Caravan Industry & Park Operator - Issue 46

& Park Operator

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NEWSLINE

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

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PARKDEAN RESORTS INTRODUCES MAKATON TO HELP NON-VERBAL CHILDREN ENJOY ENTERTAINMENT

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RESEARCH REVEALS WHAT IS MAKING PARK HOME SECTOR APPEALING

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EV ADOPTION: ENSURE YOUR BUSINESS DOESN'T GET LEFT BEHIND - WHY NOW IS THE TIME TO TRANSITION

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A letter from the editor:

Hello all - how was your summer?

The answer will probably vary depending on where you’re based. From my own experience and what I gleaned from the occasional weather forecast I watched, there was a bit of a shortage of that valuable commodity of sunshine in most places.

As ever, the North suffered more than the South, and constant rain through late July/ early August didn’t help lift the mood much. However, I’m sure holidaymakers soldiered on and you had thousands of happy guests enjoying a break with their families and friends.

The autumnal weather many experienced was likely caused by climate change, something most of us are taking seriously as a genuine threat. The extreme heat in the Med this summer is just another reminder of how bad things could get.

I mention this as this edition of Caravan Industry & Park Operator has numerous examples of caravan manufacturers and holiday parks doing their bit to try and get us toward our Net Zero goals.

Two of the industry’s bigger firms, Victory Leisure and Willerby, have both launched new ecofriendly models to coincide with trade show season. Both have some seriously impressive features and I’m sure will be huge successes.

Meanwhile, Tregoad Holiday Park in Looe, Cornwall, has claimed it has spent more than two million pounds on environmentally beneficial initiatives. Going green is certainly not cheap but hopefully it will pay off in the long run!

So kudos to all those involved in the above projects and anyone else in the caravan or holiday business who is trying to improve their eco-credentials.

I’ll finish with a little tip for you. If anyone ever asks you what you’ve done to go green and you can’t think of anything tangible, here’s one thing you can definitely claim.

Just tell them to consider all the highly polluting air-miles you have helped to save by providing brilliant holidays on these shores. Bravo and long may it continue!

Our monthly digest of the top news stories from the industry

Daring drop-in at Devon park celebrating 80 years of happy holidays

Eighty years of providing seaside holidays on the Devon coast were marked this summer by the family owners of Ladram Bay Holiday Park in Budleigh Salterton

The celebrations climaxed in a special birthday event which saw holiday guests join the park team and members of the local community in a weekend of festivities.

And also dropping in on the fun were members of the Red Arrows parachute display team who made a spectacular appearance after a daring skydive from over 3000-feet above the park.

Ladram Bay is possibly the oldest holiday park in Britain to have remained under the same family's ownership for such a length of time.

It was in 1943 that farmer Bill Carter and his wife Margaret decided to allow Scouts to pitch up on their front field amid some of

Its high quality standards have won a top five-star grade for excellence from Visit England, and past accolades in the Devon Tourism Awards and South West Tourism Awards.

Ladram Bay is today owned and run by three of Frank and Margaret's children, Zoe House, Robin Carter, and Rowan Carter –and 2023 is proving a very special year for them:

"Our parents were always keen that Ladram Bay should be remembered by guests not just for its wonderful setting, but also its friendly and welcoming character," said Zoe.

"With the help of our superb park team, I believe we are continuing to

achieve that aim – and many of our guest reviews mention how incredibly well they felt looked after here.

"What's really satisfying for us is being able to welcome back second and third generations of the same families who started staying with as youngsters many years ago.

"Now they want the same experience for their children, and it's amazing to know that we are creating happy experiences that span literally decades," said Zoe.

Attractions at the park include an indoor climbing wall, indoor swimming pool and outdoor splash zone, watersports equipment hire, and adventure golf course.

Family entertainment including professional cabarets run throughout summer, and there are also bar, restaurant and take-away facilities providing freshly prepared food.

Ladram Bay offers holiday caravans and lodges to hire and to own, glamping accommodation, and pitches for touring guests – and everyone has use of the park’s stunning private beach.

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

Devon's loveliest countryside.

The picture-postcard views of the bay and the farm's private beach soon won the site an enthusiastic following which quickly grew in numbers as news spread.

Eight decades on, Ladram Bay now welcomes customers from across the world, and provides one of the West Country's best equipped parks for family holidays.

Reginox: The Best Just Got Better

Reginox UK – the leading sinks, taps and accessories manufacturer,

Renowned in the industry for its high-quality, Reginox’s ceramic sinks are made from premium material and guarantee the highest standard finish for each product.

The newly relaunched RL301CW Mk2 and RL304 CW Mk2 are beautiful sinks that combine a stunning high gloss appearance of vitreous china with contemporary design and are available in different bowl configurations such as 1.5 or single bowl with drainer.

The legendary ceramic range now offers a new design contemporary drainer, more modern overflow design all adding even more appeal

to this already stunning sink collection. The new ceramics will now carry the recognized and renowned Reginox brand logo on all models.

The relaunch of these ever popular sinks demonstrates Reginox UK’s commitment to offering the highest quality products as part the trusted Reginox brand for competitive prices.

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

VisitEngland data reveals Staycation boom goes on

Caravan and holiday parks benefit from record numbers holidaying at home

Arecord 9.7 million Brits had planned a holiday at home during the recent August Bank Holiday, bringing a £2.7 billion economic boost, VisitEngland has said.

VisitEngland’s August Bank Holiday Trip Tracker figures show a huge increase of 4.4 million on last year’s results when 5.3 million Brits planned to take an overnight holiday trip during the August Bank Holiday weekend.

In 2019 the figure was 8.6 million, in 2018 7.3 million and in 2017 6.9 million.

The survey also showed that

a further 4.3 million people were undecided about whether to take an overnight holiday trip in the UK during the Bank Holiday weekend.

The top reasons are ‘waiting to see what the weather is like’, ‘waiting to see if I can afford it’ and ‘waiting for deals / special offers’.

For those not planning an overnight holiday trip in the UK during the Bank Holiday weekend, the top reason is ‘I cannot afford it.’

