BEVERLEY’S £2M STYLISH INVESTMENT

BEVERLEY'S £2M STYLISH INVESTMENT

BEVERLEY HOLIDAYS has raised the stakes on its Devon accommodation offering.

 

Beverley Holidays has upped the style stakes for staycationing with the installation of a state-of-the-art range of sea view luxury lodges and ultra-modern hot tub holiday caravans. The holiday park group in the heart of the English Riviera has invested a cool £2million in a fleet of fourteen super-stylish holiday homes tailored to guests seeking seaside stays with a sprinkling of glamour.

High quality furnishings and a super stylish decor in the newly launched holiday homes are teamed with a raft of pampering extras such as private sun-decks complete with bubbling hot tubs. With demand for staycations continuing to be high this year, the new state-of-the-art holiday homes are seeing a surge in bookings among guests seeking their very own slice of hot tub heaven.

Beverley Holidays’ Marketing Director Claire Jeavons said: “Long gone are the days when families were expected to be content with a one-size-fits-all type of holiday accommodation. “Today we are reaching out to guests wanting to enjoy a truly unique holiday experience, and our new Collection hot tub holiday lodges and Signature caravans are certainly raising the bar even higher at the luxury end of holiday home rentals.”

Sixty Years And Still Shining Bright

Sixty Years And Still Shining Bright

The Jeavons family celebrate six decades in business.

Reaching the major milestone of 60 years is no easy feat for any business, but family run Beverley Holidays is bucking the trend as it celebrates six decades of shining bright on the holiday park scene in 2018. Situated on the sunny English Riviera, Beverley Holidays was founded by Joseph Stanley Jeavons and his wife Marion in 1958 after they transformed 20 acres of farmland into their holiday park dream. Born in Wolverhampton, ‘Stan’ crowned the site Beverley in homage to his beloved Wolverhampton Wanderers FC who’s then captain Billy Wright was married to a member of the ‘Beverley Sisters’. Regarded as Britain’s first female pop group, the ‘Beverley Sisters’ became familiar faces at the Paignton-based holiday park where they regularly performed to its growing number of guests. Fast forward nearly half a century and while you won’t find the singing sisters treading the Beverley Holidays boards today, the forward-thinking philosophy of its founder ‘Stan’ remains the same. Now in its third generation of the Jeavons family, its owners continue to provide guests with the same holiday magic as it did more than six decades ago by constantly refining the guest experience. The last few years have been no exception, with a cool £3million invested in a fleet of super stylish hot tub holiday lodges and caravans for those seeking a seaside staycation with a sprinkling of glamour. As a fitting tribute to its 60 years of success, family run Beverley Holidays was officially named one of the top three best holiday parks in Britain at the prestigious 2017 British Travel Awards.

Wish You Were Here – Haw Wood

Wish You Were Here ......

WYWH 1

Our whistle-stop tour of UK holiday park destinations stops in South Devon…

Three into one does go with some picture postcards from the triple resort combination of Beverley Holidays... Under new management since 2014, Haw Wood Recently voted one of the top family holiday parks in Britain at the British Travel Awards 2017, the Beverley Hoidays group of holiday parks have been welcoming guests to the English Riviera’s sunny shores for 60 years this season.

Now in its third generation of the Jeavons family, family run Beverley Holidays boasts an idyllic hilltop setting on the beautiful English Riviera in South Devon. Visitors can choose from a wide range of accommodation from hot tub lodges and cosy holiday caravans, to dog-friendly caravans, touring caravan holidays and camping. The largest of three parks, Beverley Park, offers something for the family day and night including a show-stopping entertainment and tropical Oasis Leisure Club. An array of cafes, takeaways and restaurants offer something to suit all tastes, whether holiday makers are seeking a hearty meal of a quick snack on the go. Other facilities include an outdoor adventure playground and indoor soft play, plus an amusement centre, crazy golf course and outdoor and indoor heated pool where visitors can relax in the sauna, steam room, hot tub or gym or splash out at our pool parties. There is also a shop selling a wide range of holiday essentials and free WiFi in the main bar areas. For those in search of a slightly quieter base, Beverley Bay offers a relaxed holiday park setting with lighter-style facilities and its very own outdoor heated pool and Oceans Bar. Or, as a third option, visitors can spoil themselves with a stay in the exclusive setting of Beverley View, home to a stunning range of holiday lodges complete with outstanding sea aspects.

