Park Improvements

Posted on August 1, 2016

Park Improvements

The Franks family are upgrading the facilities at Oakdown Holiday Park in Sidmouth.

Oakdown Holiday Park in Sidmouth, East Devon, is undergoing a major redevelopment, following a £500,000 cash boost.

Park owners, the Franks family, have invested in ten new holiday units at the park as well as solar panels throughout and two new glamping pods, in addition to the three that were purchased in 2015.

Last year Oakdown recorded more than 90,000 nights stayed on the park and a return visit rate of 80 per cent.

Alastair Franks runs the park with his parents Doreen and Roger and wife Andrianna.

He said: “We are always looking at ways to improve the park. Everything we do has to be in keeping with this beautiful area that we live in, so we take great care with our development.

“As well as this major investment over the last six months or so, we are extending our reception, and looking at the best ways we can continue to deliver the best quality experience for our guests.”

Dorset Park Director Secures Top Post

Posted on August 1, 2016

Dorset Park Director Secures Top Post

Martin Cox (centre) with retiring EFCO&HPA president, Guylhem Féraud, and vice president Linda Gedink.

Dorset park owner Martin Cox has been appointed as the new president of the European Federation of Campingsite Organisations & Holiday Park Associations (EFCO&HPA).

Martin was elected by members of the international body, which represents more than 20,000 holiday park businesses across Europe and will serve as president for two years.

As president, Martin will play a key part in helping shape tourism and job creation policies affecting holiday parks in membership of national trade associations. He will also help steer EFCO&HPA’s lobby work with the European Commission which aims to ensure the sector’s interests are taken into account during decision-making processes.

Martin, who is a director of West Dorset Leisure Holidays and former national chairman of the British Holiday & Home Parks Association, commented: “Right across Europe, holiday parks welcome millions of visitors each year and make a massive financial contribution to regional and national economies.

“The federation’s work helps to safeguard everybody’s interests, and also creates a pan-European platform on which members can share new ideas and initiatives.”

Show Success

Posted on August 1, 2016

Show Success

The World of Park & Leisure Homes Show took place at Stoneleigh Park in Warwickshire in June.

The 2016 edition of the World of Park & Leisure Homes Show proved once again to be an unmissable date for the parks industry.

The three-day show at Stoneleigh Park delivered its promise of being the biggest yet, with more than 120 exhibitors and over 50 new lodges and park homes on display.

As in previous years, the trade preview day was an ideal opportunity for park owners, site managers and others working within the industry to visit the show ahead of the general public.

Some of the UK’s biggest manufacturers were in attendance, including Pathfinder, Cambrian, Homeseeker, Lindera, Omar, Pemberton, Tingdene, Sovereign and Lodgikol.

The dates of the 2017 World of Park & Leisure Homes Show have been confirmed and will take place at Stoneleigh Park on June 9 - 11 inclusive.

Outdoor Essentials

Posted on July 15, 2016

Outdoor Essentials

Make the most of your park’s outdoor appeal with a few simple measures as Ashleigh Mackenzie reports…

From outdoor hot tubs to state-of-the-art furniture, fitness and play equipment, making the most of your outdoor appeal can be a wise investment.

Switched-on park owners who optimise their alfresco offering can reap rich rewards from holidaymakers who will pay extra for high-spec facilities and luxuries.

Transforming your outdoor areas needn’t be a daunting task. Investing in a few simple and cost effective measures can go a long way in improving aesthetics, comfort and services for guests.

Hot tubs are now a key driver in attracting new and existing business. Holiday homes and lodges with outdoor hot tubs can be rented out at a higher premium and remain a popular choice even in the low season.
According to self-catering specialists Hoseasons, a private hot tub is the number one searched for item on the website, accounting for more than 100,000 searches each month.
Two years ago, the holiday home owners of The Barns in Lyonshall, Herefordshire, made a very sound business investment and installed two hot tubs. Since then, they have seen a virtual stampede in bookings with almost all year round occupancy and have recently added a third.

SOUND INVESTMENT

Manager Steph Gardiner says: “We have walled gardens, wood burners, movie rooms, state-of-the-art kitchens for large scale dining and stunning views. Within that setting we wanted to add a ‘wow’ factor and we very quickly settled on installing hot tubs.” Steph contacted Three Counties Pools & Spas in Hereford and purchased two six person Caldera Palantinos. They proved so successful that she has recently added the seven person Vanto model.

