Month: January 2016

Holiday Snaps: Alan House Holiday Resort Unity

Posted on January 18, 2016

Holiday Snaps: Alan House Holiday Resort Unity

alanhouseAlan House is the director and general manager at Holiday Resort Unity (HRU), a family-owned business located in Brean Somerset. First opened in 1948, the park is now one of the largest holiday parks in the region and incorporates the facilities of Holiday Resort Unity, Brean Leisure Park and Golden Sands Holiday Park.

How was 2015 for Holiday Resort Unity?

2015 was a positive season for us across all areas of the business. Caravan holiday homes in particular were very successful, and spending in our bars and restaurants was around 10 per cent up on the previous year.

How is 2016 shaping up?

Advance bookings look strong; I put this down to the reinvestment in the park and facilities, the economy and the unfortunate unstable international situation we find ourselves in at the moment.

What are the main challenges facing the holiday park industry at the moment?

Customers are starting to tell the industry how much they want to pay as opposed to us saying how much we will charge. Taking children out of school and the implementation of the living wage in 2016 are also key issues at the moment.

If you had to identify one element, what is the most crucial aspect to the success of HRU?

Reinvestment to the business based on guest feedback. Last year we invested £2.2million on expanding our pool complex to include an indoor splash zone and we built Brean Play - a large modern indoor soft play centre which has proved really popular. On top of this we have replaced 35 hire fleet caravans, refurbished areas and started on a new caravan and lodge development.

What does a typical day in the office for you consist of?

Getting a good overview of the operational status of the business then everything to do with operating a busy holiday centre. I like to oversee all our major supplier deals at the beginning of the season.

What is the best piece of business advice you have been given and by whom?

“Take a risk, but listen to your gut” – Sir Stuart Rose.

Where do you go on holiday?

As many places as possible! I do love Australia though.

Tell us a joke…

A guy got a job at a bar in Spain, during his first shift the other staff kept tapping him on the backside, he said what type of bar is this? A Tapas bar…

Last word?

I like to network with other holiday park owners and if anybody would like to come and have a look around, I would be more than happy to show them.

Triple Treat For Cumbria Tourers

Posted on January 13, 2016

Triple Treat For Cumbria Tourers

Castlerigg (pictured) is one of three lakes to offer new breaks.

Castlerigg (pictured) is one of three lakes to offer new breaks.

Three of Cumbria’s most celebrated lakes are shortly to be joined up for the benefit of campervan owners seeking a totally immersive holiday experience.
Ullswater, Derwentwater and Windermere are all combined in a three night lake-lovers break which has been created by a trio of multi-award winning parks; The Quiet Site, Park Cliffe and Castlerigg.
For just £60.00 all-in, guests will be able to awake each morning to different views of spectacular lake and mountain scenery made world famous by poets and artists.
The deal, say the parks, will not just save money but also ensure that holidaymakers get the most from their short breaks by enjoying the best seats in the house.
The three independent parks hope that their lake lovers’ dream tour will meet with the same success as another initiative they launched two years ago for cyclists.
Called Pod ‘n’ Pedal the break provides camping pod accommodation for one night on each park as guests follow a 70-mile route on mainly quite country lanes through the Lake District.

Spotlight On International Business

Posted on January 13, 2016

Spotlight On International Business

A leading UK distributor of battery operated children’s rides to the holiday park sector has been selected by Barclays Bank to spearhead its latest marketing campaign to encourage more businesses to use international banking facilities for currency trading and transactions.

North East-based World of Rides has been selected to represent international business, as part of a Barclays Bank marketing campaign.

North East-based World of Rides has been selected to represent
international business, as part of a Barclays Bank marketing campaign.

As long-time importers and exporters, North East-based World of Rides have been trading through Barclays Bank for more than five decades and as a result they were a natural choice for the bank to use to represent a successful international business.
World of Rides’ general manager David Robinson commented: “We have remained loyal to Barclays for over 50 years and we are delighted to be part of the international marketing campaign.”
An interview with David features on Barclays’ radio adverts, which are being broadcast nationally on Classic FM, LBC and Gold and Barclays will also be adding a section about World of Rides to its website.

