Hello from Podpads
We would not claim to have invented ‘Glamping’, but we were certainly there at the birth of it almost a decade ago. It all started for Podpads at Glastonbury back in 2004, when the first few Podpads appeared and their story is well documented on the Podpads website. We now provide the most sought after ‘glamping’ accommodation at all the major festivals and events in the UK. Some 50,000 people have stayed in Podpad units since they first appeared in 2005.
‘Podpadding’ is well established amongst festival goers and the Podpadders return year after year. These same Podpadders also tell us that they would welcome the opportunity to stay in Podpad units on their favourite campsites and are always asking why we aren’t by now supplying the more preferred Camping and Glamping sites around the UK.
We listened and went back to the drawing board to ensure everything was right for the Camping fields and for you – the campsite owner. We made some minor modifications and we are now at long last offering chosen campsites to become a part of the ‘podpadding’ movement. We know that many thousands more will also become Podpadders now that we are introducing them to the mainstream world of Camping and Glamping sites.
Without realising it, we had created an unofficial ‘Podpadders Club’ of loyal Podpadders who simply enjoy Podpadding, they value the added comfort and the unique ‘cottage’ feel of a Podpad unit. So part of our expansion into mainstream Camping and Glamping is to make this unofficial club an official one, which will be about 5000 strong by the end of this year. This will be an active club and there will be much more about this over the coming months. The Campsite owner, who buys the basic Podpads package will significantly benefit by having high earning/big spending, Glamping enthusiasts wanting to stay at a Campsite with Podpad units already set up and available. There will also be ‘early bird’ incentives for the campsites who are the early adopters of Podpad units.
Why do so many people want to stay in Podpads?
Well, they are unique and have stood the test of time. They have a wonderful ‘Cottage’ feel and can be painted to perfectly blend in with their environment. But what also sets them apart from any other so called Camping Pod (funny how they all look like upturned boats), is their ‘flat pack’, ease of assembly and break down origin. They were designed to allow a Podpads village consisting of many hundreds of units to be built, literally overnight, at festivals, then ‘flat packed’ again and transported to the next festival. They are easier to put up and take down than a lot of tents. However, they are strong, weatherproof, very snug and secure lockable units
The Podpad unit therefore gives the Campsite owner a lot of advantages over anything that may be considered comparable; they can be moved around a campsite according to demand, (the small Podpad unit takes two adults around 15 minutes to put up and dismantle). They are very easy to store, in fact, we can provide a storage service through the winter months as well.
There is a rapid return on investment for the Campsite owner who takes on Podpads, it is worth noting that:
• They are incredibly low maintenance (we are still using the original Podpads used at Glastonbury 2005).
• Many high income Podpadders will be attracted to the Camping/Glamping site that has Podpads available.
• We expect tens of thousands of people to join the Podpads Club each year
• We will be selective as to which campsites can become a ‘Podpads certified site’
• Those sites that become Podpads certified will be featured on the Podpads website which has over 10,000 hits a week and growing.
To help you quickly evaluate your Rate of Return on Investment, we have even prepared an interactive spreadsheet that is available on request. This clearly illustrates that the complete Podpads package will show an immediate return in your first season and ongoing substantial annual returns for the Campsite owner over the next few years. Look after your unit and, you will get up to 10 years’ service or, there will be a second hand value after say five years.
Here is some more detail on each of the individual units:
The Podpad
The Podpad was the very first product to be made by Podpads and it has changed very little over the years (perfection is hard to improve upon). It has been forever present at all the festivals where Podpads have appeared. It has an almost iconic status amongst the many thousands of festival goers who have stayed in them.
We have made minor tweaks to make it even more appealing to the discerning Camper. Once assembled, it is incredibly secure, robust and snug. It is easy to pack up and ‘flat pack’ away when not required.
The Podpad measures 8’ x 6’ x 5.2’ at the apex and is suitable for two people in single beds, or in one double bed. It can be used as a camping pod on its own and easily moved around the campsite if required. It is also ideal for a family of four when used alongside the Luxpad.
The basic unit can be supplied without a base, to stand on a flat prepared surface, although many accessories can be ordered, including:
• Wooden floor with end caps
• Front patio decking 6’x4’
• 240v Electricity, including – 16 amp outside hook-up plug, built in MCB and thirty meters of outdoor cabling
• Flooring – vinyl to suit
• Flooring – coir mat to fit
• Lockable front door
• Secure windows that can be opened
• Knockdown single beds including mattress
• Knockdown double bed including mattress
The Luxpad
The Luxpad is 10’x 8’x 7’ high and is the bigger brother to the Podpad. It is available in two versions, either as the standard Luxpad or, as the new ‘4 Season’ fully insulated unit. Each model is built to exactly the same specification, excepting the 25mm all-round insulation on the new ‘4 Season’ Luxpad. Both units can be assembled by three adults in less than 45 minutes, so again they are easy to move around a campsite.
