A LUXURY ‘glamping’ business in Mitcheldean received a visit from local MP Mark Harper to celebrate tourism in the Forest of Dean last week.

The Conservative MP visited a number of tourism businesses in the district to mark English Tourism Week, which took place from May 22-31.

One of the first businesses he visited was The Roost in Mitcheldean, which consists of two glamping cabins set in 2.5 acres of meadow within a Special Area of Conservation.

Mr Harper described the business as a “champion” of sustainability, with all food waste composted, kitchen essentials locally sourced and an electric car charging point on site to minimise the impact on the environment.

The adults only, dog-friendly glamping site, which is owned by Lorraine Robinson, recently won Gold in the South West England Tourism Excellence Awards for Best New Tourism Business.

Speaking after his visit, Mr Harper spoke of the importance of tourism in the Forest and said he hopes to see the sector make a full recovery as soon as possible after a difficult year of restrictions.

“I know just how vital tourism is to the Forest of Dean and I want to see the sector make a full return as soon and as safely as possible so that those who rely on it can get fully back to work”, he said.

“Covid has made things incredibly tough for this sector.

“As their local MP, I have been working very hard to have their back throughout this crisis.

“In the Forest, I have been holding regular virtual meetings with local tourism businesses large and small, getting their feedback on how effective the financial support packages were.

“In Westminster, I have been personally pushing for support for this sector with Ministers right up to the Chancellor, Rishi Sunak, who stepped up and delivered through his Budgets.

“As well as the furlough and self-employed grant schemes, the hospitality, leisure and tourism sector has also received dedicated support through grants and VAT cuts as they were particularly vulnerable through lockdowns.”

The Roost opened in December 2019 but was forced to close its doors just 12 weeks later due to the pandemic.

Before its recent Gold win in the South West England Tourism awards, the cabins had already achieved two other Gold grading awards from Quality in Tourism and Green Tourism.

The business has also previously been rated as one of the top 15 ‘Great Cabin Getaways’ in the UK by The Sunday Telegraph.