henry wild

BUSINESS BOOSTERS

Posted on May 10, 2023

BUSINESS BOOSTERS

Creating a themed holiday break can hike bookings, writes Judith Wojtowicz...

THIS ENORMOUS BEECH TREE, affectionately known as Lando, is perfect for tree climbing at Camp Wildfire in Kent

Themed breaks are a great way for holidaymakers to explore new things; to experience something different be it stargazing in Norfolk, learning to surf in Scotland or fishing in the Fens. Whether aiming at a family looking for a week of water sports, such as Willowholt Caravan Park, or a solo traveller escaping for a few days to a writing retreat alongside like-minded people at somewhere like Lumb Bank.

Many centre operators are exploring new ideas while also adding value for today’s cost-conscious consumer. Skelwith Fold Caravan Park in Cumbria brings keen walkers all year round where guests are now raising money for the local air ambulance service through their purchase of walking guides. Routes range from easily navigated low-level footpaths to more demanding ascents of the surrounding fells. “All the walks have been submitted by our guests and used by Skelwith as part of our marketing strategy,” said Henry Wild whose family owns the park.

Henry explained: “Many guests come here specifically to enjoy walking in these spectacular surroundings and our guides are much appreciated. The fact they are compiled by like-minded visitors helps create something of a bond between guests who are delighted to see their own walk realised in print when they next return.” Each guide costs just £1.50 and last year raised £2,675 for the charity. Discounted green fees are on offer at the family-owned Riverside Caravan Park which neighbours Bentham Golf Club in the Yorkshire Dales.

Thomas Marshall rescued the failing club in 2009, ‘taking a gamble’ to invest in his personal vision. The risk paid off as today golfers flock to the site which has earned an enviable reputation as one of the best appointed and most spectacularly sited courses in the UK. The park has expanded still further with the creation of a luxury glamping option called Wenningdale Escapes making it a genuine destination of choice for golf enthusiasts.

HENRY WILD came up with the walking guides charity initiative at his family owned Skelwith Fold Caravan Park

Pods and lodges, the latter available both for rent and sale, are dotted around the fairways, a unique location for visiting players while also attracting non-golfers who value the space and beautiful scenery. The project has developed into a unique business model, bringing unexpected and very welcome benefits. The park is seeing a trend among returning visitors to ‘trade up’ initially from renting a spot for their touring caravan to buying a static ‘caravan’ on site, and from there to purchasing a luxury lodge on the fairway.

Said Thomas: “Since buying the golf club our business has gone from strength to strength, with cross-over between the two sites. It has been a hugely exciting ride over the past 15 years and the hard work has paid off, thanks in no small way to the combined efforts of our amazing team.” Taking advantage of what is already available on site is also proving a successful strategy at Acorn Holiday Park in the Cambridgeshire Fens where fishing is the main attraction.

Co-owner Paul Stanton purchased Acorn and the adjoining Pisces Country Park just before the COVID lockdown, recognising the potential to create one big park. “With four well-stocked fishing lakes and situated close to the famous Welney Wildfowl and Wetlands Reserve, we definitely saw an opportunity as people are choosing to get back to Nature for short breaks,” said Paul. “We could see the market was changing as guests told us they want a UK holiday, somewhere to relax and with a variety of activities.

While fishing is a central part of our business plan, we are also exploring the potential of working closely with the Wetlands Trust to offer added value.” With Pisces already established as an award-winning fishing venue, Paul has seen a quick return on his investment having trebled the number of rental units at Acorn and upgraded site facilities. Specialist conservation work is ongoing to enhance the grounds and lakes and several families are now on their second or third visit.

SEE WHOOPER SWANS at Welney Wildfowl and Wetlands Reserve while staying at Acorn Holiday Park. Photo: Keith Suffling

DARK SKIES
The dark skies over Norfolk also bring returning visitors to Kelling Heath Holiday Park, where a programme of themed breaks includes Star Parties attracting hundreds of amateur and professional astronomers to get an uninterrupted glimpse of the Milky Way and the constellation of Orion, visible to the naked eye. To meet demand, ten premium pitches in a sheltered spot, were added last year exclusively designated for astronomers.

