Low Cost Short Breaks For British Troops

Posted on January 6, 2016

Low Cost Short Breaks For British Troops

Trustees for the Give Us Time charity include Lady Kitty Spencer, pictured
here with two British service personnel.

A national charity is appealing to holiday park owners to help British troops by donating holiday accommodation during the low season.
Give Us Time helps British military personnel and their families by providing holidays for those in need of rest and rehabilitation.
The charity connects service families with hotels, resorts, holiday cottage owners and timeshare properties that, during low seasons, have empty rooms or accommodation to fill.
A spokesperson for the charity explains: “Family is the support system around a soldier’s rehabilitation, however, re-adjusting to family life while dealing with the triumphs and traumas of an operational tour can be extremely difficult, even more so with physical or psychological damage.
“The scheme is a low cost way of caring for military personnel by nurturing this essential family time with week-long holidays on neutral territory, away from the barracks and comrades, just pure family bonding. The effect this can have on the family cohesion and marriage on these families has been invaluable.”
Give Us Time has over 1,000 soldiers registered to its database, who are in need of rest, rehabilitation and reconnection with their families.
The charity currently already works with several holiday companies, such as Center Parcs in the UK, which donate low-season holidays to the British troops.
For more information, visit www.giveustime.org.uk

£960 Million Parks Merger Deal

Posted on November 13, 2015

£960 Million Parks Merger Deal

The proposed merger of Park Resorts with Parkdean Holidays will create the UK’s largest holiday park operator.

A planned merger between Park Resorts and Parkdean Holidays would create the UK’s largest holiday park operator with 73 holiday parks with an enterprise value of £960m, turnover of £370m and EBITDA of around £92m. The combined portfolio would serve 1.8 million customers including 22,200 caravan owners and 35,400 pitches. With Parkdean’s strength in the South West and Scotland, and Park Resort’s sites predominately located on the East Coast and the Northwest, including the Lake District, the merger combines diverse portfolios to create a business with UK wide, national coverage. If given the go ahead by the Financial Conduct Authority, John Waterworth, the current chief executive of Newcastle-based park operator Parkdean Holidays is to remain in the top role. Both head offices in Newcastle and Hemel Hempstead will be retained. Alan Parker, chairman of Park Resorts, said: “The Park Resorts Group and Parkdean Holidays are an outstanding strategic fit with highly complementary estates and revenue mixes. “I am greatly looking forward to working with the teams to deliver further growth.”

Parkdean Ltd
Telephone: 0191 256 0795
www.parkdean.com

Park Resorts
Telephone: 0843 561 1239
www.park-resorts.com

Leisure Group Funding

Posted on October 20, 2015

Leisure Group Funding

Don Amott director, Samantha Heap (right) hands the cheque for £20,000 to Clerk to the Parish Council, Sheila Pearce.

A leading holiday park operator has stepped up to help its local Parish Council finance a raft of improvements to leisure facilities and services in the area. Lincolnshire-based Don Amott Parks, owners of Lakeside Park which is located in North Somercotes, has made a donation of £20,000 towards the cost of new projects by Lincolnshire Parish Council.

The projects will benefit the village bowls and football clubs, the playing fields, the village Institute and hall, study group and St Marys Church.

Chairman of the leisure group, Don Amott, said: “As one of the area’s leading employers we feel that it is our responsibility to work hand-in-hand with the Council to improve the environment.”

Cricket Fan Bowled Over

Posted on October 20, 2015

Cricket Fan Bowled Over

Paul Rodway was the lucky winner of Park Holidays UK’s 2015 pitch fees prize draw.

Park Holidays UK helped keen cricketer Paul Rodway pull off a blinder when it drew his name first from the hat to win a full refund of his 2015 pitch fees.

Paul, who lives in Canterbury, can now look forward to an entire fee-free year enjoying his caravan holiday home at Marlie Holiday Park in Kent.

The lucky draw prize was worth over £3,500 to Paul who bought his holiday home at Marlie last year after enjoying stays with a friend who is also an owner on the park.

The draw to win back 12 months of pitch fees is held every year by Park Holidays UK and is open to all holiday home owners on the group’s 24 parks in Devon and Southern England.

Capitalise On Silver Sector

Posted on October 20, 2015

Capitalise On Silver Sector

In2action confirms the 50+ age group is a booming demographic. Pic: VisitBritain / Rod Edwards

The UK’s holiday industry is being urged to re-evaluate its provisions for the 50+ market, following a surge in bookings at ‘adult only’ parks.

The 50-strong Best of British (BoB) holiday parks group has reported that eleven of its parks now guarantee no patter of tiny feet for those wanting to enjoy a totally grown-up holiday experience.

BoB, which comprises of independently-run parks with top tourist board ratings, reports that members which bar under-18s have seen demand rise steeply in recent times.

One of the longest established adults-only parks in BoB is Bath Chew Valley Caravan Park in Somerset which has been a child-free environment for almost 25 years. Park owner Keith Betton says its appeal covers all age groups: “Although our motorhome and touring caravan owners are generally in the forty-plus bracket, we also welcome many younger couples on camping holidays in the South West.

“My father was actually one of the founders of the first national network of adults-only parks, and the publicity it gained helped to create today’s momentum for people seeking such holidays,” says Keith.

“Many of our guests work in occupations which involve children, and they tell us that parks like ours are the one way they can guarantee a total switch-off when they escape for a holiday.”

In2action, a supplier of activity course solutions, says it has identified a distinct lack of leisure provision for the 50+ age group within the holiday park market. Managing director of In2action George Ross, says: “The 50+ market seems to have been forgotten when it comes to new exciting activity concepts. Whether its adrenalin fuelled activities, pool activities, health and wellbeing, cycling, team-building or more passive group activities it’s clear that those 50 and over want part of the action.”

