Caravan Industry & Park Operator - Issue 44

& Park Operator

TV STARS PITCH UP TO LAUNCH

UK'S BIGGEST OUTDOOR HOLIDAY HOME SHOW

VICTORY LEISURE HOMES EXPANDS UK OFFERING WITH STRATEGIC, NEW PARTNER

NEWSLINE

Our regular news round-up: the latest from UK caravan parks and holiday home sites

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VICTORY LEISURE HOMES TAKES A BOLD STEP FORWARD WITH A SIGNIFICANT, SENIOR NEW HIRE Page 12

COULD YOU TARGET OVERSEAS INVESTORS?

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SALAMANDER PUMPS UNVEIL WATER BOOSTING SOLUTION FOR MAINTAINING LARGE GREEN SPACES

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With over 80 years serving the industry

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In short, you are in good hands.

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courtesy of Adobe Stock & iStock

A letter from the editor:

Hello and welcome to our late spring edition featuring all the news, features and products you need to know about in the caravan and park industry.

In the last edition I reported that industry leaders were hopeful of another strong year for the caravan and holiday park sector amid the belief that the British staycation bug is here to stay.

A couple of months on and a few things have cropped up that might make some question why we are jeopardising that.

The tourism tax is one. The National Caravan Council campaigned against it but the Welsh government has now committed to going ahead with it.

Legislation allowing local authorities to introduce a levy will be put to the Senedd, the Welsh parliament, within this government’s term.

While acknowledging many in the tourism industry ‘disagreed with the principle of a visitor levy’ Rebecca Evans, Minister for Finance and Local Government said: “ Many destinations around the world use visitor levies to empower and enhance their local areas for the benefit of visitors and locals alike – I am confident this will be the case here in Wales.”

Now, holiday park owners in

Cornwall are worried the same might happen there.

A leading holiday park boss told news site Cornwall Live that the ‘golden cow of tourism was at risk of being ‘milked to death’.

Patrick Langmaid, owner of the Mother Ivey's Bay caravan park near Padstow, believes the tourism sector is under threat from second homes, Airbnbs, a housing crisis and extra taxation from both local and central government.

He has warned that plans for a tourist tax runs the risk of damaging an industry Cornwall relies on.

Mr Langmaid said tourism taxes overseas weren’t comparable as they have lower VAT and claimed ‘unregulated holiday lets’ currently had a much lower tax and costs burden.

He believes 2023 could see a dip in trade for domestic breaks as airport chaos last year deterred many people from flying overseas. But he is confident in the domestic tourism trade long term for those who make the right investments.

Do you agree? Let me know at nick@euromediaal.com

Our monthly digest of the top news stories from the industry

Dorset camping park voted Britain's best for child-free holidays

Britain's top camping park for adults-only holidays has been named as Back of Beyond near Ringwood in Dorset.

The park took the title after a poll was taken among readers of two top-selling touring magazines, Practical Caravan and Practical Motorhome.

Asked for their favourite destination to escape the patter of tiny feet, couples put Back of Beyond in the top spot for blissful 18-plus breaks.

The award was described as a "fantastic fanfare to open the new holiday season" by Martin and Victoria Bowrey, the husbandand-wife team behind the park.

It was just ten years ago that the couple sold their London photography business and took a gamble on their future by buying a 30-acre campsite on the fringes of the New Forest.

The aim, said Martin, was to run a sustainable holiday park for nature-loving guests in a part of the country where he and Victoria often went camping.

Since then, they have invested much time and energy into creating five-star surroundings which include not just camping and touring pitches, but also a host of glamping options.

Among the line-up of luxury accommodation are yurts, pods, shepherds huts and timber lodges.

Martin says they decided to make Back of Beyond an exclusively grown-up

experience after being told by friends that top quality adult-only parks were thin on the ground:

"There are lots of couples whose idea of holiday heaven is to be in a tranquil environment where the only sound likely to wake them up in the morning is birdsong," he said.

"A lot of our customers come from professions such as teaching and child care, and who would prefer not to be reminded of their jobs when they go away.

"Then there are younger couples who haven't yet started a family, and more mature guests who tend to prefer peace to playgrounds when making their holiday choice.

"It also means we can provide facilities more in-tune with adult thinking, such as a wild camping area, a continental-style outdoor bar, a boules court, and private firepits," said Martin.

In the same poll of magazine readers, Back of Beyond was also voted the Best Park in Dorset across all categories, beating

hundreds of other eligible parks to the top spot.

Not that Back of Beyond is any stranger to awards, and is among a small elite of British holiday parks flying the coveted AA five-star Gold Pennant.

Martin and Victoria have also received accolades for their care of the natural world, including the park's wild flower meadows which provide nectar for the bees in its 12 hives.

The bees' honey is sold in the park's shop, together with many other locally sourced products – from charcuterie to gin – to minimise the number of food miles travelled.

Martin said he hopes Back of Beyond's latest awards will also benefit other local tourism businesses by shing the spotlight on Dorset as the perfect holiday destination.

There is more information about Back of Beyond at www.backofbeyondtouringpark. co.uk

UNVEILS LATEST

ADDITION TO STAINLESS STEEL SINK RANGE

Reginox UK – the leading sinks, taps and accessories manufacturer, has unveiled an addition to its hugely successful sink range – the New York.

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The New York can be fitted in three different ways – integrated, semiintegrated or undermounted – making it an incredibly versatile product and a stunning additional for any modern monochrome kitchen.

For more information on Reginox contact the company on tel: 01260 280033 or email sales@reginox.co.uk. Alternatively visit www.reginox.co.uk

Welsh Government to push ahead with tourism tax

The Welsh government is to press ahead with plans for a visitor levy on tourists who stay in the country overnight in commercially-let visitor accommodation.

Legislation allowing local authorities to introduce a levy will be put to the Senedd, the Welsh parliament, within this government’s term.

More than a thousand responses were

received to a public consultation about how best to implement a levy which closed last December.

Its findings have been published, along with a consumer research report exploring

views among the public about a visitor levy. The consultation gave feedback from businesses, local authorities and the wider public. It found support across most local authorities and across other organisations, although many responses came from representatives of the tourism industry and many disagreed with the principle of a visitor levy.

Rebecca Evans, Minister for Finance and Local Government said: “We understand some businesses have reservations about a visitor levy and I am grateful to all those who took the time to respond to our consultation. These responses will be carefully considered as we continue to develop our specific plans for a levy. Many destinations around the world use visitor levies to empower and enhance their local areas for the benefit of visitors and locals alike – I am confident this will be the case here in Wales.”

UK Hospitality Cymru is calling for a legislative commitment that any funding raised by the visitor tax is ring fenced for the genuine benefit of hospitality and tourism in Wales.

Image courtesy of iStock

Image courtesy of Reginox

Duke presents award to "exceptional" Scottish holiday park manager

Thirty years of loyalty and hard work have been celebrated with a special award for Tracy McCulloch, manager of Argyll Caravan Park

Tracy was presented with an Exceptional Service Award by the Duke of Argyll, Torquhil Ian Campbell, who congratulated her on a career dedicated to holiday excellence.

The award is the highest honour given by the British Holiday & Home Parks Association, the national parks body of which Argyll Caravan Park is a longstanding member.

It comes in the year in which the park is marking its 70th anniversary as one of Scotland's longest established parks under the same family's ownership.

Covering around 50 acres, Argyll Caravan Park is based on the shores of Loch Fyne near Inverary Castle, the seat of the Duke of Argyll.

Tracy has lived from the age of 13 on the park, where her father, Jim McCulloch, served as park manager for almost three decades.

She spent five years working on a holiday park in Northern Ireland before returning to Argyll Caravan Park and taking on the role of manager five years ago.

"I am very humbled and grateful to the Duke of Argyll for presenting me with this Exceptional Service Award from the British Holiday & Home Parks Association," said

"My dad taught me everything I know about how to run an efficient, friendly and welcoming park – and not least the importance of having the support of a loyal staff team around me.

"He and my mum would have been super proud of my receiving this award, and both of them played a major part in making Argyll Caravan Park what it is today.

"It's fantastic that this has happened during our seventieth year, and we're looking forward to a season of celebrations with our guests and holiday home owners," she added.

There is more information about the park at www.argyllcaravanpark.com

Tracy.

Holiday parks driving up membership bring recruitment cup home to Cumbria

Record numbers of new members recruited over 2022/23 secured a champions cup for the Cumbria branch of the British Holiday & Home Parks Association.

Thanks to their successful efforts to attract more businesses into BH&HPA, the park industry's official representative body, the branch now boasts more than 120 members in total.

The achievement was marked by the presentation of the Worley Cup to branch chairman David Jackson and branch director Henry Wild at the association's recent annual conference.

The cup is awarded annually to the regional branch which has welcomed the most new camping, holiday and residential parks into its ranks during the previous 12 months.

Henry, who owns Skelwith Fold caravan park in Ambleside, and David, owner of Castlerigg Hall holiday park near Keswick, accepted the cup on behalf of all the branch committee.

"Our association continues to go from strength to strength, and has recruited many additional members in recent years, especially during the pandemic," said David.

"I think there is a realisation that by working closely together we are better able to represent our industry to government, and to find solutions to the challenges which we face.

"But membership also brings about the benefits of being able to meet personally with other park owners from the area, and to share experiences and advice, and to learn from

others.

"We're delighted to have been the fastest-growing branch last year, and the cup is a tribute to all our branch

members who play an active role in our work," added David.

BH&HPA, which was formed over 70 years ago, now has more than 3,000 members in

total, and represent an industry worth over 9.3bn annually to the UK tourism economy.

TV Stars Pitch Up To Launch UK’s Biggest Outdoor Holiday Home Show

Celebrities are lined up to take part in the UK’s biggest outdoor holiday home show which will be held in Harrogate later this year.

For the first time in its history, the Great Holiday Home Show will be held at the Great Yorkshire Showground in Harrogate from Friday 8th September to Sunday 10th September 2023. There will be a trade-only show from Tuesday 12th September to Thursday 14th September 2023.

The show will include the latest and largest outdoor range of holiday homes, caravans, motorhomes and camper vans and all aspects of life exploring the great outdoors.

TV presenter Matt Baker MBE will feature live on the Great Holiday Home Stage chatting to former regional news anchor, Christine Talbot.

Matt Baker MBE, the Bafta award winning TV presenter started his career on Blue

Peter and has gone on to host many TV programmes including The One Show and Countryfile. His latest TV project “Travels with Mum and Dad” has seen him with his parents, Mike and Janice, taking their refurbished caravan on a breathtaking trip around the north of England.

