, especially with young families and anyone looking for pet friendly stays. Being flexible and accommodating pre-school children and dogs will open the holiday letting units to a wider market and maximise income.
Getting started with ‘Glamping’ diversification
Any new business venture needs careful planning and an idea of future income potential. How much you will earn from the glamping units is the most important question and companies like Unique Hideaways and Helpful Holidays are keen holiday letting agency companies that can provide information to help with any income projections before you turn a spade and start to invest.
To get a feel of options and ideas, there are a number of shows around the country, such as ‘The Glamping Show’, held each September at Stoney Park, Warwickshire, with seminars and advice on securing planning consent and opportunities to purchase glamping units. The Farm Innovation Show at the NEC Birmingham 2024 held in early November is worth a visit to gain a better understanding of the glamping industry.
Many farmers shy away from diversifying the family farm business, but to maximise its income potential may have to consider different options. Environmental payment schemes and installing renewable energy needs to be considered to run alongside the traditional farming to diversify income streams in the modern farming age. The key with gaining planning consent is to make sure that the planning application for a glamping site is seen as a farm diversification project, so not to be seen in isolation from the farm business.
The layout of the glamping business is important to give a high degree of privacy between the holiday accommodation and decide what type of units fits into the farm and the surrounding environment. Different glamping options such as safari tents, pods, lodges or yurts, each have their advantages and disadvantages. Facilities such as fire pits, barbeques and hot tubs need to be considered to attract customers, along with good quality fixtures and fittings, smart TVs and Wi-Fi connection.
Many clients are attracted to renewable energy to supply the glamping business accommodation to keep utility bills to a minimum, being energy efficient is paramount, to keep running costs to a minimum. Heating with air source heat pumps, LED lighting, good insulation and even underfloor heating powered by solar panels is a good idea. Battery storage from solar panels is becoming more popular plus installing EV charging points is going to be an important factor to build into any project to futureproof any development. Farmers with substantial land holdings may consider putting aside 40-50 acres of farmland for a solar park and use some of the energy to supply the holiday letting business.
Carter Jonas specialises in the sale of rural leisure businesses including campsites, caravan sites, glamping businesses, holiday cottage complexes, lodge parks and holiday villages and these self-catering businesses make an ideal home with income for families.
Carter Jonas have an established department in Taunton specialising in the rural leisure sector with over 20 years of experience and have a proven track record for the sale of businesses of this type and also carry out valuations for taxation (inheritance tax or capital gains), secured lending, or for financial planning and have a national network of 33 offices across the country offering local, regional and national coverage to clients.