Visit England said the findings reflected the latest monthly wave of its wider

domestic consumer sentiment towards travel, published on 21st August, which showed that the top perceived barriers to

taking overnight UK trips in the next six months were the ‘rising cost of living’ followed by ‘UK weather’ and ‘personal finances’.

is excited to be relaunching its legendary ceramic sink range – promising that the best just got even better!

Image courtesy of Reginox UK

Image courtesy of iStock

Victory unveils new eco home range that could slash £1,000 from energy bills

Swathes of integrated tech mean homes are one step closer to off-grid status

Victory Leisure Homes has unveiled its first concept for a new range of holiday homes – Evolution by Victory.

Victory says the range will provide industry-transforming carbon savings through its innovative, industry-leading Next Generation Novus construction method which has enabled the latest eco-smart tech solutions to perform at optimum efficiency.

Ten solar panels are built into the roof, which generate enough power to save over £1,000 a year on energy bills per unit, while an integrated wastewater heat recovery system saves so much water that one in every three showers could be free – and this just scratches the surface.

Features also include:

Hybrid glazing meaning thermal insulation is over 34 per cent more efficient than current lodge standards require

A shower water saving device saves £465 in running costs, 68,000 litres of water and 2,220kW hours of energy per year

A 54 per cent more efficient composite floor

A 100 per cent efficient electric boiler meaning the elimination of gas bottles

The tongue and groove, moistureresistant wall system enables improved heat retention and the hollow ceiling plank sections increase thermal performance

In-wall ‘I’ beam uprights enable 57 per cent higher thermal efficiency and 30 per cent improvement in acoustic properties

85 per cent of all soft furnishings and fabrics made from recyclable materials

Victory claims the new tech could slash 50 per cent from parks’ running costs while also eradicating the need to upgrade

infrastructure.

Steve Bulliment, research and innovation director at Victory said: “By combining our Next Generation Novus construction

technique, recycled materials and worldleading smart technology, we’ve created a truly one-of-a-kind eco innovation that's virtually off-grid. This really is the future of the staycation.”

James Doyle, CEO of Victory continued: “I’ve lost count of the amount of holiday park owners I have spoken to over the last few years who have been desperate to enhance sustainability from a perspective of both social responsibility and to give customers what they want.

“This has been an expensive process with previous technology, meaning the new sites must still be hooked up to existing infrastructure.

“However, the solution is here. I am so proud of our research and innovation team for the countless hours of hard work they have put into Evolution by Victory and can’t wait to see it make its mark on the holiday industry.”

Images courtesy of Victory Leisure Homes

New appointment for Pinelog set to drive sales in independent holiday park sector

Judy Barwell has joined Chesterfield-based Pinelog Limited, one of the UK’s leading designers and manufacturers of luxury timber lodges and buildings, as Sales Account Manager

She joins from Adlington, a developer of award-winning retirement developments. Within her new role Judy will work alongside Associate Director Paula Skelton in driving forward the company’s ambitions to increase its share of lodge supply to the holiday park sector.

She commented: “I am really excited to be working with such a high quality product that uses natural materials. The sustainability credentials of Pinelog are very important to me both personally and professionally.”

Judy, who lives in Dronfield, brings experience in property sales as well as having a design background. She previously worked in a range of design, development and supply chain roles in the clothing industry, as well as lecturing in design for a number of years.

She explained: “The role at Pinelog combines my technical, design and sales experience. As well as understanding the production process, I am able to guide purchasers through the entire process from initial enquiry to the design and delivery of a lodge.”

Her appointment follows the company’s relocation to a new, larger site in Chesterfield, Derbyshire, earlier this year. Prior to its relocation the company had been based in Bakewell since being founded in 1974.

The new, larger site at Sheepbridge has enabled the company to bring its entire production process under one roof,

increasing both jobs and production of its class-leading lodges.

As well as the production of complete holiday lodges, components for the construction of timber Glulam framed commercial buildings designed and built

by Pinelog are also manufactured at the site.

Welcoming Judy to Pinelog, Nick Grayson, Chairman of Pinelog Group, said: “Judy’s appointment and our move to the new facility marks a new chapter in Pinelog’s story; one which has seen us modernise, invest in new technology and further improve the business to help holiday park operators capitalise on the ongoing demand for staycations.”

Pinelog is recognised as a pioneer in the holiday park sector. Its timber lodges can now be found on a number of awardwinning holiday parks including Kelling Heath Holiday Park in Norfolk, Darwin Forest in the Peak District National Park and Mercia Marina in Derby.

Images courtesy of Pinelog

Judy Barwell, Sales Account Manager

New plaque honours Lake District holiday park where Britain's first seaplane took flight

The National Transport Trust has awarded a prestigious ‘Red Wheel’ to a Lake District holiday park, recognising it as one of the UK’s most significant sites in the history of transport

The new Red Wheel plaque at Hill of Oaks Caravan and Lodge Park on the shore of Windermere celebrates the spot where the famous ‘Waterbird’ hydro-plane became the first plane in the former British Empire to successfully take off and land on water in 1911.

Waterbird was the brainchild of Captain Edward Wakefield who owned Hill of Oaks at the time. He then set up the Lakes Flying Company there to give the public the experience of flying from water, and it later became a Royal Naval Air Station.

The base was disbanded in 1917, but the officers’ mess and other buildings remained on the site until it became a caravan park in the 1950s.

The new Red Wheel plaque is located near the park's luxury lakeside apartments. It was unveiled by the Lord-Lieutenant of Cumbria, Claire Hensman, at a special ceremony attended by representatives of Lake District Estates, the National Transport Trust and the Lakes Flying Company.

Hill of Oaks is still owned by the Wakefield family today, and its current

chairman Peter Hensman said: "We are thrilled that the National Transport Trust has decided to award a Red Wheel to Hill of Oaks.

"This records for posterity the important part Hill of Oaks played in early aviation and in particular the development of Waterbird in 1911.

"It also serves to remind us of the innovation of those early pioneers, such as Edward Wakefield whose concept it was and Herbert Stanley Adams who, as the pilot, took it first into the air."

Stuart Wilkinson, chairman of the National Transport Trust said: “We are delighted that this latest Red Wheel has joined our growing fleet of Red Wheels around the country. The Hill of Oaks Red Wheel marks a significant development in the early history of aviation.

