£960 Million Parks Merger Deal

Posted on November 13, 2015

£960 Million Parks Merger Deal

The proposed merger of Park Resorts with Parkdean Holidays will create the UK’s largest holiday park operator.

A planned merger between Park Resorts and Parkdean Holidays would create the UK’s largest holiday park operator with 73 holiday parks with an enterprise value of £960m, turnover of £370m and EBITDA of around £92m. The combined portfolio would serve 1.8 million customers including 22,200 caravan owners and 35,400 pitches. With Parkdean’s strength in the South West and Scotland, and Park Resort’s sites predominately located on the East Coast and the Northwest, including the Lake District, the merger combines diverse portfolios to create a business with UK wide, national coverage. If given the go ahead by the Financial Conduct Authority, John Waterworth, the current chief executive of Newcastle-based park operator Parkdean Holidays is to remain in the top role. Both head offices in Newcastle and Hemel Hempstead will be retained. Alan Parker, chairman of Park Resorts, said: “The Park Resorts Group and Parkdean Holidays are an outstanding strategic fit with highly complementary estates and revenue mixes. “I am greatly looking forward to working with the teams to deliver further growth.”

Parkdean Ltd
Telephone: 0191 256 0795
www.parkdean.com

Park Resorts
Telephone: 0843 561 1239
www.park-resorts.com

Family Friendly Holiday Park

Posted on October 7, 2015

Family Friendly Holiday Park

Hendra Holiday Park has been awarded gold for family holidays.

Hendra Holiday Park has received a gold award on being accredited with Approved Family Friendly status. The award recognises the outstanding provision of amenities for families on the 5 star and 5 pennant AA quality park.

Janine Hyatt, park director said: “We are of course delighted to not only have been accredited by Approved Family Friendly but to have been awarded gold too in recognition of all the hard work the team have done to make the park as family friendly as possible.

“The park has been family owned for over forty years and the fourth generation is now enjoying the facilities so we know what makes for a happy holiday with lots provided for children.”

Essex Park Celebrates Award Hat-Trick

Posted on September 29, 2015

Essex Park Celebrates Award Hat-Trick

The Weeley Bridge Park team celebrates its Tripadvisor Certificate of Excellence for the third consecutive year.

Weeley Bridge Holiday Park in Essex has been awarded a prestigious Tripadvisor Certificate of Excellence for the third consecutive year.

The Certificate of Excellence programme, which has been running for five years, is given to outstanding businesses that have consistently received praise and recognition in the form of great reviews from Tripadvisor travellers.

Weeley Bridge, operated by Park Resorts, is located near to Clacton-on-Sea and is popular with both holiday home owners and holidaymakers.

Terri Lacy, General Manager at Weeley Bridge Holiday Park, said: “This is a key award as it reflects our customers’ first-hand experience of the park.

“This award, combined with the number of people who come back year after year, shows us that we are doing something right and we’re all looking forward to building on this and improving even more.”

Show Hots Up For Park Operators

Posted on September 8, 2015

Show Hots Up For Park Operators

The Landscape Show features contemporary, cutting edge technologies and methods, and is supported by a comprehensive free seminar programme.

The holiday park industry has not one, but four trade shows to look forward to, covering a variety of park-related hot topics - and what’s more, they are all free to attend.

First up is the well-established Landscape Show in September, which focuses on the design, build and maintenance of indoor and outdoor landscaping projects.

Visitors to the show at Battersea Park in central London will have the opportunity to view cutting edge products and technologies geared towards improving their property, including outdoor furniture, paving options, trees and planting, containers and decking. The show attracts over 3,000 visitors including landscape designers, architects, contractors, facilities managers, local government planners, councils and parks officers, groundsmen and interior designers to name just a few.

Meanwhile the UK’s leading leisure industry exhibition returns to the NEC in Birmingham in September, representing all sectors of leisure including exercise, facilities, food and drink, sport, indoor play and family entertainment. Leisure Industry Week (LIW) is the ideal place to see what’s new, keep up with the latest trends and explore everything the leisure market has to offer. Holiday park owners will benefit from the extensive education and conference programme on offer at the show.

Next up is the new and improved Sports, Amenities, Landscaping Trade Exhibition’s, otherwise known as SALTEX, which gets underway at the NEC in Birmingham in November.

The Holiday Park & Resort Innovation Show takes place on the 11th and 12th of November at Birmingham NEC and is completely free to attend.

The new, centrally located, national exhibition venue and the more convenient time of year has attracted more than 200 exhibitors representing groundscare machinery, play equipment, landscaping products, pest control and waste management. The new look SALTEX also marks the 70th anniversary of the show and will feature a comprehensive programme of free educational seminars. Visitors can attend any of the 47 educational seminars on the show floor within the two-day Learning Live programme.

The hotly anticipated Holiday Park & Resort Innovation Show in November is shaping up to be an unmissable event.

“Given this is such an increasingly competitive industry, those running holiday parks and resorts really need to keep on top of the latest changes, developments and trends if they want to keep attracting customers back and appealing to new ones” says Will Mansfield, event manager for the show.

