Wigwam company intent on growth following funding deal

Rear: Chris Rodrigues and Amit Sonpal (Barclays). Front: Steve and Clare Small (Wigwam Holidays Charnwood Forest)

A Leicestershire couple who set up a wigwam holiday business less than twelve months ago, are looking at plans to expand the business.

Steve and Clare Small set up Wigwam® Holidays Charnwood Forest (a franchise of Wigwam® Holidays) in October 2018.

Using the paddock and land belonging to their home in the Charnwood Forest, the couple bought six deluxe wigwam style log cabins with support from Barclays.

The business offers glamping style holidays. Interest in the business has been encouraging and the couple are now looking to add additional cabins including facilities geared to people with disabilities as well as some sheltered dining areas.

Director Steve Small said: “Our aim was always to create a business that would work with our land and provide an income for our family.

“Early interest in the site has been incredible and we are now looking at ways in which we can grow the site in response to the requests we are receiving.

“The environment is important to us and we have tried to develop a site that sits comfortably within its natural surroundings owing to the materials we have used. The cabins we offer are carbon neutral, we do not use concrete in our bases and we use recycled materials wherever possible.”

A few years ago the couple took part in the National Forest Planting scheme which saw them plant approximately 700 native trees and 550 hedging plants which helped to model the site prior to the arrival of the Wigwam® cabins. Among these were Oak, Birch, Rowan, Field Maple, Sweet Chestnut, Hazel, Dog Rose, Crab Apple and Holy.

Funding for the initial phase of the business was provided by Barclays. Chris Rodrigues, relationship manager at Barclays in Leicestershire said: “I think Steve and Clare should be very proud of what they have achieved in a short space of time. It’s been a labour of love and has involved the entire family in preparing the site and getting it to the high standard it is today. I wish them all the best for their future business success.”

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