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Diversification As the Diversification Partner of
Deepdale Farms, Jason designed, implemented and ran a range of
diversification projects. He has also been involved with projects for other estates
including Holkham and Sandringham.
Jason's main background is in
tourism, specifically in identifying the untapped markets. He
has long involvement with Norfolk Tourism, the East of England Tourist
Board, VisitBritain and other tourism organisations.
Some of the key areas that Earthly Ideas can help with are
Initial conception of ideas, Planning applications, Architect management and
Design problem solving.
Earthly Ideas can also offer advice and
help on diversification grant applications. With successful
applications to both EEDA and DEFRA for Deepdale Farms, Jason can help you avoid
some of the pit falls.
Deepdale Backpackers
and Camping
Eco-friendly backpackers hostel and campsite on the
north Norfolk coast
www.deepdalefarm.co.uk
Deepdale
Farm has been farming for 4 generations, until now each generation has
doubled the farm. However as farming has entered a period of turmoil,
Jason took the decision not to double the farm, instead to invest in other
sides of the business and make use of the disused farm barns and paddocks
creating a backpackers hostel and campsite. To knit these facilities together Jason created a tourist
information centre. The backpacker market wasn't a
market recognised in the East of England, however from Jason's experience of
the industry overseas and the many countries he's visited with his backpack
he knew Deepdale was a backpacker destination in the making. The
facilities now accommodate over 20,000 bed nights a year. For this
project, Jason made successful grant applications to the Rural
Enterprise Scheme and to EEDA. In 2007 planning
permission was received to expand the size of the
campsite all year round, allowing what were the overflow fields to be
open all year like the rest of the campsite. The facilities now
accommodate 30,000 bed nights a year. |
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"Deepdale Backpackers is chilled, superb to take a
moment between blasts. Great to escape the smog of the big city."
- Extreme Sports Channel |
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Dalegate Market
Retail site on the north Norfolk coast
www.deepdalefarm.co.uk/garage
The redevelopment of a run down petrol station in the heart of a north
Norfolk coastal village. Now a very busy retail site including a
petrol station, supermarket, café,
retail stores, rural workshops and flats. Tenants include Fat
Face Clothing, Fine and Country Estate Agents and Costcutter.
There is now a waiting list for units. Jason
was the key designer of the site, supplying architects with the vision
to draw from, dealing with planners, day to day project changes and
problem solving. Jason also dealt with the negotiations with
tenants and carrys out the marketing, which has including a wide range
of press articles. |
Deepdale Jazz Festival / Deepdale Food and Drink Festival
www.deepdalefoodanddrink.co.uk
To put Deepdale on the map and fill out of season beds, Jason devised and ran the Deepdale Jazz Festival
that became the Deepdale Food and Drink Festival. Both events
were designed to draw in a new type of customer and to fill the
campsite and hostel at Deepdale Farm at a traditionally out of season
time of year.
Thousands of new customers were attracted to Deepdale
because of the events, many returning at other times of the year.
The press interest for both events was excellent and these drew people
into the Deepdale Farm website, which in turn promoted the other
facilities of Deepdale.
Jason was able to use these skills to put together his
wedding, where 200 guests enjoyed circus acts, dodgem rides and a
ceilidh. |
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Clippesby Hall
Lodges, Cottages & Family Touring and Camping Park
www.clippesby.com
The team at Clippesby wanted to green up the site, look
at practicable ways to reduce the rubbish produced and install green
technologies to both reduce their carbon footprint and their utility
bills.
Jason was able to introduce them to a number of technical
companies who are working on installations, but also look at relatively
simple changes to procedures, which have brought about savings and waste
reduction.
"Your enthusiasm is very infectious"
- John, Clippesby Hall |
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Films and Events
Like all farms, Deepdale has space. Through the
website and other marketing techniques, Jason encouraging the space to
be used between crops. Films like James Bond - 'Die Another Day'
were filmed on the farm and events, including weddings and corporate
events, were held at Marsh Barn, the venue for the Deepdale Jazz
Festival.
All these events promoted Deepdale further, giving
extra press coverage and further enhancing the reputation of Deepdale
Farm as a progressive, flexible business. |
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