"The aim of our Red Wheels is to highlight some of the lesser- known areas of the UK’s transport history and this splendid site reflects those early days in aviation a mere eight years after the Wright Brothers first flew."

The unveiling came just weeks after a replica of Waterbird flew over Windermere in honour of the original flight 112 years ago.

There are currently just over 150 Red Wheels nationwide, commemorating Britain's rich and globally important legacy in the development of transport.

Willerby say all-electric home is ‘big leap forward’ for sector’s green targets

New designs mean no more LPG is required

Holiday homes designer and manufacturer Willerby has announced it has developed a pioneering allelectric specification enabling its models to be powered solely by electricity on the majority of UK holiday parks.

East Yorkshire based Willerby says its All-E model homes are a UK first and will lead the industry’s green transition from liquid petroleum gas (LPG) to electric energy.

The All-E has also been designed to monitor and optimise electricity usage at all times, to avoid exceeding the typical 32A supply limit that most pitches are capped to.

For example, the central heating can draw less power when the oven or hob are in use and then kick back in immediately afterwards.

Launching the All-E range at the Great Holiday Home Show, Willerby CEO Peter Munk said: “We’re very excited to announce this major breakthrough, which will enable the holiday parks industry to take a big leap forward.

“Our Willerby All-E specification is the natural next step on our sustainability journey, following the introduction of the Willerby GreEN Standard last year.

“We know holiday home owners share our passion for protecting the planet and recognise that holiday parks already offer one of the most sustainable forms of tourism. Now, this ground-breaking innovation will make holidays and short breaks in Willerby models even greener.

“Equally, holiday park operators are committed to sustainability and the Willerby All-E specification will enable them to push ahead in moving from gas to electric energy supply and embrace more ways to generate green electricity on their sites.

“We’re inviting visitors to the Great Holiday Home Show to come to the Willerby Village to learn more about Willerby All-E and the sustainability benefits it offers to holiday home owners and holiday park operators.”

The system is made possible by three major innovations:

Willerby holiday homes are built to the

Willerby GreEN Standard, which reduces energy consumption by up to 28%.

With the help of a patented thermal battery, it has been possible to separate central heating and hot water, thereby replacing the traditional combi boiler – a breakthrough in the development of Willerby All-E.

The whole system is constantly monitored and managed by the latest technology and software to ensure optimum electricity usage with minimum wastage.

It all means the user experience in Willerby All-E models is identical to a traditionally-powered holiday home, while being better for the environment.

One of the first Willerby All-E models will be made available to Willerby employees to enjoy a great sustainable holiday while providing feedback to the company’s product development team.

News of the Willerby All-E specification

comes hot on the heels of Willerby becoming the first manufacturer in the holiday homes industry to publish a Sustainability Report.

The report details the extensive measures the business has taken, such as the introduction of its pioneering GreEN Standard that increased the energy efficiency of the manufacturing process and the efficiency of the homes themselves.

Willerby has committed to publishing the Sustainability Report annually, so that customers, employees and stakeholders can see the full range of initiatives it is driving forward to reduce the environmental impact of the business.

All Willerby’s holiday homes are now designed and built to the Willerby GreEN Standard, with Willerby All-E available as an option, underlining the company’s position at the forefront of the holiday homes manufacturing sector for sustainability.

Images courtesy of Willerby

Parkdean Resorts Introduces Makaton To Help Non-Verbal Children Enjoy Entertainment

Staff have been learning sign language to help them engage with all youngsters

Parkdean Resorts, the UK’s leading holiday park operator, has begun to incorporate Makaton into its Entertainment Programme delivery, allowing the teams on park to communicate with non-verbal children.

A communication tool using signs and symbols, Makaton can either be used to support speech or as a main form of communication, and is used by both children and adults with disabilities or learning difficulties.

Parkdean Resorts introduced basic Makaton training at its Trouper Academy for team members earlier this year to cater for the increasing number of non-verbal children holidaying at its 66 parks across the UK.

Training sessions were led by qualified Makaton teacher Steve Moloney, known as ‘Sign With Steve’ through his popular social media channels, and covered the basics of Makaton, including the alphabet, greetings, Parkdean Resorts character names, and typical conversations that take place on holiday parks.

Steve has also created a recap video and cheat sheet for the Troupers to refer to, to

help enhance their training.

Regular visiting band, Crowdeoke, which tours Parkdean Resorts’ parks, has also worked with Steve to make their performances more accessible.

Steve has recorded himself signing to all of the band’s songs, and the videos are shown on screens throughout the show to allow those with communication difficulties to enjoy the performance.

Liam Beck, National Entertainment Lead at Parkdean Resorts, said: “Ensuring all our guests have their needs met is essential to

us, and we want to make sure all children feel included when they’re enjoying our entertainment programme.

“We’ve already had fantastic feedback since the Troupers have started using their new skills on our parks, and parents and guardians of children with additional needs are thrilled we’ve taken our teams through this training.

“We’re planning to continue working with Steve to train new Troupers, and also look to incorporate Makaton into the content of our activities.

“This is just the start of our mission to make our entertainment inclusive for all, and we’re delighted with the feedback we’ve received so far.”

Steve said: “I’m passionate about spreading the message of what a powerful communication tool Makaton is, so it’s been fantastic to work with Parkdean Resorts’ Entertainment Troupers on their training.

“Makaton is a really effective way to communicate for both children and adults, and it’s brilliant to see Parkdean Resorts embracing this to ensure everyone is included.”

Parkdean Resorts owns 66 awardwinning holiday parks across the UK, and recently published its first ever ESG report detailing its pledges to care for its parks, people and planet, with plans covering renewable energy, reducing carbon emissions, and maintaining the natural beauty of 3,500 acres of land across its parks throughout the UK.

Images courtesy of Parkdean Resorts

Devon park glitters in gold during summer of success in top tourism awards

Two top accolades were served up this summer to Beverley Holidays in Paignton, Devon, after the holiday park group twice gained gold in two prestigious award schemes

The family-run business says the honours are the icing on the cake during a landmark year in which Beverley is celebrating its 65th anniversary.