Matt, who will be on stage on Sunday 10th September, says: “I've made a life out of exploring Britain, both on and off screen. From camper vans to caravans, I love taking a home from home along for the ride. You can go wherever you want, whenever you want, with an ever changing view.”

Christine will host the Great Holiday Home Stage which will feature Matt Baker MBE on Sunday 10th September. More guests will be revealed in the coming months.

From holiday homes to caravans to motorhomes, expect everything you need for a home from home. There will also be fun for the family and plenty of entertainment to make it a fantastic day out.

Richard Jones, Show Chairman, said, “We are so excited to have Matt at the show this year talking about his love of the great outdoors. Now more than ever, many people are choosing to have a holiday home and we look forward to welcoming them to Harrogate in September for a spectacular show.”

Tickets for the public show are £12.50 per person, children under 16 go free with an accompanying paying adult.

To book tickets, go to: https:// thegreatholidayhomeshow.seetickets.com/

Employees raise £13,842 for Hope House and set new Offa’s Dyke challenge

Employees of two Shrewsbury-based companies have raised £13,842 for Hope House children’s hospice and have pledged to carry on fundraising for the charity during 2023.

Staff from Morris Leisure who own six caravan/holiday home and touring caravan sites in Shropshire, Herefordshire and North Wales, alongside their colleagues from Morris Lubricants, organised a wide range of imaginative fundraising ideas to contribute to the total.

Now they are planning fundraising activities for 2023 including to walk the entire 177-mile Offa’s Dyke path – the distance equates to one mile for each employee.

One of the biggest contributors to the 2022 total was a 125-mile sponsored cycle ride by four workmates from Morris Lubricants which raised £3,500. The return route to Shrewsbury included four Morris Leisure caravan holiday home and touring caravan sites and Hope House hospice in Morda.

Morris Lubricants’ executive chairman Andrew Goddard joined the four cyclists for

the final four-mile leg of the ride, pedalling a vintage bread delivery bike that was used when the company’s founder James Kent Morris ran a grocery shop in Shrewsbury.

Other fundraising contributions throughout 2022 included a Morris Bake Off with a cake stall, a football match and family fun day, a Christmas jumper day and a raffle to win a day off work.

“Raising £13,842 for local charity Hope House is a great team effort by the employees of both companies,” said Andrew Goddard. “It shows tremendous community spirit and support for Hope House which is a wonderful charity that does phenomenal work.

“Because everybody wanted to get involved and do something to help raise money locally, we have decided to carry on supporting Hope House throughout 2023, an organisation who provide such important care to children, young people

and their families.”

Looking forward to this year’s main fundraising challenge - walking the length of Offa’s Dyke - he said: “It’s 177 miles long, so we are trying to persuade every employee to walk one mile, although I’m sure some will do a lot more than that.”

Bekki Fardoe, area fundraiser for Hope House, said: “We are really grateful to Morris Lubricants and Morris Leisure for supporting us as their charity of the year throughout 2022 and raising a staggering £13,842 for the children and families that we provide vital support for.

“The monies they have raised are going to make a huge difference in ensuring we can continue to be here for every family that turns to us.

“We are over the moon that the staff have chosen to support us for another year and I can’t wait to hear about the activities that are planned for 2023.”

Willerby celebrates continued staycations success as turnover tops £200m for first time

Holiday homes industry leader Willerby has delivered record turnover and profits, buoyed by a structural market change in favour of holidays and short breaks in the UK.

greater.

“We’ve also seen very significant institutional investment into the staycation market, especially in the holiday parks sector, and in upgrading facilities at sites across the country.

“That has all fed through to a sustained surge in holiday home ownership and bookings at holiday parks which has, in turn, generated very strong demand for our static caravans, lodges and residential park homes.

“Our order book is very strong and we’re now setting out detailed production plans for 2024, to meet the robust demand for our models.

“At Willerby, we’re all about our people, products and place – our facilities in Hull, the local community we support and our leading role in our industry, which is rooted in our region.

Reporting at the end of the 2022/23 financial year, Willerby has revealed the best results in the company’s 77-year history, with revenues above £200m for the first time, as the business continues to capitalise on the growing popularity of staycations.

In the company’s latest accounts, for the year to October 1st, 2022, Willerby recorded turnover of £217m, up 67% from £129.9m the year before.

Operating profits rocketed to £15.1m, a fourfold increase on £3m the previous year, and adjusted EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation) reached £17.2m, growth of 224% on £5.3m the year before.

The business also ended the financial year with a cash balance of £37.6m, up by £12.1m (47%) year on year.

Willerby is the UK’s largest manufacturer of static caravans and lodges – building a third of new units destined for holiday parks – as well as operating a growing residential park homes brand, Willerby

Bespoke. Launched in 2018, Willerby Bespoke matured in 2022 to become a profit contributor to the overall business.

The company is at the forefront of an important and growing UK manufacturing industry, which is clustered in Hull and East Yorkshire and employs 20,000 people directly or indirectly within the region.

Willerby’s performance reflects the buoyancy of the staycation market as increasing numbers of consumers shun holidays abroad in favour of reliable, secure and sustainable UK vacations and more frequent short breaks on these shores.

CEO Peter Munk said: “There’s no doubt there has been a structural change in the market since COVID, which we believe will benefit our business and industry over the long term.

“The UK has some of the world’s most stunning locations, currently being showcased to millions of people in Sir David Attenborough’s beautiful BBC series Wild Isles. The appeal of the British countryside and coast has never been

“Despite the unprecedented challenges we have faced in recent times, from COVID to inflationary pressures, we’re in an exceptionally strong position. We’re at the forefront of a vibrant and growing sector and the investments we’re making are ensuring we’re well placed for sustained growth.”

Willerby’s full-year results are particularly remarkable as performance in the first half of the year was impacted by pandemicdriven interruptions to raw material supplies and COVID-related staff absences. The ending of COVID restrictions in February 2022 enabled Willerby to return to normal operations, resulting in a bumper second half of the year.

Willerby now has a 1,150-strong workforce and pumped £35m into the local economy in wages and salaries alone during the financial year.

All Willerby employees are paid a minimum of the Real Living Wage and a new and improved staff bonus scheme introduced during the year meant every staff member received a performance

Willerby CEO - Peter Munk

bonus.

Willerby Chief Financial Officer Sue Allan said: “Our results in the previous two business years were severely impacted by COVID and the latest full year was very much a game of two halves.

“During the first half of the year, performance continued to be hindered by the impact of COVID restrictions on our own operations and our suppliers. However, once those restrictions ended in late February we were able to move forward and go from strength to strength.

“We’re particularly pleased that employees in every part of the business have shared in this success. It’s a guiding principle of the business that everybody contributes to the company’s success and also benefits from it.

“We’re also proud of the commitments we continue to make to R&D, training and development, and skills. These are investments in the business and also the local community and economy that we’re an important part of.”

During the financial year Willerby made significant investments in leadership training and bringing through the next generation of entry level talent.

Willerby launched two new leadership programmes and made a raft of internal promotions in a reorganisation of its senior team announced in October 2022. The leadership team now has an equal number of male and female members – an exceptional example of gender balance in a traditionally male-dominated industry.

In September 2022 the company created 15 new apprenticeships, following recruitment of more than 30 apprentices the previous year. The latest apprentices are across a wide range of functions, such

as in marketing, design, IT and business administration, in addition to traditional trades-based roles.

During the financial year £1.3m was invested in research and development of new products and improved manufacturing processes, including upgrading the Willerby range to the company’s new sustainability specification, the Willerby GreEN Standard.

Willerby is prioritising sustainability across all its operations, including shifting to biomass energy to heat its manufacturing facilities. The company has also worked with partners to create a sustainable end-to-end supply chain, using local suppliers and recycled materials wherever possible.

More than two thirds of Willerby’s fleet now comprises all-electric or hybrid vehicles, following the introduction of a new company vehicle policy in 2021.

Willerby has extended its network of electric vehicle charging stations and hundreds of staff have benefited from the company's cycle to work scheme since it was introduced.

The company also continues to support its chosen Charities of the Year. In the past financial year, staff raised more than £7,000 for Breast Cancer UK and support for veterans in Hull. Willerby match-funded these sums, meaning the good causes received over £14,000 between them.

Willerby’s status as the UK’s holiday homes market leader is underpinned by an industry-leading reputation for quality, design, innovation, product range and commitment to sustainability. The business is majority owned by independent investment house Equistone Partners Europe, with a minority stake held by the management team.

Images courtesy of Willerby

Victory Leisure Homes takes a bold step forward with a significant, senior new hire

Luxury holiday homes manufacturer Victory Leisure Homes has appointed Steve Toas as its new director of quality and customer experience, in a strategic move that the business believes will further stand it apart.

With more than 20 years’ senior level experience in quality management, manufacturing industry standards, auditing and customer care, Steve has worked across the automotive, construction and caravan industries. Steve’s new role will focus on ensuring that Victory’s quality is unparalleled, while forming strong relationships with customers across the UK in order to build a programme of continuous improvement.

He said: “I’ve worked with the team

at Victory for almost five years on a consultancy basis, and I recognised that we shared a lot of the same ambitions: to be a disruptor, do things differently and evolve the industry for the better. So, when the opportunity arose to join the company, I jumped at the chance.

“On the quality side, I’ll be looking to drive a continuous improvement philosophy throughout production and the wider supply chain. Complementing this work, I’m looking to gain meaningful

customer feedback and conduct strategic business reviews to analyse our processes from the beginning right through to the end of our holiday homes’ lifecycles.

“With a varied career background, I feel I’ll be a great asset to the team – bringing a fresh perspective to Victory. I know that this is a unique opportunity, and I’m keen to make my mark here and lead from the front. I’m looking forward to an exciting journey ahead!”

Gary Corlyon, managing director of Victory said: “We’ve been manufacturing holiday homes for more than a decade and the business has grown considerably during this time – with the opening of a second factory, increasing production and growing our headcount. But growth cannot come at the sacrifice of quality, and maintaining our high standards will be a key focus for Steve.

“Our customers expect the highest quality of products and service. And rightly so. So, building strong relationships, capturing customer insights and giving them the best level of care will be top of Steve’s agenda. All of this feeds into our overall quality agenda strategy.”

“There aren’t many – if any - holiday home manufacturers that commit to quality and customer experience in this way. So, I’m looking forward to seeing Steve help us continue to stand apart and do things the Victory way.”

Images courtesy of Actually Group

Victory Leisure Homes expands UK offering with strategic, new partner

My Leisure Home has signed an exclusive deal with Victory Leisure Homes to become the luxury lodge manufacturer’s sole dealer in the East of England.