Beverley Holidays
Tel: 01803 843887
www.beverley-holidays.co.uk

Pooch Power

Pooch Power: Ashleigh Mackenzie reports on dog-friendly holiday park venues….

Dog-friendly caravans are a popular choice for holidaymakers and are available at all Thornley Leisure parks.

Dog-friendly caravans are a popular choice for holidaymakers and are available at all Thornley Leisure parks.

Historically, holiday park operators have not been shy of reaping the benefits of pet-friendly holidays.

With an estimated 8.5 million pet dogs in the UK, the ‘pooches welcome’ concept is a lucrative market for many holiday operators.

In fact, latest figures from the Pet Food Manufacturers’ Association (PFMA) reveal that 24 per cent of all households own a pet dog, with a high proportion of those seeking to holiday away without the hassle of organising kennel stays.

For the park owner, a few simple measures can go a long way in providing a comfortable stay for four-legged friends and their owners.

Whitehill Country Park in South Devon has set tails wagging following the recent launch of a series of dog-friendly initiatives.

The Paignton holiday park has added to its pooch appeal with a boutique range for hounds looking to holiday in style.

Better still, the family-run holiday park has also introduced a warm doggy shower, brand new for 2016, which offers pooches privacy when cleaning their muddy paws. The new shower is one of many dog-friendly facilities found at the park, along with its dedicated dog exercise area and complimentary doggy bags.

Whitehill Country Park Marketing Director, Claire Jeavons, said: “It’s estimated that around 12 million households in the UK own pets, including 8.5 million dogs, and our holiday park has certainly seen a great demand for dog-friendly holidays in recent years.

“Dogs are very much part of the family and our aim at Whitehill is to make them feel just as welcome as their human counterparts and the introduction of more dog-friendly caravans, coupled with the new doggy shower, are proving a hit among owners and dogs alike.”

 

SIMPLE MEASURES

Whitehill requests that dogs are kept on leads at all times, with the exception of the designated Dog Exercise Area.

Whitehill requests that dogs are kept on leads at all times, with the exception of the designated Dog Exercise Area.

Guests holidaying with four-legged friends at Whitehill have a wide range of dog-friendly accommodation to choose from including caravans, luxury lodges, touring and camping pitches. All guests holidaying with dogs are given a Whitehill Doggy Information Guide on arrival which promotes all the local dog walks and attractions found in Devon.

“In previous years, Whitehill Country Park welcomed dogs on select dates throughout the holiday season, however, in 2015 we updated our dog-friendly policy by opening our doors to dogs throughout the entire season which typically runs from Easter until the end of September,” says Claire.

“Being a dog-friendly site means we can accommodate the growing number of guests looking to holiday with their dog – cutting out the frustration that was felt by many dog owners who previously had to pay for expensive kennel fees when heading off on holiday.” The biggest challenge is ensuring that the park meets the needs of guests who choose to holiday with their dog and those that don’t in equal measure.

To ensure both can enjoy their holiday to the fullest, Whitehill requests that dogs are kept on leads at all times, with the exception of the designated Dog Exercise Area, as well as not accepting dogs under the Dangerous Dogs Act. There is also a strict policy with regards to guests cleaning up after their dogs and the Grounds Team are always on hand to monitor this throughout the season.

 

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Recipe For Success

Recipe For Success

Holiday Park Scene was the official media partner at the recent Holiday Park & Resort Innovation Show as Ashleigh MacKenzie reports…

recipeforsuccess

The Holiday Park & Resort Innovation Show welcomed 2,637 visitors through its doors over two days.

The hotly-anticipated Holiday Park & Resort Innovation Show proved to be a recipe for success, as visitors from across the sector flocked to the NEC in Birmingham to see the launch of the brand new exhibition.
The two-day inaugural show ran from November 11 – 12 and had a positive response from visitors, speakers and exhibitors alike.
2,637 visitors made their way through the doors to 60 specialist seminars, 200 hand-picked exhibitors, industry-leading experts and unrivalled networking and new business opportunities.
With a strong emphasis on land diversification and holiday park management, the stellar line-up of guest speakers and seminars was a highlight of the exhibition and a draw for many visitors. Over 30 seminars took place in the two Holiday Park theatres, from the likes of Henry Wild, chairman of the British Holiday & Home Parks Association, Claire Jeavons of the Best of British Holiday & Touring Parks, William McNamara of Bluestone National Park Resort and Alfie Best of Wyldecrest Parks.
Robbie Davies, head of business development gave an interesting presentation on ‘How to make holiday hire work for you’, offering tips and advice on maximising the potential of your park.
“Never forget the basics and do them well,” advised Robbie.
“43 per cent of UK holidaymakers cite quality of accommodation, available facilities and the resulting value for money as most important booking features – so ‘ok’ is simply not good enough.
“The small touches can make a big difference, so be sure to pay attention to special and personal features.”
Meanwhile Chris Laxen, touring development manager at Park Resort offered and insight into setting up a successful glamping business. Speaking from experience, Chris said: “The best piece of advice that I can offer is to ‘think the worst, but expect the best’. Don’t be caught out by unexpected issues, so plan for all scenarios. And remember to listen to all customer reviews, both good and bad.”

