A farmer who started a glamping business just before the pandemic has seen a sharp rise in enquiries for eco-friendly stays in the Staffordshire countryside.
Tabitha Cartmail launched Copper Beech Glamping at Knightley House Farm, near Woodseaves, Stafford, just before the covid-19 outbreak in 2020.
For the last two years, Tabitha has been running the site along with her husband Steve. It is open all year round and boasts three self-contained units comprising a shepherd's hut and two wooden lodges.
Now, thanks to a brand new website that has been funded by Staffordshire County Council's Get Started scheme, Tabitha has relaunched the business and has seen an influx of new enquiries from customers.
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Tabitha said: "It's quite nerve-wracking to change careers, particularly if you've been used to a steady income. However, I've always wanted to do something for myself and I've always been an outdoor person so my hope was that it would be something that would tie in with what I was interested in.
"We got the practical side of the business up-and-running on and off during covid, but I felt that I needed a bit more support on the business side of it. Working for yourself and running your own business can be quite lonely in that you spend a lot of time working on your own.
"I saw some information for the Get Started scheme and thought I'd look into it."
Tabitha added: "I was particularly interested in the marketing package because it's not something that I have any experience in. We had a few chats and they came up with a bespoke package for our needs which looked at what we already had and how to improve them."
Anyone thinking of setting up their own business in Staffordshire - or has a business less than two years old - can apply to Get Started to get the confidence, professional accountancy or marketing support they need to set up or grow.
The scheme is funded by the UK Government's UK Community Renewal Fund and has already supported over 200 businesses to take the next step.
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Philip White, Staffordshire County Council's deputy leader and cabinet member for economy and skills, said: "The number of business start-ups in Staffordshire doubled through the pandemic and we know that small companies grow faster here than other places in the UK, in part thanks to schemes like this.
"Many people really want to start up their own business but lack the skills, confidence and knowledge to make it happen. This is how the Get Started scheme makes a difference. We look forward to seeing Tabitha and Steve's business grow and thrive."
