HAVE LOO BRUSH – WILL TRAVEL!

Posted on August 6, 2021

HAVE LOO BRUSH – WILL TRAVEL!

PATRICK LANGMAID hopes holiday guests will step up to join his toilet cleaning chain gang.

Guests taking holidays at a major Cornwall holiday park this summer are being asked to help keep the park open – by swapping the beach for a toilet brush.

Mother Ivey’s Bay Holiday Park in Padstow says staff shortages could force the closure of his toilet blocks and is trying to rally a volunteer army of loo legionnaires. More than 20 people have so far stepped forward with offers to help, according to Patrick Langmaid, owner of the 30-year-old family business.

“Like many tourism providers we are desperate to recruit staff, but the staycation boom and the easing of lockdown has created more jobs than there are people to fill them,” said Patrick. “Unless we can find enough volunteers to give up part of their holidays to keep our toilets spotless, we could have to start cancelling stays already booked for this summer.”

ROLLER COASTER YEAR

Posted on December 16, 2020

ROLLER COASTER YEAR

The ups and downs of 2020,as the Holiday Park Scene team reports...

It was emotional to witness the end-of-week show at a leading UK holiday resort just before the start of England’s second Lockdown. Not knowing if they were going to get the opportunity to perform in December, the outstanding entertainment team burst into festive song for their encore, just in case they never get the opportunity to stage their Christmas show. The disappointment and uncertainty was tangible. A roller coaster year of famine, feast then famine again, Covid-19 has taken its toll on morale across the UK holiday sector through 2020. A short reprieve from Lockdown this summer meant many holiday parks were able to fire up and get back to some form of business as usual, albeit with restricted booking numbers to comply with new safety measures and a great deal of logistical thought going into communal areas and social distancing.

SECOND WAVE

As the next wave of this pandemic continues to batter Britain, a second enforced national Lockdown has forced holiday parks to cancel bookings and close once again, with staff left fearing an uncertain future. All is not lost. With overseas travel restricted and families desperate to fit in a winter break, December and January are shaping up as the new peak season months. Helen Scott is the Director of Cofton Holidays in South Devon. A family-run business established over 40 years and usually booked year-round with guests enjoying the luxury cottages, lodges, bubbling hot-tubs and static caravans; the bustle of busy restaurants serving Devonshire cream teas. As she spoke to Holiday Park Scene magazine, the resort lay still, silent, empty - with almost 95% of its workforce on furlough.

Our staff are like our family,” says Helen, “We are all so close and work together well as a team, so we are feeling sad. “Nobody knows how this will play out or what the future holds,” Helen continues. “The uncertainty of not knowing if there will be further Lockdowns in the future is something that worries us all and, as we’re usually open 365 days a year, this second national Lockdown has hit us hard.” After months of hard work to make sure guests could visit safely, this Lockdown has been such a blow to places like Cofton. Helen says: “Our team worked tirelessly after the first Lockdown to secure bookings for November, so to see them cancelled is a real shame. It seems so strange for us to have to send our customers away once again.”

SOUTH DEVON’S family-run Cofton Holidays is usually booked year-round with guests.

December could be one of the busiest months of the year at Park Holidays UK after hundreds of families learned that their hopes for a November break had been dashed. The latest Lockdown means that the company has had to cancel all November holidays, but director Tony Clish says that many guests have opted simply to delay their stay. “Under our coronavirus guarantee, customers can book with confidence because we promise a full no-quibble refund if they are forced to change their plans.

TIME-SHIFTS

“In fact, we’re finding a large number of couples and families are asking if they can time-shift their break until December – and we’re happy to make the changes without cost. “Added to the high volume of existing bookings we already have, I think it’s likely that December will be as busy as high season across our parks. “It’s great news for everyone, including Britain’s tourism economy, but it means people will need to be fast on their feet if they want to enjoy an escape next month. “Some of our parks are already approaching capacity, so we must work on the basis of first come, first served,” said Tony. Instead of closing after the October half-term, a total of 13 of the group’s 30-plus parks are this year continuing to welcome guests until the week before Christmas. Despite the heavy demand, says Tony, off-season prices will apply.

