Medieval Village

Posted on March 29, 2016

Medieval Village

Warwick Castle (1) Warwick Castle is set to offer a unique opportunity for guests to step back in time this year, with the introduction of Medieval-style overnight stays in their new woodland lodges.

A new Knights’ Village is being created, enabling people to sleep in 28 timber-style lodges on the 64 acre wooded estate. The lodges will feature Medieval-themed light fittings, door handles and crockery, lofty ceilings, wooden beams, stonework and green oak wood styled exteriors to create an enchanting ambiance.

From July, the new attraction will offer year-round ‘great outdoors sleepovers with contemporary comfort including wet room, TV, fridge, coffee maker and central heating.

Geoff Spooner, general manager at Warwick Castle, says: “This is a new chapter for Warwick Castle as from July 1, we’ll offer guests year-round lodge-style accommodation to complement the Castle’s two sumptuous Tower Suites, set within the fourteenth century Caesar’s Tower, and our superb seasonal Mediaeval Glamping Village.”

Prices will start at £203 per two-bedroom woodland lodge per night, including breakfast in the banqueting hall and two days castle entry

Weather-Proofing

Posted on March 29, 2016

Weather-Proofing

Hostages to fortune; a holiday park’s season can stand or fall on the vagaries of the great British summer. So weather-proofing our main attraction presents an obvious opportunity to take the lottery out of year-on-year visitor appeal.

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Ideal for overcoming unpredictable weather in all seasons, an enclosure over an outdoor pool not only provides the potential for year-round swimming but continually extends the swimming day.

Commercial swimming pool enclosures offer new opportunities and increased profitability to venues by extending the season, increasing throughput and reducing costs. The owners of Manor Farm Holiday Centre in Charmouth, Dorset, renovated their pool area and enlisted the expertise of Swimex Enclosures to cover the outside pool in time for the summer tourist season.

The design was fairly complex as one side of the lean-to building needed to rest on a high wall and the other on the pool deck, whilst remaining fully telescopic. Swimex came up with an affordable design answering the requirements, whilst working with valuable input from the clients on the best features available, including telescoping from the biggest bay in the centre rather than the smallest, a more conventional solution.

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The robust portal building with powder-coated aluminium frames and fully compliant polycarbonate roof and over 26m long and about 14m at its widest, was made to fit snugly at each end on rain-proof joints against both end walls, whilst the rear wall was used for the lean-to, leaving just the whole 26m front length facing the park.

The bespoke-built Swimex ‘Angular’ telescopic enclosure can be opened up, partially or fully, from the centre to leave a fully open pool for whenever the sun and weather permit. In other moments, the building creates an indoor pool, with air heating when needed.

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The Fun Factor

Posted on March 29, 2016

The Fun Factor

For many holidaymakers, the lure of an arcade is an essential item on the wish list, providing hours of entertainment for the whole family.

For the park operator, selecting the right balance of amusements, games and gaming machines can be a precarious balancing act between customer satisfaction and maximum return on investment while still delivering the fun factor that keeps the visitors coming back time and time again. Historically, the first popular arcade attractions were early games such as shooting galleries, ball toss games and early coin-operated machines, such as fortune tellers and strength testers. More modern gaming has been led by the popularity of online games and casino games. Penny fall coin pushers have been Crown Direct’s bestselling lines in recent years and 2015 was no exception with The Simpsons-themed Donut Daze machine, which was the company’s the most popular product of the year.

“It’s not a case of games having a fixed shelf life, but you should always have something new every season for holiday makers to play, advises Dean Harding, managing director at Crown Direct. Many come back to the park every year, so you need to keep the offer fresh.”

Crown Direct is a leading UK supplier of all types of coin operated equipment, as well as operating third party arcades and owning a number of their own. The Wigan-based company supplies equipment to holiday parks and family amusement arcades across the UK and Eire. Supply can be by way of outright purchase, rental or they can operate your arcade for you on an income share basis.

“There is merit in both rental and purchase and it really comes down to the holiday parks view on capital expenditure and appetite,” explains Dean. “We have large and small holiday park customers that are complete opposites in their approach to their amusement requirements. Some buy, some hire, and some lease the arcade space to an operator. Also, if customers thinking of buying there are some good second hand games available offering great value for money.”