BROAD SPECTRUM

Exhibitors at the Holiday Park & Resort Innovation Show covered a broad spectrum of holiday park aspects, from glamping accommodation and outdoor play to family attractions and hot tubs.
Event director Will Mansfield said: “The feedback during and after the event has been exceptional. We take all feedback into consideration, good or bad, and have already began on improvements suggested for next year’s show. This includes introducing a new interactive live debate a

The Holiday Park & Resort Innovation Show took place at the NEC in Birmingham from November 11-12 inclusive

The Holiday Park & Resort Innovation Show took place at the NEC in Birmingham from November 11-12 inclusive

nd expert panel area feature, with some of the most asked questions being debated and answered by specially selected teams of industry experts.
“Looking forward to 2016 we are confident this event can really continue to bring something innovative, relevant and positive to the industry as a whole.”

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Movers And Shakers

movers2

The Beverley Holidays management team (back row L-R) Michael Jeavons, Tim Jeavons, Peter Jeavons, (front row L-R) Claire Jeavons, Nicola Furneaux and Gary Furneaux.

Movers And Shakers

Staying one step ahead and keeping abreast of the ever-changing holiday market has proven to be a winning formula for South Devon-based Beverley Holidays.

Owned and operated by the Jeavons family, there are three award-winning park areas which fall under the Beverley Holidays banner, each offering something different for discerning holidaymakers.

Last year the family-run company undertook a major re-brand - changing the names of the areas and upgrading the entertainment facilities on offer. This year will see a further investment of £1 million to increase the luxury accommodation offering.

Claire Jeavons, marketing director and third generation of the Jeavons family comments: “The way that holidaymakers plan, book and take their holiday is constantly changing and there are always new things you need to consider and adapt to. We have always looked ahead to make positive changes and I think this is vital for any successful business.

“We recently simplified the area names to Beverley Park, Beverley View and Beverley Bay to create greater unity. We have also enhanced our entertainment offerings at Beverley Bay and Beverley Park, whereby we have created two distinct venues that complement one another by providing something to suit all tastes,” adds Claire.

In response to the growing demand for luxury accommodation, 26 new top of the range caravans have been added to the holiday park, together with a platinum hot tub lodge to add to its existing lodge fleet.

Claire says: “The holiday park industry is always changing and the introduction of these brand new luxury caravans and our hot tub lodge is all very much in line with the emerging glamping trend."

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Beverley Holidays
Tel. 01803 843887
www.beverley-holidays.co.uk

Holiday Snaps: Claire Jeavons, Beverley Holidays

Holiday Snaps: Claire Jeavons, Beverley Holidays

ClaireClaire Jeavons is the third generation of the Jeavons family who together run the award-winning Beverley Holidays and Whitehill Country Park, situated in the heart of the English Riviera. Claire is also chairman of the prestigious Best of British Holiday & Touring Parks Group, for which Beverley Holidays is a member, as well as being on the board of directors of the English Riviera Tourism Company.

How do you see the UK holiday industry at the moment?

The UK holiday industry is a hugely exciting area at the moment. We’re finding that more and more people are seeking a UK-based staycation over going abroad. Plus, here in the English Riviera, our famously mild micro-climate means visitors can still enjoy a sunny seaside holiday without the hassle of heading too far from home or flying overseas.

What are the main challenges facing the industry?

If the spate of storms we experienced last winter proved anything, it was how changeable the UK climate can be. However, the quick response we saw here in the South West to the damaged Dawlish railway line instilled a huge amount of confidence in the tourism community that we are more than capable to rising to any challenges that the weather might throw our way.

How have customer expectations changed during your time in the holiday business and how have you reacted to those demands?

