POWERING SMARTER DECISIONS

For many holiday parks, planning for the next season begins long before the current one has finished. As operators start reviewing budgets, maintenance schedules and infrastructure requirements for 2027, utilities are becoming an increasingly important part of those conversations. Electricity usage across holiday parks continues to evolve.

Modern caravans and lodges consume more energy than they once did, guests are travelling with more services, and electric vehicle charging is creating new demands on site infrastructure. At the same time, many parks still rely on periodic meter readings or inclusive pricing models that can make it difficult to understand exactly how electricity is being used across a site.

This is prompting some operators to take a closer look at utility management and the information available to them. The discussion is often less about billing and more about visibility. Understanding where energy is being consumed, identifying unusual usage patterns and having access to accurate data can help inform day-to-day operations as well as longer-term planning decisions.

For parks considering future infrastructure improvements, reviewing utility management earlier in the planning process can also provide greater flexibility. It allows time to assess options, understand site requirements and incorporate any changes into wider development plans.

Earlier planning can also help operators schedule projects around quieter operational periods and take advantage of favourable site conditions, rather than working within the tighter timeframes that often arise later in the year when weather, shorter daylight hours and contractor availability can become less predictable.

While no operator can predict future energy costs, having a clearer picture of consumption can make it easier to plan with confidence. As preparations for the 2027 season begin, many parks are finding that better visibility into utilities is becoming an important part of understanding how their sites operate today — and how they may need to evolve in the future.

Metpow
info@metpow.com
www.metpow.com

 

METPOW LAUNCHES SELF-SERVICE PAYMENT KIOSK

METPOW LAUNCHES SELF-SERVICE PAYMENT KIOSK

Metpow’s new Self-Service Payment Kiosk gives holiday parks and leisure operators another way to simplify utility management.

Guests can top up accounts, check balances, view usage and make payments directly on-site, even without access to the app.

Fully integrated with the Metpow platform, the kiosk helps reduce administration, improve customer experience and ensure utility management remains accessible whenever and wherever it’s needed.

Metpow
info@metpow.com
www.metpow.com

OLD OAKS CUTS CONSUMPTION BY 14% WITH METPOW

OLD OAKS HOLIDAY PARK in Somerset—an award-winning destination now benefiting from smart, fully automated energy management across its site.

Old Oaks, an award-winning adults-only holiday park in Somerset with 88 touring pitches, implemented an automated electricity metering solution to improve billing transparency and drive energy efficiency. Rising energy costs and increasing demand from modern, power-hungry vans made it essential to introduce a scalable, future-ready system without adding operational burden.

THE CHALLENGE
With no electricity metering in place, energy costs were rising while usage remained largely untracked. The growing demand from modern touring vans placed additional strain on supply and made cost recovery difficult.

At the same time, introducing a traditional metering approach risked adding significant administrative workload. Old Oaks needed a solution that delivered accurate, fair billing and full visibility of usage without increasing staff effort or complexity.

THE SOLUTION
Old Oaks introduced Metpow, a fully automated, app-based metering and billing system. Each pitch was assigned a unique QR code, allowing guests to activate electricity on arrival. Usage is tracked in real time, with flexible payment options available. A centralised management portal provides full oversight, eliminating manual processes and reducing administrative time.

GUESTS CAN EASILY activate and manage their electricity via Metpow’s app-based system, delivering real-time usage tracking and transparent, pay-as- you-go billing.

KEY BENEFITS
• No manual meter readings or invoicing
• No additional administrative workload
• Transparent, usage-based billing for guests
• Improved guest experience with real-time tracking
• Full cost recovery with no financial risk

FINANCIAL IMPACT
During the 2025 season (March– October), Old Oaks recorded:
• Total energy usage: 128,255 kWh
• Total cost: £31,959
• Reduction in consumption: 14%
• Estimated saving (single supply): £4,900
• Total benefit: £9,587, with projected savings of ~£12,000

Old Oaks transformed its electricity management from an unmetered cost centre into a controlled, efficient system. The result is reduced energy consumption, full cost recovery, and a better guest experience delivered through a scalable, future-ready platform.

Metpow
info@metpow.com
www.metpow.com

FROM RISING COSTS TO HAPPY GUESTS

A Smarter Way to Manage Your Parks Energy...