It is assembled without the need for any tools and put together by wood sliding into wood (our unique tab and slot system), using just two bolts and finger-tight wing nuts, to secure the roof and complete the build. The Luxpad is solid and very secure. It is no easier to break into than the average house.
We went through a process of careful planning and design, to craft the Luxpad into the perfect product for the Campsite. The fully insulated option has insulation on the ceiling, floor, walls and door. It also includes lockable and opening aluminium framed double-glazed windows. Both options include electricity, lighting and heating if desired. Many other accessories, furniture and patio decking are available and are listed below.
The ‘cottage’ non ‘mass produced’ feel of the Luxpad is further enhanced by it being able to be painted in almost any colour of your choice to suit the setting (we are happy to recommend the best paints to use). We can either paint it for you in one of our standard colour schemes, or we can send it to you treated with undercoat, but unpainted on top. So the limit of one’s imagination is the only hurdle to having the perfect Luxpad colour scheme, allowing it to perfectly blend in with its surroundings.
The Luxpad is aesthetically pleasing, it has a traditional feel that blends in with its surroundings, enhancing the appeal of your campsite. Both versions of the Luxpad are available in two different types of wood, outdoor grade Birch Ply or TRICOYA, the latter of which has the benefit of a 50 years guarantee.
Detailed below are the accessories that can be ordered for your Luxpad:
• Front patio decking 10’x4’
• Side patio decking 10’x2’
• 240v Electricity, including – 16 amp outside hook-up plug and 30mts of outdoor cabling
• 10amp MCB board, including - 2 double sockets and 2 light connectors
• All fitted and cables hidden in RHF side wall
• Flooring – Vinyl or Coir matting
• Knockdown single beds including foam mattress
• Double knockdown bed including foam mattress
And finally -
The Bell Tent from Podpads
A few years ago we added Bell Tents to our festival sites. This provided a bit of variety and a cheaper option for a few Podpadders at festivals. It is true to say that all Bell Tents have a shelf life that is shorter than the Podpad and Luxpad but, we have sourced the finest tents we could find.
We finally bought our Bell Tents from a company called Canvas and Cast (which also incorporated Belltent.biz). The tents were of excellent quality and lasted well. We had probably seen and reviewed the tents from every Bell Tent supplier in the UK and none were as good a quality as those from Canvas and Cast.
Then in 2013, the opportunity came for Podpads to buy the Canvas & Cast business.
We then went back right through the manufacturing process to try and improve things where we could, but there was very little to improve upon.
So we have now re-launched the tents and are selling them through our site at www.belltent.biz where there is a lot more information about our tents.
CONCLUSION:
So we all agree that there is a growing demand for ‘glamping’ or ‘posh camping’ in the UK today. Pre-built accommodation units have appeal. We have a regular client base who love the product and who have friends who also love the product but, perhaps don’t share the love for the muddy festival fields? The ‘Podpads’ Club’ will be up & running with 5000 members by summer 2015 and these are committed ‘podpadders’.
As a campsite owner, this gives you the opportunity to offer something new(yet proven) and to become an early member of a growing Club. It offers you great Return on Investment and, trust us to show you that interactive spreadsheet. It offers you flexibility and individuality as you can decorate and specify the accommodation to your wishes.
Take a tour around our website – www.podpads.com and discover more and then, email us at sales@podpads.com or call us on +44 (0) 7975 633 078+44 (0) 7975 633 078 and we would welcome the opportunity to discuss your requirements and answer any questions you may have.
We can also arrange to meet in order that we can show you the units in more detail.
CallSend SMSAdd to SkypeYou'll need Skype CreditFree via Skype
“Staff at arrival were excellent, brought us to our tent, helped with bags, you wouldn't get that service in a hotel Tea and coffee was great, the whole set up was perfect!!”
“Didn't not want the hassle of our own tent. Wanted to share washing facilities with hundreds, not thousands”
“It was amazing having a hairdryer, much appreciated!”
“Extra comfort and loved not having to pitch a tent on my own as a lone parent.!”
“Travelling by train so didn't want to carry own tent and mattresses.”
“We chose Podpads to give us more of a enjoyable experience without the hassle of tents etc, plus the fact toilets and showers were separate to the majority of other festival goers.”