Steph empties and refills the hot tubs after each set of guests, which takes a maximum of one hour, including filling time.
Says Steph: “When guests are in residence, daily maintenance takes less than an hour. We have adapted our procedures and training for the care of the spas and feel we are now very efficient whilst maintaining a very high level of hygiene and cleanliness.
“It’s no understatement that the hot tubs have proved a massive draw,” says Steph. “The beauty about hot tubs is that they appeal to everyone - from children to 80 year olds and they can be used all year round, whatever the weather.
“A group of junior doctors who recently came to stay told me they managed to get 14 people in one and it was the highlight of their year!”

PLAY MATTERS

Whitby Holiday Park in North Yorkshire has invested in a new outdoor play area, with help from play equipment specialists Timberplay.

There is no better way of enhancing and enriching an outdoor space than by investing in play equipment. Creating an innovative play space that fires a child’s imagination and creates a pleasant environment for parents to get together is a winning formula for holiday parks.

Whitby Holiday Park in North Yorkshire has invested in a new outdoor play area, with help from play equipment specialists Timberplay.

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Holiday Snaps with Peter Lawrence, Andrewshayes Holiday Park

Posted on July 13, 2016

Holiday Snaps with Peter Lawrence, Andrewshayes Holiday Park

Peter Lawrence is the General Manager at the Andrewshayes Holiday Park that offers a mix of static caravans, camping and seasonal tourer pitches on a rural park in East Devon. Established by his grandmother 80 years ago, Peter oversees the day-to-day smooth running of the third generation site, as well as strategic planning.

What challenges are currently facing the holiday park sector?
The sector has fragmented with new types of holidays now on offer and a range of facilities. Honest marketing is important to ensure that customers know what sort of park they have booked onto and we can therefore better manage their expectations. For example, as a medium sized park we do not offer a full entertainment programme, however this is not a requirement for all families.

How have visitor expectations changed during your time in the holiday business and how have you reacted to those demands?
Expectations are far higher today, people are taking more holidays and demand quality. Trying to improve the quality of the holiday park and the service while maintaining good value for money is the challenge.

If you had to identify one element, what is the most crucial aspect to the success of the park?
Customer service has to be second to none. Even the most disgruntled customer can be managed with good customer service.

Where do you see the park in 10 years’ time?
We would like to expand the park, but due to being in an AONB (Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty) that is unlikely to happen for us. We are looking into glamping options and the possibility of converting existing static caravan pitches into lodges. With a finite space it’s about the best return on the land we have.

What has been your most challenging experience in the industry?
One year three families with tourers arrived at the end of July for their holiday, all convinced that they had booked three pitches for three weeks at the end of their last holiday - they hadn’t. Of course at that time of the year we were virtually full so there was a lot of juggling involved to keep them happy!

What is the best piece of business advice you have been given and by whom?
My grandmother once told me “you reap what you sow”. I think that’s sound advice for life in general and in business it’s certainly true that the more effort and hard work you put in the more you get back.

How is the summer season shaping up for Andrewshayes Holiday Park?
Bookings are coming in well for the peak weeks, it’s the shoulder months we always need to work hard to fill. Of course we are hoping for some good weather to really keep customers happy.

Where do you go on holiday?
I like a complete change of scenery and have a passion for skiing which ties in nicely with the park being closed.

Anything else you would like to add or flag up?
The rise of social media is a new challenge for us but is also a great opportunity, especially for parks with smaller marketing budgets to help get their name out there. As an inland site we are always up against the more sought after coastal parks and we find we have to work harder to attract customers.

Award-Winning Ways

Posted on July 13, 2016

Award-Winning Ways

Caravan Guard’s PR & Communications
Officer Liz Harrison (right) receives the Customer Connectivity Award.

Insurance specialists Caravan Guard, which incorporates Leisuredays, have been recognised for their outstanding communication with customers and raising the company’s profile among caravanners.

The Halifax-based company beat off stiff competition to win the ‘Customer Connectivity Award’ at the 2016 Insurance Marketing and PR Awards.

Happy customers were central to Caravan Guard’s ‘Don’t take our word for it’ campaign, which included magazine adverts, customer videos and social media.

Caravan Guard’s Director of Marketing Craig Thompson said: “We’ve harnessed the power of this customer feedback throughout our marketing from direct channels to our communications with park and dealer customers to help us keep customers and attract new ones.”

Super Soakers

Posted on July 13, 2016

Super Soakers

Switched on park operators who maximise the water play experience will ultimately reap the rewards…

Water play is suitable and fun for all ages and all abilities, creates an ideal leisure space the whole family can enjoy together. Pic: WSL.

Come rain or shine, water play provides hours of fun for guests of all ages. From thrilling head-to-toe splashes to gentle sprays and fine mists, aquatic play features go a long way in enhancing the holiday experience.

Through smart design and a good selection of features, any holiday park can create an aquatic play space that guests will enjoy and want to return to on repeat visits.