He adds: “This event has been designed as the one stop shop providing the ideas, resources and inspiration needed to ensure they can evolve, expand and innovate their holiday business.” Top industry speakers are confirmed including Henry Wild of the British Holiday and Home Parks Association, Robbie Davies of Hoseasons and Chris Laxen of Park Resorts. In addition there are over 150 exhibitors, 60 seminars and un-rivalled business opportunities over the two days.

Taking place in November, the UK Pool & Spa Expo boasts the biggest selection of hot tub suppliers under one roof. Pic: Vita Spa.

With the biggest range of hot tubs and spas on display under one roof, the fourth edition of the UK Pool & Spa Expo returns to the NEC in Birmingham in November. Boasting broad selection of pool and spa-related products and services, the Expo promises to both inform and inspire its visitors. Exhibitors from some of Europe’s leading hot tub and spa manufacturers will be on hand to offer assistance on selecting the right products for your park, as well as providing expert advice on hot tub upkeep and maintenance. The Expo also boasts the added attraction of the 2015 UK Pool & Spa Awards that are being held at the new Resorts World, near to the NEC on the second evening of the exhibition, Monday 23 November.

If there’s one ingredient that singles out a holiday park from the crowd and secures repeat bookings, it is the quality of its water leisure provision. As the single best relaxation resource that a resort can provide, it is widely regarded as fundamental to a holiday park’s success. In January, Coventry’s Ricoh Arena plays host to the pool and spa exhibition SPATEX 2016 which, in its 20th anniversary year, attracts well over 100 exhibitors and is the ideal hunting ground to source new products and innovations. Displaying everything from pools, saunas, water play features and pool enclosures to energy saving chemical control and heating and ventilation units, you can be sure to find what you are looking for. Many exhibitors will also be offering special discounts exclusive to the show.

The Landscape Show
22 - 23 September 2015
Battersea Park, London
www.landscapeshow.co.uk
Leisure Industry Week
22 - 23 September 2015
NEC, Birmingham
www.liw.co.uk
SALTEX
4 – 5 November 2015
NEC, Birmingham
www.iogsaltex.com
Holiday Park & Resort Innovation Show
11 – 12 November 2015
NEC, Birmingham
www.holidayparkshow.co.uk
UK Pool & Spa Expo
22 – 24 November 2015
NEC, Birmingham
www.ukpoolspa-expo.co.uk
SPATEX
31 January – 2 February 2016
Ricoh Arena, Coventry
www.spatex.co.uk

High Demand for Last Minute Breaks

Posted on September 2, 2015

Last minute online enquiries for peak season were up by 15 per cent at Woolacombe Bay, compared to the same time last year.

High Demand for Last Minute Breaks

Woolacombe Bay Holiday Parks in Devon reported a bumper start to the 2015 summer season, with last minute online bookings up by 15 per cent on the same period last year.

Although 93 per cent of the park’s accommodation for the first three weeks of the school summer holidays was booked up well in advance, demand was high for the remaining spaces available for last minute bookings.

Kevin Darvill, sales and marketing director at Woolacombe Bay said: “Clearly the travel disruption at the ports in Dover and Calais, coupled with the economic situation in destinations such as Greece, have all been deciding factors to remain at home.

“Last-minute on-line enquiries for peak season - compared to the same time last year - are up by 15 per cent, on-line sales have risen by 28 per cent and conversion rates have increased by 11 per cent.”

Bellamy Praises Community Spirit

Posted on September 2, 2015

Bellamy Praises Community Spirit

Mother Ivey’s Bay Holiday Park in Padstow, Cornwall, gives away a week’s holiday to a needy family for every hundred bookings the park takes.

Hundreds of holiday and residential parks which reach out to their local communities will be put under the spotlight in this year’s David Bellamy Conservation Awards.

Scheme organiser Rufus Bellamy says that this year he is keen to celebrate parks acting as ‘good neighbours’. He reports that a whole raft of initiatives are now making a very real difference to many peoples’ lives around the country.

“The David Bellamy Conservation Award Scheme does, of course, put a major emphasis on how parks work to protect their natural environment,” said Rufus.

“However, the scheme also highlights those which engage with their local community because this, in our view, demonstrates that the park is taking a holistic view of its business.

“This year, our assessors have uncovered many fantastic new initiatives which we’ll be using to underline just how many ways there are for parks to reach out,” said Rufus.

The names of the 500-plus parks expected to receive David Bellamy Conservation Awards this year at gold, silver and bronze levels will be announced this month.

New Glamping Developments

Posted on July 5, 2015

New Glamping Developments

Whitehill Country Park

Ruth Badger, star of BBC’s The Apprentice, marked the official opening of a brand new development of luxury Bouja caravans in a ribbon cutting ceremony at Whitehill Country Park in Devon.

The former Sir Alan Sugar apprentice joined a host of other guests at the family-run holiday park in Paignton to celebrate the official opening of its Bouja range.

Taking the holiday caravan experience to a whole new level, Whitehill is one of only six other parks in the UK to offer the brand new Bouja concept in partnership with Hoseasons.

Described as ‘a new dawn in caravanning’, the boutique caravans feature added luxuries including iPod docking stations, WiFi and a Wii U, plus an outdoor hot tub.