The most recent of its victories came in the 2023 Torbay Weekly Inspiring Business Awards when Beverley took the prestigious gold Tourism Business of the Year award.

Beverley was named winner by judges in front of a 300-strong audience of VIP guests at the glittering gala awards ceremony at Torquay's Riviera International Conference Centre.

It's the second year that the park has claimed the top title in the competition which highlights the region's most successful and enterprising businesses.

The award came hot in the heels of news that Beverley Holidays had been awarded the coveted AA Gold Pennant, the most prestigious award given out by the AA to its highest rated parks.

In order to qualify for the award, Beverley was subjected to a rigorous inspection

regime which scrutinised almost every aspect of its facilities and services.

The park achieved an overall excellence score of 90%, and in the opinion of the inspection team can truly be described as a caravan and camping park right at the top of its game.

Director of Beverley Holidays, Nicola Furneaux, said: "We couldn’t be more thrilled to be adding not just one but two new accolades to our awards total.

"These are both very well deserved plaudits for our hard-working team who pride themselves on going above and beyond the expectations of our guests.

“The awards are particularly well timed as this year we celebrate 65 years of Beverley Holidays welcoming holidaymakers to our family-run parks on the English Riviera.

"It's fantastic to think that more than six decades on we are still considered the best in the business!"

Beverley credits its award successes both to its "brilliant and hardworking" team,

and to a series of exciting new investments designed to inject some added style to guests’ staycations.

They include a brand-new holiday home development which launched in Easter this year, boasting super-luxury holiday homes complete with EV charging points.

For those who prefer sleeping beneath the stars, Beverley Holidays’ touring and camping guests can also expect a sprinkling of glamour thanks to a new spainspired facility building which opened in April.

Set in the heart of the English Riviera, Beverley Holidays comprises a group of holiday parks offering boutique holiday caravans, luxury lodges, touring pitches, and a wealth of guest facilities.

There is more information about the parks, including details of 2023 stays and holiday home ownership opportunities, at www.beverley-holidays.co.uk

Cumbria holiday parks with the Rex factor romp into finals of dog friendly awards

A Cumbria holiday parks group which puts pooches on a pedestal has been nominated for four top honours in the Dog Friendly Awards 2023

Lake District Estates, say the award organisers, has earned its place in the finals bey demonstrating that it operates some of the most Fido-friendly parks in Britain.

Their facilities include a complimentary doggy gift pack on arrival, a supplied dog bed, wooden dog door gates, and guides to nearby dog-friendly walking trails and places to visit.

Now the parks group must wait until the end of November this year to see if their parks have triumphed in the awards which are decided by a public vote.

The glittering awards ceremony will take place at the Kennel Club headquarters in London.

Hoping to romp home in the awards is Woodclose Park in Kirkby Lonsdale with

its dog-welcoming glamping facilities and a dedicated "dog park" for lead-free exercising.

Also in the running is Hill of Oaks Caravan and Lodge Park on the shores of Windermere which provides a range of luxury properties accepting four-legged friends.

Further north in Cumbria and also with picture-perfect lake views is Waterfoot Park on Ullswater near Pooley Bridge which also promises to get tails wagging.

Finally, Tewitfield Marina near Carnforth aims to take the lead with its selection of self-catering apartments and stone-built cottages, all boasting the Rex Factor..

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 more about the Dog Friendly Awards can be found at www.dogfriendly.co.uk/awards

Holiday park at historic site begins arboretum revamp project

Burton Constable Holiday Park owners resume tree restoration and conservation project at cultural heritage site

The Constable family is planning and funding the rejuvenation of the Arboretum at Burton Constable Holiday Park.

The East Yorkshire park is based beside the 700-year-old Burton Constable Hall and guests are welcome to enjoy the grounds.

The Constable family are returning to a project begun in 2006 by the late John Constable (Mr C) as part of their commitment to their natural and cultural heritage which includes a programme of tree-planting in ancient woodlands and a project to improve the health of the 250-year-old lakes on the Park.

The rejuvenation began with planting 100 oak trees in May this year, utilising industry-leading biodegradable tree guards made by Hull-based Rainbow Professional to minimise the ecological impact of the planting.

“Mr C” planted the Arboretum over 2-3 years from 2006 using the formal gardens of Versailles to inspire its design.

The arboretum is designed to reflect the rooms and avenues of the hall.

Mr C’s daughter, Rodrica, and grandson Jack, represent the 33rd generation of Constables to be custodians of the estate.

Jack said: “Forestry is a dialogue with the past and the future. Mature trees are here thanks to our ancestors, and we plant trees for the benefit of our descendants.

“Mr C planted an arboretum a few years before he died – this was not for him but a gift for future generations. We are links in the chain, doing our part so this area can continue to flourish for the next thousand years.”

The multi-year rejuvenation of the 30acre arboretum will continue the Holiday Park’s environmental mission, which has led the park to win the David Bellamy Gold Conservation Award.

As well as completing Mr C’s design by planting the last of the “rooms” in the 2006 plan, efforts will be made to include specimens (either with the same species or suitable replacements) lost over the years due to natural wastage.

The rejuvenated park will provide exciting educational opportunities for local residents, schools, Holiday Park customers and arborists interested in some specimens unique to East Yorkshire.

The Park will organise pathways and signage to encourage learning about tree identification.

Along with the restored arboretum is a new interactive digital map, which provides a wealth of information about the different species of trees and how they relate to the Constable family’s heritage.

Local families are invited to walk around and see the restoration first-hand.

More information about the project can be found on the Burton Constable Holiday Park’s website

Staycation Desire Fuelling Demand For Shepherd Huts

A continuing commitment by holiday-makers to stay in the UK is fuelling demand for shepherd hut accommodation in the glamping and ‘outdoor’ holiday market

Image courtesy of Greendown Shepherd Huts

Late last year the well known brand Go Outdoor conducted research which showed that 41 per cent of those it surveyed, had no plans to change their holidays in any way even though there was a cost of living crisis.

