New Income Stream For Caravan Parks

Posted on March 7, 2017

New Income Stream For Caravan Parks

The EV Charge Online charging pedestals from Rolec provide a new income stream to the caravan park.

A revolutionary EV charge point management system which means that EV drivers no longer have to pay any membership, subscription or connection fees and the caravan park operator does not have to pay a licence fee, has been developed by one of the UK’s electric vehicle charge point manufacturers.

The EV Charge Online from Rolec enables EV drivers to simply pull up to a charge point and, using their mobile phone, login to the charge point and pay-to-charge using Visa, MasterCard, American Express or PayPal via Rolec EV’s secure back office. GPRS connectivity to the back office is provided by Rolec’s network partner Vodafone, who supply roaming SIM cards designed to lock onto the strongest signal in the area, regardless of network provider. Over 200 businesses have already installed EV charging pedestals complete with the EV Charge Online system.

Rolec EV’s Managing Director Kieron Alsop commented: “These charging pedestals, when used by an EV driver, immediately begin paying money back directly into the caravan park operator’s bank account.” He added: “These self-managing pedestals are easy to install, requiring only an electricity supply in order to provide EV drivers with charging facilities.”

Gold Rush For Staffordshire Park

Posted on March 7, 2017

Gold Rush For Staffordshire Park

Adam Breakspeare proudly shows the gold award his family’s park has earned for its quality standards.

The owners of Oakland Holiday Park in Staffordshire are celebrating after the park won the overall gold award in the holiday parks category at the recent Enjoy Staffordshire Tourism Awards. It is the second year in succession that Oakland Holiday Park has scooped the top title. The presentation to the Breakspeare family, which has owned the park for more than 30 years, was made at a glittering ceremony at the Alton Towers Conference Centre.

The park provides luxury caravan holiday homes for private owners, and is also just completing a major refurbishment of its self-catering chalets which are available to rent. The park’s clubhouse has also been given a full makeover this winter, and will be ready to welcome holidaymakers when the park re-opens for the season in March. Partner Adam Breakspeare commented: “Our aim is to provide firstclass surroundings for visitors, and to match these with a high standard of hospitality – both are often mentioned by in our online reviews.

“They are also two of the main criteria in the Enjoy Staffordshire Tourism Awards, so naturally we are delighted that the judges were impressed with what we’ve achieved.” He added: “A big share of the credit must go to our team of staff who help us maintain our high standards, and do a great job of making our guests feel at home.”

Changes to Smart Card Hook-Ups

Posted on March 7, 2017

Changes to Smart Card Hook-Ups

October 2016 saw changes to the regulations relating to kWh metering of caravan hook-ups, making it mandatory for all meters installed after this date to have full MID approval. As a result of this regulation change, Rolec Services, one of the UK’s leading specialists in caravan electrical distribution and hook-up

All caravan hook-up meters installed after October 2016 must have full MID approval.

systems, has invested heavily in a new range of MID approved Smart Card metered hook-up systems.

Martin Georgeson, Rolec’s Sales Director, commented: “Our range of Smart Card metered hook-ups for both static and touring caravans have proved exceptionally popular and, as a result of this demand, we chose to invest in the design, certification and manufacture of a new range of MID approved Smart Card meters.”

Georgeson continued: “As a result of our investment in developing the MID approved Smart Card meter, and our bulk buying policy, we are able to provide the lowest priced MID approved Smart Card hook-ups in the UK.” In addition to providing Smart Card metered hook-ups, Rolec also supply individual MID approved Smart Card meters and MID approved credit meters for retro-fitting into existing static and touring hook-up units.

Destination GB

Posted on March 7, 2017

Record numbers of international visitors flocked to the UK last year. Pic: VisitEngland / Iain Lewis.

Destination GB

Record numbers of international tourists are visiting Great Britain and they are spending more too, according to official statistics. The report by the Office of National Statistics shows that in the first nine months of 2016 there were a record-breaking 12.2 million visits to English regions outside London, up 4% compared to the same period in 2015.

