Caravan Industry & Park Operator - Issue 45

Trade suppliers to the caravan, lodge & holiday home Industry

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A letter from the editor:

of Adobe Stock & iStock

Imean this in the nicest way possible, but hopefully you’re run off your feet with customers about now, as the sector continues to hold off any sign of a slow down. The sharp rise in the cost of flying abroad is sure to have helped and the interest in the industry has even sparked a Channel 5 fly-on-the-wall documentary, ‘Happy Campers’ - have you been watching?

The latest figures from park home selling specialists Quickmove Properties, back up our thoughts that things are going well. They show that 1,800 brand new park homes reached the market in 2022 as the sector continues its remarkable postpandemic recovery.

Quickmove Properties analysed the number of new park home dispatches to residential parks each year since 2012.

The numbers show that:

• Market supply stuttered due to the pandemic, just like the rest of the property sector, with numbers falling by -25.7% in 2020 when just 1,300 new park homes were delivered.

• But, in 2021, the sector proved capable of a quick rebound by delivering 1,570 new park homes, an annual increase of 20.8%.

• And the sector has gone from strength to strength by increasing deliveries by a further 14.6% in 2022 with 1,800 new park homes over 12 months.

Sales Director at Quickmove Properties, Mark O’Dwyer, commented: “It’s great to see the park home sector going from strength to strength since the pandemic. The irony is that while COVID-19 may have initially hindered park home production, it has no doubt gone on to help bolster the sector in the years since.

This is largely because modern residential parks offer a great sense of community, security, and, often, a lifestyle removed from busy urban centres. For many, these important aspects of life were stripped from them during the prolonged period of lockdown restrictions and this has no doubt bolstered the appeal of detached bungalow-style park homes, which are socially-distanced by design!

Park homes also offer great financial freedom due to the equity released through a bricks and mortar sale and this financial stability has also become of great importance in recent times due to the cost of living crisis.

So while the bricks and mortar market may be starting to struggle, we fully expect the strong performance of the park home sector to continue into the future as demand for affordable downsizing options continues to soar.”

If there’s anything you want to let me know get in touch at nick@ euromediaal.com

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

Our monthly digest of the top news stories from the industry

Willerby raises thousands for two Charities of the Year

Holiday homes market leader Willerby has raised almost £15,000 for two well deserving charities – the most raised over a 12-month period in the company’s history.

Willerby supported Breast Cancer UK and the Armed Forces Community Hub Hull as their Charities of the Year for 2022.

Staff raised a total of £7,309 through engaging in a wide range of events and activities, which has been match-funded by Willerby to make the overall total £14,618. It means both Breast Cancer UK and the Armed Forces Community Hub Hull have each received £7,309.

Willerby CEO Peter Munk said: “Our team raised an amazing amount for our two Charities of the Year in 2022.

“The total amount raised will make a real difference to both charities and it’s testament to the hard work, dedication, generosity and community spirit of our staff.

“I know Breast Cancer UK and the Armed Forces Community Hub Hull are grateful for the support they’ve received and I’d like to say a big well done to everyone who played their part in a tremendous team effort.”

Fundraising activities included a “Wear It Pink” day, Willerby’s annual charity golf day, a staff bike ride, a jubilee cake sale and “Platinum Pudding” competition to coincide with the Platinum Jubilee of the late Queen Elizabeth II, and a sportsthemed sweepstake.

Thalie Martini, CEO of Breast Cancer UK, said: “We’re thrilled to have been one of Willerby’s Charities of the Year in 2022 and we want to send our heartfelt thanks to all the staff for their incredible generosity and commitment to our cause. It really means a lot to us.

“The amazing £7,309 raised will make a real impact for breast cancer prevention. It means we can fund more scientific research to better understand the causes of breast cancer, so that fewer people ever hear the devastating words ‘you have breast cancer’.

“Today in the UK, around 56,000 women and 370 men are diagnosed with the disease every year. One in seven women will get a diagnosis at some point in their lifetime. But over a third of breast cancer cases could be prevented through taking positive lifestyle action, such as regular physical activity, eating well, maintaining a healthy weight and keeping alcohol to a minimum.

“Prevention of breast cancer has never been more important as we all face an increasingly strained NHS. Thanks to Willerby’s support, we’re one step closer to ensuring future generations never have to face this awful disease.”

The Armed Forces Community Hub Hull provides support to veterans and their families, as well as current serving members of the Armed Forces and their families. The charity runs coffee mornings and trips and offers welfare visits, mental health and referral support services.

Adele Stimpson, coordinator at the Armed Forces Community Hub Hull, based at The Octagon in Walker Street, west Hull, said: “We’re currently supporting about 250 families and this donation will make a massive difference. We’ve never received a donation this big.

“We’re funded by Hull City Council, the Goodwin Trust, the Armed Forces Covenant FundTrust and grants from other organisations, and donations are few and far between. All our services are free, so every penny will go directly towards helping those we support and straight back to the Armed Forces community.

“Willerby is a great local company giving back to the local community and we’re so grateful for their support.”

Willerby staff have voted for Dementia UK to be the company’s Charity of the Year for 2023 and fundraising activities are planned for the coming months to raise as much money as possible for the cause.

Image courtesy of Willerby

Cumbria holiday park teams brave quicksands and fast-flowing tides to raise cash for guides charity

One of Britain's most notoriously dangerous walks, from Arnside to Grange in Cumbria, was tackled by teams from three holiday parks owned by Lake District Estates.

The 5.5 mile trek crosses Morecambe Bay, with its stretches of quicksand and fastflowing tides, have been responsible for many incidents over the years, including the loss of lives.

But staff from Lake District Estates, joined by a number of holiday homes owners from its parks, were in completely safe hands as they made the crossing in May.

That's because they were being led by a member of the Guide Over Sands Trust which provides experts who know what the hazards are, and how to avoid them.

However, the crossing was more than just an exhilarating experience for everyone involved because it was also designed to raise much-needed funds for the Trust.

In the event, the walkers raised over

£1,000 to help Guide Over Sands continue its important work to help bay trekkers keep out of danger.

The walk was arranged by staff at Hill of Oaks Lodge and Caravan Park on Windermere, and members of the park were joined by holiday home owners. Also taking park were owners from Newby Bridge Country Caravan Park and Buck Yeats Lodge Park, also based in Newby Bridge, plus staff from Lake District Estates' central office.

Rachel Bell, head of marketing and business development at Lake District Estates, who took part in the walk, said it had been an amazing experience:

“The only safe way to cross the ever-changing flats and channels of

Morecambe Bay is with an experienced and knowledgeable guide," said Rachel.

"The walk is a unique and fantastic way to take in the bay’s stunning beauty, and we are delighted to have raised a fourfigure sum to support the work of this local charity."

In addition to its seven top-rated holiday parks in Cumbria and Lancashire, Lakes District Estates also operates the popular Ullswater "Steamers" and the Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway.

There is more information about the company on its website at www. lakedistrictestates.com, and the work of the Guide Overt Sands Trust is detailed at www. guideoversands.co.uk

E-bikes enable top Cornwall holiday park to go extra mile for customers

Holiday home owners at Oyster Bay Coastal & Country Retreat in North Cornwall are now enjoying another benefit of staying at one of the West Country's most stunning leisure resorts.

That's because the top-rated park is offering them free use of a Volt Pulse e-bike when they stay to explore the scenic trails around the village of Goonhavern where Oyster Bay is based.

It means that couples and families can enjoy fun-filled coastal and country jaunts with the minimum of effort whilst covering the maximum miles from their luxury accommodation.

And as a bonus for the park, staff also have use of the Pulse e-bikes to travel around Oyster Bay's extensive grounds with zero noise and zero atmospheric pollution.

Oyster Bay is one of the flagship locations

among the eleven parks owned by Park Leisure in England and Wales.

In addition to its picture-postcard setting close to some of Cornwall's loveliest beaches, holiday home owners are provided with a raft of first-class leisure facilities.

They include a superb spa-style swimming pool, local concierge service, exclusive owners lounge, tennis courts and a putting green.

Oyster Bay sales manager Ash Reeves says the e-bikes have been given a warm welcome by owners, all of whom are able to use their holiday homes throughout the

year:

"The e-bikes are a fantastic way to get the most out of a visit to Oyster Bay, whether it's for a short break or a longer holiday," he says.

"For example, there is a gorgeous threemile stretch of the New Saints Trail running from near the park which is totally traffic free, so excellent for children too.

"Or a bit further is the famous Camel Trail from Padstow which combines amazing ocean and wooded countryside views, and is also virtually level for the entire distance.

"The on-site Pulses mean that owners don't have to lug their own bikes down on every occasion, and they are extremely comfortable to use whether on or off road.

"They look very stylish too, and the sixtymile range means there's plenty of juice to get families wherever they want to go without having to pause for re-charging.

"Oyster Bay is a premium location for holiday home ownership, so we are always looking for ways to add extra value to the customer's experience here.

"Volt has helped us to deliver on this in a marvellous and memorable way – and the e-bikes have also won a massive vote of support from our always-on-the-move team members!" said Ash.

Oyster Bay is one of the flagship locations of the Park Leisure brand, and is among the fifty-plus parks operated by Park Holidays UK in England, Wales and Scotland.

For more information visit www. parkleisure.co.uk

Windermere couple's delight as they triumph in competition to find region's top family businesses

The husband-and-wife team who own Windermere's Park Cliffe holiday park say they are "proud and humbled" after being named this month as winners of a major enterprise award.

Susan and Derek Dickson, together with their son Jack (21) and daughter Abi (23), received their accolade at the North West Family Business Awards 2023. Held at Concorde Conference Centre at Manchester airport, the glittering awards ceremony was attended by over 500 business leaders from across the North West.

In the category of leisure and tourism small business of the year, Park Cliffe was declared the overall winner, beating scores of other regional enterprises to the title.

In order to reach the finals, the park had to undergo a rigorous inspection by competition judges to assess a raft of criteria from their record on innovation to their environmental responsibility.

"We were knocked for six when the announcement was made that we had taken first place in this heavily contested category," said Susan.

"These awards meant a lot to us as

they focus not just on the business as a successful family-run enterprise, but also on how we provide a memorable experience for guests.

"Judges looked at what customers were saying in their reviews about Park Cliffe, and how we encourage staff to engage with guests and help them enjoy their stay.

"The fact that we managed to tick all the boxes is an amazing credit to our team here!" she added.

Susan and Derek took over Park Cliffe 15 years ago, and have since invested much time and energy into ensuring that it provides top quality facilities and service.

Their reward has been to see an annual growth in visitor numbers from the UK and overseas, and a top five-star excellence rating from Visit England.

It has also achieved a number of environmental awards for its many initiatives to protect wildlife and care for the natural world, and for its sustainability

policies.

The North West Family Business Awards are organised by The Family Business Community which brings family firms together to share experiences and help them continue to grow.