Holiday parks across the UK are under pressure. Operators are trying to balance rising energy costs, increasing guest expectations, and the sheer complexity of managing utilities across sprawling sites. The problem is all too familiar: one guest runs a heater and an air fryer nonstop, another guest plugs in an electric vehicle, while others barely use a lightbulb and yet everyone is charged the same.

Without accurate visibility, parks either undercharge and lose revenue, or introduce blanket surcharges that frustrate guests. Traditional systems only make things worse. Manual meter readings, paper billing, and reconciliations create an endless admin burden. Bills arrive late and forecasting costs becomes guesswork.

Smart card systems, once seen as the answer, now feel clunky and outdated, with guests expecting the same seamless digital service they get everywhere else in their lives. The result? Operators are left firefighting instead of focusing on delivering great holidays. This is exactly the challenge that Rolec and Metpow are solving.

Rolec has been the UK’s trusted name in outdoor utility hardware for over 35 years, with robust, weather-resistant meter boxes and pedestals used in thousands of parks. By combining this proven hardware with Metpow’s innovative, cloud-based software, operators now have a future-proof solution that makes managing utilities simple, transparent, and profitable.

The system transforms Rolec’s pedestals into intelligent, connected devices. Each pitch is linked to Metpow through secure LoRaWAN gateways, ensuring constant connection across the site. Unlike Wi-Fi and 4G, which struggle with signal dropouts and interference from vehicles, trees, or park infrastructure, LoRaWAN provides reliable, low-power connectivity that is perfectly suited to large outdoor environments.

ROLEC PEDESTALS, POWERED BY METPOW, provide real-time energy monitoring across each pitch, keeping both guests and operators in control.

It means every unit stays connected without operators worrying about dead spots, weak signals, or the cost of maintaining mobile contracts. From the operator’s side, the features are designed to make life easier. Real-time usage insights show exactly what each guest is consuming, while personalised dashboards allow staff to monitor the entire site at a glance.

Interactive site mapping makes even the largest or most complex park simple to oversee, and remote control means supply can be managed instantly, with alerts flagging anything unusual before it becomes a problem. Automated, upfront billing ensures guests know exactly what they are paying, while the self-serve Metpow app allows them to top up, receive low-balance alerts, and view their usage whenever they like.

It’s a system designed for fairness and convenience, both for operators and their guests. As Holly Brown, Commercial Director at Rolec, explains: “The combination of Rolec’s proven hardware with Metpow’s smart software creates a solution that’s not just about technology, it’s about helping operators run more profitable, efficient, and guest-friendly parks. It’s robust, reliable, and ready for the future.”

For operators, the benefits are clear. Sites using Rolec powered by Metpow are recovering their investment in as little as two seasons. By charging fairly and transparently, they stop subsidising high-consumption guests, while still keeping visitors happy with a system that feels modern and easy to use.

Office teams save hours of manual work each week, cutting out meter readings, spreadsheets, and reconciliations. And with accurate data on usage and costs, forecasting and budgeting finally become straightforward. Guests, meanwhile, appreciate the transparency. They pay only for what they use, with no hidden charges or arguments at checkout.

LORAWAN CONNECTIVITY ensures every unit stays reliably online, even across large and complex park sites.

The convenience of app-based payments and instant top-ups makes their stay easier, and parks report improved satisfaction and return visits. Some operators are also highlighting the sustainability features of the platform, including live data on carbon impact and carbon offsetting, which appeal to increasingly eco-conscious holidaymakers.

Ed Jones, CEO of Metpow, sums it up: “Holiday parks are being squeezed from both sides. Rising wholesale energy costs and rising guest expectations. Our mission is to put operators back in control. By pairing Rolec’s industry-leading hardware with Metpow’s software, we’ve created a solution that saves money, reduces admin, and delivers a better guest experience.”

One park manager perhaps put it best: “Before Metpow, we were losing money on electricity and spending hours on admin. Now, everything is transparent. Guests pay fairly, we stay in control, and our team has more time to focus on the guest experience.” With rising energy costs here to stay and guest expectations continuing to climb, this isn’t just about keeping the lights on.

AUTOMATED ALERTS and remote control allow operators to manage energy efficiently and respond to issues before they escalate.

It’s about future-proofing your park. Smart card systems belong to the past. Cloud-based solutions like Rolec powered by Metpow are the future. Bringing operators clarity, efficiency, and profitability, while giving guests the transparency and convenience they expect.