During December, and guests will stay in luxury lodges and premium grade holiday caravans. The holidays are all being offered on an “accommodation only” basis with many of the parks’ usual facilities remaining closed or operating on reduced hours. “There’s going to be a very relaxed atmosphere across our parks, and I think that’s exactly what people will be wanting after another month of Lockdown,” said Tony. “Roads, towns and visitor attractions will all be less busy, and you can enjoy beautiful coast and countryside walks with the feeling that you’ve got it all to yourself. “It will be a great chance to chill – but also to stay snug as all our holiday homes have super-efficient central heating and high levels of insulation.”

The owner of a Cornwall holiday park has spoken of his ‘gut-wrenching dismay’ at having to cancel more than 130 free holidays for Lockdown heroes in November. Patrick Langmaid of Mother Ivey’s Bay in Padstow had pledged to give key workers the holidays as a massive ‘thank you’ for their bravery and commitment during the continuing Covid crisis. But with the second Lockdown, the no-cost stays are having to be put on ice. “I am so desperately disappointed that we are having to cancel the free holidays that we had planned and were so looking forward to providing,” said Patrick.” We had hoped to be welcoming staff from the NHS, police, fire service, local foodbanks and care workers for their richly deserved breaks. “Now, instead of preparing for their arrival, we are contacting them to let them know they can no longer come with their families and spend time with us,” he said. Throughout November, 137 key workers from across the UK were to be welcomed at Mother Ivey’s, and a further 21 in December at its sister-park, Martha’s Orchard in Constantine Bay.

“I have great respect and admiration for those who have kept Britain going during these challenging times, and it’s so sad that they are not going to be able to have the benefit of these holidays. “Key workers need respite too, and their personal wellbeing seems to have been forgotten during the recent announcements.” Patrick is calling upon the Government to make special provision for key workers and their wellbeing during this new Lockdown, including giving them the important downtime to relax. “Everyone needs a break, and especially those who have been tirelessly working on the frontline for the past six months,” says Patrick. It is not easy for the on-site owners who, Cofton’s Helen Scott says, have been very understanding, or the customers, many of whom have had rearranged trips cancelled yet again: “Our customers are very sad to see us closed but understand this is what needs to be done,” Helen says. “Cofton Holidays is their haven; their get away from it all. Helen says they’re using the time as best they can and trying to look ahead positively: “We are making the most of being closed and progressing with work that we would have found difficult to achieve with customers staying on site.

SUPER PITCHES

“We want our customers to really see the difference when they return. During the last Lockdown, we improved our roadways and footpaths, developed our beautiful wildlife corridors, introduced new super pitches and increased security with the installation of ANPR barriers. We know that next year will be a bumper season for staycations. We’re already seeing a significant increase in our bookings for 2021.” Helen remains pragmatic about the government handling of the crisis. “I just keep thinking, who would want to be in their shoes? Would any of us do a better job? “The furlough scheme has been a godsend and has helped us protect the jobs of our Cofton team, which is extremely important to us. “Looking back to earlier this year, I wonder if the first national Lockdown was too harsh, especially on Devon and Cornwall which was not as affected by the Coronavirus compared to other regions.”

“LOOKING BACK TO EARLIER THIS YEAR, I WONDER IF THE FIRST NATIONAL LOCKDOWN WAS TOO HARSH, ESPECIALLY ON DEVON AND CORNWALL WHICH WAS NOT AS AFFECTED BY THE CORONAVIRUS COMPARED TO OTHER REGIONS.” - Helen Scott, Cofton

The Gift Of Holidays To Families In Need

Posted on February 9, 2017

Mike, Kerry and their two young children, Ellie and Luke enjoyed a holiday at Mother Ivey’s Bay Holiday Park thanks to the One for All initiative.

The Gift Of Holidays To Families In Need

Mother Ivey’s Bay Holiday Park in Padstow provided free holidays for 80 people in 2016 through its One for All initiative. Launched in 2013, the scheme dedicates 1% of the park’s hire fleet occupancy to those who need a break, but cannot afford.

