Month: September 2018

On-Site Charging

Posted on September 5, 2018

charging on siteOn-Site Charging

Holiday park group Bridge Leisure has completed a project to add electric car charging points at eight holiday parks across the UK. The company, which owns parks and provides professional management and consultancy for the industry, teamed up with Lincolnshire-based electrical distribution systems specialist Caravan Park Electrical to install the charging points in time for the summer season. Parks that benefited from the development are Trevella Park, Seaview Holiday Village and Hengar Manor in Cornwall; Hedley Wood in Devon; Ashbourne Heights in the Peak District; Sand le Mere on the Yorkshire coast; Turnberry Park in Ayrshire and Silver Sands in Moray. Simon Williams, Bridge Leisure commercial director says: “The future of driving is electric, so having our own charging points will help us provide a better holiday experience of our electric-car driving customers. “We are already seeing high use of the charging points, particularly at our Peak District and Cornwall parks, so there is clearly demand for this kind of facility.”

Five Star Short Break Holidays

Posted on September 5, 2018

Five Star Short Break Holidays

five star short break holidaysLeading luxury holiday home company Park Leisure has introduced five-star short breaks and longer stays as it embarks on its next phase of expansion. The announcement follows an increase in guest demand for first-class, luxury escapes  closer to home and sees the premium holiday home company welcome holiday makers looking for a little rest and relaxation in a Lodge or Caravan holiday home at three of its parks:
• Brynteg Coastal & Country Retreat,North Wales
• Par Sands Coastal Holiday Park, Cornwall
• Pentire Coastal Holiday Park, Cornwall

Park Leisure has also introduced five-star glamping at its Littondale Country & Leisure Park, in the Yorkshire Dales, this summer, with a range of serviced luxury safari tents and mega pods – stylishly simple wooden huts,for those looking to sleep under the stars. Speaking on the announcement, CEO of Park Leisure Miles Dewhurst said: “With more people looking to holiday in the UK than ever before the demand for luxury short stays and longer breaks has never been greater. Combining first-class facilities and services in some of the UK’s most stunning locations,we’re perfectly placed to respond to the demand and are delighted to provide guests with the opportunity to enjoy five-star holidays closer to home.”

Wellness Support Act At Welsh Park

Posted on September 5, 2018

wellness act at welsh parkWellness Support Act At Welsh Park

Talacre Beach Holiday Home Park, in Prestatyn, is an award winning seaside holiday park with an on-site swimming pool and leisure facilities.
When upgrading their sauna and steam rooms, they turned to Preston’s Crystal Leisure. Crystal Leisure recommended Golden Coast’s sauna and steam room due to the high quality, good looks, and ease of installation. The initial stage of the project was done over two days, with taking down the current facilities, isolating the electrics, and retiling the floor. For the new setup to be installed took around a week, including fitting a new steam generator and sauna control.

Hotel Unveiled

Posted on September 5, 2018

Hotel Unveiled

hotel unveiled

Leading holiday park operator Argyll Holidays has announced the completion of its brand-new Drimsynie Estate Hotel. Located in the award-winning Drimsynie Estate Holiday Village overlooking Loch Goil in the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park, the multi-million pound investment officially opens its doors to guests at the end of September. A total of £6.5million has been invested in the new hotel by Argyll Holidays. The company, still run by the Campbell family who set it up in 1967, opened its first holiday park on the site just over 50 years ago and the new development doubles the size of the existing hotel.

 

 

Compulsory Risk Assessment Warning

Posted on September 5, 2018

Compulsory Risk Assessment Warning

compulsory risk assessment warning

Taking steps to keeping your water systems safe should be done in line with a Legionella risk assessment. It’s not just advisory; if you are an employer or in control of premises, you are responsible for understanding the health risks of Legionella. Failure to risk-assess water systems for Legionella is punishable by fine and a prison sentence. More often than not, when outbreaks occur, there is a serious risk to human health often resulting in fatalities.

