The GBOF Story
Co-Owners Tony and Kate Cox and how it all began in 2016
Radcliffe-on-Trent (Nottinghamshire, England) residents Tony (from Florida, USA) and Kate (from Nottingham, England) had just completed their garden project and were looking to finish it off with a stylish fire pit. After trying, and failing, to find something which was both good value for money and a well-made, durable product, they started to wonder if they couldn’t do better themselves.
Husband and wife team
With Tony’s engineering degree from the US Naval Academy and BA (Business Analyst) background and Kate’s successful graphic design business, they’d often thought of working together and combining their engineering/design skills. Their sons had grown up and it felt like time to reassess their life priorities. After extensive planning and research, they took the plunge and launched Great British Outdoor Fires in November 2016.
Made in Great Britain
Their vision was to produce British-made, steel fire pits and candle holders with personalised side panels. These fire pits could provide a highly personal focal point for outdoor life with family and friends, creating memories that would last a lifetime. They designed and incorporated a ‘no mess’ pull-out ash pan and slide-down, mesh spark guards.
They were also determined that their handmade products would be made from the very best quality British materials and built to last. Disappointed by the flimsy, poor quality, cheap fire pits available in DIY shops, they chose to manufacture using very solid 5mm thick steel panels. The resulting heavy-duty fire pits are guaranteed for ten years, but will likely last for generations.
Into production, orders, RHS flower shows and Christmas markets
Renting a barn unit on the outskirts of Radcliffe, they bought equipment, made some prototypes and the GBOF fire pits were born. The business rapidly took off and they were soon working on orders as well as showcasing their products at the RHS Flower Shows, the Radcliffe Village Show, Radcliffe Food and Gift Festival and Belvoir Castle Christmas Market. If you’d like further information or would like to order a fire pit or candle holder please contact us via your preferred method below. We look forward to hearing from you.
Theo Paphitis SBS (Small Business Sunday) Award
In 2019, Great British Outdoor Fires won an SBS Business Award and Theo Paphitis presented us with our business certificate in February 2020. This has enabled us to network with lots of other small, British businesses and we are very proud of our accomplishments thus far.
Licensed, steel, sports merchandise
In 2021 Great British Outdoor Fires signed a Commercial License with English Premier League Football Club Nottingham Forest, based just 5 miles from their business premises. As well as a very exciting move, this was also expanding the product range in addition to just making fire pits. As with the fire pits, all products are made from strong steel, only this time it was stainless steel instead of mild steel. A range of bottle openers, keyrings, wall shields and drink coasters followed and proved to be very popular. A second license, this time with Mansfield Town Football Club (also based in Nottinghamshire) was signed. Finally, the world famous Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club agreed to stock merchandise products in their Trent Bridge club shop. These licenses allow GBOF to produce unique, quality mementos, 100% designed and made in Nottingham, with money back to the clubs from every sale.
2024 and onwards
Great British Outdoor Fires continues to grow, with a newly acquired License to make and sell Nottingham Outlaw Triathlon products and even more custom-made gifts. Please get in touch with Tony or Kate Cox, if you have any questions, need further information, would like a merchandise sample pack or would like to offer us a License for your products to add to our range.