Victory recognised a clear synergy between the two companies, with a strong drive to do things differently and push the industry forward. Gary Corlyon, MD of Victory said: “The team at My Leisure Home are very forward-thinking, truly put their customers first and stand apart from the rest – just like us.

“We were looking for a new dealer to partner with to cover the East of England, and knew that it needed to be a company that could match our innovative approach. My Leisure Home follows a marketing-led approach that enhances the customer experience in a way that’s never been seen before.

“I’m looking forward to seeing our strategic partnership developing.”

Known for its contemporary, designled models, Victory will be looking to My Leisure Home to help it increase penetration in an area with a huge

footprint of holiday parks.

Steve Wetton, director at My Leisure Home added: “Although our business is supplying holiday homes to the industry, our ultimate goal is to provide a flawless experience for our customers on their holiday home journey. We’re incredibly proud of the hundreds of five star reviews we’ve received, which are a testament to our great reputation in the industry.

“A large proportion of our clients have often seen our YouTube videos or interacted with our social media content before. Investing in a holiday home is a life-changing decision, so it’s our mission to make every customer feel listened to and valued through this journey.

“We work closely with holiday park owners and the customer purchasing the holiday home to give an all-around understanding of the purchasing process, from manufacturing and delivery to hand

over and after sales.”

Shane Spence, director at My Leisure Home continued: “We were looking to expand our business and as soon as we stepped through the door at Victory, we knew we’d found the right partner to do this with. We were blown away by the stock, the finish of the products and the factory facilities. There was a clear connection between the two businesses, with an entrepreneurial outlook to grow and work hard to reimagine the ‘way things are done’ in the industry.

“If there are any parks looking to promote their offering and would like to work with My Leisure Home, we welcome them to get in touch.

“Our partnership with Victory represents a new era for My Leisure Home and we look forward to a busy year ahead!”

Image courtesy of Victory Leisure Homes

L-R Steph Aitkin, Gary Corlyon, Steve Wetton, Shane Spence

Could you target overseas investors?

Scottish park reveals it is attracting foreign owners

Apark on the eastern coast of Scotland has been boosted by purchases from overseas owners.

Sauchope Links holiday park near Crail has recently had clients from Canada and Bermuda fly in to buy

properties.

For holiday parks who wish to look into attracting more international business there are resources available via government backed tourism boards.

VisitBritain has resources in digital marketing and attracting international tourists.

The tourism organisation has downloadable toolkits on topics including; ‘Inbound Toursim’, ‘Understand How International Visitors Think’ and how to market your company on their business-to-business trade platform.

VisitBritain’s latest inbound tourism forecast shows continued strong recovery in overseas visitor spending this year.

Its latest forecast for 2023 is for overseas visitor spending in the UK of £29.5 billion, up 4% on the all-time spending high of £28.4 billion in 2019. It estimates 35.1 million inbound visits to the UK, 86% of 2019 levels.

VisitBritain CEO Patricia Yates said: “We know there is pent-up demand for travel and that tourism is also a

fiercely competitive global industry. Our priority is to build on the recovery we have seen, competing hard in markets where we are seeing strong growth, tapping into motivations for travel now to drive bookings.

“All eyes are on Britain this year and by telling the story of our dynamic destinations and diverse culture, along with a warm British welcome, we’re inspiring visitors to discover more, stay longer and explore year-round, supporting local businesses and economies.”

Case studies

Robert Valis recently purchased a holiday home with his wife at Sauchope Links on the new development. Both have retired from work but they actually live in Bermuda.

So what made them decide to choose Sauchope Links and Crail as their second home?

Robert explains: “We have always had a desire for a sea view. We had looked at a lodge at Sauchope several years ago but it was not a good time to sell the house which we had owned in Crail for 15 years. We have been walking the coastal

path regularly over the years and often thought that we had missed the opportunity of a lodge at Sauchope. However, while out walking the coastal path and seeing the new development at Sauchope in the summer of 2021 we decided to investigate and returned immediately to the park office. After our discussion with Caroline we felt that a lodge on the new site would be ideal for us. The rest, as they say, is history.

“From our experience with buying a holiday lodge we would say that one of the most important factors is making the right choice of park. Having had a home in Crail for many years we were keen to stay in the area. Apart from that, the park at Sauchope Links offers a clean, well maintained and orderly site. From our perspective, living as far away as we do, another important factor is knowing the park staff. From our first meetings with Caroline and the many subsequent email enquiries we are very happy that our lodge is in good hands.”

Katherine Marlow and Andrew MacKay, also purchased a holiday home at Sauchope

Links last year. Both are retired and live in Vancouver, Canada. When asked why they decided to buy in Crail they said: “We wanted a location that we could escape to for rest and relaxation. A holiday home offered us an excellent quality product for a good price. Buying a holiday home that was already furnished and ready to go, made our purchase simple and easy from afar.

“Our cousin had a caravan in the park and we fell in love with the location the first time we visited from Canada. The view of the water is fantastic, and we love the East Neuk, in particular, Crail. The grounds are well kept and the staff is always helpful and cheerful.

But it’s not just about choosing the right park when buying a holiday home. You also have to consider what model of lodge or caravan you want to invest in.

Robert explains: “When deciding which lodge to choose we spoke with Caroline on the park and decided to investigate the Prestige lodges. So after an initial online look we decided to visit the Prestige Showground in March of this year. We were very impressed with what we

saw. We looked at several of the lodges but settled on the Forresters model. The features we are most pleased with include the feeling of roominess in the open plan living/dining/ kitchen area with its vaulted wood panelled ceiling and sky lights. The colour scheme was also appealing although we have modified the window dressings.

“The other feature that we really like is the entrance/boot room which also houses the boiler and washing machine, rather than them being in the kitchen area. The bedrooms are more than adequate size and the bathrooms are really nice. The views from the large windows are simply unmatched.”

When Katherine and Andrew looked at their options they decided on a Willerby Acorn. They said: “We love all the windows, open plan, two bathrooms and well laid out space. It is also very well insulated and feels solid. Our lodge feels like a small home rather than a caravan. It feels classy and the beachy décor fits

the location perfectly.”

However Robert states there’s one overriding reason for buying your own holiday home: “Above all, the biggest selling point is that we now have a holiday lodge which is for our exclusive use”

Whatever the reason for buying a holiday home, it’s important to do plenty of research and get to know the park and the local area.

Largo Leisure Holidays, who have four premium holiday parks in Scotland, have invested in eight bases for holiday home sales at Sauchope Links all with unrivalled views over the Firth of Forth. Holiday homes, both pre owned and new are also available Lethum Feus, Loch Tay and Briadhaugh. For a limited time, holiday homes at Letham Feus are being offered with free desking and no site fees for 2023. For more information visit: Holiday Homes In Scotland | Lodges & Caravans For Sale | Largo Leisure

GATEWAY CHASSIS SOLUTIONS EXHIBITING AT STONELEIGH WORLD OF PARK & LEISURE HOMES

Gateway Chassis Solutions are increasingly

the go-to chassis suppliers to the park, holiday home and modular industry, with two manufacturing bases in Wellingborough

Their recent expansion into larger Hull premises raised their production capacity considerably, and that, together with significant investment in plant and equipment puts them in the perfect position to help existing and new manufacturers in fulfilling their chassis requirement in a growing marketplace.

Points of difference also include their in-house research and development arm, which ensures that their ethos of value-added manufacturing builds in the maximum strength and suitability for purpose at a competitive price. It also means that they work hand-inhand with many of the leading manufacturers on chassis’ for

the most cutting edge lodges launching.

Finite Element Analysis (FEA) and 3D CAD modelling ensure each chassis meets the structural requirements of the home that is built on it. Each chassis produced is then at the optimum price, strength and longevity for the requirement and potential location. This offers peace of mind for manufacturers and buyers, who can be assured that their chassis is built to last, without adding unnecessary cost to their home.

They’ll have two of their most innovative chassis’ on display at the World of Park and Leisure Homes Show; their StrongBox™ and cutting-edge Park Home

I-Beam. The StrongBox™ is a market-leading chassis using box section cross members to cope with larger and heavier models up to 65 foot long while also offering a more comfortable and stable home for the owner.

The Park Home I-Beam was developed in response to demand for a more costeffective galvanised option but with the strength to support park homes and luxury lodges as they become bigger and heavier. Their friendly team will be on hand to answer any chassis related questions at the show.

In addition to park homes, lodges and holiday homes, Gateway Chassis Solutions also

supply chassis for pods and modular builds. Whatever your project, they can help provide the perfect bespoke chassis solution. From the straightforward to the seemingly impossible, including multilevel projects, they have the technical ability, capacity and expertise to help manufacturers and parks turn innovative projects into a reality.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION

Gateway Chassis Solutions

E: info@gateway-chassis. co.uk

T: 01482 485170

W: www.gateway-chassis. co.uk

becoming known as

and Hull.

CPES offering solutions to reduce energy costs across your park!

With the constant increase in utility costs, CPES offer a number of solutions to reduce your energy consumption. From metering of supplies to the latest solar power technology, our vast portfolio features multiple products to suit everyone!

Our Alpha RFID pre-payment metering system is a solution chosen by many, allowing you to receive customer payment prior to consumption. Supported by Alpha software, you’ll issue the customer with their credited reusable SMART card which they’ll use to upload credit to their meter. This simple system is a cost-effective solution when it comes to installing new connection units or retro fitting a meter into your existing enclosures or touring bollards – even if supplied by another manufacturer.

Why not upgrade your lighting? Solar power technology allows for zero emission

and zero energy running costs due to being powered by the natural sunlight. Looking for a high-level streetlight, our Woodhall Street light is the perfect solar alternative. Alternatively, if it’s a low-level path or road way light our Spalding Solar Bollard is the one for you!

Caravan Park Electrical Services really do offer a complete 360 solution from sourcing components & accessories to manufacturing a vast range of products including; Connection Units, Multi-Service Bollards, EV Chargers, Lighting, Distribution Units & Mains Panels. Our highly experienced & dedicated team are available to handle your enquiry, design, quotation, production & installation of the most up to date electrical distribution systems. To view our product portfolio visit www.cpes.co.uk or to speak to a member of the team call us on 01790 753153.

Is “Bills Included” going the way of the Dodo?

Iain Clarke - Metro Prepaid

Peter Hemple raised this question some months back in an article for Property Investor News titled “Is it time for HMO landlords to ditch “Bills Included” once and for all?”

Peter predicts that we may in future see more progressive thinking with ever greater numbers of landlords installing individually metered rooms.

For multi-let properties prepay metering is favored but some landlords are yet to move from to Bills Included – touring pitches and student accommodation would be examples where Bills Included has a strong following.