H

arry Long, founder of luxury shepherd hut brand Greendown Shepherd Huts said: “The popularity of our high quality shepherd huts has grown since the pandemic and, to date, shows no sign of slowing down. There has been an increased interest in glamping, being closer to nature yet being able to cater for yourself – or in some cases being able to stay in a luxurious hut in the grounds of a hotel where you can

Another survey by RMS around ‘trends’ supported these findings in that while 98 per cent of consumers it surveyed were concerned about the current cost of living crisis – holidays were one of the last things people wanted to cut back on. They were willing to spend ‘smartly’ in the UK yet were not willing to go without a holiday.

Greendown Shepherd Hut makes shepherd huts mainly for the business-to-

ELLWEE TELEPHONE: 0161 654 6981

still access the main leisure and restaurant facilities. We are delighted to be able to build our products and continue to create new jobs as part of the process.”business market such as boutique hotels, holiday lets, glamping sites, farmers looking to diversify or other tourism enterprises. As each hut is handmade, prices start from £58,012 per hut, but there is also a leasing option for established operators, with monthly payments starting at £800 per month (subject to T&Cs – full illustration upon request). On average, shepherds’ hut accommodation can rent out from £200 plus per night.

Greendown Shepherd Huts has already supplied huts to many commercial operators throughout the UK including to Heathy Lea on the Chatsworth Estate in Derbyshire and Forbes of Kingennie in Dundee.

For more information visit https://www. greendownshepherdhuts.co.uk

INNOVATION, QUALITY & DESIGN

X Model EASY-Model

Ellwee was created to become a key player in the green economy that is rapidly expanding across the globe. The company has developed the next-generation electric vehicle, focusing on ease of movement for the Leisure market - and confined areas/communities.

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

Trade

suppliers to

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caravan, lodge & holiday home Industry

Supporting UK holiday sites by stocking the largest range of static caravan accessories, appliances, furniture and more...

Kidde Safety Europe Launches

New Versatile CO2 Monitor

Leading manufacturer of safety alarms and equipment, Kidde Safety Europe has launched a new carbon dioxide (CO2) monitor to help people to understand and improve indoor air quality in homes, workplaces, schools and hospitality venues.

The mains powered non-dispersive infrared (NDIR) monitor complies with the Scottish Building Standards requirements for the mandatory CO2 monitors that must be installed in all homes.

The monitor has been designed to provide clear warnings and indications in several different forms.

As many people will not be familiar with the acceptable parts per million (PPM) for CO2, the Kidde CO2 monitor provides a ‘traffic light’ LED notification to allow easy identification of the current CO2 levels, even from a distance.

Green represents 400 to 999 ppm –which signals good indoor air quality,

Orange denotes readings of 1000 to 1499 ppm – indicating deteriorating indoor air conditions associated with poor air quality complaints, and Red displays for readings above 1500 ppm – the level associated with headaches, drowsiness and loss of concentration and where it is necessary to ventilate indoor space as a result.

At this level, the monitor’s easily audible built-in alarm clearly alerts occupants to high CO2 levels. For clarity and convenience there is also an optional voice alert, which is available in six selectable languages.

The Kidde CO2 Monitor has been designed for easy set up and installation. It works straight out of the box with a built-in automatic 24 hour CO2 sensor calibration.

The monitor is mains powered with a 12hour rechargeable battery back-up and can be free-standing or wall mounted.

To find out more about Kidde’s range, please visit: www.kidde.com/fire-safety/ en/uk/

Image courtesy of Kidde Safety Europe

SALTEX PROVIDES THAT ALL IMPORTANT GROUNDSCARE ADVICE

Well one way is to attend SALTEX, Europe's largest free, sports turf, amenities, and landscaping trade exhibition. The event delivers an unmissable mix of learning and networking opportunities, education, and exhibition, all in one place over two days.

Visitors can view the latest advances in equipment, hear about product developments in soft and hard landscaping and receive technical advice, all invaluable elements if success in keeping grounds in great condition is to be achieved.

Now in its 77th year SALTEX 2023 will provide the visitor the chance to view over 400 brands in three halls, across two days – 01 and 02 November – at one central location – Birmingham NEC.

Alongside the exhibitors is an allencompassing Learning LIVE education programme that provides advice, insight and real solutions to the biggest issues that the grounds management industry faces. This year, SALTEX will host a series of

over 30 sessions enabling visitors to hear directly from industry leaders, technical specialists, and experts from across the industry. Some of the first speakers to be signed up include: Dr Kate Entwistle and Dr Deborah Cox who will run an interactive turf disease clinic; with Alex Vickers, Dr Richard Earl and Dr James Welsh running an interactive soil science clinic. Leatherjacket and Chafer Grub control will be tackled by Sean Loakes (Syngenta) and Dr Minshad Ansari (Bionema).

Tackling a key issue for a growing number of groundscare professionals of ‘Working in a Chemical-free world’ will be Dr Christian Spring and Neil Rodgers from the STRI.

Last year’s show brought together over 8,300 visitors from 50 plus countries with the biggest names in the groundscare industry voicing their enthusiasm for SALTEX. Asked why they attended 73 percent of visitors said it was their interest in the industry, 70 percent to source new

products, services and suppliers and 46 percent stating that is provides a great opportunity to meet industry colleagues and make new connections – building networks, knowledge and learning about new innovations.

The show is organised by the Grounds Management Association – the leading not-for-profit membership organisation representing grounds managers, grounds personnel, grounds maintenance managers, greenkeepers and all others involved in the management of sports turf, pitches, landscape, and amenity facilities in the UK.

SALTEX takes place at Birmingham NEC on 1-2 November 2023. To secure a free ticket to Europe’s largest and leading sports turf, amenities, and landscaping trade exhibition, register online at https://www. saltex.org.uk/

Pristine grounds can elevate a venue, and ensure visitors get the positive vibe that is so important to maintain a successful business. So how do you ensure that your groundscare programme is the best?

EUROPE’S LARGEST FREE TURF MANAGEMENT SHOW

New Cramer zero turn battery powered mower, with fastest mowing speed available, launching at SALTEX

At this year’s Saltex (1st – 2nd November 2023 at the NEC, Birmingham), on stand H090, Cramer will be launching two new Optimus Z zero turn battery powered mowers specifically designed for professionals who demand the ultimate in performance and durability

The ride on model boasts a mowing speed of 25.6KM/H - the fastest in the market - and a battery that allows for a full day’s operation, whereas the stand on model has been

designed for use in narrow, awkward spaces.

