PRESS RELEASE

FROM SAFARI LODGE TO PASTRY KITCHEN: SHEPHERD HUTS MAKE THEIR

MARK IN THE HOTEL AND HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY

Blackdown Shepherd Huts have seen a recent rise in demand for their bespoke shepherd huts from hotels and those in the hospitality trade for a range of purposes. From honeymoon suites to extra guest bedrooms, catering outlets, intimate dining rooms, spas, and treatments rooms, and even safari lodges, the shepherd hut is fast becoming the new add on for hotel and catering opportunities.

Inspired by the traditional shepherd's huts of yesteryear, Blackdown Shepherd Huts, based in Ilminster in Somerset, are creating their Heritage, Turnkey, and Towby Huts with the hospitality industry in mind.

Will Vickery, who owns Blackdown says: ‘Shepherd huts are a great opportunity for hotels to use the flexibility of the space presented. The magic thing about shepherd huts is that they have the benefit of offering hotels an additional and unusual space which offers so many uses and investment opportunities, with a potential opportunity for an increased room rate.

‘Additionally, it's wonderful to see so much passion for something that is so quintessentially British and traditional being used in the hotel industry for modern day use.'

Much in demand, the Blackdown Shepherd Huts are making their mark in the overseas hotel trade, having been shipped this year to Africa. Four self-build Turnkey huts are currently being constructed as accommodation for visitors at Samaritan Island Lodge in Kenya.

Owner of the lodge, Ross Withey, explains what they will be used for: ‘The huts will be rented out to guests passing through Nanyuki who need a fun stopover to stay in.  The environment here varies greatly.  Even in Kenya alone we have everything from montane forest with lots of rain to desert and large dry savanna areas, and the great thing about the shepherd huts is that the termites won't bother us since they are off the ground.

‘The benefits to our business of purchasing Blackdown Shepherd Huts are many.  The huts are unique and stylish, and they are mobile, which is great for us since some of the land we are on at the moment is rented.  This means we have a moveable asset which makes good sense.  I like the fact that the huts are quite high off the ground - this is great for the views.  With a big deck on the front we will have a really fun space for our visitors.'

Back in the UK, Washingborough Hall, a country house hotel in Lincoln, was impressed with high quality of the shepherd huts crafted by Blackdown when they began searching for an exclusive pastry kitchen for the hotel. Edward Herring, managing director, explains: ‘A shepherd's hut worked perfectly for us as a hotel with a busy kitchen. We wanted to create a pastry kitchen and because the Blackdown shepherd's hut is on wheels it didn't need planning permission and could be in situ as soon as it was built. We also have the flexibility to move it around the grounds for events.

‘A shepherd hut is 100% fit for purpose for our business catering needs. It's well built and makes an amazing additional work space. Sue, our Pastry Chef simply loves being in it, away from the hustle and bustle of the main kitchen.'

Blackdown Shepherd Huts was established in 2011 and is based in Ilminster, Somerset. Self build huts start from £5,250 for steel rolling chassis and frameworkand hand-crafted bespoke huts start from £18,650 inc. VAT.

Will Vickery started Blackdown Shepherd Huts (www.blackdownshepherdhuts.co.uk) In order to create an innovative product. Will has designed as luxury living spaces that include uses as glamping huts, bedrooms, bathrooms, kitchens, offices and saunas. 

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For more information, additional images, or an interview, please contactclaire@garfunkelcommunications.co.uk