In their written comments, the judges said: "This family business is known for its exceptional service, breathtaking surroundings, and creating first-class holidays for all their guests.

"Their family values, passion and heartfelt drive and motivation were very clear to see, and left us in no doubt as to their eligibility for this honour."

Park Cliffe provides luxury holiday homes to rent and own, glamping facilities, a selfcatering cottage, and pitches for tents, touring caravans and motorhomes.

There are more details about the park on its website at www.parkcliffe.co.uk

Celebrations as "stunning" leisure complex completes family's £7m investment in Mid

Wales holiday

park

Staff and the family owners at a Mid Wales holiday park are celebrating the opening of a massive multimillion makeover of the park's facilities.

Aber Bay is the biggest single investment ever made by the company, and is intended to meet the ever-rising quality expectations of guests.

Its striking new clubhouse has a rooftop terrace providing dramatic and far-reaching views of the coast, and of the surrounding countryside with its mountain backdrop.

The clubhouse also includes a bar, restaurant, lounge areas and professional lighting and sound systems for the staging of live family entertainment.

A new heated indoor swimming pool can be enjoyed throughout the 10.5 months when the park is open, and other facilities include a games room and outdoor children's play areas.

and will provide all the green energy needed to heat and cool the building.

Interest in holiday home ownership has been rising rapidly this year, says Joe Folkes:

"Over the past few years, many more people have come to appreciate the benefits of a UK holiday – and have found it a much more relaxing experience than going abroad.

"A holiday home in this country allows families and couples to enjoy short breaks and longer stays right throughout the four seasons without having to book ahead.

Aber Bay Holiday Park near Aberystwyth now boasts one of Wales's most environmentally-friendly entertainment and leisure complexes, and holiday home owners on the park are said to be delighted.

The project by owners Allens Caravans was undertaken in tandem with an extension of the park which has seen the addition of 55 new holiday homes, available to own from around £70,000.

Allens Caravans joint-MD Joe Folkes said that work started on the development at the end of the summer season in 2021, and was fully operational by

May 2023.

"We've been delighted with the result – and now we have a guest facility on the park which is as spectacular as the surroundings scenery," he said.

Aber Bay Holiday Park is just a short stroll from the beach at Clarach Bay, and is especially popular with young families and others who enjoy the many nearby walking opportunities.

It is one of twelve top-end parks operated by Allens Caravans which was founded over 80 years ago by Bill Allen, and is today still run by his grandchildren and other family members

The new development at

Allens Caravans' longstanding commitment to sustainability is evident in the many features of the new centre designed to conserve energy and reduce the park's carbon footprint.

They include a highly efficient water-source heat pump which draws from an adjoining river

"Our holiday homes all come complete with the latest refinements, including full heating and insulation which means everyone will stay snug regardless of what the British weather has in store," added Joe.

No-obligation visits to the park are now available to view Aber Bay's holiday homes and the facilities provided on park. See www.allenscaravans. co.uk/holiday-parks/aber-bayholiday-park/

Staffs family opens new £1m holiday development as demand grows for luxury escapes

Rising demand for holiday homes in rural Staffordshire has prompted a local family to create a new £1 million development on its long-established holiday park.

Oakland Holiday Park, near the village of Brewood and close to the Shropshire border, says that sales enquiries have been booming since the end of the pandemic.

Now the park is getting ready to open up a new phase of luxury lodges which are all located on the banks of the Shropshire Union Canal which runs through the grounds.

Adam Breakspeare, whose family has owned the park for 35 years, says that although the investment is substantial, he is confident the demand will be there:

"Many people took a holiday in Britain for the first time during the pandemic years, and

clearly enjoyed the experience," he said.

"Now many are looking to own a holiday home in the tranquil countryside which they can enjoy throughout the year, both for short breaks and longer stays.

"We have decided to pitch our new development at the top end of the market, and all of our new holiday lodges are fully equipped and furnished to the highest standard," said Adam.

Starting at around £145,000, the lodges are for a limited period being offered with a free hot tub in which owners can unwind. Each also has its own exterior decking for al-fresco dining.

Owners will have full use of Oakland's extensive guest facilities which include an indoor pool and sauna, fitness suite, fishing pool, and friendly park bar serving snacks and meals.

The park is a previous overall winner of the Enjoy Staffordshire Tourism Awards in the parks category, thanks to its first-class standards and welcoming atmosphere.

The wildlife-rich nine-acre grounds of Oakland, says Adam, are a haven for wildlife which the family encourages with a raft of conservation initiatives.

Rainfall is harvested for irrigating the many shrubs and flowers planted throughout the

park, a lot of which have high nectar-bearing blooms which draw butterflies and honey bees.

In addition, the family has installed many bird, bat and owl boxes, and provides heating for its pool with a highly efficient solar energy system.

"This beautiful part of Staffordshire has long had its admirers, but the secret is getting out – and we're delighted to be able to help people share in it!" said Adam.

There is more information about the park on its website at www.oaklandholidaypark.co.uk

Boost for Devon tourism as largest EV charging hub in the South West opens

Osprey Charging, one of the UK’s leading electric vehicle (EV) charging networks, has opened the largest ultra-rapid EV charging hub in the South West: a 16-bay dedicated EV re-charging location at Salmon’s Leap, Buckfastleigh on the A38 Devon Expressway.

The flagship 1.6 acre site is open and ready to serve the high volumes of seasonal traffic expected in Devon this summer. It will also critically provide local residents, businesses and visitors with reliable EV infrastructure, helping to improve air quality, reduce noise pollution and support local decarbonisation efforts.

Salmon’s Leap is Osprey’s first land acquisition. The car park has been redesigned specifically for EV charging: there are two extra-long bays for towing vehicles, extra-wide bays for full disabled access, and all bays are laid out in Osprey’s unique format that optimises space and charger ease-of-use, so that the hub accommodates all types of vehicle and driver.

Strawberry Fields farm shop opens onsite soon, offering a range of their own homemade and homegrown produce and many of their own bakery items and fresh ready meals. This will be alongside a coffee shop with plenty of their homemade ‘food to go’ options.

The site is easily accessible from both the Plymouth-bound and Exeter-bound

carriageways of the A38, and is the ideal place to charge an EV whilst taking a journey break or visiting the farm shop. A planning application is underway for a service-station style canopy, to further enhance the site.

The 16 high-power charge points at the hub are compatible with every rapidcharging vehicle on the market. Each is capable of 300kW charging for vehicles able to accept this high power, without wasting any power on lower-capability cars thanks to the latest innovative load-balancing technology. This means customers of the hub can add 100 miles of range in just 1525 minutes.

Ian Johnston, CEO of Osprey Charging, said:

“I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve created at Salmon’s Leap. We purchased the land so have been able to precisely design the space and install hardware that maximises availability and ease of use of chargers for all types of vehicles and drivers. Our largest site yet, it is a significant milestone for the Osprey team

as we work tirelessly to ensure that our nationwide infrastructure deployment of rapid EV charging stations continues at an unprecedented pace.”

Osprey installed as many chargers in the first quarter of this year as it did during the whole of 2022. From January to March this year, 142 new rapid Osprey EV charging stations went live in 10 weeks, equalling the number of charge points installed throughout 2022.

EV uptake continues to increase across the country - over a fifth of new vehicles registered so far in 2023 in the UK are electric. Ahead of the 2030 ban on new petrol and diesel vehicles, more and more of UK drivers are looking for public EV charging as standard.

Osprey remains committed to providing safe, reliable and accessible EV charging for all. The network is consistently ranked in the top 3 UK rapid networks for customer satisfaction by Zap-Map and its hubs are consistently scored highly for safety and accessibility by independent inspection body ChargeSafe.

Images courtesy of Osprey

Mike appointed joint managing director of Salop Leisure

An award-winning leisure company, which has sales centres in Shrewsbury, Machynlleth and Stourport-onSevern, has announced a key promotion.

Operations director Mike Harris has been promoted to joint managing director of Salop Leisure with responsibility for the day to day operations of the multi-faceted business.

He is working closely with the other directors, Mark Bebb, Dylan Roberts and chairman Tony Bywater.

Mike’s career with the company began in 2001, as manager of Gwernydd Hall Holiday Home Park at New Mills, near Newtown. He progressed to become business manager three years later at Salop Leisure’s headquarters in Shrewsbury before becoming operations director in 2007.

“I am looking forward to the new challenge,” said Mike, who lives in Crew Green, near

Shrewsbury. “As a business, we constantly strive to deliver first class customer service which is why we are always proud to get previous customers recommending us to their friends and family.

will continue.

“Many people are still looking to invest in touring caravans, motorhomes and caravan holiday homes which will allow them and their families to escape for a holiday or short break anytime they wish.”

He says 2023 will be a year of consolidation and organic growth within the business, which has more than 200 employees.

“The company is run like a family business and we are lucky to have loyal and talented employees who tend to stay with us for many years because it’s a great place to work,” he added.

250 holiday home parks across the Heart of England and Mid Wales.

In addition, the company has this year launched Salop Leisure Innovative Solutions, a special projects division that works with partners to maximise the retail opportunities presented by booming demand for glamping and staycation holidays.

“Despite a challenging economic climate, I believe the staycation boom, which began during the Covid-19 pandemic,

Away from work, Mike plays for Guilsfield Cricket Club.

Salop Leisure supplies caravans and luxury lodges to

Salop Leisure also owns Love Plants, a specialist plants centre that celebrated its 10th birthday at Easter and Love Coffee restaurant at its Shrewsbury headquarters and the neighbouring multi-awardwinning Love2Stay touring and glamping resort.

“We were delighted to win another national award that relies on votes from those customers, earlier this year. Our aim is to maintain and, wherever possible, improve the high level of customer service that we provide."

Mike Harris, Image courtesy of Salop Leisure

Park Holidays UK names

Northumberland as location for major new holiday park now taking shape

The countdown has begun to the opening of a major new holiday park in North East England which is set to put the region firmly on the tourist map.

Widdrington Lakes Holiday Park is still around 12 months away from welcoming its first guests, but the group is promising "our most ambitious and exciting new park to date".

Located near the village of Widdrington in Northumberland, the 300-plus acre park is close to both Druridge Bay with its seven miles of sand dunes, and the Northumberland National Park.

When it opens next spring, the development will provide in its first phase up to 475 pitches for luxury holiday lodges to own and rent, plus facilities for touring caravans, motorhomes and tents.

And outline consent has also been obtained for a second phase of development which will further increase the park's capacity in the future.

Many of the holiday homes will have spectacular views across the two lakes which sit at the heart of the park, and around which extensive landscaping and biodiversity work will be taking place.

Both lakes attract a myriad of wildlife,

including many different migratory and native bird species which the park is working closely with Northumberland Wildlife Trust to help protect.

There will also be many other conservation projects in the park's grounds, including the creation of new wildlife habitats and the planting of native trees and shrubs.

Also planned is a wildlife meadow to provide foraging for honey bees and butterflies, plus wetland areas in which protected plants and animals can flourish.