Bills Included refers to the practice of managing the cost of utilities like electricity by bundling them into the rent or the pitch fee.

Additional fixed recoveries are another option.

There are a variety of bills of course and the most practical course might be to include some of these.

This discussion focuses on electricity. Bills included as a strategy is simple to manage.

The only problem with including electricity in the rental is its serious flaws in failing to reward behavior that manages and conserves energy.

Jim Haliburton writing for HMO Magazine argues that a Bills Included property is easy to spot, all the lights and appliances are left turned on.

Wouldn’t it be better to better manage energy usage through prepay meters’ proven ability to reduce consumption and then offer lower more competitive rentals?

My feeling is that tenants make a decision on the headline rental number and while they appreciate the convenience of bills included, lower rental tips the scale in many cases rewarding the property with metered supply.

I haven’t seen evidence to prove that tenants actively avoid metered parks or properties, in fact at times Metro Prepaid has been called on to supply prepay meters at the insistence of tenants dissatisfied with “Fixed Recovery” charges imposed by landlords.

In these instances the occupants backed their ability to manage their energy usage and spend less than the fixed recovery amount.

This logic holds if you consider that with a fixed recovery occupants are seldom rewarded for conserving energy.

Prepay sub metering is well proven having been used in multi-let properties in the UK for the last 100 years and if implemented in accordance with Ofgem guidelines presents the fairest and most effective tool to manage energy usage.

Energy bills often halve after sub meters have been installed to meter the supply to individual tenants.

These days there is no need to keep coins

or supply cardboard top-up cards. Digital prepay meters are cheap to manufacture, when compared to their mechanical coin meter ancestors, convenient to top-up and depending on which model you choose, range from tamper resistant to tamper proof.

Metro prepaid has never been busier serving property owners wanting to upgrade old coin and card meters and those that are finally ready to move away from unmetered supply and throw in the towel on “Bills Included”.

Image courtesy of Metro Prepaid

Over 15 years of lighting up the holiday park sector

Light Sauce is the leading importer and distributor of Light Up, Flashing LED and Glow Novelties in the UK. Trade suppliers for over 15 years to family attractions, holiday parks, theatres, local government, schools and charities.

With long term partnerships in China and the Far East we are able to design, brand, source and manufacture products that complement and promote your organisation.

Light Sauce specialises in the volume supply of light up toys to order but with large UK based stocks and a wide choice of products we can deliver next

day throughout the UK (2-3 days european delivery).

All products supplied by Light Sauce carry the relative toy certifications. En71, En62115, En62471, RoHS, Reach and BSCI audit reports.

We offer retail ready products, bespoke packaging and branding and point of sale

Request a hard copy of our catalogue today

SINGLE SEAT ELECTRIC LEISURE BUGGIES

All campers clean and dry dishes everyday in 5 minutes for free. Saves water, energy and holiday time. Available on 160 campsites in 14 countries, select dishwashing service on the major booking engines like Alan Rogers.

250 17

Are you going to the World of Park & Leisure Homes Show?

The UK’s largest free outdoor show for leisure homes and residential park homes returns this June to the NAEC Stoneleigh in Warwickshire.

Caravan and park industry operators are being invited to just turn up to the upcoming Trade Open Day at The World of Park & Leisure Homes Show.

There is no need to register, and entrance and parking are free.

Organisers create a temporary ‘Leisure Park’ set within a beautiful country backdrop in the grounds of the NAEC Stoneleigh in Warwickshire.

A spokesperson said: “As it’s only Trade invited, it provides a perfect environment to do business, find the best deals and view the latest models in comfort and privacy.

“It’s not just the homes. There’s a range of carefully selected Service and Suppliers plus many independent experts on hand to offer guidance to all including those looking to develop a Park or Leisure Site for the first time.

“Plus, it’s simply a great chance to catch up with old friends (and create new ones) and others in the industry and discover all the latest news, innovations, and future opportunities.

“If you can’t make the Trade Preview day, don’t worry - the show is open to the ALL

(Public and Trade) from Friday 9th June through to Sunday 11th June and of course, Park Owners and any other Trade visitors are most welcome on these days.”

Manufacturers already signed up include:

Celtic Lodge Collection, Clear Sky Canvas Lodges, Harbur Park & Leisure Homes, Kingston Park & Leisure Homes, Lusso Lodges, Manor Park & Leisure Homes, Mockba Modular, Oakgrove Leisure & Park Homes, Oakwood Park & Leisure Homes, Omar Group inc. Wessex Ultimate Lodges, Omnipods, Park Realty Group, Pathfinder Park & Leisure Homes, Prestige Leisure & Park Homes, Stately Albion, The Tiny Housing Co, Water Lodges.

The show opens daily from 10am to 4pm. Access is easy with FREE Parking readily available. The NAEC Stoneleigh is situated between Leamington Spa, Kenilworth and Coventry and is very well signposted from the many major routes that run close by. USE SATNAV.... CV8 2TA

For more information, please visit www. parkhomeandleisure.co.uk

Visitors are welcome to bring along family members and even well-behaved

dogs are invited. For those wishing to extend their stay, there are a wide range of Hotel, B&B and other accommodation options in the area and Motorhomes, caravans and camping facilities are available to book on the NAEC Stoneleigh Showground itself.

Remember, Entrance and Parking are FREE! Plus, all visitors receive a complimentary Show Guide.

Doors open 10am till 4pm Daily. Find out more by visiting:- www. parkhomeandleisure.co.uk

If you are interested in promoting your business, park, products or service, why not take a presence at the show?

There are several promotional options to suit most budgets. These can include ‘Leaflet Distribution’, becoming a ‘Show Supporter’ or exhibiting with your own stand.

For more details and to discuss opportunities, call Jo Turner 01789 491451 or email organisers@ parkandleisurehomeshows.co.uk

the world of park &

leisure homes show

REGISTER NOW FOR THE BIGGEST OUTDOOR HOLIDAY HOME SHOW IN THE UK HEADING TO HARROGATE

Trade

Show: Tuesday 12th to Thursday 14th September 2023, Harrogate

Planning is well underway for the UK’s biggest outdoor Holiday Home Show which is heading to the Great Yorkshire Showground in Harrogate this September.

The “Lawns Show” has been run successfully in Hull for 40 years and has now been rebranded as the Great Holiday Home Show and re-launched in a bigger, more central venue, with even more manufacturers and suppliers exhibiting than ever before.

Richard Jones, Chairman of HERCMA said “This is an exciting time for the industry as we bring everyone together to put on a trade show, in a central location for an industry that is constantly evolving. The show will be managed for us by the organisers of the Great Yorkshire Show, one of the UK’s biggest events.”

Heather Parry, Managing Director at the Great Yorkshire Showground said: “We are delighted to be hosting and managing,

The Great Holiday Home Show, this is a significant event for the industry, set in the heart of the UK at a venue that boasts acres of outdoor space along with quality indoor space too. Happily, David Ritchie who has managed the event for over 20 years will continue to work with us as the show advisor as the show moves to its new venue.”

Twenty of the UK’s largest holiday home, caravan and motorhome manufacturers have signed up to exhibit at the show which promises to be an exciting industry event. ABI, Aspire ,Atlas ,Bailey, Carnaby, Coachman, Delta, Erwin Hymer, Europa, Love Holiday Homes, Oakgrove Lodges, Omar Group, Pathfinder, Pemberton, Prestige, Sunseeker, Swift, Tingdene, Victory and Willerby will all be present at the show. In addition to the manufacturers will be a wide range of industry specific services and products such as financial services, the

latest industry technology and much more. The event will be the platform for NCC approved manufacturers of holiday Homes, caravans, motorhomes and lodges alongside all the essential services that the trade need.

Trade show tickets are now available, please visit the Great Holiday Home Show website for more details.

Website: www.

thegreatholidayhomeshow.co.uk

To enquire about exhibiting contact: Stephen Ingram Stephen@ghhs.co.uk

The driving force behind your Holiday Park

Carryway have over 20 years’ experience in working with battery powered vehicles, a dedicated team on hand to offer high-quality service and support across the UK.

No matter what work needs doing of where it needs doing Carryway have the right vehicle for the job. Our fit for task electric utility vehicles includes waste

ZERO TO HERO!

The complete, zero emissions solution for your holiday park

management solutions, food and beverage vehicles for your very own take away delivery services, housekeeping vehicles for cleaning and linen changes , secure and lockable van boxes for maintenance and security. Along with the operational vehicles we have a range of people transport solutions such as our 4, 6- and 8-seater shuttles as well as disabled access

vehicles provide a smooth ride around the site for all.

Whether you are looking to hire or buy, Carryway are here to help. For additional information please see www.carryway.co.uk

If you need to move people or product, you can count on Carryway to provide the right vehicle package for every holiday park.

With a great load carrying capacity and zero emissions, our fleet of over 1000+ electric utility and transport vehicles are a cost-efficient and environmentally friendly package.

Our electric vehicles will reduce the carbon footprint of your site, eliminate noise pollution and decrease running costs, which all add to a much improved guest experience

Find out why we’re your No. 1 choice

At Carryway we understand that all holiday parks aspire to provide great customer experience, we recognise the hard work and effort which goes into ensuring the park looks its best, operates efficiently and is accessible to all.

Power up and take charge of your holiday park

The electric Capella Work Machine from STAR. Delivers productivity all day long, quietly.

Introducing the STAR electric utility vehicle for holiday parks. Designed to make housekeeping and park management easier, the Capella Work Machine is whisper-quiet using lithium battery power for the ultimate in all-day productivity. This light touch around your park protects turf and grounds and doesn’t disturb guests as you get on with keeping things running smoothly, all on a single charge.

reesink-evehicles.co.uk

Electric utility vehicles from the name you can rely on. Depend on Reesink EV for innovation, performance, choice, reliability, value and excellent service.

INSURANCE PROMO DELIGHTS DEALER AND PARK CUSTOMERS

Customers of Hoburne Holiday Parks and Marquis Leisure hit the jackpot when they each won a £5,000 cash prize from insurance specialists Leisuredays and Caravan Guard.

the NC500 route in the Scottish Highlands.”

Rebecca Brier from Caravan Guard said: “Spin to Win is designed to encourage buyers and walk-through visitors at caravan, campervan and motorhome dealers to get a quote from us, ultimately leading to extra insurance commission income for those dealers. With our strong conversion rates, we’re confident when customers try us for an insurance quote, a large proportion will buy a policy.”

to Win promotion gives park customers an extra incentive to try us for an insurance quote. Once we quote a park customer, more often than not they’ll become a policyholder, meaning extra insurance commission for our parks.”