“A great choice of water play product scan help any destination attract new visitors, and boost overall attendance,” says Richard Harrison, Director of Waterplay Solutions Ltd (WSL).

“Water play is suitable and fun for all ages and all abilities and creates an ideal leisure space the whole family can enjoy together. The naturally inclusive and adaptable nature of a zero-depth splash park makes it an excellent amenity for holiday parks seeking to increase family attendance.”

WSL has been working with Parkdean Holidays since 2015 and is installing an indoor water play area at Trecco Bay Holiday Park in Wales later this year. The bespoke design includes a water slide, tipping buckets, ground sprays and water jets. “There is an increasing demand for interactivity and discovery in aquatic play design,” Richard reveals. “For example, play features that introduce cause and effect functions help children develop intention and discover causal relationships. Features that engage motor skills, sensory stimulation create both a socially and emotionally rewarding play experience for children.”

Waterplay’s innovative new Cirque Collection is a design collaboration with world-renowned public space designer Markus Ehring and invites kids to push, spin, plug, and take aim with a whimsical group of features designed for user interaction. Kids can push down on the Boingo to make water shoot higher from the nearest ground spray, or spin the magic handle on the Ringmaster to activate surrounding features.

COLLABORATIVE APPROACH

Richard adds: “We recommend that parks opt for products that are designed with a Detach and Exchange (DEX) System. This offers the flexibility of phasing your park installation, if subject to budget restraints, and changing your features over time. “For example, a DEX geyser ground spray in low, medium, or high flow can be installed initially, and then be replaced with an above ground feature later when money allows.”

Waterplay Solutions offer a flush-to-grade DEX anchoring system that eliminates the need for toe guards and combines clean design aesthetic with functionality and streamlined installation. Their extensive range of products are available in vibrant colour palettes and carry a 25-year warranty. Their industry-leading materials are non-toxic, durable and vandal resistant, and are carefully selected to ensure a safe play experience that stands the test of time.

In terms of cost, Richard advises that supply only prices can vary from a few hundred pounds for ground sprays up to several thousand for a slide activity centre: “A small water play area, when connected to an existing water management system can be achieved for around £50,000.

“A full turnkey solution for an aquatic play pad of 252m² with an array of Waterplay’s products, a wetpour safety surface and a brand new recirculation system can be achieved for £180,000,” he continues. “The sky really is the limit in determining exactly how much you would like to spend and how adventurous you would like your water play area to be.”

TIDAL WAVES

Ustigate Waterplay offers a vast range of over 300 aquatic structures designed to meet almost any specification.

Ernie Hemming of Ustigate Waterplay advises: “Ensure you have explored all possible options as water installations can be expensive and time consuming. “Even though initial setup costs for a high quality and robust water system may be excessive this will be cost effective in the long run as the water system will be able to stand the test of time and demands of excited children.” Ustigate is a partner of Vortex International of Canada, offering a product index of over 300 aquatic structures specifically designed to meet almost any specification, from low water consuming products for once use systems to super soaking buckets which create tidal waves.

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Holiday Firm Delivers Strong Performance

Posted on July 13, 2016

Holiday Firm Delivers Strong Performance

Parkdean Resorts experienced a strong start to 2016.

Parkdean Resorts has reported a spike in bookings this year, after extending its holiday season and investing in new facilities at its 72 sites nationwide.
The holiday park firm has seen an 11 per cent growth in bookings for 2016, following the merger between Parkdean and Park Resorts at the end of last year. The group continues to invest in double glazed centrally heated caravans and lodges to enable the parks to have longer, more productive seasons.

Whilst the vast majority of the parks offer a ten month or year-round operation for holiday home owners, in 2016 a further ten parks opened for February Half Term for the first time bringing the total to 18 that operate for the extended season.

John Waterworth, CEO Parkdean Resorts said: “Capital investment in new facilities, refurbishment and park enhancement and expansion is reaping reward, as is investment in our people and extending the holiday season.

“In 2015 we sold almost half a million holidays, demonstrating that our marketplace is growing. The scale of the merger has brought national sales capability for the first time and merger synergies will flow through in the current year and beyond. 2016 has begun strongly.”

Soap Star Pulls A Pint

Posted on July 13, 2016

Soap Star Pulls A Pint

Soap actress Emma Atkins pulled the first pint at The Royal, opened by the owners of Silverdale Holiday Park.

The owners of Silverdale Holiday Park in Cumbria were delighted to welcome a well-known local soap star to open their newly refurbished pub.

At a cost of £300,000, the family business has rescued The Royal in the nearby village of Silverdale, and brought the pub back to life after it stood empty for six years.