Dean stresses the importance of keeping all arcade equipment in full working order and advises his customers to consult their suppliers if anything goes wrong: “Arcade games can go wrong and break down - coins get into all sort of places in a machine. Seeking technical expertise is essential as maintenance and repairs are a skill.”

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Recipe For Success

Posted on March 18, 2016

Recipe For Success

Juggler chef Putting together a marketing strategy is a bit like cooking.

If properly mixed and seasoned; the individual ingredients will come together to result in a delicious recipe for success. Carefully balancing the flavours and ingredients to suit the tastes of your target audience is essential.

For that reason, marketing for all businesses, regardless of size, needs to be carefully thought through, and often requires a multi-pronged approach.

“A good marketing strategy is essential for travel businesses that want to sell more holidays,” comments Robbie Davies, head of business development at Hoseasons.

“Parks should pinpoint their audiences, focus on the sales channels they react to and then use these to continuously communicate the benefits of their product. A successful marketing strategy will target the retention of existing customers as well as the acquisition of new ones.”

Middle-aged couple with teenage son reserving tickets and packin Suzanne Hall, head of holidays marketing at Haven agrees: “A good marketing strategy is crucial for holiday parks; being able to understand your target audience and what their needs and wants are is key. “It is important to ensure that the right product and message is being offered to the right audience at the right time to maximise on your impact.”

Suzanne advises that parks should be constantly re-evaluating their marketing in order to remain current and in touch with their audience. It is important to keep moving and not become stagnant in what you are producing, but this is not to say that you should keep changing your strategy just for the sake of it.

“Firstly, you need to know your audience to ensure that what you offering will appeal to them,” says Suzanne. “Secondly, track as much as possible to see what impact your marketing is having. Thirdly, keep on top of current trends and what is happening in the market as a whole to make sure you are not being left behind. Fourthly, fully utilise the resources available to you in terms of budget and personnel to maximise on your effectiveness.”

She adds: “Finally, it is really important to remain clear on your brand values and proposition as this will allow you to have a unified message that you can send to your audience.”

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Crowd Pleasers

Posted on March 8, 2016

Crowd Pleasers

Billing Aquadrome

The award-winning Billing Aquadrome Holiday Park is a busy hub of activity, attracting more than one million visitors each year.

Located in the Nene Valley, near to Northampton, the 235- acre park is owned by Pure Leisure Group, which operates nine holiday lodge and caravan parks in the southern Lake District, Northamptonshire and East Anglia.

“Families and retired couples make up the majority of visitors to the park, and while a number of those own holiday homes on the site, around 60 per cent of holiday bookings are made by guests who have visited before,” reveals John Morphet, Pure Leisure Group owner. He adds: “Our guests choose Billing Aquadrome because it offers so much choice – from tent pitches to camping pods, caravans and luxury lakeside holiday lodges that cover every budget, to the wide range of activities on offer. There really is something for everyone and there is a great community feel about the place all year round.”

The park boasts 1,707 pitches for camping, touring and motorhomes, of which 1,508 are nonelectric and 199 are electric. There are also 35 super pitches which provide waste and water facilities with PAYGO electric. The pod village has 16 pods and there is also 60 holiday homes, which are a mixture of static caravans and luxury lodges. The large picturesque marina is one of Billing Aquadrome’s finest features. Situated on the River Nene, it has 180 berths – all of which are secured on floating pontoons for the nautically minded.

“Billing Aquadrome is all about good, old-fashioned family fun,” says John. “Many of our guests visited as children and now bring their grandchildren and we pride ourselves on being a place where families can spend quality time together, making happy memories that will last a lifetime.”

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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!”

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”.

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.

Balancing Act

Posted on September 8, 2015

Balancing Act

Michael Littlewood shares the benefits of the natural swimming pool system.…

Children can enjoy playing in natural water – and their parents need have no anxieties about chemicals.

At a time when people are increasingly concerned about their health, anxious to avoid exposure to chemicals, keen to help preserve wildlife and the environment, and inspired by more holistic ways of living, natural swimming pool offers the perfect fit.

