National Operator Expands Portfolio

Posted on February 3, 2016

National Operator Expands Portfolio

Birchington Vale Holiday Park, formerly Two Chimneys, was recently acquired by Park Holidays UK.

Park Holidays UK has recently acquired Two Chimneys Holiday Park in the seaside village of Birchington-on-Sea near Margate in Kent.
Two Chimneys is one of the largest holiday parks on the Kent coast with around 300 privately caravan holiday homes, and 230 touring pitches.
The acquisition brings the number of holiday parks within the Park Holidays UK group to 25, all located in Southern England from Devon in the west to Suffolk in the east.
Already boasting a top five-star tourist board grading, Two Chimneys will now benefit from further substantial investment by the company in its holiday facilities.
It will also be re-christened Birchington Vale Holiday Park to reflect its location in 100 acres of tranquil North Kent countryside.
Tony Clish, director of Park Holidays UK, said that the park was a strategic and important addition to the company’s existing parks portfolio:
“This has been an extremely successful year for our group with an unprecedented number of holiday home sales and lettings,” said Tony.
“Birchington Vale will now allow us to widen even further in 2016 the options available to holidaymakers and holiday home buyers, as well as to touring guests.”

Cricket Fan Bowled Over

Posted on October 20, 2015

Cricket Fan Bowled Over

Paul Rodway was the lucky winner of Park Holidays UK’s 2015 pitch fees prize draw.

Park Holidays UK helped keen cricketer Paul Rodway pull off a blinder when it drew his name first from the hat to win a full refund of his 2015 pitch fees.

Paul, who lives in Canterbury, can now look forward to an entire fee-free year enjoying his caravan holiday home at Marlie Holiday Park in Kent.

The lucky draw prize was worth over £3,500 to Paul who bought his holiday home at Marlie last year after enjoying stays with a friend who is also an owner on the park.

The draw to win back 12 months of pitch fees is held every year by Park Holidays UK and is open to all holiday home owners on the group’s 24 parks in Devon and Southern England.

Cash Boost For Broadland Sands

Posted on April 15, 2015

Park Holidays UK’s investment at Broadland Sands aims to strengthen the commitment to family-friendly features found across other parks within the group.

Cash Boost For Broadland Sands

Holidaymakers at Broadland Sands Holiday Park in Suffolk will soon be benefiting from improved facilities following a £750,000 investment by the park’s owners Park Holidays UK.

The redevelopment project at the popular seaside park in Corton will see upgrades to the guest facilities and the park’s central holiday complex where a new state-of-the-art entertainments venue will be created.

Tony Clish, director of Park Holidays UK commented: “The facilities at Broadland Sands were already of a good standard, but as a company we are committed to keeping our holiday parks one step ahead of the competition.

“That’s why, after taking over the business, we made it our first task to walk around and draw up a wish-list of changes which would add to guests’ experiences.

“We have budgeted three-quarters of a million pounds for these projects, but we are prepared to let this figure over-run if it gives us the results we want.”

Despite only featuring on the company’s website since the New Year, Broadland Sands is already among the top five parks for bookings.

Mr Clish says that holiday home ownership proved extremely popular last year across his group and that 2015 is likely to see demand rise even further.

New Forest Ranger Leads Campsite Activities

Posted on September 22, 2014

Campers in the New Forest are being given environmental information and advice from a new park ranger.

New Forest Ranger Leads Campsite Activities

A new seasonal ranger is helping campers have fun in the New Forest while helping them protect the National Park’s animals and landscapes.

Chris Marshall will lead bug hunts, forest games and craft activities exclusively for families at four Camping in the Forest campsites throughout the summer.

Campers at Roundhill, Ashurst, Holmsley and Hollands Wood are being treated to a wild time of adventure and discovery, with walks from the campsites to learn more about the flora and fauna, how the New Forest got its name and why ponies have played such an important role in shaping the landscape.

The new role is being supported as a joint partnership between the New Forest National Park Authority, Camping in the Forest and the Forestry Commission.

Holiday Bookings Enjoy Seasonal Boost

Posted on September 3, 2014

Holiday Bookings Enjoy Seasonal Boost

High July temperatures have boosted domestic holiday figures, across the UK, with operators reporting strong demand and an increase in last-minute bookings.

Sustained hot weather provided a boost for the country’s holiday businesses, as holidaymakers lapped up the good weather with a seemingly unquenchable thirst for last minute domestic breaks.

