An entrepreneur who won investment on the BBC TV show, Dragon’s Den, is realising his glamping dream with support from geodome manufacturer, TruDomes.
Derry Green, owner of Secret Garden Glamping in Skelmersdale, Northwest England, successfully pitched his business to five multi-millionaire investors on an episode of the latest series which aired in January. The Dragons were impressed by the story of Derry’s original glamping site in Skelmersdale which has a 100 per cent occupancy since opening during lockdown in 2020. Derry will be using the £100,000 secured on the show to expand his business with the launch of further sites across the UK.
The multi-award winning glamping site is nestled in four acres of woodland with idyllic views in the heart of Lancashire. The site includes nine units, each with their own look and feel, including a geodome supplied by TruDomes with a range of bespoke features in keeping with Secret Garden’s five-star glamping concept.
TruDomes Vice President, Louise Stone, said:
“We watched Derry’s appearance on Dragon’s Den when he talked about building a campsite with his children during lockdown and accidentally creating an amazingly successful business. His story is so inspiring, and he moved some of the Dragons to tears. TruDomes are proud to be part of Derry’s story at the original Secret Garden site. Derry stated on the show that he wants to make Secret Garden Glamping the go-to brand for luxury camping in the UK and abroad. He certainly has the drive and vision to achieve it.”
Derry opted for a 7m dome with a porch and skylight, curtains and insulation in vanilla, and a textured Woodland cover in keeping with the natural aesthetic of the site. The dome also features TruDomes’ popular Star Sleeper platform, a raised sleeping space for two people, with the company's Cyprus Pod en-suite fitted underneath the beds. TruDomes supplied a range of upgrades and accessories including a TV stand and solar fan.
TruDomes Customer Success Manager, Leanne Seivewright, said:
“Derry has done a fantastic job with the dome, completely in keeping with his overall vision at Secret Garden, and it demonstrates the stunning results which can be achieved with the space available. The new sites will mirror the design of the original site, so it’s exciting to know that many more geodomes will be on the glamping map as part of this exceptional new brand.”
Operating from a headquarters and factory in Nuneaton, Central England, TruDomes supplies bespoke geodomes on a global basis. Established as one of the UK’s leading names in glamping accommodation, the company has expanded throughout continental Europe and launched a Utah-based North American operation in 2022. Last year, TruDomes established a new sales network in East Asia with the launch of a distribution partnership with Glamping Japan Co., Ltd. The company’s all-season geodesic domes are renowned for their sustainability-led design and market-leading manufacturing quality, including frames made from aircraft-grade aluminium.
Find out more about TruDomes on their member profile page here
Member-created content 9 months ago | From members