Leisure facilities on the multi-million pound development will be provided for guests and holiday home owners, plus a bar and restaurant where locally sourced food will feature on the menu.

Park Holidays UK director Tony Clish believes that Widdrington Lakes will help put the national spotlight on Northumberland as a first-class holiday destination:

"This part of England has long been a favourite of countryside connoisseurs with

its gorgeous forests and uplands plus long stretches of stupendous coastline," he said.

"Now we'll be giving many more people the chance to make these discoveries for themselves, either as holiday guests or as owners of a luxury lodge in a beautiful tranquil setting.

"This is a tremendously exciting project for us as it represents a rare opportunity to create a completely new holiday park on a greenfield site based on our expertise.

"Our customers will provide a massive boost for the local economy, and benefit many small businesses in the area as well as helping to sustain the jobs they provide.

"We will begin recruiting ourselves as the opening date draws near, and we envisage both full-time and seasonal opportunities including posts with training for a career in hospitality," added Tony.

There is more information about Park Holidays UK and the 40-plus parks it operates in the UK on the company's website at www.ParkHolidays.com

THE CUMBERLAND -THE BUILDING SOCIETY

HELPING CUMBRIA’S TOURISM SECTOR THRIVE

Support from The Cumberland is needed now more than ever as 86% of Cumbrian businesses are concerned about rising costs brought on by the cost-of-living crisis.

Cumbria’s tourism sector has faced increasing adversity in the past few years. The pandemic saw tourism nationwide take a significant hit. A brief respite was felt as the country emerged from lockdown and sought to make up for lost time, however it was short lived.

As the tourism sector was getting back on its feet the cost-of-living crisis took hold. Britons tightened their purse strings and an unclear ending to the crisis brought both a nervousness and inability to spend as freely. The crisis has affected the hospitality sector nationwide, but the impact on Cumbrian businesses has been notably damaging. Indeed, Cumbria Tourism recently reported that 46% of businesses in Cumbria have seen a reduction in average spend per customer compared to pre-COVID levels.

The lack of customer spending is not the only cause for concern brought about by the cost-of-living crisis. The same report found some 94% of Cumbrian businesses are concerned about rising energy bills, 86% concerned by increased costs in general, and 66% about passing on cost increases to customers.

Whilst the pandemic saw the Government bring forward its Tourism Recovery Plan to support the sector, the cost-of-living crisis could be a step too far for a beleaguered sector which has faced challenge after challenge in recent years.

Despite the various challenges faced by the sector, the report from Cumbria Tourism also shows that confidence in the region is actually on the rise. 63% of businesses have expressed confidence in their survival over the next five years,

which is a notable increase from the previous figure of 45% recorded six months prior.

The Cumberland Building Society has continued to help local businesses fulfil their potential and realise their aspirations. By implementing a relationship managed approach and putting its people at the heart of what they do, The Cumberland has helped numerous businesses successfully navigate the challenges and supported them during the moments which matter most.

The relationship managed approach is something The Cumberland Building Society has strived to hardwire into its genetic makeup. Offering a more personal and genuine approach, its customers have direct access to a relationship manager and associate who understands the needs of their business, as well as a comprehensive knowledge of their operating area.

The Cumberland Building Society has been lending to the hospitality industry for over 20 years and has provided more than £20m in investment to the hospitality sector in the past two years alone.

Alasdair Swan, Senior Commercial Manager at The Cumberland said: “Supporting people and businesses within our heartland here in Cumbria has been at the core of what we do at The Cumberland for the past 170 years. We want to make a positive difference to people’s lives now and in the future, and we do this in a number of ways.

“Alongside offering financial support and business guidance to our customers, we are also among the top 2% of organisations in the world that donate 1.5% of profits to actively support charitable causes and projects – and the majority of our financial support goes straight to projects benefitting people right here in Cumbria.”

Case studies

Peel Castle, Brampton

One such business owner who has benefitted from The Cumberland’s support is Gordon McGregor from Brampton who was able to make his dreams a reality.

Gordon and his wife Dawn had almost completed building their dream castle holiday-let when their finances were put under strain due to rising costs brought on by the pandemic. Other lenders were unwilling to commit their funds to finishing the project and so an independent broker put the pair in touch with The Cumberland, specialists in hospitality lending.

Gordon said: “It all began as I stood in the garden and thought ‘I’m going to build a castle there’, and since then, thanks to The Cumberland’s support and willingness to see our ambitions realised, we have a fully functioning castle on our grounds.

“The Cumberland did everything they said they would. They considered our case when other lenders wouldn’t.”

One of the reasons why The Cumberland were able to support the McGregors, and so many other business owners, is because they consider cases differently when it comes to lending, with a commonsense approach to commercial underwriting.

Katherine Thomson, Commercial Relationship Manager for the case, said: “The planning behind the project gave us real confidence to give the go ahead. We looked at the big picture, not just part of it.

The Cottage in the Wood, Keswick

Kath and Liam Berney from Keswick have also benefitted from The Cumberland’s ‘Kinder Banking’ initiative. The pair own the Michelin-listed Cottage in the Wood and have been banking with the Cumberland since 2008.

Due to overwhelming popularity during the pandemic when international travel was restricted and Brits opted for staycations, the couple were at risk of becoming a victim of their own success. Staff shortages and supply chain issues saw their restaurant reservation waiting list grow to three months long, and The Cottage was unable to cope with their rediscovered demand.

The Cumberland stepped in to help by extending the pair’s existing loan by three years in order to bring down monthly payments, freeing up cash to spend on service improvements. The Cumberland also aided the business with financial support to spend on recruiting staff to match demand.

The Cumberland has been supporting Cumbrian people and businesses for more than 170 years, investing more than £20m into the tourism sector in the past two years alone

Image courtesy of Cumberland

Karcher launches new summer cleaning products

We test German firm’s new 3-in-1 wash brush and portable spray extraction cleaner

If you like a bit of tech to take the hard work out of a task, Karcher are here with two new products that could help you scrub up your caravan park good and proper.

The WB 7 Plus wash brush - RRP £49.99

First up is what Karcher is dubbing as the ‘first brush of its kind on the market’. The WB 7 Plus wash brush obviously requires you to have a Karcher pressure washer to fit it to. If you do it’s a new accessory designed to clean cars, garden furniture, garage doors, shutters and more. The brush offers a variety of settings including low- and high-pressure wash, as well as detergent application, allowing you to clean various surfaces quickly and efficiently, all with one accessory. While I’m not a caravan or holiday

park manager I could envisage this being of use to clean decking, cladding, patio doors and the sides of properties. It could be used to clean vehicles but I’d be very reluctant to use anything with a brush on any paintwork that you care about as bits of dirt and grit are bound to get in the bristles.

The 3-in-1 brush is a chunky piece of kit to allow for a receptacle for detergent. The brush has three settings unsurprisingly - a high pressure spray that comes out of the top of the head to allow you to use the pressure washer to blast off loose dirt, a foam setting to try and get things soapy, and a low pressure setting that shoots water from within the bristles.

I use it to clean my patio doors and for this task in particular, I would say it’s a great product. Being able to switch between the settings is definitely quicker than having to get out your pressure washer to blast the dirt away and then switch to some other method to scrub the surface down. The brush is relatively light and because it’s not too long it doesn’t get tiring handling it as you reach out to scrub the doors.

It was equally good for cleaning some garden furniture for similar reasons. Where I think it’s got challenges is it’s not very long and so not much use for cleaning decking or anything below knee height. I wonder if there’s scope for a telescopic version?

Karcher is pitching this as useful for cleaning vehicles, but again it’s just a bit too unwieldy to be a great help at cleaning anything low down, such as wheels and as mentioned above, even Karcher advises against using it on paintwork. I guess it could clean a fleet of golf buggies quite quickly, so it could be of use for park operations if you have vehicles that are very robust.

Rating - 3/5

Rating: 3 / 5

turnaround clean ups such as drinks or condiments from outdoor entertaining.

I also tested it on the carpet of my car and it made short work of cleaning up a muddy patch and freshening up the mats without much effort. Compared with the hassle of lugging out a full size wet vac, this was a breeze. Again, if you wanted to move across a fleet of vehicles this would save a lot of hassle with cords getting snagged or having to find new power sockets. My only concern is the battery life as our test product went from 100% to 32% battery with about 40 minutes of use so it wouldn’t be great for heavy duty cleaning for several hours, unless you had two batteries. But for small jobs at multiple locations it’s hard to fault.

Rating - 4/5

On to the new SE 3-18 Compact Spray Extraction Cleaner - RRP £249.99.

This is essentially a portable mini-wet vac or spot cleaner. There are others on the market that plug in but this one is cordless, being powered by Karcher’s own battery system. So if you don’t have one already for another product you’ll need to buy one.

The cordless nature of this is what could make it a really valuable tool for park operations as it offers a quick way to move between tasks without having to look for a socket or worry about tripping people up with power leads. If your cleaning operative wants to tackle soft furnishings at multiple properties or across a wide range of locations, this would be great for making things easier.

The device has two tanks - one for the clean water and one for the dirty. The hose has a trigger spray gun on the underside of the vacuum head so you can target stains and then instantly vac up the dirty water. I would estimate it is big enough to clean for between 40 minutes to an hour. The tanks can store 1.9L fresh and 1.2L dirty water,so you don’t have to worry about having to make repeated visits to a tap or sink. The machine also boasts a unique hygienic flush function, which removes dirt from the device, preventing build-up of bacteria, once the clean is complete.

What’s more, the SE 3-18 Compact includes a special feature, an extra-long hose and included crevice nozzle to help access even the most hard-to-reach areas. It’s also designed to store all of the parts within the unit, making it incredibly practical in terms of storage.

I used it on our garden seating cushions and to be honest it failed to get the stains out. However, they are tough stains that have been there a while that probably require a steam clean or some more intensive anti-stain product. I wouldn’t let that put you off as I think it would do a good job on fresh stains and spills, so it could be a good bit of kit to have for quick

Rating: 4 / 5

Walter Geering Unveils Innovative Floating Dispenser Collection

Walter Geering, a leading supplier of hospitality and toiletry products to hotels, holiday parks and accommodation providers is excited to introduce its game-changing product line: the Floating Dispenser Collection.

This ground-breaking collection is set to revolutionise the industry experience by offering a unique and convenient solution for guests' toiletry needs.

The Floating Dispenser System features a hidden bracket that creates the illusion of the dispenser effortlessly floating on the wall. This simple yet sophisticated design element adds a touch of class to any bathroom, elevating the overall aesthetic and ambiance. This collection also has a “no-drill” option, eliminating the need for complicated installations and perfect for holiday and caravan parks who traditionally have been unable to install traditional bracket systems.

One of the standout features of the Floating Dispenser System is its ease of use. Understanding the importance of efficiency in the hospitality industry, Walter

Geering has incorporated a tamper-proof locking mechanism into the dispensers. This ensures the security of products while enabling housekeeping staff to unlock and refill the dispenser in just 3 seconds.

