Holiday Park Owners

One Stop Shop

Posted on February 16, 2017
Image courtesy of Holt Farm Holiday Cottages.

Image courtesy of Holt Farm Holiday Cottages.

One Stop Shop

First class water leisure facilities, such as hot tubs, saunas and swimming pools are now widely regarded as fundamental to a successful holiday. For holiday park owners looking to improve or expand their water leisure offering, SPATEX 2017, is a red letter day in the 2017 calendar.

The exhibition takes place at Coventry’s Ricoh Arena from Tuesday January 31st to Thursday February 2nd. Over a hundred exhibitors from home and abroad make SPATEX the ideal hunting ground to source new products and innovations, seek advice for a specific project and explore new ideas.

With 42 seminars over three days led by 35 eminent experts you can gain valuable industry knowledge on topics as varied as commercial spa operation and the latest health and safety guidance for water leisure facilities.

Visit www. spatex.co.uk to see the full list of exhibitors, details of the double seminar programme and to register for free.

 

Top Honours Awarded

Posted on February 9, 2017
Ladram Bay Holiday Park was named overall winner in the 2016 Devon Venus Awards.

Ladram Bay Holiday Park was named overall winner in the 2016 Devon Venus Awards.

Top Honours Awarded

Ladram Bay Holiday Park has been crowned ‘company of the year’ in a major award scheme celebrating successful women in business.

The park was named as overall winner in the 2016 Devon Venus Awards in November. Competition was fierce this year with almost 2,000 nominations and applications received in one or more of the different categories of the awards.

Stepping up to receive the accolade were director and member of the park-owning family member Zoe House, and Ladram Bay’s General Manager Claire Williams.

Zoe House commented: “We have always believed in providing equal career opportunities for both women and men, and in helping employees achieve their goals with support and training. “This award is for everyone who works at the park, and we would like to thank all those who have supported us along the way,” added Zoe.

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.

Sunny Outlook For Wales

Posted on November 14, 2016

Sunny Outlook For Wales

Simon Hart MP (centre) with from left, branch director and BH&HPA vice chairman Huw Pendleton, BH&HPA national chairman Henry Wild, branch chairman Thomas Scarrott and branch secretary Gail Thomas.

Simon Hart MP (centre) with from left, branch director and BH&HPA vice chairman Huw Pendleton, BH&HPA national chairman Henry Wild, branch chairman Thomas Scarrott and branch secretary Gail Thomas.

Holiday parks are at the forefront of West Wales’ booming tourism economy, according to West Wales MP Simon Hart. Mr Hart was at Cross Park Holiday Village in Kilgetty, near Tenby, in September where park owners and managers met for their end-of-summer conference.

The Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire MP was the principal speaker at the conference, organised by the West Wales branch of the British Holiday & Home Parks Association.

Feedback from parks, the MP told delegates, suggested that many were reaping the benefits of the continued investment they had made in the quality of their product.

The longer-term implications of the Brexit vote were also addressed by Mr Hart who said he believed that UK tourism would remain strong regardless of how EU negotiations concluded.

Areas such as West Wales, he said, had an enduring appeal both to British families and to visitors from overseas which would be undimmed by the final outcome.

Network Growth

Posted on November 14, 2016

Network Growth

Culzean Castle saw the biggest year-on-year growth, reporting a 45 per cent increase in the number of pitch nights booked in 2016.

Culzean Castle saw the biggest year-on-year growth, reporting a 45 per cent increase in the number of pitch nights booked in 2016.

The Camping and Caravanning Club has enjoyed a significant growth of five per cent in the number of campers on its network of 108 UK Club Sites so far in 2016.

The Club capitalised on good weather in July, August and September in particular, and has benefited from a wider trend towards staycations within the UK. Culzean Castle, on the Ayrshire coast, saw the biggest year-on-year growth, reporting a 45 per cent increase in the number of pitch nights booked in 2016.

Bob Hill, Club Sites Director, said: “We’re thrilled with the Club’s success in 2016. Enjoying our highest ever membership has clearly extended to more bookings made on our network of campsites. “We have helped hundreds of thousands of campers enjoy a break away this year, with well over one million pitch nights on Club Sites.”

New Legislation Comes Into Effect

Posted on November 14, 2016

New Legislation Comes Into Effect

It is essential that holiday park owners understand their legal obligation to use approved meters for billing their consumers for energy.

It is essential that holiday
park owners understand their legal
obligation to use approved meters for billing their consumers for energy.

DigiCard Systems, a leading manufacturer of electricity meters is urging holiday parks to be aware of new legislation governing the design and manufacture of energy meters.

Previously all electricity and gas meters installed in the UK must, by law, have been approved by Ofgem. As of October, the Ofgem legislation was replaced by new MID regulations (Measuring Instruments Directive).

Ofgem regulations still apply to existing meter installations but property-owners could be liable for prosecution if they install meters that do not meet the new MID requirements.