These events have become even more popular since the park was recognised as a 2-star accredited Dark Sky Discovery Site in 2017, unaffected by light pollution. To protect this natural phenomenon, lighting is restricted across the site through sensitive pitch planning and asset design. Guests are advised to bring toothbrush and torch when they come to stay! Kelling Heath gives many people their first true dark skies experience.

The ‘excitement and wonder on the faces of those marvelling at the majesty of the night sky’ at our Star Parties is something to behold, said Michael Timewell, director of park owner Blue Sky Leisure. As well as star parties, the park’s dedicated countryside team runs a series of activity breaks during school holidays with the emphasis on conservation and education, reflecting its relationship with the Kelling Heath Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) which borders the park.

MAIN ARENA AT LAST YEAR’S INAUGURAL TORCHLIGHT Festival hosted by the Camping and Caravanning Club at Walesby Forest. Photo: Matthew Smith

Marketing manager Lucy Cook told us the importance of these events cannot be over-estimated. “Elevating the importance of Dark Skies, educating people on what to look for and supporting specialist groups in the pursuit of their interests is incredibly important to us as a business. All our activities align with our ethos of enjoying the outdoors, discovering Nature and spending time together.”

When it comes to choosing a themed holiday, trying something new outside your comfort zone or learning a new skill, Camp Wildfire probably comes close to having it all. Festival camping with a difference, this forest retreat in Kent is packed full of adventure, a unique experience offering an extraordinary 100 activities with music at night for those who want to party. Activities range from making cocktails and learning to fly the trapeze to hot air ballooning and tree climbing.

New ones are added every year including Camp Kindling for those who wish to bring children. The brainchild of two university friends, it has grown from a one-off summer camp which attracted 350 adults in 2015, to a significant player in the leisure sector attracting 3,000 people to each weekend event held during August and September. More than 40 per cent of guests are returning visitors with social media and word of mouth recommendation ensuring full capacity.

ENJOY THE MAJESTY of the night sky at Kelling Heath’s Star Parties in Norfolk. Photo: Andy Green

MAKING MEMORIES
Marketing manager Chris Rice reckons themed breaks are popular because it gives people a reason to take time out and do something totally different. “They are not just buying a holiday, they are buying joy and making memories. They can come back year after year and try something different. Camp Wildfire offers a low-stake investment in trying something they would never normally have either the opportunity, or the nerve, to try.

They can explore all their curiosities in a safe environment, which works for them and for us as a business.” For those who have the nerve to ride the waves, a stay at Surf Tiree in Scotland might be a good place to start. Self-catering accommodation is available alongside lessons from a team of professional instructors led by husband-and-wife team Marti and Iona Larg. Long stretches of beach with safe sea conditions provide the perfect setting for beginners of all ages, while kitesurfing and kayaking are also available.

After a two-year planning battle to set up their surf school, Surf Tiree has developed an enviable reputation. So much so that it is being considered as next year’s host for the Scottish National Surfing Championships. “It was tough in the early days, but we didn’t have the luxury of giving up as we had invested too much emotion and energy into the project,” said Iona. Board, wetsuit and all necessary kit is provided, and each instructor has no more than six-eight people in a group.

While this type of holiday is seasonal (April to October) and weather dependant, the beautiful Isle of Tiree has much to offer and year-round visitors can enjoy the wildlife, whale watching, basking sharks and lots more besides. When it comes to themed holidays there really does seem to be something for everyone. Geocaching in the Lake District, yoga in Wales, ‘witchy weekends’ in the Highlands, indoor bowls at Potters Resort, chess tournaments at Butlins, netball weekends in Shropshire, medieval weekends at Warwick Castle, orienteering in Norfolk… the choice is endless, and the potential is being increasingly recognised by independent owner/operators.

PROFESSIONAL SURFER and instructor Ben Larg rides the waves at Balevullin Beach on the Isle of Tiree.

The PR value of such events has also been recognised by the Camping and Caravanning Club. While individual member sites tend not to provide themed breaks, relying instead on visitors choosing a site depending on leisure activities available in the vicinity, the club has created its own themed event. Following a successful launch last year, the club is once again hosting a Torchlight Festival of Camping in Walesby Forest, Nottinghamshire (August 18th -21st).

