Training Park Leaders Of The Future

Posted on September 1, 2017

Training Park Leaders Of The Future

Shorefield Holiday Park has launched an innovative academy training scheme aiming to recognise outstanding staff and develop the tourism and leisure ‘leaders of the future’. The academy, which celebrates the company’s 60th anniversary in 2018, will be known as the Dr Pollock Academy in honour of the company’s founder, and is leading the way in the tourism industry by providing training and recognition to nominated staff. HR manager Sue Lilley said the academy had been set up to recognise and nurture outstanding employees, and emphasise the company’s dedication to its staff. The inaugural members of the academy were nominated by their park managers and peers. “We wanted to set up this new initiative to reward our talented staff members with an ongoing training programme that will enable them to progress as far as they can within the business,” Sue said.

Christmas Present Hopes For Debra

Posted on September 1, 2017

Christmas Present Hopes For Debra

In the summer of 2014, Debra Drew was enjoying a holiday at Woolacombe Bay, Devon, with her family when disaster struck.

After spotting a nine-year-old boy struggling in the choppy waters she plunged into the sea in an attempt to save the youngster. The boy survived – but Debra suffered catastrophic brain injuries when sand was swept into her mouth by the seawater, stopping her breathing. The 48-year-old from Stourbridge, Worcestershire, was in a coma for six months and doctors believed she would be unlikely ever to move again without assistance.

Although still paralysed, Debra is putting up a brave fight – and is determined to be back home in time for Christmas this year. Park Holidays UK are now helping to raise funds to deliver Debra’s dream of returning home for Christmas. For this to happen, however, her friends and family need to raise £25,000 to buy a range of different medical equipment, including a specially built wheelchair.

Tony Clish, director of Park Holidays UK, said that Debra’s story is truly inspirational: “Debra has undergone many operations since the horrific incident and defied doctors’ expectations that there would be little chance of her surviving. She has shown remarkable spirit and now it’s time for us to do our bit by helping her return home full time to be among her treasured friends and family.”

Park Holidays UK operates 24 holiday parks in Southern England, including five in seaside Devon – and have offered Debra and her family a free stay whenever she feels able to take up the offer.

Wish You Were Here…

Posted on July 4, 2017

Wish You Were Here...

Picture postcards from Tretham Mill Touring Park in St Just-in-Roseland, Cornwall…

The award-winning Trethem Mill Touring Park is situated in an area of outstanding natural beauty on the stunning Roseland Peninsula on the south coast of Cornwall.

Set in 12 acres of landscaped grounds it provides 84 individually hedged pitches. The park caters for touring caravans, motorhomes and tents with a choice of fully serviced, all-weather and grass pitches. Trethem Mill is owned by Ian and Jane Akeroyd, their son Jake and Ian’s father Derek.

This year they are celebrating their 25th anniversary at Trethem Mill, having moved to the Park in 1992. The family are all involved in the running of the park along with Theo Forman who has joined the team full-time.

Over the years, the family have invested much time and money into transforming the park from an open field with basic facilities into a multi-award winning five-star park. “We are very proud of our park and what we have created as a family,” explains Jane.

“Providing a warm welcome and a friendly and relaxing atmosphere in which people can enjoy their stays has always been high on our list of priorities.” Amenities include a laundrette, licensed shop, WiFi, children’s playground, disabled facilities, individual shower rooms, dog walk and nature field, a pick your own herb garden and a games room with amusements.

Tretham Mill Touring Park
Tel. 01872 580504
www.trethem.com

Countrywide Park Homes Expansion

Posted on July 4, 2017

Countrywide Park Homes Expansion

Residential and luxury lodge park operator, Countrywide Park Homes has expanded its portfolio of successful parks across the UK with the addition of six new locations purchased from park operator Lifestyle Living UK.

The company, which currently owns and operates 19 parks across the UK, purchased the new parks in Norfolk, Suffolk and Cumbria. The parks offer a selection of touring, camping, static caravans, individually designed luxury lodges and park homes. The deal comprises the business and assets of Lifestyle Living UK including the parks, lodges and future bookings.

Anthony Barney, Owner and Chairman at Countrywide Park Homes, said they saw a unique opportunity to expand the company’s portfolio through the acquisition, enabling them to purchase a group of popular parks based in desirable locations across the UK. “Norfolk, Suffolk and Cumbria are the perfect, picturesque destinations, offering sandy beaches to quaint villages, outstanding food and drink and enviable views. We remain committed to investing in locations which, like these, offer tranquillity for residents, yet are within easy access to towns or villages with essential amenities,” he said.

“We are very much looking forward to operating in these great locations, and contributing to the continued success of these sites, and providing the perfect escape for future and current residents.”