Emma Atkins, who plays Charity Dingle in Emmerdale, lives in the area and pulled the first official pint at The Royal’s celebration opening.

Owner Michael Holgate said that although Silverdale Holiday Park provides its own acclaimed restaurant, cafe and bar, guests occasionally fancy a change of scenery and, until recently, local options were rather limited.

“Although we bought The Royal with our own customers in mind, we’re delighted that it will also provide something of a social hub for the local community,” said Michael.

Diamond Jubilee

Posted on July 13, 2016

On Location at Lickhill Caravan Park

Lickhill Manor Caravan Park in Worcestershire is proud of its six-decade heritage. In fact, one of its most prized possessions is a 1956 Car Cruiser Clubman Four touring caravan which is exhibited on the park.

The first caravan sold by the park, for which they still have the original invoice number one, dated July 16, 1956, spent many of its years languishing in a field in South Wales. Park owner Denis Lloyd Jones was able to re-purchase the caravan for the park in 2006, but for more than the original selling price 50 years earlier!

Celebrating its diamond jubilee this summer, Lickhill Manor is pulling out all the stops to make 2016 a year to remember for its guests. Among the anniversary events planned, the park’s regular guests will each receive celebratory gifts and memorabilia throughout the year.

The park has also invested in a special 60th anniversary logo, which will appear on all corporate stationary and marketing. “The recipe for the park’s success has been fine-tuned over many years, being passed from generation to generation,", reveals Dennis.

“Our park managers are often long serving and they are truly passionate. Their dedication and hard work is a major factor in the success of our park. Our customers, some of whom return year after year, also play a starring role in our success.”

Lickhill Manor Caravan Park occupies over 65 acres encircling a 17th Century manor house alongside the River Severn near to Stourport-On-Severn.

FAMILY VALUES

Owned for 60 years by the Lloyd Jones family, since 1986 the park has been operated by Denis and Karen, whose son James, is also very active in the business. The park is one of seven caravan parks owned by the family, all of which are maintained to the same high standards.

Denis explains: “Our park managers Colin White and Anita Pagett joined us in 2015 and oversee the day-to-day running of the park.

Anita’s son Chris has worked on the park for ten years and was joined by Dorian early in 2015. Nick and Michelle joined us in March as Touring Field Wardens, along with Seasonal Touring Wardens Roger and Claire.

All the staff work hard to provide a five star service to our customers.” Lickhill Manor Caravan Park has a total of 123 holiday home pitches, plus 120 touring and camping pitches. In addition there is a Riverside Field, which caters for caravan rallies with a capacity of approximately 250.
On average, the park’s touring and camping bookings are around 3,600 per year. The Riverside Field is frequented with caravan club rallies from as early as March, continuing through until October, and sees an average of 35 rallies during the year with 10 to 240 caravans, motorhomes and tents.

MANY ACCOLADES

One of the park’s most prized possessions is a 1956 Car Cruiser Clubman Four touring caravan, which was the first caravan sold by the park six decades ago.

“As the park is open for 12 months of the year, our holiday home owners are able to visit their caravans for recreational use at any time. Our touring and camping customers book well in advance for Bank Holiday weekends as we are always fully booked,” says Denis.
“We have a steady flow of tourers and campers at weekends from April through to mid-September, we even have the hardy few that book for a Christmas stay.”
Among its many accolades, Lickhill’s touring field washrooms have been graded five stars many times by the Loo of the Year awards, receiving ‘National Category Winner’ as best caravan park washrooms in England in 2011 and most recently a Platinum award for 2016.

VisitEngland also awarded the park five stars and Gold conservation awards from environmentalist David Bellamy have been achieved by Lickhill for 14 years running.

“One of the biggest challenges the park faces is the weather,” comments Denis. “When the outlook is warm and sunny, we are faced with a busy switchboard and internet bookings, being inundated with enquiries. It is a fine balance to maintain the park’s high standards, whilst being able to cater to all of our customers’ requirements, and endeavouring always to be available for our customers’ needs with a personal touch.”

Plans for the future development of Lickhill Manor include the modernisation of the riverside washrooms, which is currently in the preliminary stage. Plans are also underway for the construction of camping pods, to be built near to the touring and camping area of the park and the riverside moorings will be upgraded in the future, with the benefit of water and electricity.

Says Denis: “Lickhill Manor Caravan Park is constantly being improved and developed to keep it fresh and appealing in order to meet the needs of our customers. After all, our best marketing tool is our customers. The majority of our clientele visit because of a recommendation they have received from one of our customers.”

Lickhill Manor Caravan Park
Tel. 01299 871041
www.lickhillmanor.co.uk