Having welcomed visitors to the English Riviera for more than 56 years, our team has been given a fascinating insight into the increasing expectations of customers. As a business, we pride ourselves on constantly adapting and re-investing in our holiday parks to ensure we always stay at the forefront of the tourism scene.

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

The secret to our long-standing success is undoubtedly down to the hard work and dedication of our teams, and also our ability to constantly adapt to changing customer needs. We have transformed ourselves from a small-scale site on farmland to a destination in its own right, offering a multitude of on-site facilities and modern holiday accommodation.

What has been your most interesting experience in the industry?

We have recently undergone a major re-branding initiative at Beverley Holidays, whereby we unified a number of our parks under the ‘Beverley Holidays’ banner. It was a fascinating experience as we have a passionate following of loyal customers who were understandably curious of the changes, but the end result has been hugely successful and well received by guests both old and new.

What does a typical day in the office for you entail?

My main role is running the marketing department and covering all areas from social media to advertising and public relations. There is always a marketing campaign on the go.

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

It’s a cliché but ‘put yourself in your customer’s shoes’. I’m a big traveller and I love to visit new places and experience new things, and this certainly helps when it comes to gaining new ideas to improve our guests’ holiday experience. I’m also constantly visiting other holiday parks in the UK through by work as chairman of the Best of British Holiday and Touring Parks group, which gives me a rare insight through the eyes of a customer.

Where do you go on holiday?

I tend to stay in all sorts of different accommodation styles from camping huts to luxury villas. There’s so much to see and experience both in the UK and worldwide, and my aim is to see it all!

Holiday Bookings Enjoy Seasonal Boost

Holiday Bookings Enjoy Seasonal Boost

High-temps

High July temperatures have boosted domestic holiday figures, across the UK, with operators reporting strong demand and an increase in last-minute bookings.

Sustained hot weather provided a boost for the country’s holiday businesses, as holidaymakers lapped up the good weather with a seemingly unquenchable thirst for last minute domestic breaks.

Hoseasons reported a sharp rise in bookings boosted by the beautiful weather, recording an 11 per cent increase in bookings for the school summer holidays compared to last year’s figures, with a reported rise also in last minute holidays as people decided to make the most of the sunshine.

“These figures clearly demonstrate the continued appeal of the domestic holiday among UK consumers,” said Simon Altham, managing director of Hoseasons. “The convenience and ease of just being able to pack up the car and go and grab a late deal seems to be an ever more attractive trend amongst Brits.”

WARM SUNSHINE

Temperatures for July and August were above average across the UK, reaching a scorching 32.3 °C in Kent in mid-July.

Simon continues: “The warm sunshine obviously helps when it comes to the ‘book and go’ culture, but the weather was good last year so it’s not the only factor. We firmly believe that continued innovation in the quality and range of accommodation styles available is also playing its part alongside the growing investment in major UK tourist attractions which combined are making the UK a convenient and hassle-free choice for many Brits this year.”

Beach-jump

Record numbers of Brits took to the beach this summer, with Cornwall, Blackpool and Brighton proving to be popular hotspots. Pic: VisitBritain

Bookings across Butlins resorts have also been up this season, and the company has been operating at nearly 100 per cent occupancy through the summer period. Butlins spokesperson James Silverstone commented: “We always see an increase in demand during good weather and this year has been no different. However, all our resorts are geared up for all seasons, so even if it does rain we can still accommodate our guests without spoiling any fun!”

As record numbers of British holidaymakers chose to stay at home for their summer break this year, coastal locations such as Cornwall, Blackpool and Brighton were especially popular, as well as city breaks in London, Edinburgh and York.

Beverley Holidays and Whitehill Country Park, two sister holiday parks in Paignton saw a rush in bookings as visitors flocked to the English Riviera to revel in the heat wave. Numbers were up at both parks by more than 10 per cent compared to the previous year, and the parks were also benefitting from the news that the area is fast becoming the top seaside destination in the UK.

Claire Jeavons, head of marketing for Beverley Holidays and Whitehill Park, is thrilled with how the businesses are performing: “How customers choose and book their holidays has changed dramatically over the years. We have invested heavily in digital marketing with online channels such as social media campaigns and e-blasts, and this has really paid off.”

Claire added: “The recent hot weather looks set to stay and our outdoor and indoor pools are proving very popular among those looking to bask in the Great British sunshine, with plenty more visitors expected.”

Further good news for the industry is that tourism spend is up by 6 per cent on last year, according to the latest research by VisitEngland.