Prize winner Helga commented on the simplicity of the Spin to Win promotion: “When we saw the promotion, we thought ‘what have we got to lose?’ So, we spent a few minutes getting a quote. We never thought we’d win but here we are £5,000 better off!”

Both brands run a “Spin to Win” promotion exclusively via the holiday parks or motorhome, campervan and caravan dealerships they work with, which is designed to increase insurance business and ultimately insurance commission for those business partners in a fun and compliant manner.

Spin to Win gives give park or dealer customers two chances to win with a simple no obligation insurance quote. Firstly, a spin of an online wheel of fortune to instantly win a £10 Amazon voucher and secondly, automatic entry into an annual £5,000 draw for each brand.

Trevor and Helga RedversHiggins were the first Leisuredays’ £5,000 winners. They’d got a holiday lodge insurance quote having bought a Carnaby Chantry lodge from Hoburne Bashley Holiday Park in the New Forest, earlier this

year.

Helga said: “We’re over the moon. We’d just got the keys for our new lodge the day before Leisuredays called us to let us know we’d won the £5,000 so it felt unbelievable.

When asked how they’d be spending the money, Helga added “We’ll be treating the family as well as buying outdoor furniture and a new television for our lodge.”

Jackie and Steve Franklin from East Sussex were the first Caravan Guard £5,000 winners after getting an insurance quote for their new Randger campervan that they’d bought from their local Marquis Leisure branch.

Prize winner Jackie Franklin, who also won an Amazon voucher on Caravan Guard’s online wheel, said “We're planning to use the money to fund several campervan trips this year, including following

She added: “There’s a real buzz at the dealership where Mr and Mrs Franklin bought their vehicle, knowing their customers won the big prize. It’s a really positive news story for both us and the dealer. We expect the promotion to be hugely popular in 2023 and we’re excited to see which dealer refers our next £5,000 winner.”

Gareth Walker from Leisuredays added: “The Spin

Leisuredays and Caravan Guard will each be announcing another £5,000 winner in March 2024.

Parks and dealerships that want to take advantage of the Spin to Win promotion and need extra point of sale materials can email the Leisuredays and Caravan Guard Development Teams at development@leisuredays. co.uk or dealer@caravanguard. co.uk.

Winners Trevor and Helga Redvers-Higgins (right) celebrate their £5,000 win with Gareth Walker (far left) and Paul Clampin from Leisuredays insurance

Marquis customers Mr and Mrs Franklin (left) celebrate their £5,000 win with Rebecca Brier (right) from Caravan Guard insurance

Spin to Win promotional material for Leisuredays and Caravan Guard insurance

Images courtesy of Caravan Guard

BPR, WHAT IS IT?

and why do you need to know about it?

Business Property Relief (BPR) is a valuable tax relief that can significantly reduce Inheritance Tax (IHT) liability for those who own qualifying business assets. If you are a business owner or a beneficiary of a business owner’s estate, it’s essential to understand the benefits of BPR and how it can help to preserve your wealth for future generations.

In simple terms, BPR provides relief from IHT on qualifying business assets, allowing them to be passed on to the next generation without incurring tax liabilities. For instance, if a couple owns a business, and they both pass away, the value of their business will not be included in their estate for IHT purposes if it qualifies for BPR. This means that their beneficiaries will not have to pay any tax on the value of the business, allowing them to inherit it tax-free. A business must meet specific HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) criteria to qualify for BPR. In general, the business must be a trading company or a business mainly engaged in trading activities. The definition of trading activities is broad. Holiday parks are one example of businesses that may not automatically qualify for BPR. HM Revenue & Customs often start from the position that holiday parks can be considered investment businesses where income is derived from the passive holding of land and receiving rent. However, holiday parks can qualify for BPR if they can demonstrate added value by providing additional services that turn the business from an investment to a trading business.

Providing additional services such as sewerage management, a shop, a restaurant, electricity, wi-fi, and water can help demonstrate that a holiday park is engaged in trading activities.

In conclusion, BPR is a valuable tax relief that can significantly reduce IHT liabilities for qualifying business assets. It’s important for business owners to

LESS TAX

understand the criteria for qualifying for BPR and to take steps to ensure that their business activities meet these criteria. For beneficiaries, BPR can help preserve the estate’s wealth, allowing them to inherit valuable business assets without incurring significant tax liabilities.

If you want to know more, Burnside Chartered Accountants offer a professional consulting service, specialising in BPR for your industry.

To find out exactly how we can help call:

0845 071 7676

Bristol Office:

61 Queen Square, Bristol BS1 4JZ

Bishop’s Stortford Office:

Thremhall Park, Start Hill, Bishop’s Stortford CM22 7WE

If you have any questions please contact us at: enquiries@ burnside.biz

“HOLIDAY PARKS CAN QUALIFY FOR BPR IF THEY CAN DEMONSTRATE ADDED VALUE BY PROVIDING ADDITIONAL SERVICES ”

Image courtesy of Burnside Chartered Accountants

SAFETY FIRST: Insurer issues warning as garden fire claims soared last year

Data reveals 2022 saw the number of garden fire related claims almost triple compared to 2019

Caravan park owners are being advised to urge residents and guests to take extra care with BBQs, firepits and bonfires following a surge in garden fires. The insurer Admiral has also warned caution when using bio-ethanol weed burners after a number of claims.

Admiral says its data reveals claims for damage caused by garden fires have increased by 178% since 2019. The warm, dry summer of 2022 resulted in a surge of claims, with Admiral recording more last year than in 2020 and 2021 combined.

Admiral’s claims data from the last four years shows May, June and July are the worst months for garden fire related claims with claims in these months increasing by a staggering 496% last year compared to the previous year.

Despite the cool, wet start to the year, the insurer has already registered more garden fire related claims in the first three months of 2023 than the same period in any of the previous four years. It is warning people planning to use barbecues, firepits and pizza ovens to make sure they’re following safety advice, and to never leave fires unattended.

Admiral is also warning people to use caution when using bioethanol weed burners after seeing a number of claims for significant damage in recent years, including an incident where someone accidentally set fire to their shed and fence, and damaged a neighbour’s car. Another case saw an oil tank explode after a fire from a weed burner spread, causing a significant amount of damage to a neighbouring property.

Noel Summerfield, Head of Household at Admiral, said: “Over the last four years, we’ve seen the number of claims for damage caused by garden fires soar, after items like barbecues, firepits and bonfires became increasingly popular during pandemic lockdowns. We thought the numbers might fall in 2022 as people spent less time at home, but in fact the opposite happened. The long, hot summer meant we saw almost three times as many claims as pre-pandemic 2019, and more than the total numbers for 2020 and 2021 combined.

“Our data shows May, June and July are the worst months for garden fires, and last year we saw the number of claims increase during this time by almost 500% compared

to 2021.

“We’ve also seen an increasing number of claims related to the use of bioethanol weed burners, with some fires getting out of control and causing a significant amount of damage.”

Here are Admiral’s top tips to avoid fires

Bonfires

• Make sure your bonfire is placed away from buildings, bushes and fences

• Never pour flammable liquid onto a bonfire

• Never burn aerosol cans, batteries, paint tins or furniture containing foam

• Never leave a fire unattended and pour plenty of water on it when you’ve finished BBQs and firepits

• Make sure your BBQ works and is on a flat surface away from any shed, trees and bushes

• Never leave your BBQ or fire pit unattended

• Keep a bucket of water or sand nearby for emergencies

• Keep children and pets away from the area

• Only move BBQs once cool

Image courtesy of iStock

Eltherington New External Systems Showcase

We offer a range of standard and bespoke products including exterior cladding, windows, doors and ancillary production for touring caravans, motor homes, holiday homes & lodges.

Window Systems

Vista & VistaPlus+

These systems are available to give you the full range of standard fixed, opening design and optional glazing styles to include Low E. We are able to offer sliding patio, bi-fold, and French doors to compliment this range.

DWS (Deep Wall System) & DWS+Plus

As the Industry leading Deep Wall glazing solution our systems give all the benefits of our Vista range with the added advantage of market leading fixing solutions up to 170mm wall thickness. The bespoke design system extrusion enables the end customer flexibility for wall section gauges 81mm upward to 170mm and removes the need to deploy addition aluminium fixing trims normal for deep wall applications.

With both our Vista Plus+ and DWS Plus+ systems, they benefit from no unsightly internal architrave corners trims required.

We focus on supplying reliable, innovative, and high-quality solutions to the leisure industry which has earned us a place as the Partner of Choice for leading companies in the sector.

Images courtesy of Eltherington

The

future of holiday home cladding is 100% recycled.

Omar’s build quality and service has topped an independent poll for park homeowners

In a recent poll undertaken on the Residential Park Homes Facebook group that asked; ‘For those who already live on a residential park, which manufacturer would you recommend to someone considering buying a park home and why?’ Omar emerged as the leading manufacturer of choice with 51% of participants saying they would recommend Omar to someone looking to buy a park home.

A spokesperson for the Facebook group said; “The poll asked participants to share their opinions on which manufacturer they would recommend to someone considering purchasing a park home. Although the poll suggests that Omar is the top choice for those considering purchasing a park home, it is worth noting that the choice of manufacturer will ultimately depend on individual preferences and needs.”

Group Chief Executive Graeme Craig said; “These findings mean a lot to us as they come from home owners who really understand what it’s like to own one of our homes. We strive to exceed expectations from a quality of design, build and service perspective. Our commitment

to buyers doesn’t stop once they’ve moved in – we want to make sure they are happy throughout their ownership. The pollacknowledges our team’s hard work and that we are performing to our expectations too. While we won’t be resting on our laurels, it’s great to know that our work and homes are appreciated, and we would like to thank our customers for taking the time to leave such positive feedback.”

Omar also fares well on other independent review sites. An analysis of Google reviews from a wide field of park and leisure home manufacturers recently revealed industry leading scores, with the highest number of positive reviews.

For more information about buying a home from Omar Group call the Omar team on 01842 810 673, email sales@omar.co.uk or visit www.omar.co.uk.

Image courtesy of Omar Group

CB Solutions – Newcomer – Leading the Way

The firm occupies 3 factories in Lissett in the East Riding of Yorkshire manufacturing, both aluminium and UPVC windows and doors across two shifts.

Kerry Taylor, Managing Director, said: “During the Covid-19 pandemic we saw many construction sites close and many of our customers ceased trading, some, sadly for good. CB Solutions was fortunate enough to navigate this torrid time, but we did need to plan a vigorous recovery to make-up for the lost sales during that period. Based on the wealth of knowledge and experience of our team in the modular industry and the research showing that the ‘staycation’ trend was going to force a boom in the leisure and park home industry we decided to promote our business within this sector.”