In addition, the Floating Dispenser Collection is an unbeatable cost-saving solution. By opting for these dispensers, establishments can enjoy a staggering 73% savings per room compared to traditional stainless-steel brackets.

For more information about Walter Geering's Floating Dispenser Collection please visit www.waltergeering.co.uk.

Jessica Marson

Head of Sales & Marketing

Phone: 01233 658085

Email: Jessica.marson@waltergeering. co.uk

Games

Birthday

Images courtesy of Walter Geering

Working with some the UK’s leading holiday parks, Pitched offers a wide range of services from class-leading website design and development to paid and organic digital marketing activity designed to drive high volumes of holiday bookings and sales leads.

Supporting a range of holiday park clients across the UK with SEO, PPC, email marketing and organic social media, Pitched are considered an extension of their team by their clients. As well as digital marketing, Pitched also provides graphic design services with their experts producing eye-catching park maps, brochures and branding.

Rachel Mabbs, group commercial director at Largo Leisure Parks, said: “The team really understand the holiday park sector, they are professional, friendly, highly

skilled and extremely hard working… And they always pull out all the stops to deliver on deadlines. I have always thought of Pitched as an extension to my marketing and holiday sales department.”

Tara White, from Old Oaks Touring Park in Somerset, added: “We could see that Pitched had a good knowledge of our industry, they took the time to understand our business and our customers, and we couldn't be happier with the end result.”

As well as marketing, website and design services, the company also has its own online booking software – Pitched Booking, designed exclusively for campsites, glampsites and holiday parks.

For more established operators, Pitched also offers consultancy services, helping to analyse data and yield management.

With unrivalled knowledge of the holiday park industry, Pitched is a full suite marketing agency that offers dedicated support for the sector.

Images courtesy of Pitched

The premium choice for cubicle refurbishments

Cubicle Works are proud to be the UK's leading manufacturer and supplier of bespoke cubicle systems for the holiday park sector.

With years of accumulative knowledge, the company understands that all washroom schemes have different requirements. With their insights and expertise, there is no doubt they are wellequipped to meet all expectations for holiday park and campsite refurbishment projects.

Their recent expansion to the southwest of England also represents their commitment to supporting the holiday park sector. Cubicle Works can now directly and efficiently fabricate and deliver cubicle solutions to the southwest from their dedicated facility in Exeter.

They also have the experience and knowledge to advise clients on the best colour pallets to select; dimensional constraints and specific onsite configurations often determine this.

Each range can be supplied with complimentary products such as cistern duct access panels, vanity units, lockers, benching and accessories. All ranges are equipped with satin anodised aluminium fittings as standard.

Their process is straightforward - first, contact them and make an appointment for a FREE onsite survey. Once they have all the information, they will provide fully dimensioned drawings (prepared per project), enabling clients to comment, amend and ultimately approve before fabrication. Their customer support will pick things up here and guide you.

Cubicle Works are undoubtedly the premier choice for holiday park cubicle refurbishments. Remember, surveys from

Cubicle Works are completely free. Contact their southwest regional office on 01392 322164 or their north-west regional office on 01695 713200

Contact details:

South West: Cubicle Works Ltd, Units 1 & 2, Thorverton Road, Exeter EX2 8FS, Tel no. 01392 322164

North West: Cubicle Works Ltd, Unit 2, 2 Potter Place, West Pimbo, Skelmersdale WN8 9PW Tel no. 01695 713200

We are leading suppliers of

SURVEYSFREE DRAWINGS&CAD

Image courtesy of Cubicle Works Limited

need to increase electrical supply!

This can be a stumbling block for existing parks with an upto-date electrical infrastructure in place and limited pitch supply, however CPES have the answer.

We are now able to manufacture our EV Chargers with a load shedding device incorporated. This is a controlled way to manage the supply of power, ensuring the primary circuit is able to consume the required power, which in turn will decrease the power to other circuits. Our car chargers will automatically adjust their output based on the power required

elsewhere.

Our product portfolio holds multiple configurations of EV Chargers, Connection Units and Multi-Service Bollards, as well as Lighting, Distribution Units and Mains Panels.

If you would like to know more about load shedding or our products and services, our team will be exhibiting at The Great Holiday Home Show in Harrogate from Tuesday 12th September – Thursday 14th September. Alternatively visit our website www.cpes.co.uk or call us on 01790 753153.

As electric vehicles continue to increase in popularity, more and more customers expect pitchside EV Chargers.

Image courtesy of CPES

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

Your Caravan Park with Stylish and Functional Contract

In the last two decades the Contract Furniture Group has consistently grown to become one of the leading trade-only manufacturers and distributors of quality furnishings, fixtures and fittings for the hospitality and leisure industries. Its services range from interior design to full fit-out, and loose furniture to fixed seating bespoke joinery and installation.

Highly skilled upholsterers work on- and off-site to quickly turn classic and contemporary furniture designs into individualised collections, with experienced joiners creating

and fitting custom-made installations including bars, flooring, fixed seating, lighting, case goods & all other elements of a complete commercial venue fit-out.

With its creative and craftsmanship capabilities, Contract Furniture Group truly sets itself apart from other suppliers in the caravan and park resort sector. Whether businesses need instant, lowcost replacement items, or unique design-led pieces to really make a venue special, Contract Furniture Group has the experience and expertise to deliver.

Contract Furniture Group, Contract House, Little Tennis Street South, Nottingham NG2 4EU 0115 965 9030 sales@ contractfurniture.co.uk

www.contractfurniture.co.uk

Utilise Off Peak Seasons for Installations Ready by Spring for 2024 Holidays

FORDINGBRIDGE ARE INDUSTRY LEADERS IN CANOPIES AND EXTERNAL BUILDS DESIGNED TO ENHANCE PARK AND LEISURE SPACES

Provide the perfect, cost effective sports and leisure experience with inspiring and weather protective solutions.

Maximise Leisure and Holiday Park environments with a range of Fordingbridge canopy options offering excellent safeguarding measures and ensuring impressive canopy coverage, even in those seemingly inaccessible spaces.

Enhance your facilities with:

• Covered seating areas • Multi-use Games

• Covered Playgrounds • Turnkey Solutions

Areas

• Optimised walkways • Sustainable buildings •

Contact our team today to discuss Summer 2023 installation:

info@fordingbridge.co.uk

www.fordingbridge.co.uk

01243 554455

DON’T TAKE JUST OUR WORD FOR IT:

“The working relationship with Fordingbridge was more a partnership than client-contractor which led to fantastic final collaborative design. The building has fulfilled all our objectives and we have very happy staff and visitors alike.” - Robin Fitzgerald, ZSL London Zoo.

Unleashing Potential: Creating Extraordinary Holiday Parks with HPW Architecture

At HPW, we specialise in helping our clients build the holiday park of their dreams, whether creating a brand-new park or renovating an existing site. Our services encompass all aspects of park design and development, spanning from master planning and layouts to central facilities buildings, clubhouses, and play areas, as well as branding and signage design.

We value close collaboration with our clients to ensure that every element of the park represents their aesthetic choices and business requirements. Our team of experts has years of experience in the holiday park industry and will provide you with the guidance and support you need to create a successful park from concept to completion.

We understand that creating

exceptional holiday park experiences for guests is critical to your park's success. That's why we work toward not only designing efficient facilities, but also generating maximum opportunities for on-site secondary spend. At HPW, we're committed to helping our clients create holiday parks that set the industry standard. From concept to completion, we are with you every step of the way. HPW Architecture Ltd, contact us on (0)7513 822048, email sophie@hpw.co.uk, or visit www.hpw.co.uk

Elevating the future of Holiday Parks and Resorts

Unleash innovation for your Holiday Park and Resort Business at the Premiere UK event.

Discover cutting-edge products, strategies and insights to stay ahead in the leisure, hospitality and tourism industry.

Discovering the latest trends, technologies, and concepts that will keep you at the forefront of the fast-paced holiday park and resort sector

Attend seminars conducted by industry experts to learn about best practices, innovative strategies and practical tips to improve operations and experiences

Explore the latest market trends in the holiday park and resort industry. Stay informed about consumer demands and preferences while gaining insights

Network with like-minded professionals, industry leaders and potential business partners, fostering collaboration and opportunities for growth

To register your interest scan the QR code or visit, holidayparkshow.co.uk/visitor-registration

Discovery Industry experts Market trends Networking

NOW FOR THE GREAT HOLIDAY HOME SHOW 2023

The Show promises to deliver a wealth of useful information, ideas, and networking opportunities as well as having the UK’s biggest holiday home, caravan and motorhome manufacturers all in one place.

The list of manufacturers exhibiting includes: ABI, Aspire, Atlas, Bailey, Carnaby, Coachman, Delta, Erwin Hymer, Europa, Love Holiday Homes, Oakgrove Lodges, Omar, Pathfinder, Pemberton, Prestige, Sunseeker, Swift, Tingdene, Victory and Willerby.

This year marks a new chapter in the history of the event; after 40 successful years at “The Lawns” in Hull, the organisers have decided to move the event to a larger and more central venue, the Great Yorkshire Showground in Harrogate.

New for this year:-

• New Name – the Great Holiday Home Show

• New Venue – the Great Yorkshire Showground, Harrogate

• More Space – meaning the manufacturers can bring more products and there will be more

12 - 14

Registration is now open for the Great Holiday Home Show, the biggest outdoor trade show of holiday homes, motorhomes, and caravans in the UK.

Running from Tuesday 12th September to Thursday 14th September, the show will take place at the Great Yorkshire Showground in Harrogate.

supplier stands who support the industry everything from solar panels to financial services and interior design.

• For the first time, there will be a stage with leading industry speakers talking on key issues including sustainability and current market trends. A full speaker programme will be announced shortly.

• There is a 2,000m² indoor exhibition hall, run by Leisure World featuring some of the industry’s leading brands of awnings and accessories.

• The organisers are encouraging new people into the industry, who are looking to diversify.

• The venue has more extensive, free parking (and there is a helipad nearby) and a warm welcome.

• Harrogate has a great selection of accommodation from international hotel brands to guest houses and there is an industry dinner on Wednesday 13th September.

• The proceeds from this event go to The Yorkshire Air Ambulance and the proceeds from the dinner go to Yorkshire Childrens Charity.

The Great Holiday Home Show is YOUR trade show giving the opportunity for everyone involved in the holiday home industry to come together in one place, see the latest models, network and meet the industry suppliers too.

The Great Holiday Home Show is an essential event for anyone involved in the industry. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just starting out, this premier event offers everything you need to succeed, including

valuable insights, networking opportunities, and the chance to explore a huge range of products and services. We look forward to welcoming you.

To visit this industry trade showcase please register here www. thegreatholidayhomeshow. co.uk.