He continues: “Their wealth represents a huge opportunity for the UK holiday industry but activities need to be tailored to this very specific market.”

The number of ‘fifty-somethings’ in Britain matches the population of Australia and is almost as diverse. They own 80 per cent of the UK’s wealth, worth more than £280 billion.

George adds: “Holiday parks, resorts and hotels can improve their customer satisfaction scores and re-booking rates by providing more activities tailored for this booming demographic.” In2action’s suggests improvements such as:

• Having more instructors and coaches who are aged 50+ age group leading activities.

• Having sessions that are age-restricted to the demographic so participants feel they are with their peers.

• Tapping into current trends such as the Great British Bake Off and Come Dine With Me.

George concludes: “50 is not the new 30, but the way some people act it darned well might be the new 40!”

Cornish Resort Gains Five Star Status

Posted on October 20, 2015

Cornish Resort Gains Five Star Status

Pentewan Sands Holiday Park recently gained a five-star Quality in Tourism award.

Pentewan Sands Holiday Park in Mevagissey Bay, near St Austell has been awarded a coveted five-star Quality in Tourism award for the first time since the site opened in 1945.

Following significant ongoing investment in the park, Pentewan Sands gained the highest level of five-star status this month, becoming one of only a few large holiday parks in the county to secure the top rating.

Visit England’s Quality in Tourism rankings recognise the best holiday parks in the UK and assess not only the overall quality of the site, but take into account factors such as individual pitches, the arrival service, recreation and leisure facilities and cleanliness.

Graham Brown, general manager at Pentewan Sands said: “This is a fantastic award to recognise the ongoing investment that we have made to keep up with our customers’ needs.

“We know our guests want quality accommodation and facilities, so we’re constantly responding to that by upgrading and replacing the facilities on our site. This year for example, alongside our ongoing investment, we have greatly extended the play area on the beach, refurbished our tennis courts and created a new, Cornish themed pub.”

Major Improvements At Norfolk Resort

Posted on October 7, 2015

Major Improvements At Norfolk Resort

John Potter, managing director of Potters Resort is pictured in the recently refurbished reception area

The reception area, entrance and game zone have all undergone a refurbishment, while work continues on the Bowlers Bar.

John Potter, managing director of Potters Resort comments: “Every year we reinvest back in the Resort to ensure we continue to offer our guests the standard of comfort we’re renowned for.

“The improvements are about our guests; ensuring they feel the five-star experience from the moment they arrive. Guests are already commenting on how smart the reception looks and the game zone is bursting with family fun and ways to keep little ones active. We even got our Facebook fans to name the new area.”

This work follows a £1.5 million refurbishment of the resort’s accommodation last year and the opening of its new ‘Pop in Shop’. Potters Resort has invested around £50 million in the past 20 years, with plans in place for future growth.

John adds: “Customer service is also a considerable investment that Potters makes through deploying a friendly team which is now just over 550 staff looking after 750 guests, which is the highest investment and ‘staff to guest’ ratio in the industry, demonstrating just how seriously we take looking after our guests”.

Family Friendly Holiday Park

Posted on October 7, 2015

Family Friendly Holiday Park

Hendra Holiday Park has been awarded gold for family holidays.

Hendra Holiday Park has received a gold award on being accredited with Approved Family Friendly status. The award recognises the outstanding provision of amenities for families on the 5 star and 5 pennant AA quality park.

Janine Hyatt, park director said: “We are of course delighted to not only have been accredited by Approved Family Friendly but to have been awarded gold too in recognition of all the hard work the team have done to make the park as family friendly as possible.

“The park has been family owned for over forty years and the fourth generation is now enjoying the facilities so we know what makes for a happy holiday with lots provided for children.”

Top Athlete Unveils Park Upgrades

Posted on September 29, 2015

International athlete Jo Pavey helped Ladram Bay celebrate its landmark re-development.

Top Athlete Unveils Park Upgrades

Holidaymakers at Ladram Bay Holiday Park in Devon are benefitting from a major refurbishment of the swimming pool complex, adventure golf and restaurant.

More than £2million has been invested to upgrade the facilities, which were officially unveiled by top athlete Jo Pavey MBE, a regular visitor to the park.

“I’m sure holidaymakers and day visitors alike will love the changes,” said Jo.

“I’ve already tested out the pool with my daughter – she loved it, especially the interactive zone. It’s a great place to come and relax with your family.”

Upgrades at Ladram Bay include the swimming pool complex, which was completed by Dorset-based Cresta Leisure and features a main pool, interactive children’s zone with slides, fountains, splash tower, water troughs and interactive activity wall.

The on-going investment programme has seen more state-of-the- art accommodation options added, including holiday homes and luxury lodges with decking and hot tubs.

Essex Park Celebrates Award Hat-Trick

Posted on September 29, 2015

Essex Park Celebrates Award Hat-Trick

The Weeley Bridge Park team celebrates its Tripadvisor Certificate of Excellence for the third consecutive year.

Weeley Bridge Holiday Park in Essex has been awarded a prestigious Tripadvisor Certificate of Excellence for the third consecutive year.

The Certificate of Excellence programme, which has been running for five years, is given to outstanding businesses that have consistently received praise and recognition in the form of great reviews from Tripadvisor travellers.

Weeley Bridge, operated by Park Resorts, is located near to Clacton-on-Sea and is popular with both holiday home owners and holidaymakers.

Terri Lacy, General Manager at Weeley Bridge Holiday Park, said: “This is a key award as it reflects our customers’ first-hand experience of the park.

“This award, combined with the number of people who come back year after year, shows us that we are doing something right and we’re all looking forward to building on this and improving even more.”

Holiday Park Scene Magazine

Holiday Park Operator

Low Cost Short Breaks For British Troops