Exclusive to club members the programme includes an impressive line-up of musical entertainment headlined by Sophie Ellis-Bextor and Will Young. At nightfall, an illuminated light trail will entice visitors into the forest to learn about the club’s 122-year history. A £20 day pass will enable guests to try their hand at outdoor activities such as archery and zip-lining while campers can keep up the club’s century-old tradition of ‘lighting up’ by decorating and illuminating their tents, caravans and motor homes.

It seems activity breaks such as this are especially appealing for those seeking two or three shorter holidays a year, perhaps combining a hobby with a few days away, or simply wishing to get away from stressful everyday life rather than the traditional dash to the sun for two weeks. From a business perspective they encourage repeat visitors for popular annual events and help maintain on and off-peak occupancy rates.

PERFECT ANTEDOTE TO TRAVEL WOES

Posted on August 2, 2022

PERFECT ANTEDOTE TO TRAVEL WOES

PEOPLE ARE OPTING for UK holiday park breaks to avoid the hassle of overseas travel.

 

An award-winning Lake District holiday park says that growing numbers of guests are switching to a UK stay this year to escape the hassle of overseas travel. Skelwith Fold in Ambleside reports an uplift in bookings during the recently reported chaos at many British airports, cross-channel route and last-minute cancellations by holiday companies.

The park’s Henry Wild says people are deciding that enough is enough, and they want their holiday memories to bring back happiness rather than headaches. “Holiday parks are proving the perfect antidote to the hassle of travelling abroad,” said Henry whose family’s park sits in 130 acres of countryside near the shores of Windermere. “Many families made this discovery during the pandemic and are now re-booking stays because the experience is so much more relaxing and enjoyable for everyone.

“A lot of our guests live just two or three hours away and can pack their bags in the morning and be starting their Lake District holiday the same afternoon. “For those flying off abroad, that timescale often sees just the start of a journey which is pitted with uncertainty and frustration that can leave people feeling helpless. Skelwith Fold provides glamping accommodation such as fully equipped safari tents as well as cottages to rent, along with pitches for motorhome and touring caravan guests.

THREE GENERATION GRAMPING HOLIDAYS

Posted on October 28, 2021

SKELWITH FOLD’S HENRY Wild says families are making room for grandparents on their holidays.

THREE GENERATION GRAMPING HOLIDAYS

Many families with children are taking more than just suitcases on their holidays this year - they are also making room for grandma and grandad.
That’s the finding of major Lake District holiday park Skelwith Fold which reports a rise in multi-generation holidays booked for summer and autumn.
The park’s Henry Wild believes that many families are motivated by wanting to spend quality time together after months of lockdowns.
The Ambleside park says the trend is evident amongst those hiring glamping accommodation such as safari tents, and people staying in motorhomes and touring caravans.
“The three-generation holiday is a throw-back to what was once a common practice in this country many years ago,” said Henry. “It diminished with the popularity of overseas holidays which weren’t as practical for extended family groups – but, of course, Covid has now changed all of that.
“A holiday park is the ideal environment for this as everyone can enjoy breathing fresh air in natural surroundings, and just take it easy in a laid-back atmosphere. As well as enjoying each other’s company, mum and dad also have a built-in child care service so that they can make an occasional escape and be just a couple again,” added Henry.

BALANCING ACTS

Posted on January 25, 2021

BALANCING ACTS

WHITECLIFF BAY BEACH, AWAY HOLIDAYS –When project planning, Away Resorts always take into consideration environmentally and eco-friendly impact.

Environmentally-friendly tourism is in safe hands, as Emily Martin reports...

The holiday park industry is big business. In a 2019 study, carried out by Frontline Consultants on behalf of the UK Caravan and Camping Alliance (UKCCA), it was found that in the UK alone, campsites and holiday parks generate £9.3bn in visitor spending and support 171,448 full-time employees. That accounts for 8% of the UK tourism industry overall and is a colossal figure everyone involved is surely keen to protect. But, as any big business does, it can come with a great big dirty footprint and, for business owners, it’s striking the balance between what makes their accountants happy, but also what’s environmentally something to be proud of that poses a perpetual challenge. Happily, the custodians of the gorgeous pockets of the UK, known as holiday parks, are proving they are more than up to the challenge.