One family to benefit was Mike, Kerry and their two young children, Ellie and Luke. Mike, a builder, has suffered from diabetes since childhood. His condition has worsened recently, affecting the nerves in his legs. This has meant missing work, which has hit the family finances hard. Ellie’s school teacher, Mrs Parker, contacted the Family Holiday Association, to see if they could organise a much-needed break for the family. The result was a week’s holiday in September at Mother Ivey’s Bay Holiday Park. Park owner Patrick Langmaid, would like One for All to become a business model that every holiday park owner in the country can use.

He said: “If, as holiday park owners, we can all do something positive for our communities without disrupting our own business model it has to be worthwhile. “Everyone wants their children to grow up with happy memories and this scheme has the potential to provide countless positive life-changing experiences for families in need.” He adds: “One for All also helps fill parks during the shoulder months. When I’m at half capacity in April or October I’d much rather give holidays away, even outside school holidays, because sometimes a holiday with your family is more important and beneficial than being in the classroom.”

Double Charity Boost

Posted on April 15, 2016

Double Charity Boost

Photograph by Emily Whitfield-Wicks.

Two Cornish charities each received a four-figure boost to their fundraising efforts, thanks to an enterprising Padstow holiday park’s visitor giving scheme.

Cornwall Wildlife Trust and Wadebridge Foodbank have both been handed cheques for £1,700 from Mother Ivey’s Bay Holiday Park at Trevose Head. The much-needed sums were raised by guests who donated £1.00 on top of their holiday costs when booking a stay at the multi-award winning park.

The total amount was then doubled by Mother Ivey’s Bay owner Patrick Langmaid to create the £3,400 windfall which was shared by the charities.

“Many holiday businesses in Cornwall give very generously of their time and resources to help local charities, and we are very proud to stand alongside them,” said Patrick. “Our charity work receives immense support from our holiday guests who make donations when booking their stays with virtually nobody opting out of the scheme.

“We’re also greatly indebted to our staff who also make a superb contribution through their efforts to our fundraising activities,” added Patrick. He said that the present level of 2016 bookings for the park, which reopens in March, suggests that this year’s total could well be exceeded by the end of the season.

Park Owner Awarded Living Wage Accolade

Posted on January 6, 2016

Park Owner Awarded Living Wage Acolade

Park owner Patrick Langmaid, has been chosen as the winner of the Living Wage Leadership Award 2015 for the South West region.

Keen campaigner for the living wage, Patrick Langmaid, has been chosen as the winner of the Living Wage Leadership Award 2015 for the South West region.
The Cornish businessman was the Living Wage Foundation SW overall champion and in addition, Patrick’s Mother Ivey’s Bay Holiday Park in Padstow was also declared the winner of the Living Wage Employer Champion Award in the South West.
Award judges highlighted the tireless campaigning for the living wage which Patrick has carried out both within and without the tourism industry, and the fine example set by his business.
Patrick has already argued the case for the living wage on television and in the Press, and he says he now intends to use the publicity from his two awards to help spread awareness even more widely: “For many businesses, including mine, the living wage does represent an additional cost, but I believe there are also tangible savings to be made from managing a happy workforce.
“I know from our experience that a firm’s long-term interests are often best served by looking beyond the immediate impact of salaries on the balance sheet.
“Productivity, loyalty and staff retention are just two important factors which can translate into an overall cost benefit for the business,” he added.

Bellamy Praises Community Spirit

Posted on September 2, 2015

Bellamy Praises Community Spirit

Mother Ivey’s Bay Holiday Park in Padstow, Cornwall, gives away a week’s holiday to a needy family for every hundred bookings the park takes.

Hundreds of holiday and residential parks which reach out to their local communities will be put under the spotlight in this year’s David Bellamy Conservation Awards.

Scheme organiser Rufus Bellamy says that this year he is keen to celebrate parks acting as ‘good neighbours’. He reports that a whole raft of initiatives are now making a very real difference to many peoples’ lives around the country.

