COUNTY business Burgoynes is launching a new arm of its century-old enterprise with a fifth-generation member of the family taking over the reins.

After a 50-year stint with the marquee company, which dates back to 1909, Peter Burgoyne, aged 75, has decided to take a step back.

This weekend new boss, 28-year-old Jim Burgoyne, who heads up Burgoynes’ Marquees, will be in charge of the business’s 21st milestone wedding fayre in Lyonshall.

The enterprise has come a long way since it was started by W.H. Burgoyne in the early 1900s. He developed a vision after his eldest son, Robert, returned home having slept under canvas during his First World War service.

Though the wedding fayre is one of the biggest events of its type in the county, with the original six exhibitors now expanded to 40, the company will not be resting on its laurels.

Aware of growing competition in the marquee business, the company is keen to press its reputation for traditional canvas marquees which are still made on the premises.

“Everyone can buy off the shelf aluminium structured marquees, but we’re pushing the traditional ones because that’s what we’re good at,” said Peter.

While Jim promises no “radical changes” in running the marquee company, he has his sights set on repeating some of the traditions from the business’ past.

“I love hearing about back in the day when we covered Brands Hatch and Silverstone.

I’d love to build the brand up again,” he said.

During school holidays, Jim, like his second cousin Peter, worked on the tenting teams.

“I wanted to come back into the business,” said Jim, who spent four years on a graduate scheme with Peugeot in Coventry after university.

“It’s always been my dream.”