Holiday Rental Market Worth £4.5 Billion

Posted on January 15, 2015

The holiday rental market is also responsible for creating 95,000 jobs nationwide. Pic: VisitBritain/Martin Brent

Holiday Rental Market Worth £4.5 Billion

The total spend by holiday rental clients in the UK is a staggering £4.53 billion per year, according to a new study into the economic impact of the sector. The rental market is also responsible for creating over 95,000 jobs nationwide.

Additionally, expenditure by tourists staying in selfcatering accommodation grew faster than expenditure by tourists booking any other accommodation. The first of its kind, the study was carried out by HomeAway, a worldwide marketplace for family accommodation, in conjunction with the London School of Economics (LSE).

Commenting on the findings, Kath Scanlon, research fellow at LSE said: “This report suggests that the holiday rental industry contributes to the UK economy by increasing tourism income and creating jobs. These effects are felt in regions across the country.

“Holiday rental visitors stay longer at their destinations and therefore spend more - in fact, many visit rural or seaside areas specifically to stay in attractive holiday rental properties. This has helped areas like Cornwall where tourism has pumped new pounds into previously struggling locales.”

Unique to the report is its analysis of key domestic destinations across the UK, specifically North Yorkshire, Cornwall and London. In terms of employment support, over three quarters of rental property owners employ staff to assist with maintenance. Nationally, owners spend an average of £1,600 per year per property on hiring employees. In Cornwall and North Yorkshire – two locations with underemployment issues – the figures are even higher. In these areas owners spend on average £2,500 and £3,000 on employment respectively per property.

Erica Chang, UK regional director of HomeAway adds: “This report is the first step in showing the significant value that the holiday rental market brings to the economy as a whole, as well as to individual communities which depend on tourism.

“While we have known how important holiday rentals are to the tourism industry, we are excited to be able to demonstrate this through figures that contribute to employment.”

Lifestyle Living Group On The Up

Posted on January 15, 2015

Lifestyle Living Group owns eight parks across England, including Carlton Meres Country Park in Suffolk.

Lifestyle Living Group On The Up

Luxury residential and holiday park operator Lifestyle Living Group has announced a rise in retained profits of £1.2m. The figures are the first to be released by the group since it announced a £20m acquisition of the parks in June last year.

The family run company, which has its headquarters in Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, reports profits are up from £0.42m to £1.64m, with tangible assets standing at £27.6m, up from £19m.

Ryan Neill, owner of Lifestyle Living Group said: “We are delighted to have received this set of results. Despite tough trading conditions the business continues to thrive. Our product is a strong one and should continue to defy the economic gloom as we improve in the years ahead.”

Eight residential and holiday parks throughout England are at the heart of the company’s offering, including Carlton Meres Country Park, Haveringland Hall Country Park, Redhill Country Park, the Flagship Country Park, Uphill Park, Lakeland View, Carlton Manor Park and Silecroft Holiday Park.

Since taking over a selection of parks around the UK, Lifestyle Living Group has put in place a £10million investment plan to be rolled out over the next three years. This fund will include substantial upgrades to existing park facilities.

Managing director, David Macdonald added: “With property prices looking set to continue rising for the foreseeable future, prefabricated homes are increasingly establishing themselves as viable alternatives for homebuyers in specific markets, such as retirees.

“Pre-fabricated builds will continue to grow in popularity as they can be delivered in a more favourable time frame in comparison to standard building methods, helping to satisfy the growing national demand for immediate housing. People will continue to spend as long as they realise value from their outlay.”

Trethem Mill Celebrates A Golden Year

Posted on January 6, 2015

Trethem Mill Celebrates A Golden Year

The 2015 bar has been set high for Trethem Mill Touring Park after winning three separate gold awards last year.

Trethem Mill Touring Park is celebrating a highly successful year after completing a hat-trick of gold accolades.

Most recently, the Cornish park received the overall Camping and Caravanning Park of the Year title at the Cornwall Tourism Awards in November – the eighth occasion in the 13 years of the event that Trethem Mill has taken a gold award.

Last spring, the park was one of just a handful of caravan and camping parks in the UK chosen to receive the prestigious gold award given out by VisitEngland to its highest rated parks. Then, in autumn, botanist David Bellamy announced Trethem Mill as a winner of his Conservation Award at its top gold level.

Park owner Jane Akeroyd said that 2014 had been a whirlwind of a year for the park, both in terms of visitor numbers and the awards it has received: “By far the majority of our guests are now either repeat visitors, or people coming as a result of a recommendation, which helps create a lovely atmosphere on the park.

“Our latest Cornwall Tourism award is especially pleasing as it judges not just the quality of the park, but also the welcome and hospitality which is shown to holidaymakers.”

Jane added: “The bar has now been set pretty high for 2015, but we are determined to carry on simply making Trethem Mill the type of park to which everyone wants to return”.

Red Letter Year For Landmark Trust

Posted on January 6, 2015

Red Letter Year For Landmark Trust

2015 is a special year for the Landmark Trust, marking 50 years since it was founded.

The Landmark Trust is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, with a full programme of new projects and activities planned to mark the occasion.