“The David Bellamy Conservation Award Scheme does, of course, put a major emphasis on how parks work to protect their natural environment,” said Rufus.

“However, the scheme also highlights those which engage with their local community because this, in our view, demonstrates that the park is taking a holistic view of its business.

“This year, our assessors have uncovered many fantastic new initiatives which we’ll be using to underline just how many ways there are for parks to reach out,” said Rufus.

The names of the 500-plus parks expected to receive David Bellamy Conservation Awards this year at gold, silver and bronze levels will be announced this month.

Parks Urged To Become Living Wage Accredited

Posted on June 10, 2015

A Cornish park has become the first in the UK to be accredited as a Living Wage employer.

Parks Urged To Become Living Wage Accredited

Mother Ivey’s Bay Holiday Park in Cornwall has become Britain’s first holiday park to be an accredited Living Wage employer and is urging other parks to follow suit.

Park director Patrick Langmaid believes that such a move is the perfect way for any business to demonstrate its social responsibility. “Our decision to pay the Living Wage, currently set at £7.85 per hour outside London, will add around £12,000 a year to our annual wage bill in the future,” says Patrick.

According to the industry’s trade body, the British Holiday & Home Parks Association, Mother Ivey’s is leading the way in becoming accredited by the Living Wage Foundation. Around 1,100 other businesses of all types in the UK have already signed up to the organisation.

“I strongly believe there is more to business than short-term profits and that long-term interests are most often best served by looking beyond the balance sheet,” said Patrick. “By putting the principles of social responsibility at the heart of our decisionmaking, we are resonating with the way many of our customers now feel about how companies should behave.

“We don’t regard wages as just another cost, but as a means of recognising and rewarding the hard work of our staff team, all of whom are incredibly loyal to our business, including many who have been with us for more than ten years.”

There is more information about the Living Wage Foundation accreditation at www.livingwage.org.uk

Holiday Scene: Patrick Langmaid

Posted on May 5, 2015

Patrick Langmaid of Mother Ivey's Bay Holiday Park

Holiday Scene: Patrick Langmaid

Patrick Langmaid is director of Mother Ivey’s Bay Holiday Park near Padstow in Cornwall, owned by his family’s business for over 25 years. Patrick trained as a chartered surveyor, and spent three years working for a property agent in Germany. He then returned to the UK to study for an MBA at Cranfield University, going on to complete a post-graduate marketing diploma before joining Mother Ivey’s. Today he manages the park with the help of his wife Margaret.

How do you see the UK holiday industry at the moment?

These are tremendously exciting times and the industry is, I believe, in very good shape. But the best opportunities are reserved for those who enjoy embracing change – and anyone insisting on just ploughing the same furrow is at risk of being left behind. However, I regret that the punitive taxation system in England does fetter this industry’s ability to market itself more aggressively to overseas markets.

How is the 2015 summer season shaping up?

Many holiday parks experienced a downward trajectory post-2008 which finally bottomed out, at least for Mother Ivey’s, in 2013. The curve is now very definitely up, and bookings for 2015 are racing ahead of 2014, itself a very good year.

What are the main challenges facing the industry?

Some parks in popular seaside areas such as ours are having to adjust to the changing dynamics created by the ban on term-time holidays for children. A more positive challenge, though, is taking advantage of the huge marketing opportunities presented by social media. I also think the hospitality industry as a whole needs to engage more closely with schools and universities to give a more accurate picture of the great career opportunities we provide.

How do you see your business beyond its profit objectives?

We have a strong commitment to corporate social responsibility which manifests itself in a number of way. We are a Living Wage employer, provide accredited training and apprenticeship schemes for staff, believe strongly in environmental sustainability, and are active in the local community. We also invest much time and energy in charity fundraising.

What is the best piece of business advice you have been given and by whom?

Many years ago, my father told me to limit my worrying to those things which I could change and not to waste energy worrying about things that cannot be changed. He gave me the advice when I was struggling with O-levels, but it applies equally to business and to life generally.

Where do you go on holiday?

