Teepee business takes market by storm

A SUCCESSFUL York business, which describes itself as the UK’s largest teepee supplier and has worked with the likes of Jamie Oliver and Glastonbury festival, has its sights set on further growth as it continues to secure new contracts.

PapaKåta was launched in 2006 when founders Richard and Amanda Monaghan struggled to find a wedding venue. The couple decided to buy a tent to host their wedding and the business grew from there.

Today, the company employs a team of 30, which doubles in peak season to 60, and takes its tents to the likes of Download Festival and to major car launches, as well as securing a chunk of the weddings market.

The business has worked on over 900 events since its launch and is confident that the addition of a new partnership with US outdoors venue specialists, Sperry Tents, will bring huge opportunity for further growth.

Sperry by PapaKåta is set to launch in spring, bringing one of the leading occasion tents in the US to the UK market for the first time.

Mr Monaghan said: “In an increasingly competitive marketplace, it was important for us to expand our brand in a way that not only enhances our offering, but also complements our existing teepee collection. We are really excited about the opportunities this will bring to the business.”

Mr Monaghan said that when he launched the firm with his now wife, Amanda, they were unsure how the business would turn out.

“It started up as a bit of laugh, we bought one tent and used it for our wedding. But we did 12 events in that year and it grew from there. At first we didn’t know I fit would be a success but now, we host up to 300 events annually.

“The key to success for us is that we really enjoy what we do. We are really grateful to have a business dealing with happy clients.

“We are keeping our eyes on the trends and we will be growing the business. We are driven by demand, and that is out there.”

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