“The purpose of these regulations is to protect the consumer by ensuring that all meters are manufactured under controlled conditions in order to guarantee long-term accuracy and quality assurance,” says Chris Smith of DigiCard Systems.

“It is therefore essential that holiday park owners understand their legal obligation to use approved meters for billing their consumers for energy. We are advising holiday park owners to ask their meter suppliers for a copy of the MID Approval Certificate for their meters.”

The Return Of ‘Gramping’

Posted on November 14, 2016

The Return Of ‘Gramping’

Multi-generation holidays are becoming increasingly popular. Pic: VisitEngland/ Joe Wainwright Photography

Multi-generation holidays are becoming increasingly popular. Pic: VisitEngland/ Joe Wainwright Photography

Young families teaming up with grandparents for holidays have seen a marked rise this year, according to a major Lake District holiday park. Silverdale park in South Cumbria says that ‘gramping’, as it’s known, has been making a big comeback after decades of decline.

“When Silverdale first started out in business 60 years ago, it was quite common for three generations of the same family to go away on holiday together,” he said.

“Extended family breaks fell from favour as overseas holidays gained ground, and people began leading more separate lives from one another.

“But now British staycations are back in demand, families are using the opportunity to enjoy each other’s company in the way they once did. As well as sharing the expense, it also means mum and dad have a built-in child care service so that they can make an occasional escape and be just a couple again,” he added.

Michael says that the gramping phenomenon is also resulting in more families sharing the cost of buying a caravan holiday home.

“We’ve been seeing many more people this year doing their sums and realising the considerable financial benefits of shared ownership,” says Michael. “And once again, it’s the local economy which benefits as more visits mean more spending in businesses such as shops, pubs, restaurants and visitor attractions,” he added.

Wish You Were Here

Posted on November 14, 2016

Quick snaps that capture the daily life at holiday parks across the country...

Picture postcards from Seven Oaks Holiday Park in Shropshire…

post1One of the most picturesque caravan holiday home and luxury lodge parks in the Welsh Marches can be found on the border with Shropshire. Overlooking the River Severn, Seven Oaks Holiday Park at Crew Green, between Shrewsbury and Welshpool, has been awarded the VisitWales five star rating. Most caravan holiday homes and lodges on the park have river views and are bordered by mature trees, banks of planting and immaculately kept grass down to the riverside.

River fishing is available and there are two fishing lakes for the exclusive use of owners. Non-anglers are able to relax on one of the many benches dotted around the lake and enjoy watching the abundant wildlife. The park’s facilities include a dedicated reception, laundry, a state-of-the-art fitness centre, a bowling green complete with pavilion and pitch and putt golf.

Recent investment has included 20 new riverside pitches on an elevated terrace, taking the total to 120. Open from March to January every year, the park is especially popular with caravan owners from the Midlands and North West England. “We are not just selling a caravan holiday home here, we are selling a new way of life,” says Margaret Brace, who manages the park with her husband, Ron.

Seven Oaks Holiday Park
Tel. 01743 617871
www.sevenoakscaravanpark.co.uk

Crowds Flock To Popular Caravan Events

Posted on November 14, 2016

Crowds Flock To Popular Caravan Events

Thousands of visitors descended on The Lawns and Beaulieu shows this September.

Thousands of visitors descended on The Lawns and Beaulieu shows this September.

The Hull and East Riding of Yorkshire Caravan Manufacturers’ Association (HERCMA) held their annual events at The Lawns and Beaulieu in September attracting thousands of enthusiasts and buyers from across the UK, eager to see the season’s newest models.

There was plenty to see at both shows with over 150 holiday homes, lodges and park homes as well as over 130 touring caravans. In addition to the caravans there were plenty of other suppliers and service stands selling decking, awnings, caravan movers, and insurance, and there was a large accessories shop within The Lawns Centre.

Entertainment at The Lawns saw clowns, face-painters, balloon modellers a local orchestra and a roaming jazz band as well as a small fun-fair. Beaulieu saw face-painters and a magician. Details of next year’s shows at The Lawns and Beaulieu will be released soon.

Visit the website www.lawnsandbeaulieushows.com for more information.

Making Waves

Posted on November 14, 2016

The UK’s best holiday park pools are celebrated at this year’s UK Pool & Spa Awards…

The overall category winner and coveted Holiday Park Pool of the Year title went to Tydd St Giles Golf & Country Club at the recent UK Pool & Spa Awards.

The overall category winner and coveted Holiday Park Pool of the Year title went to Tydd St Giles Golf & Country Club at the recent UK Pool & Spa Awards.

