Business

Camping with style sees firm expand

ROSTREVOR firm East Coast Adventure is expanding after a cash injection from the Northern Ireland Small Business Loan Fund.

The outdoor pursuits company will add six self-catering camping pods to its offering in a move that will also see three jobs created.

The business was founded in 1991 as a one-man operation hiring canoes on the beach in Warrenpoint.

The firm headed up by Mark, Ian and Jennifer Cumming now employs 30 people and provides an outdoor education programme, leisure pursuits and corporate team-building activities from five locations around Carlingford Lough.

It has grown over the past five years to include a water-based activity centre, a mountain bike centre with the only uplift service in Northern Ireland, a golf driving range and Bunkhouse accommodation in the Knockbarragh Valley just outside Rostrevor.

Managing director Mark Cumming said: "The concept of camping has evolved over the last number of years with the emergence of glamping and these pod facilities, which bring a little bit of luxury to camping, have become very popular across the world.

"The pods contain a table and seating area that can sleep up to four people, with one of the pods being converted into a toilet and shower facility.

"There is also an external camp kitchen and BBQ area for people to prepare meals.

"Our camping pods have proven very successful and we're already looking to expand their offering."

Harry McDaid, chief executive of Ulster Community Investment which administers the fund said: "The business once again demonstrates that far-sighted and competent management can deliver best in class performance across a wide range of sectors from our relatively small geographic base here in Northern Ireland."

* PLY-POD: Harry McDaid, chief executive of UCI with Mark and Ian Cummings who are launching their new camping pods at East Coast Adventures