Rugeley farm's camping site helps boost local economy

David and Lea Spencer have transformed their hay growing fields at Four Oaks Farm in Rugeley into a pop-up family campsite which is situated near the Cannock Chase Forest Centre at Birches Valley.

The Chase Camping 32-acre site is set in a scenic location and David Spencer said the pop-up campsite experience was something completely different.

He said: "Pop-up campsites are something completely different as they give people the chance to stay in a totally unique location for just 4 weeks a year.

"They also give farmers a chance to diversify and share their often very scenic locations with families who often would never have known the site even existed."

David said that local businesses had benefitted from the campsite, with many reporting increased business.

He said: "Visitors hired their mountain bikes from the Cannock Chase Cycles centre and got their takeaways delivered from restaurants on the Rugeley horsefair.

"They also went out for pub meals in the Wolsey arms and the Stag’s leap and they bought their camping goods from Chase Outdoors.

"We ran a local produce shop from reception championing local farming, and invited Cannock based Pizza Al Forno to operate their famous pizzeria on site each weekend."

David said that, in a four-week period, there had been more than £200,000 spent into the local economy and said the reception from the local area had been very positive.

He said: "We have been really encouraged with support from locals who are delighted to see a new enterprise in the area.

"When you do something different it can take a little while for people to judge you fairly.

"We’ve been really spurred on by the messages and words of support from local residents, councillors and the emergency services, some of whom have brought their families to stay on site."

The site will be open until September 1 at Chase Camping, Four Oaks Farm, Penkridge Bank Road, Rugeley, with more information available at chasecamping.co.uk