Show Attendance Breaks Previous Records

Posted on May 31, 2016

Show Attendance Breaks Previous Records

A whopping 87,589 visitors attended the Caravan, Camping & Motorhome Show at the NEC in Birmingham in February

The record-breaking success of the recent Caravan, Camping & Motorhome Show reflects findings a boom in interest in caravan purchases.

The National Caravan Council (NCC) revealed that the sale and dispatch of new touring caravans, motorhomes and caravan holiday homes in the UK increased by 10.3 per cent in 2015 compared to 2014. The figures reinforce the growing British preference over the last few years to holidaying at home, with trips in Great Britain rising by seven per cent to 105 million last year, while overall spend on accommodation in the camping and caravanning sector has increased by seven per cent year on year - the largest increase across all accommodation types.

“The flexibility and freedom a leisure vehicle offers is fundamental to the growth of the industry,” commented John Lally, director general of the NCC.

“Families and people of all ages enjoy caravanning and motor-homing. “We’re also seeing increasing numbers of younger people choosing to holiday in the UK. With caravans and motorhomes equipped with all the latest technology and comforts, the industry provides the perfect solution for holidaymakers to enjoy a ‘home from home’ experience any time of the year.”

A record breaking number of visitors flocked to the Caravan, Camping & Motorhome Show in February, making it the most successful show in the event’s history.

A whopping 87,589 visitors attended the six-day show at the NEC in Birmingham, between in February. The Saturday was the busiest day, welcoming more than 26,050 visitors in the eight-hour window.

With over 350 exhibitors and a host of well-known personalities, the show provided the ideal platform for companies to showcase their latest products and innovations.

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Holiday Snaps with Olive Dunlop, Ballyness Caravan Park

Posted on May 31, 2016

Ballyness Caravan Park in Bushmills, Northern Ireland, opened in 2000 for touring caravans, motorhomes and caravan holiday homes. A family-run business, the park’s owners David and Olive Dunlop work full-time on the site. Olive runs the reception and shop and looks after the touring park while David concentrates on the general maintenance and caravan holiday homes.

How is 2016 shaping up for Ballyness Caravan Park?

With the phenomenal success of Game of Thrones and other locally produced films, Northern Ireland is starting to get the national and international recognition it deserves for its wonderful scenery and produce, and this is helping to drive not only international visitors but domestic visitors who did not realise what we have to offer.

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

Standards. Whether it is in services provided, cleanliness of the park or paperwork for customers, we aim for the highest possible.

Who is the most important person in the business and why?

Some people would say the next customer, but I would say the last customer. If he leaves Ballyness happy having had a great holiday, he will come back and also tell his friends.

What challenges are currently facing the holiday park sector?

The uncertainty of the political future with the EU Referendum is probably one of the biggest unknowns facing the holiday park sector. We are governed by a raft of EU regulations and no one knows for certain what would happen if we were to leave Europe, or for that matter what would happen if we stay in under the new deal.

How have visitor expectations changed during your time in the holiday business?

We decided a few years ago to be much more customer focused and if there is a problem getting it fixed as soon as possible and keep them informed at all times. This not only repairs the relationship but our customers are amazed by the service they get.

Where do you see the park in 10 years’ time?

We would still like the business to be successful 10 years down the line, but we keep an eye on the short to medium term and are quick to react to any changes or ideas that come up.

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

“Do your own thing” advised a very good friend of mine. We were continually getting bogged down in petty rules and regulations and when we tried to keep everyone else happy, we found we were not progressing far. By doing our own thing, not only did we do it right, but better.

Where do you go on holiday?

Somewhere sunny and warm in December. We have four weeks off after working seven days a week for the rest of the year and at that time of year, we like to head to the sun.

Holiday Hotspot

Posted on May 31, 2016

Holiday Hotspot

Park Holidays UK says the new properties at Landscove will be making one of Devon’s most famous holiday hot-spots far more accessible for home owners.

A new holiday home development has been officially opened at Landscove Holiday Park in Brixham, Devon.

Marketed as a breakthrough in affordable luxury living, the new village provides 47 top-spec caravan holiday homes. Also available are 13 architect designed, two or three bedroom lodges .

Park Holidays UK, operators of Landscove, says the properties will be making one of Devon’s most famous holiday hot-spots far more accessible.

Owners of the homes will also be able to take advantage of an extended 50- week season on the park. Torbay Council’s tourism and culture chief, Nicole Amil cut the tape on the new village in April which signalled the start of a two-day celebration event.

Dredging Debate

Posted on May 31, 2016

Dredging Debate

Pooley Bridge holiday park owner, Barbara Allen, has launched a parliamentary petition to try and force MPs to debate dredging.

Fears for the future of Cumbria’s tourism industry have prompted the owner of an award-winning Pooley Bridge holiday park to launch an online Parliamentary petition.

