A Skelmersdale-based glamping company is encouraging the North West’s outstanding startups to stand up and be recognised as a national awards programme nears its closing date.
The Secret Garden Glamping was founded by Derry Green in March 2020, inspired by an amateur home project only ever intended to cure boredom and entertain his children during lockdown.
A viral online video later, Derry’s lockdown project turned business venture has become the most viewed, most booked and most followed glamping site in the UK with nearly half a million followers online and fully booked for the next two years in advance. Last year, the firm’s success was recognised as it was named the 2022 Tourism and Leisure StartUp of the Year for the North West at the StartUp Awards National Series.
Since winning the award, The Secret Garden Glamping has seen its turnover double, secured planning permission for a further five units, taking it up to 13 in total, and Derry is leading a 15-strong team of staff.
The National StartUp Awards was created in collaboration with the team behind the Great British Entrepreneur Awards, one of the most successful awards programmes in the UK. The StartUp Awards are running for the second year after launching in 2022.
Founder of The Secret Garden Glamping Derry said: “We applied for the StartUp Awards because, although we knew we had a thriving business, we wanted to test it against the other fantastic businesses in the country and see where we really stood within the area.
“Winning this prestigious award was honestly one of the most amazing accomplishments I’ve ever made. Going back to the start of the pandemic, I would’ve never believed we could be at this point. It’s focused the whole team of staff and has proved to our audience that we are worthy of the status we’ve achieved.
“I would definitely urge other entrepreneurs to step up and be counted for the work they are doing. The application process alone was hugely valuable in pointing out what we are doing really well and what we need to focus on going forward, let alone the opportunities further down the line to connect with other outstanding companies in our area and be recognised on a regional and national stage.”
Professor Dylan Jones-Evans OBE, founder of the StartUp Awards, said: “I’m proud to be launching the National StartUp Awards for the second year and supporting young businesses in the North West. Last year’s cohort of winners demonstrated the innovative and dynamic nature of the startup scene across the North West so I have no doubt that there are many more phenomenal new firms out there who deserve to be recognised for their enterprise, innovation and sheer hard work..
“The first few years of being in business can be the most challenging and crucial of them all – this is why I am passionate about highlighting the success of as many new businesses as I can by offering a platform on which they can reach new customers and to create the all-important opportunity for them to celebrate their achievements to date..
“I would urge any new business based in the North West, no matter what size, turnover or industry, to put themselves forward for the chance to get the recognition they deserve.”
Applications for the National StartUp Awards 2023 close on Friday 17th February. To enter for free, visit startup.awardsplatform.com.
ENDS
For more information or to arrange an interview, you can contact Samantha Dix at [email protected] or 07429 487 554, or Simon Collins at [email protected] or call 07894 151 206.