Technology At The Forefront Of Play

Posted on January 13, 2016

Technology At The Forefront Of Play

Wicksteed Playgrounds has made significant investments this year; in its manufacturing centre, through new technology and increasing skilled personnel.

Picture: Wicksteed Playgrounds.

Wicksteed Playgrounds, a leading supplier of playground equipment to the holiday park sector has recently expanded its range of products, following significant investment in its manufacturing centre.

The UK play company has invested £105,000 on improvements, with the introduction of an additional state-of-the-art paint shop. Using the latest technology, Wicksteed is now able to offer its customers even greater choice of colour schemes and quality of finish on all its outdoor play and fitness equipment.

The company has also invested in a state-of-the-art 3D printer and added to its diverse team, having welcomed five new skilled personnel.

Park Owners Urged To Be Electric Ready

Posted on January 13, 2016

Park Owners Urged To Be Electric Ready

Figures show that within the next five years there will be over 7.5million EVs on the world’s roads.

Figures show that within the next five years there will be over 7.5million EVs on the world’s roads.

A specialist manufacturer of electric vehicle (EV) charging points has issued an alert for caravan park owners to be prepared, following a surge in the popularity of EVs and Plug-in Hybrids (PHEVs).
Rolec Services issued the alert after the UK experienced dramatic increases in sales of EVs throughout 2014 and 2015 - matching a global pattern.
Nathan Black, Rolec’s PR & marketing manager, commented: “This monumental increase is set to continue at a rapid rate.
“Figures show that within the next five years there will be over 7.5million EVs on the world’s roads. This clearly illustrates the resources that people will be putting in and we are also getting lots of visitors to the UK looking for nearby places to charge their vehicles.”
Sales of EVs at the end of 2015 are expected to have quadrupled 2014 sales figures, leading to larger quantities of EV drivers on the UK’s roads, many of which will be visiting leisure sites around the country and will require a charging point to replenish their vehicle’s battery.
Award-winning Rolec provides the widest range of electric vehicle charging points in Europe and has manufactured and supplied over 30,000 charging points throughout the UK in the past two years.

Bake Off Raises Vital Funds

Posted on January 13, 2016

Bake Off Raises Vital Funds

The team at Silver Sands Park reaped the rewards of their coffee and cake event in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support.

The team at Silver Sands Park reaped the rewards of their coffee and cake event in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support.

Staff and customers at a Lossiemouth holiday park raised £2,575 for Macmillan Cancer Support after hosting a coffee and cakes morning.
Team members from Silver Sands served up food and drinks for more than 75 guests, with extra funds being raised by holiday home owner Sandy Geddes who was sponsored for shaving off his beard, and entertainments manager Jamie Hadingham who had his legs, arms and chest waxed.
The cakes were baked by holiday-home owners from Silver Sands, who tapped into their inner Mary Berry’s to deliver a mouth-watering menu of sweets for the charity event.
Rebecca Grant, general manager at Silver Sands said: “We are delighted that so many people took part, both in bringing cakes and then dipping into their purses to raise so much for the Macmillan nurses.
“Having a natter over coffee and sweet treats is the perfect way to raise money for charity. Thank you to everyone who got involved.”

 

New Center Parcs Village Plans Underway

Posted on January 10, 2016
Center Parcs has submitted a planning application for a new holiday Village in Ireland.

Center Parcs has submitted a planning application for a new holiday Village in Ireland.

New Center Parcs Village Plans Underway

Less than two years after the hugely successful opening of its fifth Village, Woburn Forest in Bedfordshire, Center Parcs has submitted a formal planning application for a new Village in Ireland. The company plans to develop a 395 acre site in Newcastle Wood, County Longford, into what will be their sixth Village and first venture outside of the UK. The development, named ‘Center Parcs Longford Forest’, will be ideally positioned in the heart of Ireland, with excellent transport links for families from both north and south of the border. The planning application outlines the transformative impact that the project could have on both County Longford and the national economy, including adding €1 billion to Ireland’s GDP over a 20 year period and creating approximately 750 jobs during construction and a further 1,000 permanent roles once operational. Subject to receiving satisfactory planning permission, Center Parcs Longford Forest could open to guests in 2019. The new site will incorporate 470 lodges and 30 apartments nestled into the natural surroundings, more than 100 indoor and outdoor family activities, an Aqua Sana Spa, a range of restaurants, shops and cafés and the iconic Subtropical Swimming Paradise.