Barbara Allen, director of Park Foot Caravan and Camping Park, hopes to try and force a debate among MPs on the halt of river dredging in the UK. If her petition passes the 100,000 signature mark, it’s likely that the House of Commons will examine if blocked river beds are at the bottom of Cumbria’s flooding problems.

Park Foot is among many tourism businesses in the Lake District hit hard by December’s deluges.

“We’re busy ticking the EU’s box of not interfering with the flow of rivers in their beds, and ignoring the simple fact that rainwater comes from the sea and needs to flow back there,” said Barbara. “I hope we can achieve the signatures we need for a debate before the referendum in June as we are unable to reverse this directive whilst we remain members of the EU.”

Bare Essentials

Posted on May 11, 2016

Bare Essentials

Green Hill Farm Holiday Park in the New Forest is officially the best place to ‘go’ in Britain, according to judges of the annual Loo of the Year awards. The business was recently named as the overall 2016 Loo of the Year winner in the holiday parks category of the competition, beating more than 3,000 other UK parks to the title.

Pic: Woodhill Park

The prestigious accolade was awarded to the family-run park after its washroom facilities were mystery shopped by inspectors. The spacious new washroom facilities at the park include large showers and drying areas, private vanity cubicles, a family bathroom, hairdryers, underfloor heating, and full access for people with limited mobility.

Celebrating the news of the award are husband-and-wife team Lorna and Graham Lee who, with their two young daughters, acquired the park seven years ago.

According to Lorna, the washroom building simply mirrors what the park itself aspires to: “Green Hill has a very special appeal to people who enjoy away-from-it-all holidays in gorgeous surroundings, and we’ve tried to provide the perfect backdrop for that.” she said.

“Our family feels very privileged to be able to live and work in the beautiful part of the New Forest, and it’s great to have our efforts acknowledged with an award like this,” added Lorna.

Clean washroom facilities, like those at Green Hill Farm, are the bare minimum a guest will expect while on holiday. In an increasingly competitive market, it is more important than ever that holiday parks offer a certain level of comfort and luxury in terms of washroom provisions for their guests, to ensure a positive and lasting impression.

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Pitch Perfect

Posted on May 11, 2016

Pitch Perfect

Pengion poo pegs and Glamping Tent Chessington Frank PR

Zoos and holiday parks have realised glamping opportunities Pic: Albion Canvas By Boldscan

For those that have branched into the glamping market, well invested! The glamping business is booming – and it shows no signs of slowing down.

“Glamping seems to be the gift that keeps giving,” declares Tobyn Cleeves of Bell Tent UK.

“It will continue to become more popular as it is a wonderful way of having a great UK based family holiday.”

Bell Tent UK has been at the forefront of the glamping scene for over a decade. Established in 2006, the company has grown to incorporate all aspects of glamping equipment including tents and camping accessories not found on the High Street. Also in the portfolio is Hotel Bell Tent, which provides boutique accommodation for festivals, sporting and private events, and even won the 2015 Festival Awards Best Temporary Structure Award.

Business is booming in the glamping market – and it shows no sign of slowing down. Pic: Bell Tent UK.

“Glamping started out at private parties and festivals and soon filtered through to the mainstream,” Tobyn explains. “We are approached more and more by park owners looking to diversify into glamping - one of the major benefits is the fact that it often attracts a different demographic who would not normally consider staying at a park and are often prepared to pay a premium for a beautiful spot,” he adds.

Bell Tent UK specialises in high quality unbleached cotton canvas tents, ranging in diameter from 3m to 6m. New for 2016 is the launch of a new size bell tent, known as the ‘In- Betweener’. At 4.5m in diameter, the tent is a half-way house between the original 4m bell tent and the large best-selling 5m diameter bell tent.

“It’s important to remember you are buying a tent, not a permanent structure and you might consider putting it away when not in use to extend its life span,” says Tobyn.

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Heroes Fund Gets A Boost

Posted on May 4, 2016

Heroes Fund Gets A Boost

Over £6,000 was raised for Help for Heroes by the team at Hendra Holiday Park

Guests and staff at Hendra Holiday Park in Cornwall have raised a £6,300 for the charity Help for Heroes throughout a year of fundraising in 2015.

Help for Heroes was named as Hendra’s adopted charity for the year at the start of last season, and donations came via a raft of initiatives by the park and its staff.

Hendra Holiday Park director Janine Hyatt said: “We would like to thank all those who contributed to Hendra’s fundraising effort, especially our holiday guests whose donations make a big difference.

“Even in difficult times, many people are happy to put their hands in their pockets for a good cause, and we’re delighted to be able to provide these much-needed funds for Help for Heroes,” said Janine.

Record-Breaking Quarter

Posted on May 4, 2016

Record-Breaking Quarter

Fritton Lake

Hoseasons reported a record-breaking first quarter, posting seven of its best 10 booking days ever during the first three months of the year.

The company saw overall bookings increase by eight per cent compared to the same period in 2015. Lodges and Log cabin bookings were particularly strong, jumping 14.5 per cent and three and four-night short break bookings were also up, rising 11 per cent year on year, with short breaks now accounting for nearly 70 per cent of holidays sold.