For exhibitor opportunities please email stephen@ghhs.co.uk

Image courtesy of The Yorkshire Event Centre

DekBoard expands range with new hot tub collection

DekBoard, the specialist manufacturer of sustainable PVC decking

has announced it has added hot tubs to its

“Here at DekBoard, we have been working hard to support our customers by guaranteeing the highest quality products. One way of achieving this is by pre-empting the needs of our customers, as well as market trends, and ensuring our offering reflects those needs. The addition of hot tubs to our range is one such example of this.

This new addition now enables DekBoard to offer its customers a greater depth of product range and everything they need to provide their holiday home guests with the luxurious outside space they now expect, as Mark Cartwright, Commercial Director at DekBoard explains:

“The popularity of hot tubs has risen exponentially, with many holiday makers choosing their holiday park location based on accommodation offering this feature. By adding hot tubs to our range we can now offer our customers everything they need to create the perfect outside area, from decking to balustrades to hot tubs.”

Mark concludes: “We have supplied the

holiday park market for many years and understand the needs and wants of their owners. When it comes to PVC decking, we know price is one of the most important considerations, together with style and the quality of product. We believe our decking range combines all these essential qualities and we plan to continue the same philosophy through to our new hot tub range.”

For further information about DekBoard’s decking and hot tub range please call 01724 848500 or email info@dekboard. co.uk

Web: dekboard.co.uk

Email: info@dekboard.co.uk

Tel: 01724 848500

Image courtesy of Dekboard

Maintenance free fencing or cladding for your park

Composite decking has become the go-to choice for property owners that don’t want the hassle of annual maintenance routines and longer lasting outdoor solutions.

Now composite fencing and cladding has become a growing trend.

When it comes to garden fences, maintenance can be a task that many property owners dread.

But with composite, gone are the days of repeatedly staining or painting: a simple clean with warm soapy water can restore your fence or cladding to its original state.

And composite doesn’t have to mean compromising on the look and finish of your outdoor spaces either, with high quality wood grain finish available for those

looking for a more natural look.

Installation for composite fencing and cladding is quick and easy, and doesn’t require a professional fitter - saving on expensive labour costs.

Composite fencing panels easily connect to one another between posts, with top and bottom rails to provide a clean finish, using either concrete or aluminium posts.

Composite cladding is just as simple, with convenient shiplap connection that makes self installation easy.

For Allan Jeffrey, MD at Ultra Decking,

expanding into cladding and fencing was an easy decision following ever-increasing demand for their existing decking range:

“Composite decking has seen a rapid growth in popularity as a low maintenance, high quality option.

“Being able to offer a wider range of composite products will allow more homeowners and businesses to create their ideal outdoor space, which both looks great, and is long lasting.”

Image courtesy of Ultra Decking

Beautiful aesthetics with exceptional durability.

Explore our luxury A1 fire-rated secret fix cladding system (suitable for 5 metre spacings). With a two-tone wood plank design, crafted from premium aluminium, available in 5 wood effect colours.

A 334mm wide PVC profile, ideal for fast installation on large areas. Eco-friendly, robust and long-lasting PVC hard foam. A natural-looking wood embossing in 8 attractive colours with a matte surface.

Vinylit: a truly innovative wood effect façade system made from 100% recycled PVC. A robust, easy to care for system available in multiple wood finishes, with or without shadow joint detail.

Wood

textured cladding

with a matt embossed finish.

The future of holiday home cladding is 100% recycled.

Amtico Signature - More than meets the eye

Hard wearing LVT floor tiles are perfect for heavily used areas, such as caravan kitchens and living areas.

The new Signature LVT collection from Amtico harnesses a broad breadth of colour and texture, from heavy, authentic timbers to the weighty qualities of marble, delivering authenticity and unrivalled attention to detail.

Signature has also been carefully crafted to offer designers and specifiers

ultimate flexibility, with beautiful flooring that works by itself when flooded throughout a space, or seamlessly combined in laying patterns with other Woods and Stones.

The collection features 65 new products across Woods, Stones and Colour & Abstracts, refined into 18 palettes to realise every vision and

transform any space. For the new Woods, Signature delivers true authenticity, from Scandi Oaks with softer grains in washed yet warm pale tones, to heavy, rustic timbers in dark shades and wide planks. The new Stones support designers in creating a variety of distinctive spaces, with calming limestone shades, concrete hues with a soft industrial feel and a brand-new marble palette, which features classic and contemporary colours with chalky tones.

Signature’s unique laying patterns have also been refreshed with eight new designs that enhance the stunning details of the latest products. The versatile laying patterns can appear either classical or contemporary, whether using a singlecoloured wood design, such as Gable Parquet, or a combination of hues with the eye-catching curved Lune for a retro aesthetic.Signature is made-to-order in Coventry and boasts a 1mm wear layer, the thickest of any LVT on the market, which gives excellent impact resistance and high clarity. The flooring also provides antimicrobial protection against bacteria and viruses, such as MRSA, E.coli and SARS- CoV-2, while carrying a 20-year commercial warranty, making it suitable for a wide range of applications.

For added design flexibility, Signature can be specified with

Acoustic high-performance backing to reduce sound transmission by up to 18dB, and 36+ safety flooring with slip resistance for the lifetime of the product. It can also be specified with Amtico’s Bio offering, which is made from bio-attributed PVC.

Lorna Williams, Head of Design at Amtico, said: “For the new Signature collection we have 24 new ‘Woods’, 22 new ‘Stones’ and 19 new ‘Colour & Abstracts’, so there’s a real broad breadth of colour and texture, with some lovely themes throughout. The collection is all about making designs look as natural and realistic as possible, but we’ve also explored the need for products to work well flooding a space on their own, as well as laying patterns that flex and adapt to add character, zone or make a statement.”

For more information about Amtico and its LVT collections, please visit www.amtico.com/ commercial

Images courtesy of Amtico

Your Parks –‘Sell your static homes without an estate agent’

Your Parks are working on an exciting new website which offers a cost-effective alternative to employing an estate agent to sell your static homes.

With a wealth of experience spanning several years, Your Parks has firmly established itself as a trusted marketing platform for residential and holiday park operators across the United Kingdom, Ireland, and France. We take pride in our extensive online database, which features over 4000 parks and hundreds of holiday homes for sale. In the rare instance where a park is missing, we welcome its addition with open arms!

Park operators have the opportunity to enhance their online presence by claiming their listings on our platform. By doing so, they gain exclusive control over their park's profile, allowing them to showcase their facilities, craft compelling descriptions, and upload captivating images. It's a chance to guarantee that their contact details are accurate and up to date. But that's not all!

In addition to these benefits, operators can also advertise their homes for sale, whether they are luxurious new lodges, pre-owned park homes, or even vacant holiday plots.

What sets Your Parks apart from the rest is that all these incredible features are available to park operators completely free of charge. We firmly believe in supporting the industry and fostering collaboration among operators, enabling them to reach a wider audience and boost their business prospects.

However, as technology evolves, so must our platform. Recognizing the need for a fresh and modern user experience, Your Parks has recently enlisted the expertise of an exceptional software developer and are currently crafting a new and improved website. With a strong focus on search engine optimisation and user experience,

we are excited to be developing new features and functionalities that will take your park’s marketing efforts to unprecedented heights.

Your Parks is also thrilled to announce our attendance at The Great Holiday Home Show, taking place in Harrogate this September. We invite you to visit us at the Pemberton Park & Leisure Homes stand throughout the trade show days from the 8th to the 10th, as well as during the general public show days from the 12th to the 14th.

Park operators, this is your opportunity to engage with us directly, ask any questions you may have, and let us walk you through the sign-up process. Our knowledgeable team will be on hand to guide you through the simple steps that will maximise your park's online presence.

We value your input and want to ensure we build a platform that caters to the park operator’s needs. Therefore, we will be asking for your feedback and suggestions on the features you would love to see incorporated into our new website.

As a thank you for visiting us at the show, we will provide each new park sign-up with a complimentary 12-week Zoopla listing for their chosen home for sale! With millions of monthly visitors to Zoopla, this benefit opens up additional avenues for marketing your properties and attracting potential buyers.

The future of holiday and residential parks marketing starts here, with Your Parks leading the way. Stay tuned for the grand unveiling of our all-new, all-encompassing website, where convenience, innovation, and opportunity converge to create an unrivalled online hub for park operators.

Contact details: -

Emma Lindeman

info@yourparks.co.uk

0333 006 2832

Regal updates 2024 models to allow year round use

Regal Leisure Homes have revealed their 2024 model updates at two events in July.

There are key changes for the Cranleigh, Artisan and Charmouth, the three models leading Regal’s luxury range.

The Cranleigh and Artisan 2024 versions will be built to

benchmark for residential park homes, offering better insulation and energy efficiency to help you stay cosy and comfortable whatever the temperature outside. That makes models built to this

for your BS 3632 home, so you’ll know just how energy efficient it is.

Until now, all Regal’s models have been built to BS EN 1647, the European standard for holiday homes, suitable for seasonal holiday use only.

All three of the models now available in BS 3632 lend themselves particularly well to those looking to use their holiday homes for longer stays, or at any time of year, who might benefit from the energy saving elements incorporated into the residential build

The design team has also been busy making subtle refinements to refresh the Charmouth, Hemsworth and Retreat, keeping them as fresh and appealing as ever for the

With the Retreat, this has also meant the introduction of a 28’ x 12’ 2 bed option; feature floors in the bathroom and en-suite, and a pre-galvanised chassis as standard. It will be available at

both event locations so buyers can see how this popular, affordable holiday home option has been given both a visual and practical uplift.

Regal’s founder Nigel Heslington said: “These changes have been made based on feedback from our buyers, and the fact that the interior designs for these models have been particularly well received for potential ownership. With such lovely interiors it’s no surprise that those seeking to own one of these models want to use them as much as possible. Of course, the energy saving benefits of owning a model built to residential standards are likely to be welcome, too. The Retreat should also continue to surprise potential buyers with its affordability in 2024, as it is now more appealing than ever.”

For further information about Regal Leisure Homes call 0333 577 5274, email info@regallh. co.uk, or visit www.regallh. co.uk.

Images courtesy of Omar Group

Why choose Kingston Park & Leisure Homes?

We’ve taken our experience in precision engineering, high profile project management and modular architecture to deliver the new benchmark in holiday lodges and park homes in both build quality and service.