Founded in 1965 with the simple aim of saving extraordinary buildings for future generations and allowing people to stay in them for holidays, the Landmark Trust is now a national heritage charity.

This year the Trust will complete the rescue of two more historic buildings; Belmont, a Grade II listed seaside villa in Lyme Regis, which will open for breaks for groups of eight people and St Edward’s Presbytery, a Grade I listed piece of Gothic revival landscape in Ramsgate. The Presbytery was on English Heritage’s Buildings at Risk register but will be carefully restored by Landmark for self-catering holidays for up to four people. The Trust will also be running its ‘50 for Free’ scheme, offering 50 mid-week and weekend breaks free to charities and organisations in March.

Anna Keay, Landmark Trust’s director, said: “We are incredibly proud that over the last half century the Landmark Trust has been able to save some of Britain’s most precious places and given so many people so much joy.

“In fifty years, the Landmark Trust has rescued almost 200 buildings that would have otherwise been lost including castles, cottages, forts and temples.

“We want to celebrate our birthday by sharing these incredible buildings with everyone, and, we hope, to infect a new generation with the Landmark bug.”

In May, 25 Landmarks will open to the public as part of a special golden weekend. It is estimated that 95 per cent of the British population will be within 50 miles of free open days, when everybody will be able to see inside the properties and learn more about the history of the buildings and restorations.

Sad Farewell To Brian Potter MBE

Posted on January 6, 2015

Sad Farewell To Brian Potter MBE

Brian Potter proudly collecting his MBE at Buckingham Palace in 2012.

Tributes have been paid to Brian Potter MBE, whose customer service ethos ensured the successful growth of one of Norfolk’s largest holiday businesses.

Brian passed away peacefully in November aged 73. He is mourned by his family, the 550 current staff of Potters Resort and the many tens of thousands of guests who he personally welcomed over the years.

From an early age Brian learned the family business, Potters Resort in Hopton-on-sea, from the ground up; working pretty much every job one can think of in hospitality in order to understand exactly what goes in to making a guest’s holiday special. Holiday centres were in his blood and it was only fitting that his wife, Judy, with whom he recently celebrated his golden wedding anniversary, came from another pioneering family of the holiday centre industry at Seacroft, Hemsby.

Brian and Judy lived and worked together for fifty years, building a business that has gone from strength to strength. Brian turned Potters Resort into a year round holiday destination. He developed an out of season midweek business by focusing and investing in the sport of bowls, and filled the weekends with entertainment led short breaks, that anticipated the UK leisure industry’s shift from longer holidays towards short breaks. It was his foresight, determination and drive that ensured that not only did Potters survive as the last of the pioneering family owned resorts in the country, but thrived.

Under his stewardship, Potters achieved the highest five star designation from VisitEngland, a recognition that it enjoys to this day. It was the first UK Holiday Centre of the Year, and received numerous hotel, and leisure industry awards. Brian was immensely proud to have been recognised for his services to tourism, by being elevated to the rank of MBE in Her Majesty the Queen’s Birthday Honours List in 2012.

Among his many charitable endeavours he was vice president of the Gorleston Lifeboat Fundraising Committee, patron of the recently opened James Paget Hospice, a lifelong Rotarian and Lord’s Taverner.

Prize Draw Pays Off For Lucky Park Owners

Posted on December 19, 2014

Prize Draw Pays Off For Lucky Park Owners

Compass account executive Paul Willcox (right) congratulates Clive and Lisa Wilson of Swallow Point Holiday Park in Somerset.

Four lucky holiday park owners have taken delivery of brand new ride-on lawnmowers, after being selected as winners of a prize draw organised by Compass Insurance.

Hundreds of park owners and operators entered the competition when they visited the Compass stand at two major caravan shows in the north and south of England last September.

The first four names pulled out of the hat have each been presented with a state-of-the-art Kubota mower. The winners were Julian Hiles from Friary Farm Caravan Park in Norfolk, Elspeth Sutton of Sandgreen Caravan Park in Dumfries, Nicky Colls of Brean Down Caravan Park in Somerset and Clive Wilson of Swallow Point Holiday Park also in Somerset.

Winner Clive Wilson commented: “We take great pride in providing an immaculate and well cared-for environment for our caravan holiday home owners, and this will help us maintain the high standards they expect. “We’re very grateful to Compass, and our new Kubota mower will prove a wonderful asset.”

Adrian Scott, managing director of Compass Insurance added: “We are delighted that these four parks have won the ride-on lawnmowers offered through the Compass Insurance prize draw.

“We wanted to offer some really great prizes – we hope that the parks get years of mowing satisfaction!”

A Hidden Gem

Posted on November 28, 2014

Situated in Pembrokeshire, West Wales, guests use Bluestone as a base to explore the surrounding countryside and coast.

A Hidden Gem

One of Wales’ best-kept secrets, Bluestone National Park Resort lies within the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, next to the Preseli mountains.

Accredited with a five star rating by Visit Wales, Bluestone is an all year, all weather short break holiday destination offering freerange fun and relaxation for its guests.