STAGNANT WATER

The seasonality of holiday parks, caravanning sites and summer camps mean they are typically used less frequently throughout winter months. Because of these quieter periods, stored and stagnant water can become a breeding ground for Legionella bacteria, especially when temperatures start to rise. Shower blocks, laundry rooms, swimming pools and spa pools, therefore, all require risk assessing and adequate servicing to ensure any risk of Legionella is managed and mitigated. The risk of Legionella extends to any hot and cold water system and cooling tower as well as irrigation systems and interactive water features in public spaces which – in warmer weather – attracts the public. Guidance on the legislation around interactive water features can be found here.

HOTTER MONTHS

Ground maintenance in public spaces, parks and grounds also require careful consideration. Like any other water accessory, dispenser or system, hose pipes can store stagnant water and therefore Legionella bacteria has the potential to grow. When next used, these hose pipes have the potential to release the airborne bacteria in tiny water droplets for inhalation, posing a risk to the user and anyone nearby. With hotter weather often seeing an increased risk of Legionella proliferation, there are a number of precautions to take to ensure that you minimise the risk of cases of Legionnaires’ disease, ensuring that you are compliant with HSE’s ACoP L8. Ensuring staff are appropriately trained in Legionella awareness, risk assessment and their responsibilities can support in effective Legionella management and control. Not only that, suitable and sufficient training of all staff involved in Legionella risk management is a key requirement of the regulations. No matter what the season, you can read more about who is responsible for managing your water systems here. If you require support in managing Legionella, conducting your Legionella risk assessments or want general advice on what to do, please seek advice.

Socotec
Tel. 0845 603 2112
www.socotec.co.uk

Park Acquisition Trail

Posted on September 5, 2018

park aquisition trailPark Acquisition Trail

The famous Somerset tourist attraction Wookey Hole Caves has expanded its business with the purchase of its second caravan park. Wookey Hole Ltd has bought Homestead Caravan Park in Wells – a residential park with campsite and holiday lodges. The move comes just over a year after Wookey Hole bought Bucklegrove Holiday Park in the Cheddar Valley – a seven acre mixed holiday park. The site has been extensively upgraded and business has doubled since Wookey Hole bought the site. Wookey Hole is a popular tourist attraction with over 20 attractions, including the famous caves, a 4D cinema, circus shows and a mirror maze. The business also runs a 58 bed hotel and 10 lodges at its Wookey Hole site. Stephens Scown LLP advised Wookey Hole Ltd on the six figure deal and funding came from Handelsbanken

Wookey Hole Ltd
Tel.01749 672243 
www.wookeyhotel.co.uk

Holiday Habits Revealed

Posted on September 5, 2018

Holiday Habits Revealed

holiday habits revealed

New survey data reveals the truth behind the nation’s holiday habits, and exposes exactly just how and what we’re spending on those all-important holidays. When it comes to holidays, the people of the UK certainly aren’t holding back on their spending. Ocean Florida’s data reveals that 16% of people in the UK are splurging between £3,000 and £10,000 on their summer getaway. It’s not just money, but time that people are willing to give as just under a third of holiday makers (31%) are opting to go on holiday, not once, but twice a year. Those with children are actually far more likely to take multiple holidays a year, with 34% of families taking two holidays a year, as opposed to only 28% of households without children. Millennials were also taking less holidays each year compared to families with kids, as only 32% stated they take two holidays a year. So, although it may be thought that millennials have more disposable income and time, it’s not always being spent on holidays. When it comes to spending money on holiday accessories, such as clothes, it’s those without children who are spending more. A third (30%) of respondents without kids spent between £101 and £250, compared to only a quarter of those with children.

For more information please visit www.ocean-florida.co.uk

Camping On NHS Prescription

Posted on September 5, 2018

Camping On NHS Prescription

camping on nhs prescription

The managing director of a multi award-winning caravan dealership believes doctors should be prescribing camping and caravanning as an alternative to medication for stress related conditions. Mark Bebb from Shrewsbury-based Salop Leisure has welcomed a pledge by Government’s new Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Matt Hancock, o reduce people’s reliance on ‘unsophisticated drugs’. The comments came after it was revealed that 7.3 million people in the UK were given antidepressant drugs last year and 70,000 of them were children. Mr Hancock plans to give GPs alternatives and pledged to expand schemes to treat patients with mental health problems through social activities. “Evidence has shown the potential benefits of approaches like social prescribing, which addresses people’s physical and mental wellbeing and has been shown to both improve patients’ quality of life and reduce pressure on other NHS services.”