From classic styling to modern and contemporary looks, our team have the expertise to deliver the lodge that’s perfect for you at a great value price point. That’s not to mention our unrivalled levels of service and personal touch at every stop of the buying journey

All new Palazzo Lodge 2023/24 model

The recently revised SXG324 and SXG327 are ride-on mowers with mid-mounted decks, a centre-discharge direct collection and are ideal for cutting and collecting large areas of grass

The collection system is highly efficient at picking up the cut grass plus any leaves etc that may also be present on the grass, leaving a clean, neat finish with no grass clippings. The debris is forced into the back of the collector so maximising its capacity. Both models are offered with a choice of collector size either a 590 litre low-tip model or a 650 litre high tip version which can be emptied at a height of over 2 metres, allowing easy tipping into skips, bulk waste bins, trucks or trailer. The 19.8 hp SXG324 has a 48 inch shaft driven deck, the 22.2hp SXG327 can be used with either a 48 inch deck or the larger 54” deck. There is also a mulch deck option for the SXG327 should you prefer mulching to collecting. Both machines may be fitted with the optional flip-up floor kit which allows conversion to cut and drop should the conditions require it. Alternatively, both models are available as rear discharge only. For larger grassed areas, the SF2 and SF5 are productive out-front collecting mowers, with 950 litre or 1300 litre collectors. The efficient turbine powered collection system ensures all clippings, leaves etc are collected leaving a pristine finish. The collectors can be emptied up to 2.2m high, allowing easy unloading into a truck, skip, bulk waste bins or composting area. Deck widths vary between 54 inches for the

smaller SF225, to the 60” deck for the 37hp SF237, 44hp SF544 and the 49hp SF551. The latter machine may also be used a 71” deck, ideal for open, flatter areas. Both ranges provide the user with a spacious operating platform and fully adjustable steering column and driver’s seat for day long comfort. The SF2 and SF5 ranges are very productive mowers for maintaining large areas whilst collecting all grass

clippings and leaves etc.

If you need to maintain steep slopes, grassed banks around lakes or waterways or just difficult to access areas, the Raymo electric remote-control mower is the machine of choice. With a low overall height of 51 cm, a low centre of gravity, 4WD, zero turn steering system tackles steep slopes and grassed banks with ease. Zero emissions, low noise and no vibrations ensure the wellbeing of the operator whilst they use the Raymo with its remote control, thus keeping the operator away from hazards such as slopes, deep water etc. Westbrook Lakes near Bolton has seven lakes and 30 luxury lodges. With steep grassed banks of up to 45 degrees surrounding the lakes to maintain, Nathan Coupland, Grounds Manager, purchased a Raymo. “It now takes only one person two weeks to cut all the banks instead of three people taking the same time using strimmers, allowing more time to be spent improving other areas. Plus, all the health and safety risks associated with strimming banks have disappeared”.

For a demonstration of the ISEKI SXG and SF mowers or the Raymo electric mower please contact ISEKI UK & Ireland sales@ iseki.co.uk or telephone 01473 599266

Images courtesy of ISEKI UK & Ireland

ISEKI UK & Ireland offers a comprehensive range of mowers, ride-on collecting, ride-on cut and drop plus remote-control electric mowers

Robust british built trailers

Sustainable Outdoor

Furniture: Elevate Your Outdoor Spaces

Introducing DCW Polymers’ sustainable outdoor furniture, combining design with durability – a game-changer for holiday parks. Say goodbye to time-consuming maintenance and hello to hard-wearing, stylish pieces. Our range of furniture includes picnic benches, park benches and dining sets, all handmade by our joiners from 100% recycled British plastics.

Our experienced team can work with you to give you the most covers for your outdoor

space, and you don’t need to worry about the capital outlay, as we can offer long-term rental options too. Keep the tools down, all of our items are delivered fully assembled.

Marcus

Bailey, Co-Owner of The Cottages at Blackadon Farm shared, "Our guests love the recycled furniture… it has allowed us to become even greener, offering a great product that withstands all seasons and lasts for years."

Contact us today for discounts on bulk orders and let’s elevate your caravan park with sustainable outdoor furniture

www.dcwpolymers.co.uk

sales@dcwpolymers.co.uk

Healthy plants from expert growers bring peace of mind

But failing to understand the business need for well-maintained outdoor spaces, especially in failing to see them through the eyes of your customers, will lead to poor budgetary decisions and missed opportunities. More than ever, sites need to stand out to attract first-time customers as well as to keep the interest of regulars.

To avoid expensive mistakes it is important to have a clear idea of what you want to achieve and how it will benefit your customers before undertaking a planting scheme. Prioritise key areas, plan for ongoing maintenance and don’t take on more than you can handle in one go. Know the conditions on site and select plants accordingly – planting the right plant in the right place will avoid problems later. Where required, mature planting can provide instant impact and maturity to key areas, shelter to exposed areas as well as privacy

and security.

Supplying the holiday park industry with high quality large trees, specimen shrubs, instant hedging and screening plants for over forty five years, Wykeham Mature Plants are experts in supplying instant transformations tailored to the site conditions and to the requirements of your business. The nursery is located in a frost pocket near Scarborough; the Yorkshiregrown stock is guaranteed to be hardy and,

as one of the few nurseries in the country to have achieved Plant Healthy certification, you can rest assured that it is free from imported pests and diseases.

For further information visit www. wykehammatureplants.co.uk. Alternatively, to discuss site visits and planting services (for sites located within a hundred miles or so from the nursery) email m.howe@ wykeham.co.uk .

rising costs squeezing budgets, not to mention uncertainty as customers feel the pinch, It would be easy to put off investing in outdoor amenity and landscaping on site.

Photography by Graeme Taplin Photography

Introducing the OxiAir HD by Heathland Group Limited – the ultimate solution for pristine lakes and thriving aquatic ecosystems

Are you tired of dealing with murky water, foul odours, and persistent algae blooms in your lake? Look no further!

lake aeration system is here

and vitality of your lake. It efficiently introduces oxygen to the water, creating an environment where fish and plant life can flourish.

habitat that is teeming with life.

With the OxiAir HD, you can say goodbye to stagnant, lifeless waters. This state-of-the-art system harnesses the power of advanced aeration technology to enhance the health

Imagine crystal-clear waters that invite you for a refreshing swim or an enjoyable boating experience. The OxiAir HD promotes the natural breakdown of organic matter, eliminating unpleasant smells and preventing the buildup of harmful toxins. Say farewell to unsightly algae blooms that have plagued your lake in the past. Not only does the OxiAir HD work wonders for the aesthetic appeal of your lake, but it also fosters a thriving ecosystem. By enhancing oxygen levels, it supports the growth of beneficial bacteria and healthy aquatic plants. This, in turn, attracts a diverse range of wildlife, providing a

Heathland Group Limited has designed the OxiAir HD with durability and efficiency in mind. Its robust construction ensures long-lasting performance, even in the harshest weather conditions. The system operates quietly and efficiently, leaving you with peace of mind while you enjoy the beauty of your revitalised lake.

Don't settle for a lackluster lake when you can have an aquatic paradise. Let the OxiAir HD by Heathland Group Limited breathe new life into your waterbody. Contact us today to learn more about this groundbreaking lake aeration system and how it can transform your aquatic environment.

Rediscover the joy of a vibrant, healthy lake with the OxiAir HD.

Image courtesy of Heathland

Proludic launches groundbreaking sports brochure built around its ACTI’FUN concept

for community-centric sports and activity solutions. Carefully curated to showcase a wide range of equipment that will exercise all areas of the body, the catalogue presents an extensive selection of accessible and inclusive options based on various sporting disciplines.

Our new outdoor sports equipment catalogue, embracing the new ACTI’FUN ethos, brings together cutting-edge equipment and interactive elements that cater to the diverse needs of athletic users, enthusiasts and beginners alike.

Proludic’s new outdoor sports equipment catalogue contains 94 pages of ideas showing our commitment to excellence

There are three ranges in the ACTI’FUN solution: ACTI’Ninja, ACTI’Street and ACTI’Fit. Central to the design is their appeal to all body types, with mixed ability, intergenerational and inclusive engagement built in. All are supported by the ACTI’FUN digital app to guide you through the activity.

ACTI’Ninja trails are thrilling obstacle courses promoting an active lifestyle for children (aged 6 years), teenagers and adults. They consist of modules (individual sections of children’s outdoor

play equipment) that can be combined to create unique timed trails. A stopwatch is started when the user crosses the start line and stopped when they cross the finish line. The user must use strength, balance, endurance and dexterity to beat the clock and challenge their friends to the daring time trials!

Please email info@proludic.co.uk to request your sport and play brochures.

As pioneers in providing innovative sports and playground equipment solutions, Proludic is proud to introduce our latest offerings that will revolutionise your community’s approach to fitness and fun.

Images courtesy of Proludic

One supplier – better results

with inspiring playground designs from Hand Made Places, from MUGAs to adventure play towers, or challenging trim trails where children and adults can go head-to-head.

design, manufacture and install schemes to enhance usability and create welcoming atmospheres for dining, entertainment, socialising, sports and activities.

At Broxap we offer everything you need to deliver holiday experiences your guests will remember and return for.

Our outdoor gym division

Sunshine Gym takes care of visitor wellbeing through the creation of motivating health and fitness zones which people of all abilities can benefit from. Families are kept entertained

At Broxap we help our partners to maximise value from their holiday park sites by making the most of outdoor spaces. Our wide range of products includes outdoor seating, litter bins and recycling bins, canopies and cycle parking equipment, transforming these areas for the comfort and enjoyment of your guests.

Working together with clients, our experienced teams

With inclusivity at the heart of our product development we aim to open up more opportunities for guests to enjoy the beauty of the outdoors.

Explore the world of Broxap for sustainable, high-quality products which will make a spectacular first impression among all your guests.

Quality equipment for memorable holiday experiences

Image courtesy of Broxap

activity area for holiday park

An investment in the installation of 4500m² of artificial lawn to create a safe, attractive, clean space for families to relax and play come rain or shine, has transformed an area of a holiday park in Kent from a no-go zone to a popular hang-out.

Prior to the installation, the area was actively avoided by many families as it looked scruffy and was peppered by rough, uneven patches due to the contours of the area.

Artificial Lawn Company was given the mission to turn it into an area that could be used all year round.

As well as uneven ground and awkward contours, the area had poor drainage, so it was often overly muddy or extremely dry and hard, creating unsuitable surfaces for children to use the play equipment.

To rectify the problem, the existing natural grass was removed and created a gentler landscape using type 1 stone. The sub base was then prepared using crushed granite, and geotextile, and the grass was finished with kiln-dried sand infill.

"The space was crying out for greater usage, but unfortunately, the state of the ground was off-putting to the hundreds of families who visited the holiday park every year," commented ALC's surveyor and sales professional, Sam Baylis.

"It was an area that needed

to withstand a lot of footfall, as well as comply with health and safety regulations. Choosing artificial lawn as the primary ground covering not only ensured a softer, gentler surface, but it also looked fresh and exciting all year round."

The area included play equipment such as high ropes, sandpits, climbing walls, trampolines and a bag jump. An additional 35mm impactabsorbing Grassflex shock pad underlay was installed to meet the requirements of a 1.5-metre critical fall height. This increased the complexity of the installation as a whole, as the contours were so different, but the result was a seamless finish that added to the overall inviting nature of the area.

The area was then finished with ALC's resilient Active Lawn product, which incorporates W-shaped fibres that provide excellent bounce back and durability.

Artificial Lawn Company also created a dog agility area and an archery area using its Pedigree Lawn, which is specifically manufactured for use with pets and is laid annually at the Crufts show in Birmingham's NEC.