If your park is still wrestling with outdated systems and unpredictable bills, now is the time to make the change. Book a free, no-obligation quote today and discover how Rolec and Metpow can help your park save money, delight guests, and prepare for the future. Learn more about the system and book a demo on our website.

Metpow
01803 220372
www.metpow.com

 

THE UK’S BIGGEST TOURISM & LEISURE EVENT RETURNS

Taking place on 5-6 November 2025, NEC Birmingham...

The Land Leisure & Tourism Show is the UK’s largest event dedicated to holiday parks, leisure, attractions and rural businesses. Welcoming over 400 exhibitors and thousands of visitors, the show provides a creative space where you can gather ideas and learn from other experts in the field.

Whether you’re an established industry professional seeking fresh concepts or a newcomer looking to maximise your land’s potential, this event provides a unique platform for networking, learning, and innovation.

A HUB FOR INDUSTRY GROWTH AND INSPIRATION
This year’s show brings together three sectors under one roof, Holiday Parks, Family Attractions and Resorts, and Hospitality, creating an unmissable opportunity to explore the latest trends, connect with leading suppliers, and discover innovative solutions to enhance your business.

Plus with the Farm Business Innovation Show running alongside, farmers and landowners can access even more expert guidance on diversification and land optimisation.

EXPERT-LED SEMINARS & INDUSTRY ROUNDTABLES
Gain valuable insights from industry experts through a packed schedule of seminars, workshops, and discussion panels. The show’s keynote, Geoffrey Smith, CEO of Meadow Bay Villages, will open with a fresh perspective on the UK holiday park sector, rethinking the holiday experience through innovation and investment.

Expect thought-provoking discussions, covering key issues, trends, and opportunities that will shape the future of land, leisure, and tourism. This unique platform provides both professionals and newcomers in the industry the opportunity to network, learn and explore new opportunities.

Gain valuable insights from industry experts through a packed schedule of seminars, workshops, and discussion panels.

NEW FOCUS ON HOSPITALITY & VALUE-ADDED SERVICES
For 2025, we’re placing an even stronger emphasis on hospitality offerings, helping holiday park operators and rural businesses expand their services and increase profitability.

Expect tailored insights into enhancing guest experiences, adding premium facilities, and implementing effective marketing strategies to drive success.

YOUR OPPORTUNITY TO CONNECT & GROW
Whether you’re looking to source new products, gain expert advice, or network with industry leaders, the Land Leisure & Tourism Show is the must- attend event to take your business to the next level.

Join us on 5-6 November 2025 at NEC Birmingham and be part of the UK’s most influential event for the tourism sector.
Scan the QR code to register for your free ticket today!

SPEAKERS NOT TO MISS!

MEADOW BAY VILLAGES REIMAGINING THE UK HOLIDAY PARK EXPERIENCE
05 Nov 2025 @ 10:00 - 10:30
Land, Leisure & Tourism Theatre

Geoffrey Smith, CEO of Meadow Bay Villages, opens the Land Leisure Tourism Show with a fresh perspective on the UK holiday park sector.

Discover how Meadow Bay is rethinking the holiday experience through innovation and investment and explore the opportunities shaping the future of holiday parks and rural leisure.

THE REAL COST OF ENERGY METERING - HEAR FROM PARKS WHO HAVE MADE THE SWITCH
05 Nov 2025 @ 10:00 - 10:30
Land, Leisure & Tourism Theatre

Join industry leaders and park owners as they share their real experiences with energy metering.

From reducing costs to improving guest satisfaction, hear first-hand what works, what doesn’t, and how.

HOW GULLIVER’S WORLD IS SHAPING TOMORROW’S ATTRACTIONS - JULIE DALTON, MANAGING DIRECTOR - GULLIVER’S THEME PARK RESORTS
06 Nov 2025 @ 10:00 - 10:30
Land, Leisure & Tourism Theatre

In this opening address, Julie Dalton, Managing Director of Gulliver’s Theme Parks and Resorts group, which includes Gulliver’s World, shares the journey of the independent, family-run theme park group as it adapts to shifting visitor expectations and industry challenges.

From launching immersive events and unique guest experiences to navigating changing leisure trends, Julie offers a behind-the-scenes look at how Gulliver’s has evolved its offer while staying true to its core values of affordability, accessibility, and family-first fun.

THIS YEARS MUST-SEE EXHIBTORS INCLUDE: TOP TEN