Spend by international visitors across England’s regions also set a record during this period, up 2% to £5.9 billion. Wales saw inbound visits increase 12% from January to September last year and in Scotland visitor numbers grew by 4% to 2.2 million - the strongest year to date since 2007.

VisitBritain Chief Executive Sally Balcombe said: “Inbound tourism is one of our largest export industries and it is very encouraging to see that growth is being spread right across our nations and regions, demonstrating the industry’s increasing importance as a driver of economic growth and jobs.”

Popular Attraction Invests

Posted on March 7, 2017

Popular Attraction Invests

Tourist attraction Wookey Hole has purchased Bucklegrove Holiday Park. Pictured is Wookey Hole Managing Director Daniel Medley (centre) with representatives from legal firm Stephen Scown.

The famous Somerset tourist attraction Wookey Hole Caves has expanded its business with the purchase of its first holiday park. Wookey Hole Ltd has bought Bucklegrove Holiday Park in the Cheddar Valley in a six figure deal.

The seven acre holiday park comprises 41 static caravans, 125 touring caravan pitches and space for 20 tents. The site also boasts a leisure complex, pool, bar, shop and children’s play area. Daniel Medley, Managing Director of Wookey Hole Ltd said: “When Bucklegrove Holiday Park came onto the market we saw immediately its strategic potential for our business.

The holiday park sector is really buoyant and Bucklegrove’s stunning views across Somerset and great facilities attract thousands of visitors each year.” He added: “We plan to build on this success and develop the site even further over the coming months.”

Away Resorts Expands Its Portfolio

Posted on March 7, 2017

Pictured is Carl Castledine, Chief Executive Officer at Away Resorts

Away Resorts Expands Its Portfolio

UK holiday park operator Away Resorts has acquired the Sandy Balls Holiday Village in the New Forest. It brings the company’s portfolio of parks to six with Sandy Balls joining Tattershall Lakes in Lincolnshire, Whitecliff Bay on the Isle of Wight, Mersea Island in Essex, Barmouth Bay in Wales and Mill Rythe on Hayling Island. 2016 was a record year for Away Resorts as overall bookings across its parks rose significantly against 2015’s figures.

With the addition of Sandy Balls, the business now has an annual turnover of over £40million, and employs 650 staff across its portfolio of sites. Carl Castledine, Chief Executive Officer at Away Resorts, says: “Over the last eight years, we have built up a strong brand that has really hit the right note with UK holidaymakers.

The demand for affordable UK holidays, particularly short breaks, is strong, and growing, as our record bookings for 2016 have shown. “Sandy Balls complements our strategy of providing our existing customer base with a range of very different types of holidays, avoiding the chainlike feel of our major competitors. We now have parks that meet the needs of a wide variety of guests and with Sandy Balls, we have a park that is forest-based with extensive central facilities.”

Camping Sector Growth

Posted on March 7, 2017

The total camping trips taken figure is expected to rise to 17.9 million in 2017 and to over 21 million in 2020.

Camping Sector Growth

Camping is on the up according to a new report by Mintel, which suggests that Great Britain’s camping and caravanning market will be worth over £3.2 billion by 2020.

A total of over 17 million camping and caravanning trips are estimated to have been taken by UK adults in 2016, over 15 million of which were in Great Britain, and include a spectrum of accommodation options from yurts, safari tents and shepherd’s huts to tiny two-berth mini and large luxury caravans, sophisticated motorhomes and holiday lodges.

The total trips taken figure is expected to rise to 17.9 million in 2017 and to over 21 million in 2020. Of those camping in a tent in the last three years, ‘getting away from it all’ is one of the key attractions (42%) as well as ‘connecting with nature’ (41%). Market drivers for camping, caravanning and motorhomes trips in recent years include a reduction in petrol prices and a desire for families to reconnect with their environment.