FRP Advisory, the business advisory firm, negotiated the sale following a competitive sales and marketing process. “The proposal from Countrywide Park Homes was chosen as it offered the best value and certainty in the interests of all of Lifestyle Living’s stakeholders. We wish Lifestyle Living the very best under new ownership,” explained Jason Baker, Joint Administrator and Partner of FRP Advisory.

Countrywide Park Homes

Tel. 0800 690 6060

www.countrywideparkhomes.co.uk

English Tourism Winners Raise The Bar

Posted on July 4, 2017

English Tourism Winners Raise The Bar

VisitEngland celebrated the best of English tourism with the announcement of the 2017 winners of its Awards for Excellence.

The prestigious awards, now in their 28th year, celebrate those businesses and individuals who continuously raise the bar of England’s tourism offer. Some 25 award winners were selected from the 600 applications in this year’s competition. The winners were announced at a special ceremony in London, hosted by British comedienne and broadcaster Sue Perkins. Trethem Mill Touring Park in Cornwall was named the Holiday Park of the Year and The Dandelion Hideaway in Leicestershire scooped the Glamping Provider of the Year Award.

Other notable winners included Blakelow Farm Holiday Cottages in the East Midlands, which was named Self-Catering Holiday Provider of the Year and Letheringham Water Mill Holiday Cottages in Suffolk won the Dog Friendly Business of the Year Award.

VisitEngland Chief Executive, Sally Balcombe, commented: “This year’s awards were fiercely contested and we had some terrific applications, showcasing not only the excellence on offer within English tourism but also the outstanding innovation and the sheer diversity of experiences throughout the country. “From afternoon tea in a railway carriage to ‘Alice in Wonderland’ boutique hotel rooms, from great family friendly animal attractions to cottages for one, all well deserved the recognition of their quality and service.”

Leisure Investment

Posted on July 4, 2017

Leisure Investment

Park Holidays UK has just completed a £2million investment into new leisure facilities at Vale Holiday Park in Kent.

The 100-acre park now has at its heart a brand new complex, which includes a 150m2 swimming pool, shop, cafe-restaurant, and arcade area. Outside, a newly built patio area provides barbecues, super-size TV screens, seating and tables.

Elsewhere on the park an additional 97 leisure homes will be developed, adding to the current 280 holiday caravans and luxury lodges which are available to buy and to let.

Tony Clish, director of Park Holidays UK, said he was confident that his company’s investment in Birchington Vale would pay dividends for the whole region: “The Margate area has long been a holiday favourite for many families, and a top quality holiday park such as this will do much to further bolster its popularity.”

Record Breakers

Posted on July 4, 2017

Record Breakers

It has been a record year so far for inbound tourism to Britain, with visits up by six per cent on last year.

In the first two months of the year there were with 5.2 million visits to the country from overseas visitors and visitor spend reached a record £2.7 billion in January and February, up 11 per cent on the previous year.

Tourism Minister Tracey Crouch said: “This record-breaking start to the year once more underlines the strength of our tourism industry.

“Our fantastic welcome and world-class attractions are continuing to attract huge numbers of visitors from across the globe, which is great news for the whole country.” There were 3.6 million visits from the EU in January and February, up five per cent on the previous year. VisitBritain’s forecast predicts that growth is set to continue in 2017 with 38.8 million visits and with spending reaching £23.9 billion

Post-Brexit Boom In Holiday Home Sales

Posted on July 4, 2017

Post-Brexit Boom In Holiday Home Sales

With holiday caravans and lodges being more affordable than traditional houses, but certainly no less of a second-home in terms of space and style, sales at South West Holiday Parks’ two sites in Cornwall and their flagship park in Devon, have surged in the past 12 months.

The company has put the increase in sales partly down to more Brits opting to stay closer to home for their holidays, as the uncertainty of Brexit looms. “While Brexit has cast uncertainty over the economy, it is evident to us that people are still buying holiday homes, but here in the UK times have changed,” commented Josh Donald, Managing Director of South West Holiday Parks.

“Rather than watching their savings devalue month by month due to poor interest rates and rising inflation, our owners are buying a great holiday home, in a beautiful location and can sit back and relax knowing we take care of everything for them.”

He added: “Many people either have cash in the bank and are ready to buy a holiday lodge or caravan, or they use equity release so they can buy a holiday home without having to sell their main home and downsize. With a range of finance deals also on offer and more developments planned, we feel the holiday park is on the rise.”

Keeping Up Appearances

Posted on July 4, 2017

Keeping Up Appearances

From weather-proofing picnic areas, to investing in new playground equipment and waste recycling systems, holiday park owners that take pride in their park’s exterior appearance and make the most of their outdoor appeal will ultimately reap the rewards.

