Rural Small Buildings Grant Case Study: Castlerigg Camping & Caravan Site

Background to business and property

Castlerigg Farm has been providing camping facilities since the 1920s, and Doris Harrison came into the business in 1997 following the sudden death of her husband’s uncle. The site had a toilet and cold tap when Doris joined the family business, and since then she has developed a shop, modern shower and laundry facilities.

A decision by the new owners of the local pub to provide a vegetarian only menu threatened to affect the business, as regular users said they would be looking for a site nearer the town’s facilities, as they wanted a wider choice of menu. Doris was also looking for a way to expand the family business to provide full-time employment for her daughter. She saw an opportunity to expand and secure the business by creating a café for campers in a disused barn on site.

Contact with CREA

In June 2007, Doris contacted CREA Planning Adviser, Andrew Willison-Holt. She had already received advice through the CREA Rural Planning Facilitation Service on the feasibility of developing the building. The overall objective was to secure a suitable, sympathetic and viable reuse of the former agricultural buildings.

By the end of August, 2007 Doris had made a complete application to the Rural Small Building Scheme to convert the building into a restaurant including outside seating for an additional 20 covers. The total eligible costs were almost £240 000.

Impact of the RSBS Grant and broader benefits

The objectives of Doris’s plans were:
• To create work space and job opportunities
• To develop a new area of the campsite business
• To re-use a redundant building

“As soon as we received notification of the grant we called in the builders to secure and weatherproof the roof. The builders started a week after the go ahead, all the traders were primed, ready to go. We have used local builders and trades people to ensure the development had a positive impact on the local economy from the start. Builder, Kenny Hebson, joiners, Stanleys, electrician, Barry Cockton and plumbers, Oswalds are all from the Keswick area.”
Doris Harrison

The CREA grant enabled Doris to create a high specification kitchen that can produce a wider range menu and she has been able to develop an upper level dining area as well as the ground level and outdoor area.

“The grant enabled us to complete the work by March 7, 2008, the start of the new season. Without the grant, we would have had to wait until next year at the earliest. We have created two fulltime and two part-time jobs – with the possibility of creating a further two part-time seasonal jobs. We have also provided accommodation for the fulltime staff. It has made it possible for my daughter, Emma who was born and bred here, to live and work here.”
Doris Harrison

Upon completion, the Harrisons’ project has created a two-level restaurant covering 70 square metres indoors and an additional 30 square metres outdoors. It has also created a lower level, which can be developed into a camping barn in the future. The project has created two full-time and two part-time jobs and an additional two part-time jobs in the high season.

In addition, chef, Jamie Robinson’s decision only to use local produce has seen visitors asking to buy local sausage and bacon, which is now stocked in the site shop along with other local produce. The project has also reduced the traffic to and from the area as campers are using the onsite café rather than driving into town for breakfast and lunch.

Next steps

Doris is now looking at developing the lower ground floor of the building into a camping barn, which could create more jobs.

Through the café, the Harrisons are planning to develop a takeaway service for campers during summer 2008.