GREEN TOURISM

It is impossible to go any further without mentioning the David Bellamy Awards which takes place every year and is one of the longest-running green tourism awards in the UK. It is truly seen as the benchmark for holiday parks who pride themselves on their green credentials. The late Mr Bellamy himself, who sadly died in 2019, remarked when he piloted the scheme in 1996, that his dream was to: “Upgrade all caravan parks to some sort of conservation status so that they can educate the visiting public and help them respect and care for the countryside.” A romantic notion indeed, but sometimes being ‘green’ has to be lower down the priorities list for a business ultimately focussed on making a profit, or does it? In 2007 there was a major revision of the judging criteria for award winners, done to acknowledge the increasing importance of energy saving and sustainability issues. With businesses cottoning on to the fact that caring about the environment is well worth it in order to preserve their incomes for the future, it’s been embraced by the industry in a myriad of ways. Rufus Bellamy, environmental adviser to the British Holiday and Home Parks Association, and David’s son, is now charged with continuing his father’s work. He says, “Many parks in Britain are blessed with abundantwildlife, and their owners are generally mindful of the need to manage their natural surroundings with sensitivity.” And Jon Boston of the BHPA says: “Holiday parks are commercial operations - they need to make a profit to stay in existence and keep their staff employed. “But these days, and especially during the pandemic, people want to get out into the countryside and discover places where they can get the benefits of fresh air and rural surroundings, so it’s actually a commercial investment to ensure parks are environmental oases.”

UTOPIAN PARKS

This all sounds lovely in theory. Idealistic, utopian holiday parks teaming with squirrels, fluttering with butterflies and leafy trees filled with birds is what we’d all hope for, but when going green costs money, how does it all work in reality? How much do holiday parks actually prioritise sustainability, and crucially how much of their budget will get allocated to overcoming the challenges? Kaz Mortimer is Group General Manager of Shorefield Holidays, a family owned business with eight parks across the south coast, and proud recipient of a Gold David Bellamy Award this year. Kay says: “Good green credentials are very important to our business.We have started the implementation of electric vehicles in our company fleet, as well as installing LED lighting to reduce light pollution and power consumption. “Our indoor swimming pool at Shorefield Country Park, is heated and runs on bio fuel and, where essential tree works are carried out, we re-use the chippings on our gardens.” FraserWatts, Operations Manager at Away Resorts comments: “Any but there is a commercial benefit when you invest in your micro-ecology environment and it’s something which parks are very keen to do, basically because customers like it and it encourages more customers.”

KEY FACTOR

Zoe House of family owned Ladram Bay Holiday Park agrees: “Our family tries to make sustainability a key factor in all of our business decisions. “The David Bellamy Conservation Award Scheme incorporates many of our values, and we have been closely involved with it from the outset,” Zoe continues. “Perhaps one of its most vital roles is to demonstrate that parks such as ours can play a major part in protecting and enhancing the natural world, and at the same time create a more exciting and enjoyable place for people to visit. “One very successful recent project was to retrieve one ton of plastic waste washed up on our private beach. We showed the growing total on a rising column of sand on a special display board near the beach path, and children especially showed great enthusiasm to help us reach our target! “Other initiatives involve substantially greater cost, such as our decision to reduce by 33% Ladram Bay’s carbon footprint,” she continues. “This has included a £300,000 investment in a solar energy system which will prevent a massive 171 tonnes of carbon dioxide annually from entering the atmosphere.We have also expanded our fleet of all-electric vehicles, and plan to introduce car charging points for customers. “We don’t, of course, expect to gain commercially from such actions – but they all fit into the wider objective of providing the park with a sustainable future. This policy isn’t something we especially boast about to guests, but it’s amazing how many do take a genuine interest in our environmental work and are keen to hear about our plans. We have always felt privileged to be able to live and work in such a project we undertake, always has considerations for being environmentally and eco-friendly." added Zoe.