Almost always within the UK. This year we are going to Rye on the Sussex coast, drawn there by the wonderful scenery in the TV drama Mapp and Lucia which we enjoyed over Christmas. Let’s hope Poldark works its similar magic for Cornwall!

Holiday Parks See Significant Drop In Term-Time Holidays

Posted on November 28, 2014

Mother Ivey’s Bay Holiday Park in Padstow say some 200 fewer children in the 5-12 age group took term-time holidays in 2014, compared with 2013.

Holiday Parks See Significant Drop In Term-Time Holidays

The Local Government Association (LGA), which represents councils across the country, is calling for the removal of a blanket ban that prevents mums and dads taking children out of school for holidays during term-time.

Under the current rules, hard-pressed parents looking to take family breaks during school holidays can find they are hit with costs that are sometimes more than double that of travelling during term-time. Such block bans can also be particularly hard on workers in key professions such as those working in the NHS, police force and the military as they are often unable to request leave during busy school holiday periods.

The LGA is therefore calling for it to be at the discretion of headteachers, not central government, to make decisions on a case-by-case basis.

Cllr David Simmonds, chairman of the Local Government Association’s Children and Young People Board, said: “Ensuring every child has a good school attendance is of paramount concern.

“However, common-sense must prevail in cases when mums and dads ask to take their child out of school during term-time if there is a legitimate reason,” he continues. “An outright ban is too simplistic, and doesn’t recognise that family life and circumstances aren’t always so black and white. There needs to be flexibility within the system.”

As a result of the crackdown on school absences, Mother Ivey’s Bay Holiday Park in Padstow has seen a notable decline in the number of families visiting the park during term-time. Booking figures show that around 200 fewer children in the 5-12 age group took term-time holidays in 2014, compared with 2013.

Park director Patrick Langmaid says the figures clearly indicate that the threat of fines and even imprisonment was scaring parents into not chancing a term-time holiday: “This devastating drop suggests that many thousands of youngsters throughout Britain are being denied important quality time with their parents.”

Fern Backs Free Holidays Scheme

Posted on November 13, 2013

Fern Britton, who sacrificed part of her and her husband Phil Vickery’s holiday in Cornwall to help highlight the free holiday scheme, was taken around Mother Ivey’s by Patrick and his wife Meg

Fern Backs Free Holidays Scheme

TV presenter Fern Britton took time off in Cornwall this summer to help launch a new scheme by holiday parks to provide free holidays for struggling families.

The former star of ITV’s This Morning was at Mother Ivey’s Bay Holiday Park in Padstow where the initiative, described by Fern as ‘a genius idea’, is being pioneered. She said that her own happy memories of holidays in Cornwall, and her belief that a family holiday is ‘not a luxury but an essential’, had persuaded her to freely lend her support. The scheme is the brainchild of Patrick Langmaid, owner of Mother Ivey’s, who has pledged to give away a week’s holiday to a needy family for every hundred bookings his park takes.

NO COST STAYS

With the scheme already in action, Patrick hopes that the number of families enjoying no-cost stays at his park will be into double figures by the end of the season. He hopes too that his initiative will also be adopted by many of the UK’s other 3000- plus holiday parks as part of a national effort to provide holidays to families in crisis.

Mother Ivey’s beachside park has been owned by the Langmaid family for 25 years, and has 60 holiday caravans for hire. Three years ago, it won the tourist board accolade for the best holiday park in the South West. Patrick said a number of other South West holiday parks had already committed to his charity initiative including the Surf Bay Holidays group and Hendra Holiday Park in Newquay. “I really believe that this idea has huge potential to make a significant difference to the lives of struggling families, and I would like to see as many other parks on board as possible,” said Patrick.

“Offering one holiday to charity for every hundred holidays booked is practical and possible without incurring any major outlay,” he added. “The real cost of providing holidays is in maintaining the infrastructure of the park and the holiday homes, and this is generally covered by normal commercial activity.

“Every park has some spare capacity during the year, so to give some of those holidays away to needy families makes perfect sense. Parks will only have to bear the marginal cost of cleaning, laundering and energy.