The UK’s multiple water leisure sectors celebrated their biggest night of the year at the hotly-contested UK Pool & Spa Awards last month. Overall category winners across 26 categories were each presented with a certificate and a trophy by Olympic swimmer and popular TV sports presenter Sharron Davies MBE at the special prize giving and networking evening, which was held at The Vox in Birmingham. Once again, the awards recognised the outstanding achievements of the country’s holiday park sector, with the Holiday Park Pool of the Year award. Within the category, six holiday parks were shortlisted and each received a Gold standard award. “Holiday parks play a big role in the UK’s provision of water leisure facilities and we’re delighted to be able to showcase some of the very best that the industry has to offer,” says Christina Connor, editor of Swimming Pool Scene magazine, the independent publication behind the annual competition.

STAND-OUT PARKS

“We received entries from a number of stand-out parks, who clearly value their pool facilities and work hard to keep them in top notch condition. The awards go some way in rewarding that hard work and raising the profile of those parks.” The overall category winner and coveted Holiday Park Pool of the Year title went to Tydd St Giles Golf & Country Club in Cambridgeshire, for its luxury heated swimming pool. The pool, which is located within a leisure complex on the lodge development, is open to holiday home owners, holiday guests and club members and welcomes around 23,000 bathers per year. The judges felt that the immaculate appearance and dramatic criss-crossing of exposed oak beams really makes this pool a head-turner. Meanwhile, the wellness facilities including a steam room and sauna further enhance the guest experience. The leisure complex at Tydd St Giles opened in 2013 and is managed by Lauren Buckingham, who has worked at the park in various roles since she was 13. Lauren is supported by a dedicated team who work hard to maintain the high standards that customers have come to expect.

GOLD STANDARD

Parks that achieved the Gold standard in the holiday park pool category included Lady’s Mile Holiday Park in Devon, Thornwick Bay Holiday Park in Yorkshire, Plas Coch Holiday Homes in Wales, The Pickaquoy Centre Trust in Scotland and Brean Leisure Park & Holiday Resort Unity in Somerset. The operators of Brean Leisure Park also scooped a Gold standard award in the Water Leisure Operator of the Year category. The parks were presented with their certificates and awards by Olympic swimmer and popular TV sports presenter Sharron Davies MBE. “We introduced the Holiday Park Pool of the Year award last year, and it’s great to see even more parks being recognised in this year’s competition,” added Christina Connor. “The holiday park sector has certainly raised the water leisure bar this year and we hope to build on that success in the 2017 awards.Watch this space!”

Founded in 2010, the UK Pool and Spa Awards are organised by Waterland Media, the publishers of Swimming Pool Scene and Hot Tub & Swim Spa Scene, the market-leading magazines for the combined water leisure sectors. The UK Pool and Spa Awards are open to the entire water leisure industry and aim to celebrate outstanding swimming pools, swim spas, hot tubs design, management and refurbishment and the outstanding people in our industry who make a difference. On-line voting accounts for 40% of the overall vote. Voting by the Judging panel – made up of industry representatives and professionals from all over the world - accounts for 60% of the vote.

For more information on the competition, or to get involved in next year’s awards, visit www.ukpoolandspaawards.co.uk.

Lady’s Mile Holiday Park

ladyThe pool at Lady’s Mile Holiday Park in Devon is well known for being one of the warmest and cleanest pools in the area, with the average temperature around 33C. Complete with a flume and a separate paddling area, the pool very popular with young families, couples and older guests alike. The park also has a close connection to Ratcliff School for special needs, which uses the pool for private school sessions.

Thornwick Bay Holiday Park

thornThe main pool at Thornwick Bay Holiday Park was recently refurbished by Leisure Concepts. It features fun splash and spray jets, a new children’s pool area with water play slides, and an all new activity and swim pool. There’s also a new multi-lane family speed slide, new splash pool with tipping bucket, spray features and a bubble seat.

Brean Leisure Park & Holiday Resort Unity

breanThe large modern splash park at Brean Leisure is used by members of the public, holidaymakers, schools and triathlete clubs, for swimming lessons and fitness classes.
The pool was in operation for 30 years prior to the rebuild in 2011. Over £5 million was spent in the first phase of the rebuild, making the pool into a 25m indoor modern leisure facility.
The pool is operated by the House family who have owned the site for the past 70 years, and are involved in the day to day running of the business.

Plas Coch Holiday Homes

plasThe pool at Plas Coch park is open to private residents and offers a range of water-based activities such as swimming lessons, water walkers, snorkelling, scuba diving, pool parties, aqua fun and fitness classes. Welcoming up to 20,000 bathers each year, the pool is run by Park Leisure 2000, which operates ten holiday homes parks throughout the UK. The pool has recently had the walls, ceilings and floors refurbished and painted to ensure the integrity of the facility remains first class.

The Pickaquoy Centre Trust

pickaThe pool and spa the Pickaquoy Centre is used for a number of sessions from public swimming to group exercise classes, swimming lessons and inflatable sessions. Although the pool is part of the facilities the Trust manages on behalf of the Council, it is attached to the caravan and camping park and is used by holidaymakers and the general public. The pool has an annual bather load of 70,000.