Both Optimus Z zero turn mowers have been designed for durability and longevity, and come with a host of invaluable

features.

The ride on model has individual rear wheel hub motors which integrate transmission for fast drive as well as park brake. It benefits from a large 18 or 24 kWh battery with a run time up to 8.5 hours per charge. Features include a water resistant storage unit to cope with our changeable weather together with cup holder and mobile phone charger. A new high level LED bar in white and amber, with flash function, make for high visibility and therefore improved safety.

The Optimus Z stand on zero turn mower measures just 92cm in width to enable it to be driven through smaller gates and around tighter obstacles. It comes with a premium leg pad for driver comfort.

In addition to the two new mowers, Cramer will be exhibiting a selection of its existing cordless professional outdoor power equipment tools, all of which are powered by an 82V battery system, and benefit from innovative features such as Magnesium components, fleet connectivity, and ultra-high torque motors to rival petrol performance.

Cramer products on show at SALTEX will include handheld equipment such as chainsaws, blowers, hedge trimmers, grass

trimmers, brush cutters, multitools, and power cutters. Walk behind products will also be featured, such as utility carts and lawnmowers up to 61cm (twin blade).

Cramer battery powered products have become an increasingly popular alternative to petrol-powered products for ground care and maintenance of large parks and recreational areas in recent years. Cramer’s 82V battery system delivers the power required from commercial equipment without the negative effects that come with petrol-powered tools. They generate less heat and are significantly quieter than traditional petrol machinery, as well as safer as the risk of fuel spillage is eliminated. Ownership and running costs of tools are significantly lowered as the 82V battery system is interchangeable with other 82V products in the Cramer range and maintenance is low. What’s more, with no direct carbon emissions, they are the more environmentally friendly option for Local Authorities.

For more information, visit Cramer at SALTEX Stand H090, or go to https://cramertools. com/. You can also email on Sales@handys.co.uk or call 01793 333220.

Image courtesy of Cramer

Elevating the Future of Holiday Parks and Resorts

Join the UK's premier event for holiday park and resort professionals at the NEC Birmingham this November 15th and 16th.

Whether you're a seasoned industry player, or exploring the idea of starting your own business, the Holiday Park and Resort Innovation Show is the place to be.

Register for your free ticket at holidayparkshow.co.uk.

Building on the success of previous years, the 2023 event promises to be the best yet, with visitors getting the opportunity to explore a large exhibition space that showcases an extensive range of products and services essential for building successful holiday businesses, as well as getting valuable updates and inspiration from the show’s insightful speaker programme.

The event will once again run concurrently with three other shows – Farm Business Innovation, Family Attraction Expo, and Leisure Food & Beverage Expo. Together, the four shows form the largest event for businesses in the fields of land, leisure, and tourism.

Exhibitor showcase

Immerse yourself in a world of cuttingedge innovation, with more than 400 exhibitors across the four shows showcasing tailored products and services designed to meet your unique business needs. With confirmed exhibitors including

Hoseasons, TouchWood Play, the British Holiday & Home Parks Association, Tiny House Pro, Creative Play, Cubicle Works, Clear Sky Safari Tents, Victory Leisure Homes, Volta Compliance and Go Low Carbon, every aspect of providing a firstclass holiday experience will be covered – from planning consultancy and booking management software, to safari tents, outdoor play equipment and washroom solutions.

Seminar highlights

The extensive seminar schedule across both show days features experts sharing top tips and advice for start-ups and existing businesses. Across both the Keynote Theatre programme – sponsored by Cottages.com and Hoseasons – and the Seminar Theatre - sponsored by Maxxton – you can hear from dozens of industry experts across 140 sessions.

Speakers this year include Luke Hansford from Cottages.com, who will share valuable insight on how to maximise your income through holiday letting.

“We’ll share the latest industry trends and present real-life casestudies from landowners who we've helped make a profit from diversifying

into holiday letting,” says Luke. “Whether you have years of experience or are just considering taking the plunge into holiday letting, our market insight can be valuable for everyone.”

Other speakers include Gillian Hare and Brodie Farrow of Pitchup.com, who will reflect on post-pandemic trends, Dawn Bee from Netguides, who will discuss the benefits of booking system data analysis, Andreas Kuesters of Wibit Sports and Tom Foster of Stemy Energy.

Why visit Holiday Park & Resort Innovation?

Verity Hyland, Events Director for Agriconnect, explains why Holiday Park & Resort Innovation is the must-attend industry event.

"As the UK tourism industry continues to thrive, many business owners are looking to invest in their businesses with new innovations and diversification options," says Verity. “Holiday Park & Resort Innovation provides a unique platform to learn from a diverse range of

experts, connect with like-minded rural entrepreneurs, and acquire actionable takeaways to enhance the profitability and sustainability of your business.”

With longer opening times this year from 9am to 5pm on 15th November and 9am to 4pm on 16th November, entry to Holiday Park & Resort Innovation, and the other three events, is free of charge. Simply register at holidayparkshow.co.uk

Caravan Guard crowned top motorhome insurance provider

Neil Menzies, Caravan Guard Partnership Director, shares their delight as the caravan, campervan and motorhome insurance specialists wins top award

Caravan Guard was crowned as winners of What Motorhome’s magazine’s insurance provider of the Year 2023 this summer.

Already the chosen insurance partner of hundreds of motorhome and campervan dealers, judges chose the Yorkshire-based company as “a clear winner” for its “keen pricing and feature-laden policy”.

What Motorhome surveyed 11 motorhome insurance specialists and analysed the features and benefits of their motorhome insurance policies against the cost of their premiums.

When choosing Caravan Guard as the winner, What Motorhome said its policy was “one of the cheapest around”.

Editors also highlighted that Caravan Guard was one of the only providers to offer UK breakdown as standard, and that “most rivals are more costly, even though they generally don’t include vehicle recovery”.  They also highlighted Caravan Guard’s generous claims limits, with its

excess starting at £150.

Other cover benefits include unlimited windscreen cover, a £1,000 limit for replacement locks, high personal injury benefits of £15,000, plus legal cover.