If you’re considering transforming your outdoor areas it needn’t be a daunting task. In fact, investing in a few simple and cost effective measures can go a long way in improving aesthetics, comfort and facilities for your guests. “It’s important to keep outdoor spaces well-maintained as this is one of the first impressions visitors will experience at your park,” says Stephen Toone, Managing Director of Fordingbridge Plc – a leading manufacturer of canopies, walkways and sustainable buildings.

“Your clientele are more likely to return to your site and recommend to their friends and family if the external appearance is tidy.”

Maximising the use of outdoor spaces all year round by weather-proofing your facilities can not only improve your customers’ experience, but also set your park apart from the competition.

“We are seeing an increase in demand for weather protected activity areas and dining spaces. Popular designs include the soft aesthetics of timber, which blend nicely into forest parks. Alternatively, tensile structures which can be applied to all types of parks in any setting,” says Stephen.

Fordingbridge work in partnership with parks to maximise customer experience and increase revenue potential. The experienced in-house design team assists by designing a canopy, walkway or queuing area pertinent to a park’s individual requirements or brand consistency at different sites. “Canopies can be used for increasing dining and picnic areas, which improve dwell time and all year round usage. Further uses include aesthetically pleasing storage facilities, such as secure bike shelters or outdoor activity equipment,” says Stephen.

ENGAGING IDEAS

“With more competition than ever before within the holiday park and leisure sector, attracting customers with new and engaging ideas are vital to achieve this. One of the many innovative ideas is the inspiring and engaging butterfly exhibit, which provides an attraction to suit all ages in all weather conditions.” A comprehensive outdoor play area is a winning formula for hospitality venues looking to appeal to young families.

Camber Sands Holiday Park in Sussex required a large new play area as part of a refurbishment project earlier this year. The park owners wanted separate areas for toddlers and juniors and a wide range of equipment. They enlisted the help of HAGS-SMP to design and install the scheme, which included themed multi-play units, dynamic equipment, a zip line, sunken trampolines and a trail with an 8m traverse wall.

The play area has proven to be a huge hit with customers, and according to HAGS, the only complaint from site has been to ask how to keep the adults off the equipment! “Theming seems to be a constant favourite with our clients. From pirate ships to fairy-tale castles you can add real play value to your areas by engaging a child’s imagination,” comments Simon Wright, Head of Sales at HAGS.

BETTER VALUE

“With something to suit all budgets, our products are built to last, providing better value over a longer period of time. A small play area suitable for approximate six to ten children might start from £10k and increase from there.” Simon add: “Remember though, if your budget is tight you might consider planning your scheme in phases, this way you can add to the playground over a period of time that suits.”

To find out more about maximising your outdoor space, subscribe to Holiday Park Scene

Company Contacts

Fordingbridge Tel. 01243 554 455 www.fordingbridge.co.uk

HAGS-SMP Tel. 01784 489109 www.hags-smp.co.uk

IvyLiving Tel. 08448 002215 www.ivyliving.co

Rolec Services Tel. 01205 724754 www.rolecserv.com

Trimax Tel. 01933 652 235 www.trimaxmowers.co.uk

The UK’s Finest Holiday Park Pools

Posted on June 30, 2017

The UK's Finest Holiday Park Pools

Entries are now open for the hotly-contested Holiday Park Pool of the Year Award, part of the 2017 UK Pool & Spa Awards.

The Holiday Park Pool of the Year category is open to all parks in the UK and Eire with water leisure facilities, regardless of trade affiliation or association. Past winners of the award have said how much they value the competition as an opportunity to raise the profile of their park, both within the industry and most importantly to their target customers.

Returning for the ninth consecutive competition, the UK Pool & Spa Awards showcase the very best of the companies involved in the provision of water leisure in Great Britain. Parks wishing to take part can now enter via the UK Pool & Spa Awards website www.ukpoolandspaawards.co.uk. All entries must be submitted online by Monday September 4th, and an entry fee of £30 plus VAT (£36 total) for each entry is payable via PayPal at time of entry submission.

All entries need to be accompanied by at least one, but ideally three, digital images at 300 dpi or more. This year’s awards presentation evening will once again return to The Vox Conference Centre within Resorts World on the Birmingham NEC site.

The networking event will take place on Monday December 4th, and will begin with a business networking style drinks reception, followed by dinner and the presentation of the awards. Tickets for the business networking style prize-giving event are now available to book online.

Tickets are priced at £50 +VAT, which includes drinks on arrival, dinner and entertainment. With limited seats available, early booking is advised. An informal event and opportunity to celebrate its many successes; the dress code for the evening is smart casual

Holiday Park Scene Magazine

Holiday Park Operator

Training Park Leaders Of The Future