Simon Altham, managing director of Hoseasons said: “These figures clearly demonstrate the continuing appeal of the UK luxury short break market for both families and couples looking for a safe, secure and convenient getaway only a short drive from home. Continued investment in the sector means standards of accommodation and facilities have never been so good.”

In Full Bloom

Posted on May 4, 2016

In Full Bloom

The Beach A 1 Winner of the Wales in Bloom award in 2014 and 2015, The Beach Caravan Park’s well-maintained grounds and exceptional appearance all year round is what really makes the five star park stand out from the crowd.

Located on the North Wales coastline, close to the village of Llanddulas, The Beach’s neatly kept site is complemented by its scenic position overlooking the Irish Sea.

Offering guests a peaceful retreat and the opportunity to ‘get away from it all’, the park appeals to families, young and retired couples, dog owners, water sports and cyclists alike. The owners of 211 holiday homes on the site visit regularly and the park also welcomes nearly 2,500 holidaymakers each year in the hired luxury caravans.

“Excellent customer service and our commitment to continual re-investment in our park and facilities is what sets us apart,” comments park manager Nigel Owen.

“Our biggest challenge is maintaining the high standards we have set from day one and continually looking for ways in which to improve the park and therefore the overall customer experience.”

The Beach Caravan Park is one of seven awardwinning holiday parks in North Wales, Cheshire and Yorkshire, operated by Thornley Leisure Parks. Thornley Leisure Parks was founded by William (Bill) Sutcliffe Thornley and his wife Dorothy in 1962. The couple, originally bakers from Cheshire, had holidayed in North Wales for many years and when the opportunity to establish a bakery in Conwy came their way, they decided to relocate with their twin boys to the area they had grown so fond of. Bill and Dorothy soon decided that they wanted to make their hobby their business and leave the long hours and early mornings of the bakery business behind. They purchased Craiglwyd Hall Caravan Park in 1961 and never looked back.

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Playing It Safe

Posted on May 4, 2016

Playing It Safe

Pic: RSS (Playground Inspection Maintenance)

A state-of-the-art outdoor playground may look the part, but keeping it in tip-top condition is sometimes overlooked.

From ropes and wooden frames to nuts and bolts, there are a large number of components on play equipment that require routine checks and an annual inspection.

A leading supplier of outdoor play equipment is urging holiday park operators to show duty of care towards their play equipment. RSS (Playground Inspection and Maintenance) stresses the importance of ongoing compliance to EN1176, even with newly purchased equipment, by inspecting the equipment on a regular basis.

Andy Readman, director of RSS comments: “In the unfortunate event of an accident you must be able demonstrate compliance to avoid expensive litigation and bad publicity. When purchasing a new playground you can specify equipment that is certified for compliance to EN1176, the European Playground safety standard.

“But what do you do when your equipment is many years old, was never certified for compliance when manufactured and the original equipment manufacturer is no longer trading?” says Andy.

“Well, you still have the same obligations regarding safety of the users but it is unlikely that an item of equipment that wasn’t designed to comply can be successfully modified to comply,” he explains.

RSS (Playground Inspection and Maintenance) have worked with holiday parks and visitor attractions for many years and can offer independent advice backed up by over 25 years’ experience in this specialised field.

Andy adds: “Remember, if you inspect regularly and repair defects your play area will continue to provide years of safe and trouble free use.”

Following a successful refurbishment of the playground equipment in 2013 to address non-compliances and extend the life of the equipment, Cosgrove Park in Milton Keynes has implemented a seasonal inspection regime based on the opening schedule for the park.

RSS have worked with Cosgrove Park to ensure that the regime reduces the number of inspections but ensures the park is inspected more frequently during the periods of highest use.

How often outdoor play equipment should be changed or updated all depends on the warranties of the equipment and its usage. The more the equipment is used, the quicker it may suffer from wear and tear. You can expect at least ten years use from any play area - and a lot more if it is well maintained. Sovereign Play Equipment has installed in excess of 10,000 play areas nationwide over the last 22 years.

Sovereign Play Equipment

In terms of price points, Justin Mottaz of Sovereign advises that a modest adventure trail could start from as little as £2,500 and an adventure tower with safer surfacing from around £5,000. “I would suggest that a sensible amount, to get a reasonable sized play area from the start, would be in the region of £10,000,” he says. “Remember that the cheaper option is often that way for a reason.”

Dominique Lloyd-Roberts of Playforce agrees: “When designing a playground, health and safety and durability should also be a priority. Look carefully at your quotations, guarantees, aftersales service and the longevity of the proposed designs – think about getting the best value for money, rather than just the lowest price.”

Playforce is a long-standing member of the API, all equipment complies with BS EN1176 and 1177 and is RoSPA tested. The company provides a full maintenance service with advice on routine maintenance, post installation, yearly and three yearly packages that include full reports, training and consultation sessions.

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Show Attendance Breaks Previous Records