PATIENT REFERRALS

Social prescribing, which aims to improve people’s overall health and wellbeing rather than medicating a single condition, entails referring patients to community activities, volunteering, arts groups, gardening and cooking classes. Now Mr Bebb wants camping and caravanning added to the list, as he believes that both have been proven to possess therapeutic benefits. Salop Leisure has developed its Love2Stay caravanning and glamping resort in Shrewsbury to be “at one with nature” and to instil a feeling of well-being and tranquillity in visitors.

Experts have said that medicine is being used  a first resort too often in mental health care and doctors must explore more options before handing out pills. One in six adults took antidepressants last year, according to NHS figures, which is 500,000 more than in 2015. Previous research has suggested that that while nearly two thirds (57%) of non-campers are stressed or anxious on an average day, just a third of campers (35%) are stressed out.

Camping On NHS 2HAPPY CAMPERS

A study by outdoor holiday specialists Camping in the Forest found that campers (77%) are much more satisfied with their quality of life than noncampers (59%), while research by the Camping and Caravanning Club discovered that 93% of campers say camping can make you happier. Bob Hill, from Camping in the Forest, said: “With the advent of technology in all aspects of our personal and professional lives, the reality is that it can be very difficult for people to switch off. Unfortunately, this can make life very stressful as we need time out to relax, rejuvenate and just be.”
Researchers at the University of Essex found that nine out of 10 patients suffering from depression felt ‘higher self-esteem’ after a walk through a park. Almost three-quarters reported feeling less depressed and the researchers found that people recovered faster from illnesses through an ‘immunising’ effect that protected them from future stresses. Ecotherapy is the name given to a wide range of treatment programmes which aim to improve mental and physical wellbeing through doing outdoor activities in nature.

 

Brexit Bonus For UK Holiday Sector

Posted on September 5, 2018

Brexit Bonus For UK Holiday Sector

brexit bonus for uk holiday sector

A record number of Britons are choosing to take their holidays in this country, early reports on 2018 trends suggest. The Brexit decision fall-out, implicit in the the falling value of the pound, means holiday makers are being turned off the stress and strain associated with overseas trips. A survey published last month suggested that more than four out of five Britons would rather stay at home than suffer the stresses of traveling abroad. At the same time, they are being lured to stay closer to home by the extended spell of sizzling summer weather. Research, by Barclays, has found that more than a third of Britons will have taken holidays closer to home this year, with 21 per cent using this as their main holiday. Rural areas are expected to benefit most, with southwest England attracting 30 per cent of holidaymakers and Scotland drawing 22 per cent. This growing trend for staycations has led to a nine per cent rise in revenue at Britain’s biggest holiday parks, according to research by the lender Ortus Secured Finance. Turnover at the 100 largest operators reached £2.7 billion last year, up from £2.46 billion in 2012. “Caravan, camping and holiday parks are going from strength to strength,” Jon Salisbury, OSF’s managing director, told The Times.

TRAVEL STRESS

Parkdean Resorts, which was the UK’s largest holiday park operator, was sold to Onex, a Canadian private equity company, for £1.35 billion in December. Rivals, Park Leisure 2000, was sold for £103 million to a consortium led by Midlothian Capital Partners in February, and Intermediate Capital bought Park Holidays for £362 million last year. A rise in overseas visitors and the growing popularity of staycations have helped boost UK tourism. Inbound tourism to Britain is also booming, with foreign tourists attracted by the weak pound. According to Visit Britain, inbound flight bookings for April to September surged by 21 per cent compared with the same period last year. Patricia Yates, strategy and communications director of Visit Britain, said that there was “particularly strong demand from our long-haul, high-spending markets, China and the US”. However, foreign visitors prefer city breaks, with 67 per cent visiting only London while in the UK. About 30 million British citizens holiday in other EU countries every year, accounting for 76 per cent of the outbound travel market. However, John Lennon of Glasgow Caledonian University has forecast that the costs of flying, travel insurance and mobile data usage could soar after Britain leaves the EU. A legal framework for flights after Brexit has yet to be agreed and airlines warned that with more than 60 agreements to be renegotiated, planes could be grounded until a deal is reached.