£50 Million Investment Plan For Haven

Posted on January 6, 2016

£50 Million Investment Plan For Haven

£10 million will be ploughed into improvements at Thornwick Bay Holiday Park near Bridlington

£10 million will be ploughed into improvements at Thornwick Bay Holiday Park near Bridlington

Haven is investing over £50 million back in to its holiday parks this year, ready for the start of the season.
The developments include new swimming pools, restaurants, landscaping and pitch developments alongside new accommodation, all being built ready for the parks opening in March.

The swimming pools at Haggerston Castle, Craig Tara, Burnham-OnSea, Riviere Sands and Primrose Valley sites will all be upgraded for 2016.

Meanwhile the bar and restaurant areas at Berwick Holiday Park, Reighton Sands and Kiln Park will be refurbished to a high standard.

There will also be an array of caravan pitch developments coming for 2016, at Blue Dolphin, Caister-on-Sea, Craig Tara, Devon Cliffs, Far Grange, Haggerston Castle, Lakeland, Perran Sands, Rockley Park and Seton Sands. The largest of these developments will be at Primrose Valley, which will receive 40 new pitches.

Low Cost Short Breaks For British Troops

Posted on January 6, 2016

Low Cost Short Breaks For British Troops

Trustees for the Give Us Time charity include Lady Kitty Spencer, pictured here with two British service personnel.

Trustees for the Give Us Time charity include Lady Kitty Spencer, pictured
here with two British service personnel.

A national charity is appealing to holiday park owners to help British troops by donating holiday accommodation during the low season.
Give Us Time helps British military personnel and their families by providing holidays for those in need of rest and rehabilitation.
The charity connects service families with hotels, resorts, holiday cottage owners and timeshare properties that, during low seasons, have empty rooms or accommodation to fill.
A spokesperson for the charity explains: “Family is the support system around a soldier’s rehabilitation, however, re-adjusting to family life while dealing with the triumphs and traumas of an operational tour can be extremely difficult, even more so with physical or psychological damage.
“The scheme is a low cost way of caring for military personnel by nurturing this essential family time with week-long holidays on neutral territory, away from the barracks and comrades, just pure family bonding. The effect this can have on the family cohesion and marriage on these families has been invaluable.”
Give Us Time has over 1,000 soldiers registered to its database, who are in need of rest, rehabilitation and reconnection with their families.
The charity currently already works with several holiday companies, such as Center Parcs in the UK, which donate low-season holidays to the British troops.
For more information, visit www.giveustime.org.uk

Park Owner Awarded Living Wage Accolade

Posted on January 6, 2016

Park Owner Awarded Living Wage Acolade

Park owner Patrick Langmaid, has been chosen as the winner of the Living Wage Leadership Award 2015 for the South West region.

Park owner Patrick Langmaid, has been chosen as the winner of the Living Wage Leadership Award 2015 for the South West region.

Keen campaigner for the living wage, Patrick Langmaid, has been chosen as the winner of the Living Wage Leadership Award 2015 for the South West region.
The Cornish businessman was the Living Wage Foundation SW overall champion and in addition, Patrick’s Mother Ivey’s Bay Holiday Park in Padstow was also declared the winner of the Living Wage Employer Champion Award in the South West.
Award judges highlighted the tireless campaigning for the living wage which Patrick has carried out both within and without the tourism industry, and the fine example set by his business.
Patrick has already argued the case for the living wage on television and in the Press, and he says he now intends to use the publicity from his two awards to help spread awareness even more widely: “For many businesses, including mine, the living wage does represent an additional cost, but I believe there are also tangible savings to be made from managing a happy workforce.
“I know from our experience that a firm’s long-term interests are often best served by looking beyond the immediate impact of salaries on the balance sheet.
“Productivity, loyalty and staff retention are just two important factors which can translate into an overall cost benefit for the business,” he added.