CLIENT
The Trustees of Pylewell Park Estate
CLIENT INDUSTRY
Rural Estate with Weddings and Events enterprise
SERVICES PROVIDED
Feasibility Study, Business Plan and Ongoing consultancy support
LOCATION
Hampshire – New Forest
DIVISION INVOLVED
REP/Tourism, Leisure and Events
DATE
2015 - current
CHALLENGE
In 2015 the trustees instructed us to produce a detailed tourism, leisure and events options appraisal for a privately owned historic house and estate situated in a highly populated tourism area on the edge of the New Forest National Park and overlooking the Solent and Isle of Wight. The house was in fairly poor decorative order and costly to maintain. Although a small number of commercial events are hosted in the grounds during the summer months, the income does not cover the substantial running costs.
SOLUTION
As part of our initial options appraisal we recommended investment in a new semi-permanent marquee to host wedding receptions and other events as well as refurbishment of ten guest bedrooms in the house for associated overnight accommodation.
We produced a detailed buisness plan and 10-year cashflow and worked with the Estate’s advisors to secure planning permission and bring the new events offer to market. This included help with the recruitment of a new Events and Marketing Coordintaor to develop the business.
RESULTS
A Board of Directors wa sformed to drive the business and report to the Trustees and Simon Foster (Savills Director) was appointed to the Board.
The weddings and events business was launched in 2017 and has rapidly grown into a highly successful enterprise, winning a number of national and local industry awards. We continue to advise the events team at Pylewell Park Events Ltd on a retained basis as the business continues to evolve and grow, now attarcting an increasing number of corporate and outdoor events in addition.