Kerry said that with more than 20 years’ experience of manufacturing and installing for modular builders in a factory environment, the transition into a new

industry was going well.

She added: “To be an excellent window and door supplier to a modular builder, you need to know the specific building regulations, the wall make-ups, the building fabrication, have very good supply chain relationships to be able to offer quick lead times, and have a team that can work alongside other trades on a fast-moving production line in a factory environment.

“Every part of the process in working with a modular builder from design to installation must be accurate and agile. This is vital to the production of bespoke log cabins in the home and leisure industry and is why I believe we have made a successful transition into this sector.”

CB Solutions is on a rapid growth trajectory, and this year alone has seen a 235.91% growth in their most recently filed accounts. The current year to date management accounts are also showing a continuation of the same path with them

projecting to surpass their targets for the 23/24 financial year.

To ensure the company could accommodate a move into the new industry whilst still maintaining and growing within the modular industry, CB Solutions has made significant investments in new machinery including purchasing its own 18 tonne delivery vehicles.

Careful thinking had to go into the management of an increased volume of work and thus a new production line was created specifically for the manufacture of bespoke windows and doors.

“We ensured our investments and business plan left room for continued growth as our primary aim is to grow the business to a 24-hour, 7-day-a-week operating plant. At present we are operating around 75% of our maximum capacity and are excited to continue our growth to a 100% over the next few years” says Kerry.

Carnaby Caravans launch the new Oakdale

As well as 7’ walls with vaulted ceiling, Vaillant high flow boiler, Carnaby Comfort mattresses, branded appliances, powered cooker hood, full size dining table and chairs, utility storage cupboard, voiles and scatter cushions all included as standard, the Oakdale boasts a feature sofa with a unique pull-out section that can be used both as a day bed to chill out on or as an extra bed for visitors.

This should not be confused with uncomfortable fold-out mattresses of old. It is fully sprung and upholstered and has a roll out, pull up action that does not compromise the comfort of your sofa when not in use.

Not only that, we have cleverly concealed two upholstered stools within the armrest, which are exactly

the correct height to use as additional dining chairs.

And if that’s not enough, we have specified high tech “Aqua Clean” fabric to guard against any unexpected mishaps from spoiling its beautiful appearance.

The Oakdale is 12’ wide and is available in 2 and 3 bed layouts ranging from 28’ to 38’ long so all bases are covered. We even offer the Oakdale as a 2 and 3 bed Centre Lounge for those special panoramic pitches.

Designed with families in mind, the Oakdale is a truly social space, where you’ll never need to leave your home comforts at home.

For more Information call 01262 679971 or visit www. carnabycaravans.com

The Oakdale is not only the most successful model in the Carnaby range, it epitomizes the fact that comfort, content and quality come as standard in every Carnaby.

Images courtesy of Carnaby Caravans

Victory Leisure Homes

selected as sole supplier for Actually Group’s new North Yorkshire holiday park

Four Victory Leisure Homes holiday homes have taken pride of place at Actually Group’s new Keld Spring resort, nestled in the North York Moors National Park.

Close to the market town of Helmsley, Keld Spring is the third park to be opened by the holiday park operator and holiday home manufacturer. Holidaymakers are already onsite following the opening, with many more already committed to making it their holiday

destination of choice for 2023.

The new park contains a total of 30 lodges, a mix of Actually Group’s own-built models and those from Victory; the only external supplier trusted with providing high-end accommodation to the brand new, luxury location.

Matthew Meyler, Actually’s managing director, said: “I like that Victory is a disruptor in the industry and breaks down norms. They move at pace and they’re always at the end of the phone. Their communication is really good, which is incredibly beneficial when managing

multiple parks on the scale of ours.

“Victory’s holiday homes are modern and contemporary, and strike the right balance between being design-led and practical. The Lakewood and Riverwood models both offer something different, while providing a really clever, wellthought-out layout for owners and holidaymakers. Both holiday homes are finished to a really high standard. With Victory holiday homes at Keld Spring, our park really stands apart.

“We plan to grow and develop more parks, so will be looking to continue working together.”

Gary Corlyon, managing director of Victory Leisure Homes, said: “Actually boasts some of the most picturesque parks in the UK and having its trust to be its only external supplier is a real validation of our product range.

“We can’t wait to work with Actually once again as the group continues its expansion plans to open more parks across the country.”

Plans are already in place to expand the Victory fleet at Keld Spring. The park represents a £2.5m investment by the group.

Images courtesy of Actually Group

Maximise the use of your entertainment spaces

Agreat example is Trecco Bay in Porthcawl, where owners Parkdean

Resorts have invested in creating a tensile fabric pavilion connecting their entertainment and dining attractions.

The Pavilion is a major development for the site. It has created a sheltered pedestrian zone that is perfect for guests to enjoy, whatever the weather. This allows the park to cater to more people and remain open for a longer holiday season.

The 1,530 sqm was designed and installed by Fabric Architecture to create a versatile space for restaurants and entertainment to handle the unpredictable weather conditions the south of Wales can often face. At 66m long and 24m wide, the canopy is designed to fit perfectly between

the existing buildings on the site. The strong PVC fabric allows for natural light to enter the space. Ventilation is provided through conical vents in the roof. This allows hot air and condensation to escape while the mesh panelling at either end allows air to travel through the structure keeping it nice and cool on hot days.

Maximise your entertainment space with Fabric Architecture

As a leading provider of fabric architecture solutions, we deliver exceptional project management to meet our client's needs. Our approach offers flexibility, sustainability and cost effectiveness, with streamlined timelines and collaborative processes. With

unique design possibilities and efficient construction, our fabric architecture solutions are ideal for a wide range of projects. Discover how we can help you achieve successful outcomes.

Get in contact today

To get in touch with us call us on +44 (0)1452 612 800 or email us at info@fabarc. co.uk.

Alternatively, visit our website fabricarchitecture.com. You can submit a message through the contact form on our website, and our team will be happy to assist you with any questions or requests you have.

We look forward to hearing from you!

With the boom in staycations and the drive to spend on experiences, holiday parks are upping their game by providing an excellent client experience.

Trex, the composite decking brand, has extended its Trex Protect and Trex RainEscape warranty timeframe to 25 Years

Reinforcing their commitment to providing industry-leading waterproofing products for

decking products, the makers of Trex® Protect™ joist, beam and rim tape and the Trex® RainEscape® deck drainage

system, have extended the warranty timeframe across their entire product portfolio from 20 to 25 years.

“We believe so strongly in our products and are confident in their performance and the advantages they deliver to contractors and homeowners,” said Dave Kile, CEO of IBP, LLC, which manufactures and markets the waterproofing products through a licensing agreement with Trex Company. These warranty extensions give our customers additional assurance that the investment they make in their outdoor space will be protected for decades to come.”

Trex Protect

Trex Protect shields the tops of joists, beams and rim joists

Introducing DCW’s maintenance-free recycled furniture range

Upgrade your holiday park’s outdoor space in time for the summer season with DCW Polymers’ stylish and sustainable furniture range.

Handcrafted in Exeter using 100% recycled plastics, the items are not only environmentally friendly but also durable and longlasting. The range is perfect for outdoor use as it requires no maintenance and can withstand any weather conditions, making it an ideal investment.

The collection includes classic picnic benches, sturdy park benches, luxury dining sets and more. Our specialist team can work with you to seat as many guests as possible for your

budget, helping to increase your covers and maximise your revenue. Two of our standout pieces are the Plymouth classic picnic bench and Wellington octagonal picnic bench with optional backrests, so your guests can sit back, relax, and enjoy your outdoor space. Take a look at the Falmouth park bench too.

Contact DCW Polymers to find out more on 01392 361300 or email polymers@dcw.co.uk. Visit www.dcw.co.uk.

from moisture that can lead to the development of rot and timber decay. This self-adhesive butyl tape also seals deck fasteners and helps deck screws hold longer and stronger by preventing moisture penetration and defending against splitting that can result from seasonal freezing and thawing.

Trex RainEscape

The Trex RainEscape underdeck drainage system is an ideal solution for those wanting to fully protect their deck’s foundation from moisture damage while optimising the usability of the space beneath an elevated deck.

Web: www.trexprotect.com/ uk/ or www.trexrainescape. com.

MORE MOWING POWER WITH MAKITA

Makita’s collection includes the LM001G and LM002G 40VMax XGT Brushless lawnmowers which are powered by Makita’s trusted 40VMax XGT battery technology and have been engineered to provide excellent performance and power, even when mowing in dense grass. Both models benefit from the option to work with two batteries in parallel, so that when one battery runs out, the system automatically switches to the other so that users can continue working without having to stop and replace and recharge batteries when working on large areas.

The 62L capacity LM001G has a 480mm cutting width and offers a no-load speed of up to 3,200rpm. The machine can also

be operated in a quieter, ‘Noise Reduction’ mode with a noload speed of 2,500rpm, which is ideal for working in public spaces. The LM002G, with 70L grass box, affords users with a 530mm cutting width with a no-load speed of 2,800rpm, or 2,300rpm in the ‘Noise Reduction’ mode.

These durable products are designed for rough terrain with large wheels and high-end steel decks that minimise damage from obstacles and jumping stones, as well as IXP4 weather resistant construction. The mowers include a mulching function and a grass level indicator, so operators know when the bag needs emptying.

Find out more about Makita’s landscaping range at: www. makitauk.com.

DLM530PT4, DLM530PG2, DLM532PT4, DLM532PG2, DLM533PT4, DLM533PG2, DLM538CT2, DLM539CT2, DUA301PG2, DUA301PT2, DUB362PG2, DUB362PT2, DUB363PG2V, DUB363PT2V, DUC256PG2, DUC256PT2, DUC306PG2, DUC306PT2, DUC353PG2, DUC353PT2,

With Makita’s wide range of cordless lawnmowers, grounds maintenance teams and landscapers can enjoy the flexibility and freedom to mow large and dense areas without the noise and emissions associated with petrol powered alternatives.

STIGA - The KING of battery mowing!

Battery power is becoming ever more popular as many look for a greener alternative to fossil fuels for their garden equipment. And with no trailing power cables, STIGA ePower batteries offer all the power of petrol and are cleaner, quieter and emission free.

Meticulously engineered, the new Estate and Tornado battery tractors are fully button-operated tractor with collector. Whilst the Swift is the nimble ride-on mower with interchangeable batteries.

STIGA Series 7 electric tractors - Estate 798e & Tornado 7108e

Operated with a premium ePower battery, these two ride-on mower models can cover large areas with just one charge, offering unparalleled battery autonomy. Indeed, the Estate model, which offers a collecting feature, has a run time of 110 minutes, reaching up to 7000 square-metres with just one charge, the largest working area ever covered across the industry. The sidedischarge Tornado model can

cover up to 7500 square-metres in 110 minutes.