Record Investment

Posted on March 7, 2017

Record Investment

Parkdean Resorts’ ambitious investment will mean that the new facilities will be completed ahead of the 2017 travel season.

Parkdean Resorts is set to invest a record £50m on accommodation, retail and leisure facilities across its UK parks this year. The operator will be investing £17m into a range of new lodges, caravans and glamping facilities and £4m on refurbishments to existing caravans and lodges. Meanwhile, entertainment and leisure venues, and children’s activity areas will also be refurbished at many of its 73 parks nationwide as part of a significant investment exceeding £5.5m.

The ambitious investment will mean that the new facilities will be completed ahead of the 2017 travel season. Parkdean Resorts Chief Executive John Waterworth said: “It is a truly exciting time for Parkdean Resorts as we gear up for the 2017 season where substantial investment will continue and for what we are confident will be our busiest year yet.

“We are looking forward to introducing these changes which will further enhance our park experience – allowing holidaymakers to create many more amazing memories with family and friends.”

Quality Street

Posted on March 7, 2017

Pathfinder’s clients can select everything from the size, the layout, the external finishing and the internal furnishings of the lodge.

Quality Street

Research has revealed that Brits spend on average, 15 per cent of their income on leisure activities including holidays - totalling a whopping £8.3bn per month. Conducted by YouGov, the survey of 2,061 adults also found that all Brits, irrespective of age and gender, prioritised experiences over material goods.

No wonder then that the drive towards high quality holiday accommodation in the last two decades has seen real innovation in the holiday park sector. For many years the humble caravan dominated the holiday parks market but cabins and lodges continue to grow their market share. Cabins and lodges are known to attract longer let periods than caravans, typically being very popular in the ‘harder to let’ shoulder months outside the peak season.

Whatever your preference, we can all agree that investing in high-value holiday accommodation makes sound business sense for park owners and operators. Because of their extended season appeal, it is imperative that lodges are well-built and insulated. Leading lodge manufacturer, Pathfinder Homes, recently boasted that on average, their lodges are 20 per cent better than the British Standard. Pathfinder’s typical build offers a minimum of 100mm thick insulation to the external walls and the floor with the roof boasting 200mm. This, in hand with a rated appliances, argon gas filled windows, low energy lighting and many other features means the lodge is not only kind to the environment but these changes add up and keep the average running costs down too.

NO COMPROMISE “Unlike a traditional bricks and mortar home, where you would be expected to compromise on at least a few of your desires, choosing a park home or lodge can open doors you never even knew existed – excuse the pun!” comments a spokesperson for Pathfinder. Pathfinder’s clients can select everything from the size, the layout, the external finishing and the internal furnishings of the lodge. Each customer is offered a blank canvas to start with, or they can choose from a preselected, standard design. The design studio presents a tangible design experience – so they can touch and feel the fabrics and virtually walk through the lodge before it is built. Leading lodge and holiday home manufacturer, Victory Leisure Homes has just launched its brand new model for 2017, which allows customers to create their own design, specified to their personal tastes from a list of 10 optional extras.

For nearly 60 years Pathfinder Homes has been a pioneering manufacturer of luxurious residential park homes and holiday lodges.

HOME FROM HOME The Echo comes in four sizes and room configurations – 36ft, two or three bedroom; 33ft, two bedroom, and; 28ft, two bedroom – and boasts a host of standard features, as well as an extensive list of extras including central heating, double glazing and integrated appliances. Standard features include, among others, Sandstone aluminium cladding, lounge electric fire, uPVC single glazed windows, USB sockets to all bedrooms and lounge, panoramic large front windows and Victory’s own design SoCozeee mattresses. The Echo is Victory’s first mid-season launch since 2015 when the company unveiled its popular model, the Sandhurst, to the industry. However last year, the company took a step back from launching a mid-season model, amid rising sales for its existing range.