Image courtesy of ALC

It is suitable for a variety of commercial applications – from hotels to offices, pubs to campsites and domestic wastewater from industrial buildings. The Klargester BioDisc® is also fully compliant with European Standards, including EN 12255.

Kingspan Klargester has more than 68 years of experience providing expert advice and support based on our in-depth local knowledge and expertise. Offering comprehensive free site visits, professional installation options and expert aftersales care through our in-house service team and our national network of Kingspan Klargester accredited installers and service partners.

With strict Environment Agency standards, it’s more important than ever to choose a sewage treatment plant that offers peace of mind with reliable and

consistent treatment of wastewater.

To find out more about the cost benefits of choosing the Klargester BioDisc®, or to arrange a free technical site visit contact

our expert advisors today.

T: 01296 633 033 | E: klargester@ kingspan.com | kingspan.co.uk/klargester

Image courtesy of Kingspan Water & Energy Ltd.

Dragon Drilling specialises in the design, installation and maintenance of water boreholes. Using compact, manoeuvrable borehole drilling rigs, we can help you establish a self-sufficient water supply with minimal disruption to you or you property.

If you currently use a large volume of water and face costly meter charges from your mains supplier, a borehole can save you considerable sums of money. It also offers an excellent alternative if you have poor water quality or an unreliable supply. Sustainable in drought conditions and offering a reliable pressure, water boreholes can deliver safe, clean water direct to your property. Ideal for farms, caravan parks, leisure facilities and rural homes, water boreholes enable you to become independent of mains water.

If you have high water or energy bills, why not contact Dragon Drilling today for a free site assessment to see how they can start saving you money!

For more information about our services, please contact us on 01824 707 777 or admin@dragondrilling.co.uk Or

Supporting the sale of a popular North Wales holiday park

Mackenzie Jones Solicitors - based in St Asaph, Chester, and Menai Bridge - legally represented the Livingston family in selling Morfa Lodge Holiday Park in Dinas Dinlle, near Caernarfon.

The 27-acre site was purchased by Colwyn Bay’s Thornley Leisure Parks in a deal brokered by specialist caravan park sales agents, Fox Leisure.

Mackenzie Jones Director, Andrew Foley Jones, said it was a privilege for the business to play its part in securing the sale of one of North Wales’s premier destinations.

“Morfa Lodge is a much-loved site and has been in the Livingston family for generations, so it was a very important transaction,” he said.

“As a legal practice with a growing reputation in the hospitality and holiday sectors we are being called upon more and more to represent some of the leading operators UK-wide, and that was certainly

the case here.

“We wish the new owners the very best of luck, it’s an incredible park in a beautiful part of the country and I’m sure it will go from strength to strength.”

Morfa Lodge is licenced for 188 static caravans and 55 touring caravans and features a high-quality sales and reception building, leisure facilities including two swimming pools, a play area and clubhouse, and potential to expand subject to planning.

Tim Hughes, Managing Director of Fox Leisure, said: “Having established the Chester office of Fox Leisure just over 10 years ago to focus on North Wales and north of England caravan park sales and valuations, the fruits of our labour are

certainly beginning to materialise.

“We are now recognised as one of the leading chartered surveying practices in the country for the sale of premium assets such as Morfa Lodge.

“This was certainly one of the most prestigious parks I have had the privilege of selling and everyone involved in the transaction was a pleasure to deal with.”

Andy Livingston, former co-owner of Morfa Lodge, added: “From start to finish, Andrew and his staff have dealt with the sale in a true professional manner, working long hours to complete within the timescales set. Along with Tim it has been a pleasure to deal with them.”

THREE STAND OUT STARS FOR YOUR HOLIDAY PARK

STAR EV’s Sirius 2+2, Capella Work Machine and Capella 2 HCX see productivity and sustainability combine in a comfortable and stylish ride, all powered by lithium-ion batteries.

The Sirius 2+2

For delivering a five-star guest experience the Sirius 2+2 is a top choice. A multi-functional buggy that delivers quiet and safe transportation in a neat package, the Sirius can be used by staff or hired out to guests.

The buggy can travel up to 25mph and operate at 100 percent power until discharge, showing no decline in performance between charge cycles.

This is not just a vehicle for show though, the Sirius is a keen performer backstage too as its rear seat flips down to double as a cargo area, offering a load capacity of 150kg. It also comes in a lifted model with greater ground clearance, ideal for tougher holiday park terrains.

Capella Work Machine

Known as the workhorse of the STAR EV range, the Capella Work Machine is an allelectric, versatile model that has been built to move people and equipment around grounds and parks. This utility gets the job done and gets it done quietly.

Powered by a 48v 5kW motor fed from a 210Ah high-powered lithium-ion battery, with a 450A AC controller and direct drive, the Work Machine also has a 20 percent climbing ability so it can operate on even the most rolling of holiday parks.

The heavy-duty rear cargo box has an impressive capacity of 670kg, allowing you to transport large quantities of materials and equipment easily and safely, while the electric tipping feature makes off-loading easy. It can also be fitted with an enclosed box for laundry or food movements.

Capella 2HCX

The Capella 2 HCX goes above and beyond to offer greater volume and weight capacity without impacting performance.

A practical two-seater utility vehicle with a cargo box that’s ideal for the transportation of materials and equipment across the site, the Capella 2HCX has an industry leading payload and tow capacity. And like the Sirius, this machine comes in a lifted version that makes it ideal for off-road driving.

With a range of 60-80 miles on a single charge, range anxiety is a thing of the past with these three vehicles. They can be topped up by the on-board Lester charger via any available 13A or 16A socket and the battery status monitored from the operator’s phone for that extra reassurance.

Like the rest of the STAR EV range, being fully electric also means the Capella can work earlier and for longer without the threat of disturbing guests and all while being gentle on the surrounding environment with its light tread and zero emissions.

For further information about how the STAR EV range could benefit your holiday park call distributor Reesink e-Vehicles on 01480 226800 or go online at reesinkevehicles.co.uk

Utility vehicles are the unsung heroes of holiday and caravan parks. They need to be reliable, economical and efficient, and ticking all those boxes and many more, are three stand out stars from the award-winning STAR EV.

The Sirius 2+2 is a multi-functional buggy that delivers quiet and safe transportation in a neat package.

The Capella Work Machine’s heavy-duty rear cargo box has an impressive capacity of 670kg for optimum equipment transportation.

The Capella 2 HCX also comes in a lifted model that makes it ideal for offroad driving.

Images courtesy of Reesink e-Vehicles

Park supremacy

The Capella 48-2 HCX Lifted electric vehicle from STAR. Take charge and give your park a natural lift.

Introducing the Capella 48-2 HCX Lifted, an e-Vehicle with rugged good looks and an off-road capability. With its additional 50mm of ground clearance, big thick-treaded wheels and higher suspension, the Capella 48-2 HCX Lifted is designed to tackle the rougher terrains with ease. Built to deliver up to 70 miles of range on a single charge, you can be sure this vehicle will get you and your cargo around the park safely and efficiently.

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.

Importance of customer insurance values

Gareth Walker, Head of static caravan, lodge and park home insurance specialists Leisuredays, explains the importance of insurance values and customers setting the right sums insured.

Leisuredays’ holiday caravan insurance renewal documents do highlight the need for customers to review their policy to make sure they have adequate cover and offer an annual cover review to all customers - but it can be overlooked by some.

helpline to a dedicated team. The guide includes a handy calculator to add up the value of their structure, its fixtures and fittings, such as decking, as well as their personal possessions. The total value to insure quickly adds up.

With high inflation, the rising cost of construction materials, and increasing holiday caravan prices, it’s more important than ever to make sure customers are checking the value of their units and contents to make sure their sums insured are accurate.

Many Leisuredays park customers are insured “new for old. In the event of an insurance claim, the sum insured therefore needs to accurately reflect the cost to replace a unit with a brand new equivalent. But if values are not sufficient the customer’s insurance payout might not pay for a new replacement unit should their existing one be damaged beyond economic repair.

Similarly, for customers insured on a market value basis, the value of their holiday caravan or lodge might have increased, so it’s equally important they check that the current insured value is enough

to buy a unit of a similar age and specification, should the worst happen.

“It’s absolutely essential that customers are checking their holiday caravan or lodge insurance documents carefully at renewal as values will have likely increased,” said Gareth.

“The rising cost of replacement caravans will affect a customer’s insurance cover and they must not only check the value of their unit is accurate but also consider the replacement value of things like decking, outdoor sheds, storage units and furniture, as well as their contents, as the costs to buy these have also increased in the last year or so too.

“Given the current climate, parks can, and should, point their customers in the direction of their insurance provider so all insured values can be reviewed, to avoid foreseeable harm and upset in the event of a total loss claim.”

Gareth recognised that it can be confusing or difficult for customers to estimate the costs of replacing their holiday caravan and contents but the team of highly trained Advisers in the Leisuredays Contact Centre was on hand sevendays-a-week to help customers get the right cover to meet their needs.

“Parks can help customers with the latest new or current market value of their unit on their park, or its nearest equivalent,” added Gareth. “In some cases, Leisuredays have valuation methods agreed with parks for a better customer journey. Insurance premiums will fluctuate but we try to reassure customers that an increase in sums insured does not always mean an increase in premium. The most important thing is that they’re not underinsured in the event of a claim and that a customer’s insurance settlement is adequate enough to get them a replacement unit on the same park.”

Plus, the specialist insurance provider has a handy renewal guide to help customers review their cover, and a renewal

A holiday caravan customer insured with Leisuredays will also have the automatic benefit of up to £10,000 cover to remove debris, re-site and reconnect a unit if theirs was so badly damaged that it had to be removed from a park and replaced.

To join the 1,000 parks already working with Leisuredays or for more information about their specialist insurance to protect your customers’ holiday caravans contact the Leisuredays Development Team on 01422 396 772, email development@leisuredays. co.uk or visit: www.leisuredays. co.uk/operators

A Leisuredays total loss claim: Sums insured are very important so we can replace with a new unit on new for old cover

Images courtesy of Leisuredays

Are you adequately insured?

With rising costs of materials and labour, knowing how much to insure for is difficult. In this article we examine the trends in the cost of rebuilding and how this might impact your insurance.

Costs are on the Rise

There is a lot of focus at present on the rising costs in construction, and in particular in the leisure industry. Whether it’s replacement Caravans and Lodges, the cost of timber or the cost of labour. The simple fact is that a combination of factors are all adding to the pressure on supply chains:

• Reduced manufacturing capacity due to Covid.

• Shipping difficulties.

• Insufficient HGV drivers.

• Increased demand.

• Brexit.

In their latest report on Building Repair Costs, Sedgwick (one of the leading global Claims providers) forecast that the cost of insurance repairs in relation to buildings will rise 10.5% through the first part of this year. Known as the Insurance Repair Specific Index (IRSI), it monitors the four main cost components typically found in insurance repairs:

Labour, Plan, Materials and Waste disposal.