"We're extremely proud to be named What Motorhome's insurance provider of the year for 2023," said Caravan Guard’s Partnership Director Neil Menzies. “It’s a very competitive market and we’ve worked really hard with our underwriters, RSA, to offer market-leading insurance cover so dealers can trust us to look after their customers and so customers can trust us to insure their freedom.

“Over the last 12 months, we’ve seen good growth in our motorhome insurance scheme and we’re insuring more motorhome owners than ever. They’re clearly impressed with our brilliant customer service, extensive cover benefits, and big savings for claim-free driving, security and safety.”

Plus, dealerships who work with Caravan

Guard can offer their customers 14 days free “drive-away” insurance when they buy a motorhome from them.

It's the third time Caravan Guard has won this annual survey, having been highly commended many times before, and scooping the title in 2020 and 2021.

The insurance specialist was also voted as Best Motorhome Insurance Provider by customers in the Insurance Choice Awards 2022 and has a five star rating of Excellent on website Trustpilot.com from more than five and a half thousand customer reviews.

Don’t forget that Caravan Guard also continues to run its Spin to Win promotion exclusively for the dealers it works with. On completion of a quote, dealer customers automatically get entered into a £5000 prize draw (winner to be announced in Spring 2024) AND they also get an instant opportunity to spin an online wheel with a 1 in 12 chance of winning a £10 Amazon voucher.

To introduce your dealer customers to Caravan Guard’s award-winning policies, with great value premiums, excellent service and extensive cover for your customers, plus healthy levels of commission for your business, contact our friendly team: development@ caravanguard.co.uk.

Images courtesy of Caravan Guard

Planning consents gained for new Holiday Park developments in sensitive locations including National Parks

Mid Wales. Planning Permission granted for a new Holiday Park for 208 units comprising of Holiday Lodges, Holiday Homes and Seasonal Touring Units on an extremely sensitive Greenfield site which required issues resolving with archaeological remains, drainage, ecology, flood risk, heritage assets and landscape visual impact.

Scotland. Planning Permission granted on a Greenfield site for 19 Holiday Lodges. The site was in an extremely sensitive location within a Regional Scenic Area on the banks of a Scottish Loch. The proposal required extensive consultations with the Planning Department, Highways, The Landscape Department, SEEPA and the Planning Authority, with many Visual, Ecological, Access, Drainage and Locational issues to overcome.

North York Moors National Park.

Planning Permission Granted for 48 Holiday Lodges on a sensitive site set within mature woodland and an area classified as Heathland.

Cumbria. Planning Permission granted for 38 Holiday Lodges on a Greenfield site within the setting of a Scheduled Ancient Monument and a Grade II Listed Building, which required extensive consultations and negotiations with the Planning Authority and Environment Agency.

Kent. Planning Permission granted for 33 Lodges on a sensitive Greenfield Kent Orchard involving several issues to overcome with Highways, Visual Impact, Drainage and a Fuel Pipeline running through the site.

North West Wales. Planning Permission granted for a scheme of 10 Seasonal Touring Caravans and 6 Pods. The site was extremely sensitive falling within a Special Landscape Area designation, Flood Zone C2 and adjacent to a Local Wildlife Site. Requiring extensive negotiations with the Local Planning Authority, Landscape Officer, Ecology team and Natural Resources Wales.

North York Moors National Park.

Planning Permission granted for 9 Static Caravans, 5 Holiday Lodges, 7 Pods and

1 Shepherds Hut on an extremely visual sensitive site on a cliff top location, within the North York Moors National Park and on the Cleveland Way.

North Wales. Planning Permission granted as a Pilot Scheme for ‘Aire-style’ developments in four separate locations across Gwynedd for Motorhomes as part of a project to further prevent the environmental and social problems caused by illegal camping. The ‘Arosfan’ project was funded by Welsh Government. Wiltshire. Planning Permission granted and phased development underway for a new Holiday Lodge Park for 90 Holiday Lodges, 10 Glamping Pods and 10 Touring Units in an Ancient Semi-Natural Woodland lakeside setting designated as a County Wildlife Site, with many Ecological and Arboricultural constraints which had to be overcome.

Devon. Planning Permission granted and phased development underway for 101 Holiday Lodges, Park office and

managerial accommodation within a woodland location and former quarry. The site is a sensitive location, being an Area of Great Landscape Value and a Special Area of Conservation. Listed Buildings are also located near to the site.

North Wales. Full planning permission granted for 30 Touring Unit pitches and Shepherd’s Hut as an extension to an existing Holiday Park.

Devon. Phased development underway for the second phase of 68 Holiday Lodges in a steeply sloping woodland setting with challenging levels and numerous ecological constraints associated with the South Hams Special Area of Conservation.

Lambe Planning & Design Ltd. Galeri. Victoria Dock. Caernarfon. Gwynedd. LL55 1SQ.

Tel: 01286 685236

Email: info@lambeplanninganddesign. co.uk

www.lambeplanninganddesign.co.uk

Below are some of the most recent Planning Consents for Developments which Lambe Planning and Design have obtained. Many were against Planning Policy and had complex and contentious issues which needed overcoming to successfully obtain planning permission.

Location of consent granted for 19 Holiday Lodges - Scottish Lochside.

Construction of the second phase of a development in steeply sloping woodland for 68 Holiday Lodges in Devon.

Planning

for Tourism, Leisure and Park Home developments

Layouts and Planning Applications for New Park proposals • Upgrading Existing Parks • Extensions to Parks • Landscape and Environmental Improvements

Lambe Planning & Design

Specialises in all aspects of planning, design and landscape, for Holiday Caravan Parks, Lodge and Chalet Parks, Touring Parks and Park Home developments. The Practice operates nationally from its Caernarfon office, with clients throughout the British Isles

Lambe Planning & Design Ltd

Consultants for Planning, Design and Landscape

Galeri

Victoria Dock

Caernarfon

Gwynedd

LL55 1SQ

Tel: 01286 685 236

info@lambeplanninganddesign.co.uk

www.lambeplanninganddesign.co.uk

Photographs of recent schemes which the Directors (Jeremy Lambe and Jonathan Moore Lambe) have undertaken

The Fun Factor – Play Remains an integral part of the holiday offering…

Independently

The results showed a relationship between the availability of play facilities and time spent at leisure venues. There is a clear desire to see play as an integral part of the offering. The vast majority (Over half (93%) of the respondents said play areas were an important consideration for them when visiting a holiday park, leisure or visitor attraction. The majority (80%) said keeping children entertained in a good play space at all visitor and leisure attractions was important to them, with a further half (47%) saying they would stay longer if a good play provision was present.