Without financial return on investment, is the appeal for businesses purely a desire to just…do something good? Jon Boston again: “David Bellamy himself was very keen on holiday parks publicising what they were doing to encourage people to go there, because that in turn would encourage the park to spend more on its environmental initiatives. “It’s not done for commercial reasons, it's a beautiful part of Devon, and putting something back into the region is its own reward.” Ladram Bay are not alone. This feeling that being green is simply the right thing to do, regardless of the investment it takes, is echoed widely. Henry Wild of Skelwith Fold caravan park comments:“Businesses, including holiday parks such as ours, will evaluate most new projects in terms of their cost and the likely payback period. “But this doesn’t work when weighing up investments intended to produce environmental benefits. They may, in the long term, make the park a more attractive or appealing proposition for holiday guests, but you would be hard pressed to see this reflected in the balance sheets.

 

SWEET SCENTS

Skelwith Fold go the extra mile with environmentally measures such as treating wastewater naturally by channelling it through specially cultivated beds of iris plants. Maintaining these beds is a costly year-round commitment, and it could be argued that simply using chemicals to make the water safe would be far cheaper. Henry says: “To my mind, sweet- scented irises provide a much more attractive outlook than an industrial treatment plant, and the system is more ecologically sound. “In a similar vein, our visitors greatly enjoy spotting the red squirrels and roe deer in our grounds. “But these animal numbers would probably be far fewer if we didn’t implement a labour-intensive winter- feeding programme, or spend time and money on creating the conditions and habitats which enable such species to flourish. “We choose to take such initiatives not for any financial gain, but so that we can have pride in a business which is impacting positively on the environment.” It’s certainly impressive and extremely heartening to find that the more you dig into the complex workings of holiday parks, the more intricate the environmental duty of care being practised really is. From tiny bee hotels to huge solar installations, it seems that the UK’s most celebrated and beautiful places are in very safe hands. HenryWild sums it up nicely: “I really don’t believe that business decisions should be entirely profit focussed. If this year has taught us anything, it is that quality of life is all about how we feel and our sense of wellbeing. “Connecting with nature benefits both, and if our park can play a small part in nudging this along, I’ll be perfectly happy!”

WELCOME FOR FIRST TIMERS

Posted on September 8, 2020

WELCOME FOR FIRST TIMERS

First-time motorhome users are being promised a soft and sympathetic landing when they pull into one of the Lakes District’s most popular parks for tourers. Skelwith Fold in Ambleside is going all out to win the confidence of couples and families taking their debut drive in a motorhome this year. “It’s clear that many people during lockdown were dreaming of experiencing just such a holiday, and now their chance has come,” said park director Henry Wild. “Hiring a motorhome is now very much on trend with younger guests, and we want to ensure that their first taste of this lifestyle will give them an appetite for more.” Guests arriving at the 130-acre park for the contactless fast check-in will be asked by staff if they have visited before, and offered help if this is their first motorhome outing. “Motorhome hire firms usually do an excellent job of explaining everything during handover, but after that you are on your own and it can feel a little daunting,” Henry said. “Our message is, never be afraid to ask for help at the park – if it hasn’t already been offered by other more experienced motorhome users nearby, which often happens. “Some of our first-timers have already become second-timers, so we’re delighted that those lockdown dreams are living up to expectations!” added Henry.

Growing Market

Posted on November 7, 2018

Growing MarketGrowing Market

Senior executives from the Caravan and Motorhome Club took a behind-the- scenes look this autumn at a major Lake District holiday park which is meeting new staycation opportunities. Skelwith Fold in Ambleside was the venue for the visit following a study tour earlier in summer to the Club’s Coniston Park Coppice by members of BH&HPA’s Cumbria branch.The delegation was headed by the Club’s director general Nick Lomas, and the aim was to see how one of the organisation’s commercial counterparts was adapting to an evolving market. Skelwith Fold director Henry Wild, who led the tour of the 130-acre grounds, said there was ample evidence this year that the demand for holidays in the UK was continuing to rise. The trend, he believes, is helping to introduce more families to the notion of a British park holiday, especially via “glamping” with its appeal to a very broad spectrum of visitors.