Splash Landings

Posted on June 26, 2015

The effective selection, combination and positioning of aquatic play features can be a key tool in attracting and retaining guests. Pic: Ustigate Waterplay

Above: The effective selection, combination and positioning of aquatic play features can be a key tool in attracting and retaining guests.
Pic: Ustigate Waterplay

Splash Landings

With the fun factor at the top of visitor wish lists, it is vital for holiday parks operators to continuously not just meet but exceed expectations for safe and fun aquatic play.

While major swimming pool investment can sometimes be ruled out on the basis of budget, splash pads and water play areas offer an attractive value for money alternative. From aquaslides and speed tubes to splash pads, interactive fountains and water jets, water play areas will keep the whole family entertained for hours.

“When families are selecting a holiday park more often than not the on-site facilities on offer will be a major factor, second only to location with an on-site pool being one of the most popular draws,” comments Matt Clark of Country Leisure Fibreglass.

“However these days swimming alone is not enough to keep kids entertained for long. Slides, flumes and an assortment of water features not only liven up the pool environment but keep children occupied for longer and wanting to return again.”

Ernie Hemming of Ustigate Waterplay agrees: “Without doubt, the effective selection, combination and positioning of aquatic play features can be a key tool in attracting and retaining guests. “By using a range of colours, sensations of water and sleek designs, there won’t be any member of the family who will be able to resist taking a dip in the water play area.”

From aquaslides and speed tubes to splash pads, interactive fountains and water jets, water play areas will keep the whole family entertained for hours. Pic: Certikin.

Above: From aquaslides and speed tubes to splash pads, interactive fountains and water jets, water play areas will keep the whole family
entertained for hours. Pic: Certikin.

Ustigate Waterplay advises on a zero-level water play installation which prevents the buildup of water in the play area, therefore eliminating the need for a lifeguard and providing accessibility to all, including wheelchair users. The company’s product index consists of over 300 standard aquatic structures containing items designed to meet all specifications and budgets.

“We advise our clients on creating water play installations which caters for a range of age groups to increase its play value and popularity,” says Ernie. “Carefully selected combinations and positioning of structures and features will attract the target audience to the relevant areas of the park, toddler, teen or family sections which will result into more visitors, because it is suitable for all of the family.”

Ustigate specialises in splash pads and offer the full range of Vortex equipment which includes more than 140 different water play jets and above ground sprays. Not only do splash pads appeal to the kid in all of us, but they also tap today’s pressing issues of water conservation, parents’ heightened concerns for safety, the ongoing search for revenue and multipurpose usage.

To read more of this story, please subscribe online.

CERTIKIN INTERNATIONAL
Tel. +44 (0)1993 778855
www.certikin.co.uk

COUNTRY LEISURE FIBREGLASS
Tel. +44 (0)1980 629555
www.countryleisure.co.uk

USTIGATE WATERPLAY
Tel. +44 (0)1322 424445
www.ustigatewaterplay.co.uk

AQUA DROLICS
Tel. +31 499 393 540
www.aquadrolics.com

Old Oaks Pamper Pooches

Posted on June 26, 2015

Old Oaks Pamper Pooches

A range of dog-friendly initiatives have been implemented at Old Oaks Touring Park near Glastonbury.

It’s famous the world over for its music festival – but now Glastonbury is also hitting the right note for dog lovers, thanks to the Old Oaks Touring Park.

The award-winning camping and caravan site is putting pooches on a pedestal by providing them and their owners with a range of dog-friendly facilities.

A hot water doggy shower has installed at the park as well as a dedicated washing machine and tumble dryer for laundering pet bedding. A large securely-fenced exercise area has been sectioned off specifically for dog walking and the park has compiled a list of dog-friendly discovery walks, restaurants and local attractions. But, of course, not all establishments relish Rovers – so the Old Oaks has teamed up with a local dog walking business which will take the lead when owners wish to venture out alone.

James and Tara White are the husband-and-wife management team at the Old Oaks Touring Park which has been in the same family’s ownership for over 30 years.

Camping Boost For Happy Kids

Posted on June 24, 2015

Camping Boost For Happy Kids

Camping has a positive impact on children’s lives according to new research by The Camping and Caravanning Club.

Children who camp in the great outdoors at least once a year do better at school and are healthier and happier. Those are the findings of a UK study carried out by the Institute of Education at Plymouth University and The Camping and Caravanning Club.

Parents and children around the UK were asked a series of questions which looked at the educational, psychological and social benefits of the camping experience to children of all ages.

More than four out of five parents thought camping had a positive effect on their children’s school education. 98 per cent of parents said camping makes their kids appreciate and connect with nature; while 93 per cent felt that it provided useful skills for later life.

Sue Waite, associate professor at the Plymouth Institute of Education said: “Interestingly, the parents surveyed believed camping supported the key curriculum subjects of geography, history and science and actually, that stacks up because the most common camping activities were natural – such as rock pooling and nature walks – where children were getting to understand ecosystems and identify lifeforms, respecting nature and the environment.”

Holiday Park Scene Magazine

British holidaymakers

£960 Million Parks Merger Deal