A TENBURY businessman is bringing people into the town and the Teme Valley after a busy season at his holiday site near the town.

But creating a holiday resort in the heart of the countryside where Shropshire, Herefordshire and Worcestershire meet is just part of the story for Paddy Brennan.

The Bluestone site at Bleathwood is set in 19 acres of countryside and serves as both a holiday resort and training centre for young people as well as the home of Tenbury Boxing Club.

A luxury club room with a bar and restaurant has been opened after an investment of £500,000 and the facility has linked up with European coffee company Lavazza.

“In the morning I may be teaching young people bricklaying skills, at lunch-time I will be making coffee and in the evening serving in the club room with campers,” said Paddy.

The club room is also being increasingly used for community activities and is also available for bookings for wedding, parties and other activities.

There are currently eight glamping pods on the site with plans for caravans in the future.

“We are bringing people into Tenbury and the Teme Valley and they are boosting the local economy by spending money in local shops, restaurants and other businesses,” said Paddy.

“It has been a busy season and we were busy over the weekend of the Ludlow Food Festival.”

Glamping is an increasingly popular holiday option in which people stay in a specially made pod. It has some similarities to camping but is done in a small wooden chalet with heaters and insulated against the cold.

The Bluestone site has been the home for the Tenbury Boxing Club for several years and is open to people ranging from those who want to box competitively to people who just want a way of getting fit and healthy.

There are also physiotherapy treatments and facilities to help people with disabilities.

One of the most important features of the site is vocational training especially aimed at young people who find it difficult to fit into a traditional school situation.

Young people aged between 13 and 16 years are offered a range of training opportunities and come to Bluestone for periods of 10 weeks at a time.

The training includes trades like bricklaying, plastering, plumbing and carpentry. But there is also a chance to learn softer skills such as customer service and coffee making.

“Coffee shops are a growth industry in the UK and there is a shortage of people who can make real coffee,” said Paddy Brennan.

“Making a great cup of coffee is not as easy as people think and I have learned the skill and it is a real skill.

“The training for the young people is important and so are the holiday facilities but I also want the site to be part of the community because there is nothing quite like this in the area.”