STIGA’s engineers have designed the new models with simplicity in mind: being fully electric means the user does not need to use multiple levers or complicated procedures. Through the intuitive STIGA dashboard, the driver can manage the full range of functions directly from the driver's seat with the touch of a button.

Additionally, users can enjoy a pleasant ride even during longer sessions thanks to a comfortable seating design coupled with the fact that the electric battery technology generates less vibrations, noise, and no fumes or unpleasant smells.

for use on complex lawns. The batteries work synchronously, and constantly balance the available power: Onboard charging provides new power to one battery after the other, so that the first one is ready for use again after just 30 minutes. Another superb feature is the system compatibility of the high-performance power units. Running reliably and efficiently on only three batteries, users will benefit from the flexibility of these batteries and can

always count on full ePower. They can also be used in a wide variety of STIGA handheld products, facilitating multiple complex tasks like cleaning up pavements with a leaf blower, or even trimming hedges with a hedge trimmer.

STIGA's battery garden rideon machines make for a right royal coronation cut, every time!

See all of these products and more at www.stiga.co.uk

Swift: the first battery garden ride-on mower with interchangeable batteries

STIGA

The STIGA Swift is equipped with a combined 25Ah battery pack comprising four 48V batteries (2 x 5Ah + 2 x 7.5Ah), included as standard. These versatile batteries make for more productive working times, making the Swift ideally suited

With the coronation of our King Charles now complete, the STIGA team thought it would be the perfect time to shout about their very own royal family of battery ride-on mowers, ideal for park owners looking for sustainable products for heavy duty mowing!

Images courtesy of STIGA

What do park operators want to know about software solutions?

At Elite Dynamics, we’re pushing for change in the form of digitising all sectors of the caravan and park operator industry; from parks, resorts, and marinas to manufacturers and dealers. To help you decide if your business is ready to be transformed, we wanted to share some of the most common questions our team is asked.

Does your software solution integrate with Hoseasons and Booking.com?

As the most visited travel and tourism website in the world, everyone wants to know about Booking.com. Through Elite Dynamics’ partnership with Rentals United, we can integrate with a range of OTAs including Booking.com, Trivago, Vrbo, and Airbnb to name just a few. Our market leading solutions also integrate seamlessly with Hoseasons, Pitchup, and many more. So, if a booking is made through any of these other systems, it will be automatically updated on our system. No more worrying about double bookings. Integration is just one of our many software strengths. Do your software solutions work on tablets?

Tablets, mobile phones, laptops, desktop computers

– Elite Dynamics’ software solutions work across multiple devices and can be accessed anywhere in the world at any time of day. We’re seeing more manufacturers and park operators invest in tablets for their teams to work on the move. From mobilising maintenance teams to accurately take meter readings at hundreds of units to easily updating parks’ on the progress and timeline of caravan deliveries, our software – via tablets - can provide many hours’ and hours’ worth of time efficiencies.

Is your IT business solution in the cloud?

With flexible and remote working now recognised to be normal practice, people want to access data from home, when travelling between sites, and when out on parks and resorts. Being in the cloud gives every park operator, marina, holiday home manufacturer, and dealer full on-demand access to our world class technology solutions. And there’s the added benefit of no longer having to pay out on, and regularly maintain, costly infrastructure like servers. However, most importantly, it’s all about giving our customers the choice, which is why our solutions are

available both on premise and in the cloud.

Is there an owners app?

Communication with your own customers is critical in maintaining strong relationships, making them feel valued, and improving their overall experience. Owners and customers want easy access to information and the Elite Dynamics Owners App provides all the functionality a holiday home owner needs. The App makes it easy to view and pay invoices, change personal information, and create requests relating to maintenance work or on park purchases. It’s another string to your bow of delivering outstanding service to your customers.

Can I integrate with a barrier

system or door access?

Our solutions are always developing and one of the next exciting steps is our partnership with global experts in access control, TLJ. They specialise in contactless electronic locks and access management systems, and we will be able to integrate with their system to provide mobile keys to barriers and accommodation. One simple tap for entry.

Elite Dynamics is an accredited Microsoft Solutions Partner for Business Applications. For more information or to arrange a demonstration of Elite Dynamics’ industry-focused IT business solutions, visit https:// www.elitedynamics.co.uk or call 0161 615 5548.

Change is never easy. Whether it’s starting a new job to switching utility providers, it’s sometimes simpler to just stick with the ‘same old’ than leap into the ‘brand new’. However, we’ve seen from experience that those people and businesses who choose to take the next steps and explore new technologies are almost certainly never disappointed.

Images courtesy of Elite Dynamics UK Ltd

At Elite Dynamics, we pride ourselves on being one of the UK’s most trusted providers of advanced software solutions for the park and leisure home industry.

Accredited by and built on Microsoft Dynamics 365 technology, our fully integrated solutions offer your business greater transparency and efficiency savings on every level.

Manage sales, operational, financial processes and more on one easy-to-use platform. Backed by our Elite team with 330+ years of combined experience in the holiday park industry.

Some of our customers include...

We chose Elite for several reasons but ultimately, we recognise they provide the leading UK based IT solution for the holiday park industry. EliteParks with its enhanced functionality has the flexibility to manage all our business processes and activities in one system.

elitedynamics.co.uk/digitise

Supporting neurodiversity in the workplace

be a real challenge for many neurodiverse people, so allowing them to work from home for some or all the week could be beneficial. It’s really important to remember that all of these conditions we are talking about are completely unique to each person - while the law offers a guideline and a framework for policy, every employee and their needs should be assessed and supported independently.

There’s no doubt that neurodiversity is becoming more widely recognised and understood, with much greater awareness around what it means and what conditions like autistic spectrum disorders (ASD), dyslexia and dyspraxia entail. However, there is still work to be done to ensure that neurodiverse employees have the right support to allow them to fulfil their roles to the best of their ability.

A recent legal case, R Bryce v Sentry Consulting Ltd, is a cautionary tale for businesses that fail acknowledge the role neurodiversity plays in the workplace. The case was brought by security guard, Raymond Bryce, who suffers from dyslexia and Asperger’s Syndrome. Having arrived late for his shift on several occasions, he had been pulled aside by management. However, Bryce explained that his dyslexia made it difficult to wake up early, plan-ahead and read the time. Attempting to mitigate the issue, he

suggested to his employer that a grace period of 15-20 minutes in the morning would be helpful. However, instead of working with him to find a suitable solution, the security company merely stopped assigning him shifts.

Bryce accused Sentry Consulting of failing to make reasonable adjustments to support his neurodiversity, leaving the business open to a discrimination claim. It was upheld by the employment tribunal, which found that his neurodiversity made it challenging for him to maintain the same timekeeping and organisation skills as a neurotypical person. Bryce is now in line for compensation, while Sentry must shoulder both a financial hit and reputational damage as a result of the high-profile case.

The ruling demonstrates the importance of having policies and procedures in place to support neurodivergent people at work. An employee’s neurodiversity could qualify as

a disability under the Equality Act 2010 so it’s vital to ensure that staff are supported and not at risk of discrimination in order to safeguard against expensive,damaging legal action. People with disabilities and long-term health conditions, have certain rights and protections under the law and businesses must be prepared to make reasonable adjustments to guard against not only against discriminatory behavior, but harassment and victimisation too.

The term ‘reasonable adjustment’ will vary depending on the needs of the individual, their role and the needs of the organisation, however there are several straightforward things companies can do to support neurodivergent workers. Those include flexibility around shift times and methods to help tackle any issues with focus, such as taking shorter breaks throughout the day and making sure that there are spaces to relax quietly during those times.

Communication can also

Companies should take the time to audit their mission statements, vision documents and other policies to ensure that diversity and inclusivity is championed. Think about the culture within the business and whether it feels inclusive. Is it open and friendly? Would it allow neurodiverse people to be honest about any challenges they are experiencing and feel that they would be supported through those?

Also bear in mind that neurodiverse people are often impacted by their surroundings in a way that their neurotypical colleagues aren’t. Think about bright lights, loud noise and crowds and whether any of those factors can reasonably be mitigated. Again, flexibility is key, ensuring people are assigned an appropriate role and supported wherever possible in managing their condition day-to-day in the workplace.

There is a plethora of things businesses can do to support neurodiversity in the workplace, creating and nurturing a positive, friendly and inclusive culture. Investing time in ensuring that policies support neurodiverse employees will not only safeguard against legal challenges, but maintain a healthy bottom line.

Chris Garner is MD of HR and Employment Law specialist, Avensure

Chris Garner, Avensure

MP powers up Windermere holiday park harvesting sunbeams to produce green energy

Cumbria MP Tim Farron has officially pressed the starter button on an ambitious new green energy project at a Windermere holiday park, Park Cliffe.

just over 15 years ago, say have always tried to run their business along sustainable lines – and this was a another major step along that journey.

"Once you start looking, there's so much that can be done to reduce a business's dependence on fossil fuels and to protect the natural world," said Mrs Dickson.

"We were one of the first Cumbrian tourism businesses to ban single-use plastics, and have made the switch to nonpolluting all-electric vehicles around the grounds.

"We've also championed local suppliers in our café and park shop to reduce food miles, and introduced low-level lighting so that guests can enjoy the night sky.

Representing a £200,000 investment by the family business, it features over 200 high-efficiency solar panels which will save 21 tonnes of carbon from entering the atmosphere each year.

That, says the park, is an environmental gain equivalent to planting 970 trees.

The system, known as a solar array, will generate around 100Kw of power, and is designed to produce electricity even on the most overcast of days.

Prior to the switch-on, Mr Farron met with husband-and-wife team Susan and Derek Dickson who have installed the array on a south-facing section of Park Cliffe's camping area.

Virtually invisible from public roads, the couple have built 40 metres of traditional willow fencing around the area to provide additional screening – and planted an adjacent wildflower meadow.

The array is capable of providing up to 70% of the park's electricity needs, and is supported by a substantial 60w battery storage facility.

It means that when the supply of solar power outstrips requirements on the park, electricity can be saved and drawn on during other periods of higher demand.

Unveiling a plaque to commemorate the opening of the project, Mr Farron said that Park Cliffe was sending out an important message to other firms in Cumbria.

"This is the latest in a series of initiatives

by Park Cliffe to reduce their impact on the environment, and it shows beyond doubt that going green is good for business," he said.

"Being sustainable is an investment in the future, and a way to help ensure long-term profitability by being a part of how we are all having to adapt to new challenges.