Peter Nevitt, Managing Director of Victory Leisure Homes said: “In 2015/2016 sales across the range were flying, so we decided not to launch a mid-season model. “But since then we have expanded our manufacturing capacity significantly, meaning we are able to accommodate an extra, midseason model, which is why we’re delighted to be launching the Echo in 2017.”

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Fresh Approach

Posted on March 7, 2017

Fresh Approach

Peter Bull Resorts purchased Newquay View Holiday Park in 2014 and have since invested £2 million in upgrades to the facilities and general appearance of the park.

Purchased as a run-down park with a bad reputation for attracting the wrong sort of crowd to Newquay, Peter Bull Resorts has achieved a complete 180° turnaround at Newquay View Holiday Park in just three seasons. The group purchased the park in 2014 and has invested over £2m to improve the holiday fleet, refurbish and introduce new facilities and completely upgrade the general appearance of the park.

In fact, last year the park welcomed almost 19,000 holidaymakers and there are plans to further expand and enhance the facilities in the next 12 months. “Our ambition is to become a five star park, with all of the modern facilities and activities that guests expect from a resort,” reveals Barry McGregor, Managing Director at Peter Bull Resorts. “Having replaced every single hire fleet caravan since 2015, we now have planning in for a modern fully landscaped touring park with 85 fully serviced pitches and top notch amenities.”

He adds: “Newquay is all about outdoor living and we want to champion Porth as a top class destination.” Newquay View has the benefit of being very close to Newquay and all that it has to offer in the way of restaurants, pubs, clubs, beaches and attractions; but the park is set back in a peaceful valley with beautiful surrounding countryside, allowing our guests to enjoy the best of both worlds.

The park is managed on a day-to-day basis by General Manager Sue Hogg, who has over 30 years’ experience in improving customer experience and sales for top leisure brands

HIRE FLEET : On the park is a hire fleet of 75 caravans, ten glamping pods and over 100 touring and camping pitches. In addition there are over 110 holiday home owners on-site and 60 seasonal tourers. For the 2017 season, the park will be adding two Swift S Pods to its offering as a luxury glamping option. “We now have a strong base of holiday home owners and touring customers, a new holiday fleet and glamping accommodation too.

Situated near the beach at Porth, just outside the main town of Newquay, the park is popular with the outdoor family market,” comments Barry. “Ultimately the most important thing is that people enjoy their holidays with us so that they want to come back year after year. To achieve this it is vital we work well as a team and also listen to our guests to ensure that we are providing them with everything that they need to make their time with us special and memorable.”

CORE TEAM : The park is managed on a day-to-day basis by General Manager Sue Hogg, who has over 30 years’ experience in improving customer experience and sales for top leisure brands including Bourne Leisure and Park Leisure. Sue leads a core team of 25 staff with the support of a Leisure Manager, Operations Manager, Entertainment Manager and Housekeeping Manager. Amenities on the park include a 22m indoor pool, sauna, steam room, an endless elite training pool, café, amusements, a nightclub, two playgrounds, an outdoor heated pool, a convenience store, a fitness facility and specialist sports coaching.

The park boasts an indoor and an outdoor pool, which are popular hotspots for holidaymakers

There’s also an on-site surf school, Blue Surf, which gives lessons at nearby Watergate Bay. The park also supports the local community by making its facilities available to all neighbours. The indoor pool is used for weekly training and lessons by several local schools, the surf rescue services, local swimming clubs and the emergency services. Many Cornish organisations use the Venue Club to host their presentations or awards dinners, theatre productions, weddings and local events. “The bulk of our customers are families during the peak seasons, but we are increasingly seeing a growth in the couples and very young family market during the shoulder seasons and this is something that we are keen to encourage as we are now open all year round,” Barry explains.

He adds: “The biggest challenge that the park faces is providing high quality holidays to increasingly discerning customers, some of whom have never stayed in Cornwall before. Newquay View has required record levels of investment, which is challenging for owner managers, and higher staffing levels to manage facilities that will be flat out.”