Here at Oakham Nub News, we love getting to know local business owners and helping to give their business a boost with our Oakham Up Close features.

This week, we had the pleasure of speaking to Crispin Trigg, Director of Wooden Leisure Limited, about his hugely popular local business, Wooden Leisure.   

Wooden Leisure is a Camping pod manufacturing and carpentry company in Oakham, Rutland, and with many more people choosing the staycation option over travelling abroad and working from home since Covid, business is booming. 

However, the journey was not all plain sailing, the business coming to fruition as the result of an unexpected accident that took place in 2012.

Image credit: Wooden Leisure.

Crispin Trigg explained: "I had established a successful career in building and carpentry at a young age, until in 2012 I suffered a badly broken leg following a fall down just 2 steps on a night out. They say nights out should be memorable, right? 

"A metal plate was put in my leg, but soon after I began to feel very unwell. This wasn't recognised by doctors who sent me home with painkillers. As it turned out, I had very good reason for concern as it had become very badly infected, so much so there was discussion of amputation and blood transfusion." 

Thankfully, Crispin was whisked to Leicester Royal where the team managed to save his leg and, while his previous business was forced to close, he hung on to his career. 

Crispin added: "During the hazy months ahead, there was a lot of time to sit and dwell, but also to use the time to think of what could be possible for the future. I considered many options, taking into consideration there were no promises of a full recovery.  

"One of those ideas was trying out importing camping pods and log fired hot tubs to sell on. It worked well for a short period, but being a carpenter, it was very obvious they were substandard products and that there could be a market for some pods of a much greater quality. 

"Fast forward (I wish it felt like that) from the break 3.5 years later, starting in my home workshop, I got to work on some templates for a pod design of my own. I even made a scaled down dog pod for a kennel for my own Labradors, Bella & Chestnut. 

Trials and errors later, I was satisfied with the quality and craftsmanship and Wooden Leisure Limited was born!"

Image credit: Wooden Leisure.

In the 7 years since their conception, Wooden Leisure have been shipping camping pods across the UK. This means that the team have travelled far and wide, from Cornwall to the Isle of Skye, fitting their bespoke designs, all for the love of camping!  

Image credit: Wooden Leisure.

Crispin said: "They provide a great luxury escape option for those who also want to experience the outdoors and nature, with the comfort and warmth of home." 

The pods can be made to almost any size, starting from 2.6m x 3.0m to very large pods. Each build is designed with your individual needs in mind, the team working to accommodate the ideas and practical needs of each customer to create the perfect and unique living or working space. 

They can be delivered as an empty shell, ready for your next big home project, or fully furnished with a kitchen and bathroom, as well as sleeping and living areas. 

Image credit: Wooden Leisure.

Crispin added: "We've made pods for holiday sites, home offices, beauty treatments, therapy for disabled users and even a dog pod that is a grooming parlour business. Their multiple uses continue to surprise us with each order and it's great to see and hear the feedback once they're up and running." 

Cripsin Trigg also thanked his team for their hard work, adding: "We have got a growing team of fantastic carpenters and work in close connection to local qualified plumbers and electricians to complete the builds before delivery or during installation.  We also have a new apprentice joining us this year, our second apprentice. It's great to be able to offer learning opportunities to aspiring tradespeople too."

The team couldn't do it without their favourite local café, Fillings Road Café on Oakham's Pillings Road: "We'd love to give a shout out to Pillings Road Café, who are a local friendly face and provide a great breakfast to keep our energy levels up."

Crispin and his family are supports of a range of local businesses and restaurants, Crispin himself having lived in the area since he was born. 

He concluded: "Rutland has some of the best eating and drinking establishments and we're fortunate to have some great business owners in the area too. Word of mouth spreads fast here, which can provide some great opportunities for anyone wanting to start a new business. You won't have to look hard for encouraging people, willing you to do well, as I had around me when setting up Wooden Leisure." 

If anyone would like to keep up to date with the Wooden Leisure team, you can give them a follow on Facebook.

Alternatively, contact the lads for a chat about pods and find out what they could do for you or your business online.

The team are currently offering 10% off all orders coming in within a 20 mile radius, so there has never been a better time to seek a bit of Wooden Leisure.  

Want to share your own business in a FREE Up Close feature? 

Get in touch by emailing [email protected] to enquire.