"Businesses like Park Cliffe are also playing a role in educating the millions of people who visit Cumbria each year about the importance of facing up to climate change," said Mr Farron.

Susan and Derek, who bought Park Cliffe

"Derek and I are also proud to hold the David Bellamy Conservation Award at its top gold level for our various initiatives to protect wildlife and indigenous plant species.

"It was great to be able to welcome Tim Farron to switch on our new solar array, and we're eagerly awaiting seeing our park being powered largely by sunbeams!" she added.

Set in 25 acres of countryside above the shores of Windermere, Park Cliffe provides holiday homes to rent and own, glamping facilities, and pitches for tents, touring caravans and motorhomes.

There is more information about the park at www.parkcliffe.co.uk

Calling all holiday park owners and operators! Now that we have started the 2023 holiday season off at a brisk pace and the rigours of winter have now passed, after what can only have been described as one of the wettest and coldest on record here in the UK, it’s time to get ready for the thousands of visitors who want to enjoy everything that the UK has to offer.

Whether that is having a short midweek break or a long weekend in one of the many caravan parks or holiday homes situated around the UK, there is a need to cater for everyone. Your goal is to allow them time to relax, unwind and find themselves once more, creating that sense of escapism from our daily lives. With this in mind, the team here at Woodpecker Productions have been working hard to ensure that we keep up with the ever changing marketplace that is the UK hot tubs and saunas market. We’re here to answer all your queries

and handcrafted creations that can be made for you, our customers.

At Woodpecker we pride ourselves on making the impossible possible, where each of the ‘unique’ products produced, enable our customers to provide opportunities for their customers, to explore the possibilities of achieving the true sense of the aforementioned ‘escapism’, where they can feel ‘refreshed’ after their stay with you.

If you would like to know more about how we can help you deliver on these moments

in touch and we would love to get you started on your bespoke, handcrafted, unique Woodpecker journey!

For more details, please

check out the website (www. woodpeckertubs.co.uk) check out our social media channels, or call 07435 866 929.

www.woodpeckertubs.co.uk

When taking a break should be all about relaxing, unwinding, and finding yourself again

When taking a break should be all about relaxing, unwinding and finding yourself again.

Image courtesy of Woodpecker Hot Tubs

Are you HSG282

the introduction of HSG282, back in January 2017 spa

hot tub,

Based in Amesbury Wiltshire, Lovibond® have over 50 years of experience in water analysis systems. Lovibond® manufacture its own range of testing units and reagents, they also provide comprehensive advice and training. This will give you peace of mind and confidence that your readings are correct and your testing regime meets the requirements of HSG282.

The Lovibond® MD100 range of Photometers offers models that will measure up to six different parameters making them ideal for swimming pool as well as hot tub applications. The three-inone comes in two variations testing for chlorine, pH and bromine or chlorine, pH and total alkalinity depending on your needs. The six-parameter unit also tests

for calcium hardness and cyanuric acid, therefore, offering a system for every leisure water application

All systems are easy to use and come in a carrying/storage case complete with tablet reagents for 100 tests of each parameter, accessories and instructions. Colin Day of Lovibond® says “Our systems are designed to make water testing for the hot tub operator as straightforward as possible to ensure everyone can follow the guidance laid down by HSG282. We offer ongoing support, and advice and have a free online HSG282 training course so you can be assured that your water testing is as good as it possibly can be”.

www.lovibond.com

support@lovibond.uk

Since

and

operators have come to realise good water chemistry and testing are essential. To help operators make sure they are compliant Lovibond® has several systems available.

Image courtesy of Lovibond

Salamander Pumps unveil water boosting solution for maintaining large green spaces

For groundskeepers or park owners maintaining large green spaceswater demand can be high.

To preserve a healthy surface, the entire area needs to be watered extensively and frequently via sprinklers or irrigators. However, without strong water pressure and flow the grounds health and appearance will likely be compromised.

To combat this, one of the UK’s leading manufacturers of water boosting solutions, Salamander Pumps, has launched TankBoost, an easy to install, single unit solution to ensure water performance remains at optimum levels when watering extensive areas of ground.

Available now, TankBoost will deliver flow rates up to an incredible 80L/min, well above the average 10-15L/min [1]. This level is ideal for bigger areas such as estates.

When purchasing TankBoost, four tank sizes will be available, ranging from 100L to 450L. Additional storage tanks are also available to increase capacity for large properties or those with particularly low incoming flow rates.

Unlike many competing mains boosting solutions, TankBoost has been developed with appearance in mind. Designed with a fascia to make it feel less industrial and intrusive, TankBoost is more aesthetically pleasing than other products of its kind and is also extremely quiet throughout operation.

Gareth Richards, Technical Director at Salamander Pumps, said: “Our new TankBoost product is an exciting extension

of our MainsBooster range. It is a standalone, cost-effective solution that can be trusted to ‘run the show’ – working hard to meet the water performance challenges that often occur when demand is high, making it perfect for groundskeepers looking after huge areas of turf and greenery.”

TankBoost is the first product in the Salamander Pumps product range to deliver flow rates beyond 36 L/min.

As part of the easy installation process, the Salamander Pumps team conduct a survey of the ground to determine the required flow rate and the TankBoost size necessary. Once installed on the mains, the water pressure will be consistently maintained throughout, even in the absence of a power supply. This ensures that the sprinkler system will continue to function during the event of a power outage.

Gareth continued: “We’ll be providing comprehensive guidance to support installers with the specification and installation process to ensure the product is specified to meet the various types of groundskeeping needs. This will include webinars, step by step guides and e-school content.”

Where an area of ground, such as a sports pitch or venue, has particularly high water demand, and space is not an issue, tanks can be linked with additional storage units to increase capacity.

TankBoost comes with a two-year warranty.

Those ready to cure their water pressure and flow woes can click here for more information: https://www. salamanderpumps.co.uk/TankBoost or email sales@salamanderpumps.co.uk

Images courtesy of Salamander Pumps

For professional advice on how to control your living environment contact us on 01905-672655 or visit our website at www.speedyfit.ltd

Green light for four new bathing sites

Following a two-week public consultation, Sykes Lane Bathing Beach and Whitwell Creek at Rutland Water, Firestone Bay in Plymouth, and a section of the River Deben at Waldringfield, Suffolk, will all be officially designated and will soon benefit from regular water quality monitoring.

The Environment Agency (EA) will regularly take samples at the newly designated sites during the bathing season - which runs between 15 May and 30 September.

When selecting new sites, Defra considers how many people bathe there, if the site has suitable infrastructure and facilities, such as toilets, and where investment in water quality improvements following designation would have the most impact. All applications are assessed against these factors and only those that meet these factors are taken forward to public consultation.

The four new sites will take the total number of bathing waters across the country to 424, the highest number ever.

The EA regularly monitors water quality at designated bathing water sites and assesses whether action is needed to cut pollution levels, working with local communities, farmers and water companies to improve water quality at these locations.

The EA said it had made good progress

in improving bathing water quality at existing sites, thanks to robust regulation and strong investment. Since 2010, the proportion of bathing waters assessed as ‘good’ or ‘excellent’ has increased from 76% to 93%. Meanwhile, 72% are considered ‘excellent’ - up from just 51% in 2010. This is the highest level ever, despite the classification standards for bathing waters having been made more stringent in 2015.

Water Minister Rebecca Pow said: “These popular swimming spots will now undergo regular monitoring, starting this May, so bathers have up-to-date information on the quality of the water.

“The regular monitoring also means that action can be taken if minimum standards aren’t being met.

“We now have more bathing waters than ever, and we’ve worked hard in recent years to boost their status – with an incredible 93% now classed as good or excellent –and our new Plan for Water will help us go further and faster on our targets.”

This government has taken significant action in recent years to protect and improve the quality of water at designated bathing water sites at our rivers, lakes and coastal waters. This includes:

• Setting strict new targets on water companies – designed to frontload action in important areas such as bathing waters – as part of our Storm Overflows

Discharge Reduction Plan. This requires water companies to deliver the largest infrastructure programme in water company history - £56 billion capital investment over 25 years

• Increasing monitoring of discharges from approximately 5% in 2016, to nearly 90% in 2021. This will reach 100% cover by the end of this year. Through the Environment Act, water companies are being required to make near real-time data on storm overflow discharges publicly available

• Working with the farming community and regulators to reduce nutrient pollution from agriculture through our future farming reforms. The government has also increased the Environment Agency’s capacity to conduct farm inspections, with the target of conducting 4,000 a year, and doubled the funding for Catchment Sensitive Farming

• Setting record levels of fines for water companies who break the law. Since 2015 the Environment Agency has secured fines of over £144m. The government is making it easier and quicker for regulators to enforce penalties and hold companies to account. Fines and penalties handed out to water companies will also be invested in schemes that benefit the environment.

Four swimming spots in England have been designated as bathing waters just in time for the warmer months.

Image courtesy of iStock

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

The World of Park and Leisure Homes Show 2023

June 8-11

NAEC Stoneleigh, Warwickshire

The World of Park & Leisure Homes is the UK’s Leading Brand for Park & Leisure Homes. It provides leading Manufacturers, Park Operators, Service and Product Suppliers with a fantastic opportunity to meet a quality audience of visitors (both general public and park owners). This is your opportunity to get on board!

Stoneleigh attracts the Leading UK Park & Leisure Home Manufacturers who combine to showcase a massive display of Lodges & Park Homes including NEW Models launched at the event together with homes embracing the latest innovations, designs and concepts.

PLUS of course a huge array of Park Sites, Industry specific products and services including insurance, financing, decking, coatings, refurbishments, part exchange, estate agents, investment companies to name a few… exciting times ahead – so don’t miss out and join us now!

A trade preview day is on June 8

https://www.parkhomeandleisure.co.uk

The Great Holiday Home Show 2023

September 8-14

Harrogate

The Biggest Outdoor Holiday Home, Caravan & Motorhome Show in the UK heads to Harrogate in 2023!

The Great Holiday Home Show is set to celebrate the very best of the great outdoors!

The Show has been running since 1976 as The Lawns in Hull. The event is now moving to its new home Harrogate with a new name The Great Holiday Home Show.

The Show is organised and run by HERCMA, by the industry, for the industry.

Public Show Friday 8 – Sunday 10 September

The first three days are dedicated to the public, allowing you to see the very latest offerings from the industry. We will also be providing a wide range of entertainment and activities, ensuring everyone has a great family day out.

Trade Show Tuesday 12 – Thursday 14 September

Then there are three “Trade Days”, allowing dealers and key industry buyers to network place orders for the coming year.

https://www.thegreatholidayhomeshow.co.uk

Image courtesy of Adobe Stock Images