Skelwith Fold
Tel: 01539 432277
www.skelwith.com

GREAT EXPECTATIONS

Posted on September 11, 2018

great expectationsGREAT EXPECTATIONS

Boosted by what was the hottest summer on record, the UK’s holiday park sector has never been so appealing. More Brits each year are continuing to enjoy all that the country’s parks have to offer - and what an offering it is. From quirky wigwams and shepherds tents to deluxe lodges and cabins, today’s holiday parks and campsites are better equipped than ever before for their increasingly discerning guests. Accommodation features that were once considered luxurious are now seen as the norm. Take glamping as an example. Nobody needs to be reminded of the rise and rise of glamping, but what is noteworthy is how such accommodation is fast moving from fringe to mainstream. Rather than just providing a handful of pods alongside their traditional holiday homes, some parks are now dedicating large sections of their grounds to a variety of glamping modules, creating in effect a mini-village for guests seeking this type of experience. There are also instances of parks swapping a number of their seasonal or touring pitches for this style of accommodation, purely as a response to customer preference.

BROAD APPEAL

Glamping is also broadening the appeal of taking a holiday on a park to couples and families who might otherwise not have considered the option. In many cases, this might have been because they hadn’t quite grasped the concept of what a park offers in terms of its rented accommodation, or simply because the guests weren’t keen on camping. By contrast, the idea of staying in a shepherd’s hut, safari tent or hobbit house is easy to understand, and provides an element of adventure and fun with which it is easy to engage. “If glamping is an example of camping on an upward trajectory as far as quality is concerned, then the same can also be said of caravan holiday homes,” comments Jon Boston, a spokesperson for the British Holiday & Home Parks Association (BH&HPA). “Many of these now have levels of refinement far beyond what a customer would expect as standard a decade ago, including features such as en-suite bathrooms, exterior decking, wide-screen TVs and sophisticated sound systems.” Jon adds: “UK manufacturers have proved themselves adept at constantly refining their product, but there may be some evidence that holiday lodges will become more dominant in the future. Some park groups are now favouring lodges over holiday caravans when developing new pitches, both for sales and rental.”

COMFORT FACTOR

Great Expectations 2The extra space in a lodge can make for a more comfortable stay, especially if the customer is holidaying with an extended family or friends. For rental purposes, lodges also enable parks to offer a more luxurious experience. Some lodge breaks are now being styled along the lines of a boutique hotel with added features such as robes and slippers, upscale toiletries, bubbly in the fridge, and even fresh croissants delivered in the morning. Says Jon: “The trend towards more highly specified caravan holiday homes and lodges is also consistent with the move by many parks to extend their opening seasons. Local authorities would appear to be increasingly more accommodating when faced with such requests from parks, recognising the wider economic benefits to be gained from lengthening the holiday year, not least among the many businesses in their area which depend on visitor spending.” He adds: “With modern holiday homes now providing highly efficient central heating systems as well as double glazing and increased levels of insulation, holidays throughout the four seasons become much more practical.”

PARK PRODUCT

At Skelwith Fold caravan park in the Lake District, new accommodation trends are enabling park owner Henry Wild to broaden his customer base. The Ambleside park has around 450 pitches for holiday home owners and touring guests – but camping is not permitted: “This once meant that Skelwith Fold was only open to people with a touring caravan or motorhome, so we were limiting our guests to people who already understood the park product,” comments Henry. “A few years ago, however, we decided to remedy that by introducing top-end glamping modules for hire, based on the Swift S-Pod. This immediately extended our appeal to couples who might never before have considered using a park for a holiday.” He adds: “Their success encouraged us this year to invest in two safari tents, fully furnished and kitted-out, which are also proving immensely popular, especially with younger families.” While glamping is great for generating additional revenue, Henry believes that the real value of this accommodation is in generating interest in holiday home ownership. At least fifteen sales of holiday homes on the park over the past few years can be attributed to glamping stays.

