Wiltshire dome maker joins Made in Britain
A Warminster company whose glamping and dining domes have been used by Ruby Wax, Julianne Moore and the Dalai Lama has joined Made in Britain.
Unidome, which handmakes domes in Wiltshire, is one of the latest manufacturers to join the membership organisation, which represents more than 2,250 UK manufacturers.
Founded by James Towner Coston, Unidome builds structures for festivals, campsites, bars and restaurants across the UK and overseas. Working with a team of four from a farm near Warminster, the business produces up to 35 handmade domes each year.
Made in Britain membership requires manufacturers to meet standards relating to quality, sustainability and social responsibility, while also demonstrating that products carrying the trademark are genuinely made in the UK.
James said, “No man is an island, but we do live on one, so we need to support each other. We joined Made in Britain because it’s good to be part of a community and because it proves that we handmake our domes in Britain.
“Getting Made in Britain membership is like someone giving you a little step up and saying ‘we see what you’re doing and we support you’ – it’s good for the soul, because we all need to help each other.
“We’ve had some extraordinary brands that have made Britain stand out in the world, and there’s magic in making things ourselves, making things for our own community and supporting our community as we do it. Of course, we’re very happy to share the love with the rest of the world too.”
Born in South Africa to British parents, James took inspiration from the temporary domed homes, or kraal, used by Zulu communities and built his first Unidomes 14 years ago.
Since then, the company’s domes have been erected at locations including the Eden Project, Battersea Power Station and Glastonbury Festival, as well as campsites in France, Portugal and the USA.
Made in Britain, founded in 2011, is a not-for-profit trade organisation that aims to support British manufacturing and help members grow their businesses.
Chief Executive John Pearce said, “Britain is a nation of innovators, creators, problem-solvers and manufacturers. A country that combines heritage with ambition, craftsmanship with technology, and tradition with world-leading innovation.
“From advanced engineering to clean energy solutions and handcrafted glamping domes, what distinguishes British businesses is not simply what they make, but how they make it and it’s only right that they should be recognised for that.
“The Made in Britain trademark is a badge of honour that helps shoppers to quickly spot a product they should be proud to support. It’s also a community of makers, from low to high tech, big or small, but all outstanding and all pulling in the same direction.”
Unidome has also introduced a new business model aimed at helping landowners diversify into glamping and camping ventures.
The first partnership has been established with Edwards Farm in Shaftesbury, which has received a number of Unidomes in return for sharing profits generated from their use. James hopes the model will help more landowners develop similar businesses, with another Dorset campsite set to join the scheme.
Looking ahead, Unidome plans to quadruple the size of its workshop, more than double its workforce, move towards self-sufficiency through solar power and launch a modular growing systems venture called WeGrow.
James added, “I always like people to operate within the bounds of good manners. I want to have a conscious business, not just a business. I want to do right by the community, and that’s why I’m proud to have joined Made in Britain.”
For more information, visit www.unidome.co.uk or www.madeinbritain.org.