Hoseasons reported a sharp rise in bookings boosted by the beautiful weather, recording an 11 per cent increase in bookings for the school summer holidays compared to last year’s figures, with a reported rise also in last minute holidays as people decided to make the most of the sunshine.

“These figures clearly demonstrate the continued appeal of the domestic holiday among UK consumers,” said Simon Altham, managing director of Hoseasons. “The convenience and ease of just being able to pack up the car and go and grab a late deal seems to be an ever more attractive trend amongst Brits.”

WARM SUNSHINE

Temperatures for July and August were above average across the UK, reaching a scorching 32.3 °C in Kent in mid-July.

Simon continues: “The warm sunshine obviously helps when it comes to the ‘book and go’ culture, but the weather was good last year so it’s not the only factor. We firmly believe that continued innovation in the quality and range of accommodation styles available is also playing its part alongside the growing investment in major UK tourist attractions which combined are making the UK a convenient and hassle-free choice for many Brits this year.”

Record numbers of Brits took to the beach this summer, with Cornwall, Blackpool and Brighton proving to be popular hotspots. Pic: VisitBritain

Bookings across Butlins resorts have also been up this season, and the company has been operating at nearly 100 per cent occupancy through the summer period. Butlins spokesperson James Silverstone commented: “We always see an increase in demand during good weather and this year has been no different. However, all our resorts are geared up for all seasons, so even if it does rain we can still accommodate our guests without spoiling any fun!”

As record numbers of British holidaymakers chose to stay at home for their summer break this year, coastal locations such as Cornwall, Blackpool and Brighton were especially popular, as well as city breaks in London, Edinburgh and York.

Beverley Holidays and Whitehill Country Park, two sister holiday parks in Paignton saw a rush in bookings as visitors flocked to the English Riviera to revel in the heat wave. Numbers were up at both parks by more than 10 per cent compared to the previous year, and the parks were also benefitting from the news that the area is fast becoming the top seaside destination in the UK.

Claire Jeavons, head of marketing for Beverley Holidays and Whitehill Park, is thrilled with how the businesses are performing: “How customers choose and book their holidays has changed dramatically over the years. We have invested heavily in digital marketing with online channels such as social media campaigns and e-blasts, and this has really paid off.”

Claire added: “The recent hot weather looks set to stay and our outdoor and indoor pools are proving very popular among those looking to bask in the Great British sunshine, with plenty more visitors expected.”

Further good news for the industry is that tourism spend is up by 6 per cent on last year, according to the latest research by VisitEngland.

Park Group In The Saddle

Posted on June 9, 2014

Park Holidays group in the saddle.

Park Group In The Saddle

A group of Park Holidays UK employees have completed a gruelling 230 mile cycling trip to France, to promote Britain as a go-to holiday destination, ahead of the 2014 Tour de France.

The ten men set out on the last weekend in March, wearing what is believed to be the first of the Grand Départ yellow jerseys to be seen in Britain.

Established in 1903, the race is the third largest sporting event in the world. Set over three weeks and covering 3,500km, it’s estimated to attract more than 12million spectators. It will be the first time Le Tour has visited the north of England, having previously made visits only to the south coast and to London.

Park Holidays UK Trigger £6m Investment

Posted on June 1, 2014

Encouraging Park Holidays UK investment decision, was a start to the year which saw the highest-ever volume of holiday sales in its 25-year history, despite the turbulent weather. Pic: Park Holidays UK.

Park Holidays UK Trigger £6m Investment

Park Holidays UK has announced a multimillion investment programme for 2014 which will see new features and facilities introduced at all of its parks in south and west England.

The group says that the aim is to make the holiday experiences of guests even more appealing, and to ensure that the parks maintain quality standards of the highest order.

The schedule of work for the £6 million investment was drawn up with the assistance of feedback from its many holiday home owners. In a survey at the start of this year, homeowners were invited to submit a wishlist of what would improve the quality of their holiday lifestyles.

Partly as a result of the consultation, Park Holidays UK parks will see enhanced gym and fitness facilities, professional landscaping, redesigned restaurants and bars, and improved roads and lighting.

“Owners of holiday homes, who often spend many weeks of the year on our parks, are ideally placed to tell us what they consider would improve their experience,” said Tony Clish, group director of Park Holidays UK. “Their suggestions benefit the tens of thousands who come each year for short breaks and holidays, and work has already started on many of their recommendations.”