The impact on Insurance

So, what does this all mean for you and for your insurance?

The most obvious link is the amount you need to insure your buildings and infrastructure for; if the costs of rebuild and replacement are increasing then ultimately your sums insured need to increase too. But by how much?

If costs of rebuild and replacement go up by 10%, is a 10% increase in your sums insured sufficient? Or would 15% be more appropriate for you? A reliable source of information, The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, also measure the cost of construction materials and in late 2022, they recorded a 12.7% increase.

Getting figures accurate

The most robust way to determine sums insured would be to engage a professional surveyor to undertake a review for you and use their report to determine what those values should be.

You may wish to check with your insurer to see if they offer a valuation service.

If you have a policy with Compass, we have an exclusive Valuation Service, which will help to give you peace of mind by providing a range of options for professional valuations of all the buildings on your park.

It offers solutions from remote desktop surveys to on site physical valuations, all designed to give you the insight and information you need to insure your business.

The service includes:

• Choice of desktop review or on site survey(depending on the size of your business and specific needs).

• Full reports with declared value, rebuild and sum insured

estimates.

• Discounted follow up reports at 3 and 5 years.

• Access to quarterly building cost indices and reports.

Prices start at £150 + VAT for a desktop review and £800 + VAT for an onsite survey and are linked to the size of your business and the sums you need to insure for.

To find out more about the service you can speak to your Regional Account Manager, call us on 0344 274 0276 or email us on enquiries@compass. co.uk. You can also visit www. compassparks.co.uk for more information.

If the worst happens, and you suffer a loss to one of the buildings or infrastructure on your Park then the amount you are insured for becomes an important number.

Images courtesy of iStock

We are one of the largest rural broadband specialists in England and Wales and we understand the growing importance of providing great broadband. We are also proud to be affiliated with the British Holiday & Home Parks Association (BH&HPA).

At Voneus, we take pride in delivering an end-to-end solution for park owners at no cost*.

We manage the survey through to

installation and your guests simply setup their personal connection directly with Voneus, paying for their broadband connection to us.

Don’t let no or poor broadband stop you missing out on securing guests by failing to invest properly in this vital utility!

Andrew Peel, Owner, Beamish Holiday Park: “Historically bringing teenagers to caravan parks has been an issue for parents. So much so that they tend to sell their

caravans once their kids reach that age. However, now with Voneus Broadband, kids can run their game consoles from the comfort of their holiday home. This in turn helps lengthen the occupancy of the caravans, which is of a massive benefit to me!”

*For standard installs only. Results from a recent survey, undertaken by Voneus Broadband, of 3,000 UK residents who have stayed in parks in the last five years.

ULTIMATE INTEGRATED ERP SYSTEM FOR HOLIDAY PARKS

One of the key strengths of an integrated ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) system lies in its ability to seamlessly integrate various operational areas within a holiday park. Whether it’s reservation management, housekeeping, maintenance, guest communications, or financials, an integrated ERP system enables smooth coordination across departments. Read the success story of Maxxton Software.

BEFORE:

Traditional system

• PMS: Park Management System

• CRS: Central Reservation System

• CMS: Content Management System

• RMS: Revenue Management System

PARK MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

Maxxton Software is an integrated software solution that serves as the ultimate one-source-of-truth solution for organisations like yours that stands out for its customer-centric approach. By closely collaborating with holiday parks, such as Roompot, Landal UK, Vacansoleil, and Europarcs, Maxxton has gained deep insights into the industry’s challenges, pain points, and evolving trends. This understanding has allowed Maxxton to develop an ERP system tailored specifically to the needs of holiday parks, ensuring optimal functionality and operational efficiency. With Maxxton solutions, you make every part of your business process simple, smart, and connecting.

CENTRALISED RESERVATION SYSTEM

The centralised reservation management is an integrated system that simplifies the booking process for holiday parks. Park operators can efficiently handle reservations, availability, and pricing, ensuring accurate and real-time information.

CONTENT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

The Content Manager enables holiday park owners and managers to efficiently create, organise, publish, and update content across multiple channels. You have the option to link media, descriptions, available channels, rentable conditions, add-ons etc. for editing or adding the content to dashboards.

REVENUE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

The Revenue Manager is an integrated and real-time data-driven solution. The Revenue Manager integrates powerful revenue optimisation tools that enable businesses to set dynamic pricing strategies, maximise occupancy, and increase revenue.

www.maxxton.com

AFTER:

Fully integrated ERP System

Maxxton Software has emerged as a true game-changer in the hospitality industry by changing the traditional system into an integrated, all-in-one software solution. This way Maxxton software keeps on empowering businesses with comprehensive software solutions that optimise operations, enhance guest experiences, and maximise revenue potential. With a strong focus on innovation, customer success, and data-driven insights, Maxxton continues to redefine the possibilities within the industry, shaping the future of hospitality one success story at a time.

The significant growth of the Roompot organisation in recent decades has partially been made possible by Maxxton. We have been working together for many years to set the standard within the Hospitality Industry and to remain at the forefront. As a result, our collaboration and progress with Maxxton is going very well. Responding quickly to changing conditions, adequately implementing newly acquired parks, and always able to translate the latest developments in our industry into software solutions in agreement. The specialised Maxxton software consultants always ensure innovation and renewal.

Jurgen van Cutsem, CEO Roompot

DO

e.foudraine@maxxton.com

RMS: optimised pricing

CMS: excellent customer journey

Save money and energy on pool maintenance

Golden Coast also provides PoolRelax® which automatically regulates pH and disinfectants with chlorine, active oxygen, or bromine. Ideal for pools up to 100m3, the system guarantees safe and accurate water treatment by dosing the required amount of water care agent when needed. Additional features, such as pool lighting or heat pumps, can be controlled from PoolRelax®.

The Bayrol range includes other automatic systems such as Analyt and Compact Controller, which are well suited for measuring chlorine and pH in commercial pools, offering a range of functionalities that can be accessed via an easy-to-use 5-inch display and touchscreen controls.

reduces the need for disinfectants by using Activated Filter Media (AFM), a selfsterilising replacement for filter sand. AFM is made of processed glass and expands its surface area by 300 percent, providing unrivalled filtration of the pool water. The unique three-stage treatment of the AFM media prevents bacterial growth in the media bed and the short, fast backwash reduces water, chemical and energy consumption.

By investing in these innovative water treatment products, parks can save money on energy and maintenance costs while providing a safe and enjoyable swimming experience.

When it comes to automating water treatment, optimising chemical usage and saving energy, Bayrol dosing systems are standout solutions.

Golden Coast offers a range of Bayrol systems, including PoolManager® — a complete pool management system that automatically maintains water quality by continuously measuring, controlling, and dosing pH and disinfectants.

For pools up to 250m3, PoolManager® Pro uses professional measuring methods to gauge the free and active chlorine level in the pool and displays it in in mg/l. The accuracy of the water parameter analysis and product dosage is ensured by high-quality components and constant adaptation and updates to the built-in algorithm. The system also includes alarms that are displayed visually and through an acoustic signal. In case you are not on-site, the alarms can be automatically sent to you via email, allowing for a quick response.

To reduce energy consumption

PoolManager® and PoolManager® Pro use a power-saving function to reduce the power of the circulation pump during night operation. By improving efficiency and reducing the need for additional infrastructure, these systems can help park owners save money in the long run.

In addition, Golden Coast provides a range of water treatment systems designed to improve filtration and reduce energy consumption.

Dryden Aqua's DAISY+® system

To discover how Golden Coast products can optimise your swimming pool maintenance and operation, contact a member of the sales team on 01271 378100, email swimmer@goldenc.com or visit www.goldenc.com.

Swimming pool maintenance can be expensive, both in terms of energy consumption and upkeep costs. Here, wet leisure distributor Golden Coast outlines some of its innovative water treatment products that can help parks save money and improve efficiency.

Images courtesy of Golden Coast

From cold tub to hot tub in just over four hours

Cleaning and changeovers mean you are regularly starting your hot tubs from cold and your guests are expecting them to be ready when they arrive.

Heat pumps from Golden Coast, heat a typical hot tub, from 14 °C to 39 °C in just over 4 hours and then maintain that temperature using minimal energy.

In fact, heat pumps from Golden Coast can reduce energy bills by over 50% and have the potential to payback in just 18 months and they’ll have your hot tubs ready and waiting for your guests.

Why fall prevention should be at the heart of your organisation’s health and safety strategy

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents is urging businesses of all sizes to take falls seriously and to implement a proper falls prevention strategy in their workplace.

Falls are the second leading cause of unintentional injury deaths worldwide and slips, trips and falls are the most common cause of injury at work, costing the NHS £2 billion and over four million bed days every year.

Yet despite the stark figures, RoSPA says there’s still a lot to do when it comes to fall prevention.

Karen McDonnell, OHS Policy Advisor at RoSPA said: “Creating and implementing a falls prevention strategy does not depend on vast sums of money and can be easily achieved by following simple steps. It

can be as straightforward as keeping work areas tidy and ensuring walkways are clear, to clear cable management systems and the installation of handrails alongside stairs.

“Having dedicated health and safety team members who regularly check their areas to identify and remedy slip and trip hazards is key, as well as the mindset of ‘see it, sort it and report it.’ While these steps might seem obvious, they can be the difference between life and death.

“For businesses looking to bolster their workplace safety, we advise seeking professional support and guidance from a

reputable health and safety organisation – not only can it protect your team and clients, it protects your bottom line too.”

A sprained ankle, a broken leg, injury or death – just a few of the things that can happen to your employees or clients if they slip, trip or fall while at work.

Image courtesy of iStock

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

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

The Holiday Park and Resort Innovation Show

November 15-16, 2023

NEC, Birmingham

This is the premier UK event providing inspiration, advice and resources where decision-makers come together to source new products, research the market and network with forward-thinking business owners, landowners and operators.

The show is the ultimate event for any holiday park professional to source the latest products, services, inspiration, and advice they need to take their holiday park to the next level.

Immerse yourself in a world of cutting-edge innovation, with over 500 exhibitors showcasing tailored products and services designed to meet your unique business needs. Elevate the guest experience and optimise your operations with an abundance of inspiration and valuable resources at your fingertips.

https://www.holidayparkshow.co.uk/

Image courtesy of Adobe Stock Images

The ISEKI SF range of powerful 22.5-49hp diesel engine mowers enable you to mow your grass whatever the weather keeping the same pristine finish everytime. With a variety of rotary or Muthing flail decks to choose from, the ISEKI SF range really is the ultimate mowing machine. Available as cut and drop with a useful toolbox on the back, or cut and collect, with a turbine driven collection system direct from the deck to the large hopper, available up to 1300L. Designed and manufactured in Japan for quality that’s built to last.

Contact your local dealer to book a demo on your premises today!

www.iseki.co.uk

Contact your Local Dealer to book a demonstration on your site today!