TASTER BREAKS

Great Expectations 3“Many people typically book for three or four nights and that is sufficient for them to get an idea of what life could be like for them as owners. It’s surprising just how many on their last day ask if they can just take a quick look at one of our show homes before they leave!” says Henry. He adds: “As an industry, we have always known that a better understanding by consumers of what we offer could widen considerably our market potential. Glamping is doing the job far more effectively and economically than any amount of advertising could achieve.”
Switched on park owners who want to keep abreast of the everevolving world of park accommodation can get a first glimpse of the new 2019 models at the HERCMA Shows at The Lawns and Beaulieu this Autumn. Some 300 models of touring caravans, holiday homes, lodges and park homes will be on display at the shows, which run from September 4th – 6th (The Lawns) and September 21st – 23rd (Beaulieu).

RETAIL SALES

“The industry overall is enjoying a good year with retail sales on the rise in all sectors, in particular with holiday homes and park homes,” explains Michael Ritchie, Event Manager of the Hull and East Riding of Yorkshire Caravan Manufacturers’ Association (HERCMA) Shows. “Customers want more and more creature comforts in their holiday homes and manufacturers strive to keep pace. Electronic gadgetry is now common in many of the higher priced units and in recent years there has been a rise in the popularity of twin units for both holiday and residential use. In fact, there will be a record number of twin units on display at The Lawns show this year – nearly 40 of them from 13 different manufacturers.”The Lawns show has been running for more than 40 years at The Lawns in Cottingham. It is run by HERCMA, which comprises five manufacturers from the region: ABI, Carnaby, Coachman, Swift and Willerby. Open to the public, the show attracts well over 20,000 visitors each year. “There will be numerous new product launches – as always at The Lawns,” promises Michael. “ABI and Swift are unveiling additional twin units with highly imaginative layouts; Willerby will be unveiling its range of park homes; and companies such as Pathfinder, Prestige-Homeseeker and Omar-Wessex always have stunning new designs on show and are promising the same this time.” Commenting on the future of holiday park accommodation, Michael adds: “I think that holiday caravans, lodges and park homes will continue to evolve, according to customer requirements, becoming, along with parks, more and more energy efficient, providing some of greenest and most environmentally holidays and residential accommodation available. While there may be short-term problems with issues such as Brexit, the longer-term future looks pretty good.”

Company Contacts

ASSOCIATION
Tel. 01452 526911
www.bhhpa.org.uk

COMPASS INSURANCE
Tel. 01452 511430
www.compass.co.uk

THE LAWNS AND BEAULIEU SHOWS 2018
www.lawnsandbeaulieushows.com

Scottish Parks Meet At Annual Summit

Posted on January 16, 2017

Scottish Parks Meet At Annual Summit

Pictured are chairman of BH&HPA (Scotland) Colin Fraser; national BH&HPA chairman Henry Wild; Scottish tourism minister Fiona Hyslop MSP; BH&HPA (Scotland) policy director Jeanette Wilson, and director general of BH&HPA Ros Pritchard.

Pictured are chairman of BH&HPA (Scotland) Colin Fraser; national BH&HPA chairman Henry Wild; Scottish tourism minister Fiona Hyslop MSP; BH&HPA (Scotland) policy director Jeanette Wilson, and director general of BH&HPA Ros Pritchard.

Owners and managers of many of Scotland’s 200 plus park businesses attended the annual conference of the BH&HPA (Scotland) in November, at the end of what was generally regarded as a highly successful year for their sector.

Scottish tourism minister Fiona Hyslop MSP was the guest speaker at the event and was welcomed by Aberdeen park owner Colin Fraser who is chairman of BH&HPA (Scotland). Mr Fraser told the minister that an independent economic survey published last year found that Scottish holiday parks generate around £700m of visitor spending each year in Scotland.

This figure, he said, accounts for 8% of all the revenue produced by Scotland’s tourism economy, and allows the Scottish park sector to support more than 5,600 full-time equivalent jobs. In her address to delegates, Fiona Hyslop said: “The holiday homes sector is a unique but vital part of our tourism and hospitality industry.

The sector provides important geographic spread, allowing visitors to see more of our country and, in doing so, to support our rural economies.” Other speakers at the Edinburgh event included Director General of BH&HPA, Ros Pritchard, who outlined some of ways in which the association engages with politicians to help frame UK and EU laws and regulations affecting park businesses.

National BH&HPA chairman Henry Wild also gave his perspective as a holiday park owner on how the association helps its members develop their businesses and meet customer expectations.