As well as offering a new and inspirational experience, the natural system has practical and financial benefits for pool operators. Build costs for a natural pool are comparable to those for a conventional pool, and the conversion of an existing pool is also possible.

Maintenance costs are far lower, as a natural pool’s biological cleaning processes do away with the need for chemicals, frequent water changes and much of the work of maintenance. There are huge savings on water, as natural pools do not need to be emptied every year. Energy costs are much lower, as the natural system is not compatible with conventional pool heating. It relies instead on the heat of the sun and the circulation of the water from the shallower regeneration zone to raise the water temperature.

Because natural pools are aquatic gardens as well as places to swim, they can be developed as all-year-round leisure facilities, offering guests a place to walk, relax, socialise and enjoy nature even when the British weather does not encourage outdoor swimming. Natural pools are also of huge benefit to the environment; in addition to not using chemicals and saving on water, they are valuable wildlife habitats, offering a haven for a whole range of species threatened by the loss of wetland habitats in the countryside. People and frogs do not swim side by side, however; wild creatures stay mostly in the regeneration zone, which provides them with both food and shelter.

Natural swimming pools were originally developed in Austria, where the health and wellness benefits of bathing in natural waters in the country’s spa towns were widely recognised. In 1985, the first commercial models were created by the Austrian company Biotop, whose founder Peter Petrich came up with the idea of a self-cleaning biosystem for swimming pools. Other manufacturers, including Bioteich of Switzerland and BioNova of Germany, soon followed. I introduced natural swimming pools to the UK in 2000, and there are now many privately owned natural pools in this country. The UK’s first commercial natural pool opened in 2006 at a spa in the Cotswolds. In Europe, there are already hundreds of public natural pools, and advocates of the natural system are keen to share its benefits with local authorities and the leisure industry in this country.

Super Heroes

Posted on September 8, 2015

Super Heroes

Cost-effective energy efficiency and prudent housekeeping will maximise return on investment when it comes to swimming pools.

A popular swimming pool is a must for the modern holiday park; number one for its undoubted pulling power in attracting and retaining visitors year on year.

On the flip side, the average holiday park swimming pool can present a huge drain on business resources both through upkeep and running costs as well as staffing overheads.

Operators find themselves under more pressure than ever to demonstrate effective energy efficiency and prudent housekeeping to maximise return on investment when it comes to swimming pools.

“Most people are now opting for energy efficient pools, more so than ever before,” comments Tim Bareham of Cresta Leisure. “It is partly down to an increase in environmental awareness generally, as well as the rise in energy prices, and of course the allure of cost savings that can be achieved over time.”

Tim adds: “Although energy efficient methods are generally more expensive to install, the benefits are huge. You’ve got to speculate to accumulate.”

Deer Park Golf and Country club in West Lothian, Scotland has enjoyed a 25% reduction in gas and electricity usage in their swimming pool following the installation of Heatsavr.

Going ‘green’ is not only helpful in protecting the environment, but it can also translate into cost savings. If it were a superhero then Brenntag’s Heatsavr would have powers akin to the Invisible Man. The Heatsavr is a liquid pool cover that works by forming an invisible monolayer over the surface of the pool, preventing heat and moisture from escaping while the surface is unbroken. There are many other associated benefits that come with having a pool cover. Stopping evaporation also directly effects the quantity of chemicals used to maintain hygienic water conditions. By reducing evaporation you are also reducing the quantity of chemicals normally lost through evaporation. Having a pool cover also reduces the amount of contamination that enters the pool through the water surface, this will also have a direct effect on the rate of chemical consumption.

Deer Park Golf and Country club in West Lothian, Scotland had Heatsavr installed as part of an upgrade that also saw them have new boilers fitted. The work that was carried out saw a 25 per cent reduction in gas and electricity usage since the work was undertaken in August 2013. The country club had previously used a traditional pool cover, but it was ill-fitting because their pool is oval shaped. That meant that heat and moisture were still able to escape, as the cover was only partially effective. Heatsavr liquid pool cover reduces evaporation not only at night but also during the day when bathers are present in the water.

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