Other investments will include the proposed redevelopment of the group’s popular Riviera Holiday Park in Brixham. Subject to planning consent, the project will include the introduction of 75 extra holiday lodges and a new management building which will include a café/bar and gym facilities.

Summer Set To Be The Hottest On Record

Posted on May 6, 2014

Holiday parks across the UK and Eire should be gearing up for a sizzling summer according to German weather experts. Pic: Hendra Holiday Park.

Summer Set To Be The Hottest On Record

It may have been the wettest winter in a hundred years, but the UK holiday industry should be getting set for a sizzling summer, if we are to believe scientists, who are 75 per cent certain that 2014 will be the hottest on record for the UK and Eire.

The weather is being linked to the El Niño pattern, which occurs when waters on the Pacific equator become unusually warm, which can lead to disruptive changes in ocean and wind currents across the globe. In a study published by the PNAS journal, scientists in Germany claim they are able to forecast El Niño trends a year in advance, up from six months currently forecast, LiveScience reported.

Meanwhile VisitBritain is forecasting a record-breaking 2014 for tourism. The national tourism agency is expecting an increase of 2% in overseas visitor numbers, resulting in an estimated spend of around £21.5 billion, representing growth of 4.2% in nominal terms.

Sandie Dawe, chief executive at VisitBritain said: “Government investment in the millions will bring tourism returns in the billions. This year is set to be a record – it just goes to show what can be achieved with a clear strategy and cooperation across all the major Government agencies promoting Britain overseas.”

It is business as usual for holiday park operator Park Holidays UK, who announced a record number of bookings in January and February, despite many of their parks being located in areas worst hit by winter’s savage storms. The company’s 23 parks are all based on the coast across Devon and southern and eastern England where some of the strongest winds, highest tides and most persistent downpours were measured. Holiday guests, it says, are unlikely to find any trace of the batterings received from the weather which caused millions of pounds worth of damage to other parks in Britain. March opening “We suspected that the affected parks would be fully dried out in time for our March opening, but thought it fair to offer booked customers a refund, or change of date or park. We’ve also been able to assure all of our of holiday home owners that their properties have successfully weathered the storms, and are now awaiting their return,” said group director Tony Clish.

The government has recently launched a £10 million scheme to provide hardship funding for SME businesses in areas affected by the floods. Eligible businesses will be able to claim for funding for things like immediate clean-up costs, materials, and exceptional costs to help them continue trading. If any affected company is unable to file accounts or other documents on time as a direct result of the floods, Companies House will agree an extension and not collect the penalties which apply for late filings. The helpline number to call for more information is 0300 456 3565.

Park Holidays UK Under New Ownership

Posted on February 12, 2014

Park Holidays UK Under New Ownership

Park Holidays UK aims at the family holiday market on its 23 Southern England parks with some 9000 developed caravan pitches.

Investment trust company Caledonia Investments Plc, has acquired a majority stake in Britain’s fourth largest caravan holiday park operator Park Holidays UK.

The transaction values Park Holidays UK at £172 million, and the company will now benefit from a £10m acquisition and capital expenditure fund which has been put in place to assist future expansion.

The change of ownership will allow Park Holidays UK to strengthen the business through internal investment, and grow its portfolio of parks through careful acquisition within the UK.

Park Holidays UK has been run by its current management team of Jeff Sills (chief executive), Al Loch (chief financial officer) and Tony Clish (sales and marketing director) since January 2006, when they acquired the business from its founders through a management buy-in backed by funds managed by Graphite Capital. The company has since grown and now owns and operates 21 freehold and two leasehold holiday parks in the South of England.

Jeff Sills, chief executive officer of Park Holidays UK, commented: “Caledonia is acquiring a leading participant in the UK holiday market with excellent growth prospects. Caledonia’s forward-looking investment model will ensure that we can continue to enhance and expand our park portfolio, and I look forward to a long and rewarding relationship with them.

“I would also like to thank Graphite Capital which has provided Park Holidays UK with the support and encouragement which has enabled us to develop the business to where it is today,” he added.

Commenting on the acquisition, Duncan Johnson, Caledonia’s head of unquoted investments, said: “We are delighted to be supporting Jeff Sills and his team in the next stage of Park Holidays UK’s development. The new capital structure will ensure that Park Holidays UK can continue to enhance its existing parks throughout the South of England, and allow Jeff and his team to build the business through targeted acquisitions.”