Bluestone opened in July 2008 and has nearly 300 luxury lodges, cottages and studio apartments, designed in the traditional Welsh style and set in 500 acres of countryside. The park has plans to expand with a further 60 luxury lodges in the near future, as part of a third phase expansion.

“Our ultimate goal is to be the UK’s most loved short break destination,” says Bluestone’s CEO William McNamara. “At the moment we’re one of Wales’ best-kept secrets so one of the biggest challenges we face is ensuring that we are consistently spreading the word about Bluestone and all it has to offer.”

With over 100 activities for guests to choose from, Bluestone has got every angle covered - from 4x4 adventures and beast hunts for the adventurous holidaymaker, to relaxing spa treatments and live music sessions for those that prefer a more chilled-out break. One of the park’s most popular attractions is the Blue Lagoon waterpark, which features an indoor wave machine, a rapids river ride and two enclosed flume rides. The lazy river exits the building to an outdoor bubble pool, with two interactive wet play areas.

Earlier this year the park also introduced a range of new activities and facilities to further enhance the guest experience, including a sky wire zip course, rock climbing and a new village treehouse and play area.

William explains: “There’s no typical break at Bluestone. It’s all about giving the guests choices, while urging them to find their ‘wild thing’. Whether its families wanting to get together, couples wanting a romantic escape, or guests just simply wanting to get away and do something different - we cater for all.”

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Tax Gains For Holiday Park Owners

Posted on November 24, 2014

OPDS is a new division of the Omar Group, which aims to support the market by advising on all aspects of park development and operations.

Tax Gains For Holiday Park Owners

Park owners could be claiming significant tax rebates according to the experts at Omar Park Development Services (OPDS).

The new division of the Omar Group was set up to help new and existing park owners in all aspects of park development and operations. Now in partnership with RD Tax Solutions, park owners can also benefit from expertise in the minefield that is capital allowances, with the average claim being around £125,000.

Over recent months OPDS has worked with several park owners to identify unique tax advantages in the UK leisure market and with success across several areas. Areas such as planning, commercial buildings, land remediation, heating and lighting, land management and enhanced eco assets have all proven to meet the stringent criteria of the tax office and together have been labelled the Leisure Park Tax Allowance (LPTA).

Richard Sigsworth, special projects director for OPDS comments: “I came across RD Tax Solutions whilst researching eco solutions and grants for parks and realised that there was huge potential for parks to claim significant tax rebates.

“The core ethos of OPDS is to help parks so I am continually seeking new opportunities and cost saving initiatives to that aim. Through this unique partnership we are able to further strengthen the services we offer to parks.”

Demand Soars For Family-Run Holiday Park

Posted on November 4, 2014

The expansion of Wayside Holiday Park represents a £450,000 investment that will lead to the creation of 38 new lodges.

Demand Soars For Family-Run Holiday Park

A holiday park in North Yorkshire is expanding onto a new ten-acre lakeside site after demand for its luxury holiday homes soared by 20 per cent over a three year period.

The Wayside Holiday Park in Wrelton has recently enjoyed a spell of dramatic growth, leading to the sale of all its 154 plots on the existing site.

Now, a £450,000 investment by the park owner Mark Goodson will see the addition of 38 new lodges to the picturesque lakeside setting, as well as the creation of four new jobs.

Mark is the third generation of his family to own and run Wayside Holiday Park, which combines five star static caravan holiday homes with a small AA four star-rated touring site.

Mark comments: “We’ve worked hard to ensure that we’re marketing our products effectively and it has really paid off, sending demand for our holiday homes through the roof and prompting us to expand onto a new site.

“Most of our customers live within a two-hour radius of Wrelton because they love the convenience of being able to head over here on a Friday, have a full weekend enjoying some of the best countryside Yorkshire has to offer and then still be back in time for work on Monday morning. Armed with that knowledge, we’ve been able to get our marketing mix just right and it has really paid off.”

All Eyes On The Farm Business Innovation Expo

Posted on November 4, 2014

The Farm Business Innovation Expo is free to attend and returns to London Olympia on 27th and 28th November.

All Eyes On The Farm Business Innovation Expo

The much anticipated Farm Business Innovation Expo returns to London Olympia in November, inspiring land owners to find new ways to use their land and ultimately maximise profit.

Don’t let the name fool you – you don’t need to be a farmer to benefit from a day at the show.

Now in its second year, the exhibition and conference is packed with inspiration, ideas and advice to help rural entrepreneurs to diversify out of agriculture. More than 3,000 people with an interest in rural business attended last year’s event, to take advantage of the exclusive seminar and workshop schedule, networking opportunities and 200 exhibitors.

“If you’re considering diversifying your farm or rural land, then you simply must attend Farm Business Innovation,” urges event director Gary Hall.

“We are expecting double the amount of visitors as last year and double the insight into the industry.”

The 2014 expo is free to attend and runs from 27th – 28th November. Seminar and workshop topics are set to include farm shops, tourism, glamping, renewable energy or storage, with expert advice on how to identify opportunities, as well as how to seek planning permission and attract investment. The expo conference will also highlight the latest trends that forward-thinking land owners will turn to next year, featuring business advice and diversification inspiration direct from the experts.

Book your free ticket online now at www.thefarmingshow.co.uk