Death By Drowning For Stricken Parks

Posted on March 8, 2016

Death By Drowning For Stricken Parks

caravanflood

Flood waters caused damage to parks in the North.

Severe storms battered the UK at the end of last year, causing devastating floods and damage to a number of holiday parks in the North of the country.

In light of the recent floods, Britain’s Secretary of State for tourism has been told that Northern England’s visitor industry could suffer ‘death by drowning’ if more attention isn’t paid to maintaining the region’s waterways.

The warning was delivered by chairman of the BH&HPA Henry Wild at a major London tourism conference. Mr Wild said that the aftermath of December’s deluges had shown the potentially devastating impact that flooding could have on the tourism industry, particulary in Cumbria and Lancashire. He said there needed to be a body appointed with clearly defined responsibilities for ensuring that waterways were capable of removing surface water from the land.

“It appears that many holidaymakers have been heeding the message that Cumbria is determined to be back on its feet by spring with repairs made to much of our damaged infrastructure,” he said.

“We now need a clear road map which identifies the agency and the resources available to it for tackling the problem of an ever-rising water table.”

Deeside Holiday Park in Aberdeenshire was totally submerged when the nearby River Dee burst its banks due to heavy rain gales were swept in by Storm Frank. Residents, guests and staff were evacuated on December 30 at 2pm and by 3.30pm the entire site was underwater. Flood water surged through the park once more on January 3, causing further destruction.

“The park has been completely devastated,” explains Sarah Wood MacGregor of Wood Leisure, owners of Deeside Park.

“The reception is the only building left standing as it is on higher ground but everything else, including all the lodges, holiday homes and caravans have been demolished.

“We had some flood defences in place, but as a fairly low risk area no one could have predicted the sheer volume and power of the water that hit the park. We are just counting our lucky stars that no-one was injured.”

A major clean-up operation is underway at Deeside as water levels began to subside. Wood Leisure hopes that the park will be up and running again in time for the summer season.

Sarah adds: “We are remaining optimistic, but we have a long road ahead. We will be investing in new flood defences and hope to have some parts of the park open in the spring.”

A recent report by specialist insurance broker Towergate revealed that over the past five years, more than a third of small businesses have experienced property damage from bad weather. Yet three in five aren’t insured against flooding, high winds, thunder and lightning, snow, ice or hail – risking footing the bill for £74,000 worth of property damage on average.

Commenting on the findings, Drew Wotherspoon from Towergate, said: “Small businesses are the lifeblood of the UK economy, but too many firms are not protecting themselves against the erratic nature of British weather, leaving themselves open to footing the bill for substantial damages and losing out on business earnings.

“It’s vital that small business owners take heed of weather warnings and take precautionary measures to allow them to weather the storm and get back to business as quickly as possible.”

 

Industry Returns To The Good Times

Posted on February 23, 2016

Industry Returns To The Good Times

A highly successful year for many, 2015 got off to a good start with an extended spring season and the early onset of summer, which put a spring in the step of many holiday park operators.
Riding the crest of a wave, the holiday park and tourism industries in general are feeling positive and confident as we head into the New Year. Holiday Park Scene magazine asked a selection of leading industry personalities to give their take on 2015 and their predictions and resolutions for the year ahead…

Tim GibsonTim Gibson

Managing director of Haven Holidays

“2015 was very positive for Haven; our business grew by over 6 per cent, with more customers searching out and enjoying their holiday in our luxury end accommodation. As a result, they did pay more for their holiday in 2015 but the improvement in our guest satisfaction scores suggest that they found the extra investment in their holiday well worthwhile.

“The good early season weather certainly helped get the year off to a good start and we were able to maintain the momentum throughout the year. Also, our continued investment in the product both physical and service elements has contributed to an increase in repeat custom which bodes well for the future.

“Looking ahead to 2016, we are already seeing more people choosing to book early to secure their first choice of park and chosen accommodation. Some of our most exclusive units are already very well sold and people will increasingly discover that if they wait, it’ll be too late.

“I hope to spend more time on park this year speaking to our park teams and our guests. I also plan to continue to work smarter, to make sure we continue to deliver our business objectives in the most efficient but also the most enjoyable way possible.”

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