Post pandemic, there appears to be strong demand for parents to allow children the freedom to play outdoors in

the fresh air, particularly as they had spent many months indoors. Playing outdoors has many benefits but particularly improves mental health, fitness and boosts vitamin D levels.

Proludic’s history in play began in 1985 with a range of play equipment constructed in timber. Back then the focus was to capture the elements of nature incorporating tree houses to play in, logs to balance along and trunks to climb up. Nature is ever present in Proludic’s history influencing designs and creating wonderful play opportunities for children in play areas that the company has built over the last three decades. Check out our natural Origin’ range made from durable Robinia

wood or find out more about our themed or traditional play equipment ranges as well www.proludic.co.uk.

Proludic

Image courtesy of Proludic

Holiday park launches new cycle track for guests

BMX star Kye Forte designs new facility for South Devon park

South Devon’s multi award-winning holiday park, Cofton Holidays, unveiled a new bicycle facility for families at the start of the summer.

Designed and officially opened by

Devon-based Kye Forte, former European King of the Dirt title holder, the new figureof-eight tarmac pump track consists of a continuous loop of banked turns, rollers and jumps that enables users to generate speed with little or no pedalling.

Kye, noted for his whips, flips, 360s and for getting huge air - entering the record books in 2012 for the highest BMX jump in history at 6.38m - joined visitors to Cofton to show off the track’s many features, performing a series of jaw-dropping jumps and stunts to the delight of onlookers.

He also took time out to make a film about the track and how to ride it, providing tips on how to get the most out

of its features. Sponsored by Red Bull and Oakley, Kye rides for UK brand United.

Commenting on the track, Kye said: “As a kid, I would have loved to have gone on a family holiday to a country park with a pump track. Having designed this track specifically with young kids in mind, I know it has all the features to make for a thrilling, yet safe riding experience. As a dad that still rides with my kids, that was really important to me.”

The pump track is the latest thrill-seekers’ facility to be unveiled at Cofton Holidays, and follows on from the opening of the Tree Top Adventure High Ropes Course, last summer.

ICE Trikes – Give your guests a new exciting cycling experience

Enjoy a relaxed countryside ride or the thrill of a sporty cycle through forest trails. Comfortable accessible seats, easy to use controls, great looks with rugged ride capabilities make ICE Trikes a great addition to your cycle fleet.

Trikes are perfect for cycle hire at country parks, attractions, activity centres, holiday parks, accommodation providers, cycling experiences, the list goes on. Offer your guests a unique cycling experience that they will love.

ICE Trikes are easy to ride with simple controls and setting up the trike to different rider heights only takes a few seconds.

The comfortable seating position provides the rider with stability, support

and none of the discomfort associated with riding a traditional bike. Trikes are perfect for people with no cycling experience, or balance issues or a physical disability that would prevent them from riding a traditional bike or people who simply want a comfortable ride.

ICE Trikes have been building trikes in Cornwall since 1999. Once your guests try one they will soon discover the ‘ICE Trike Smile’.

The health benefits of cycling are well known, this with the added benefits that trikes are more stable, more comfortable and more accessible make them an ideal choice for your cycle hire.

Contact Phil to enquire about trike hire

and fleet sales options. Email philz@icetrikes.co or call 01326 378848 or visit www.icetrikes.co

Trikes are one of the most comfortable ways to cycle. They’re safe, stable and very accessible. Ideal for guests or visitors who cannot ride a traditional bike

Image courtesy of ICE Trikes

New pedal car promises fun for all the family

Aqualand Industries Limited is launching a new four-seat pedal cart that offers fun for all the family

The Adventurer™ has a rugged design and can be used on various surfaces, making it easy to operate in any leisure destination.

The pedal cart platform is modular and can be used as a four or two seat vehicle. The Adventurer™ is easy to operate and perfect for any park or site that wants to add a low cost but high revenue generating activity. There are also future plans for easy upgrades and a range of accessories.

Aqualand Industries designed the cart in response to customer requests and adds to the company’s range of electric vehicles for all ages. The popular 6-wheel drive Crazibugz® and exciting Adventure-Trukz® are designed for children aged four to 14 years old and can be found at leisure destinations

across the UK, Ireland and Europe.

Commenting on the launch, Carl Byford, general manager of Aqualand Industries, said: “As we continue to evolve and expand our range, we wanted to create a vehicle that the whole family could enjoy together. The Adventurer™ is a great way for four people to explore an area in comfort, while having a lot of fun!”

Each vehicle has a host of safety features to keep riders safe and can be hired out with minimum supervision to reduce staffing costs.

All Aqualand Industries products are manufactured in the UK and meet rigorous safety standards. The design follows a year of exhaustive testing and is patent pending. Aqualand Industries works in partnership

with leisure destinations to help them drive additional revenue. The company offers leasing, full purchase or a mixture of both to provide operators with the flexibility they need to introduce the range of products. It also provides maintenance and service to its customers for its products.

Carl concluded: “As leisure businesses of all sizes tackle the rising cost of business, it’s important that they explore new revenue streams. The Adventurer™ is designed to be low cost to operate and provides a 27/7 rental opportunity that the whole family can enjoy.”

Further details for the Adventurer™ can be found www.aqualand-industries.com .

Image courtesy of Aqualand Industries

Avoid common pitfalls when reclaiming VAT on the purchase of double cab pick-ups

There is sometimes a fine line between a vehicle being considered as a car for VAT purposes and one which is accepted by HMRC as a commercial vehicle

The implication from a VAT recovery perspective is that the opportunity to reclaim VAT on the purchase of a car is extremely limited when compared to the position with commercial vehicles.

Nick Hart, Director at accountancy firm Saffery and a member of the firm’s Land and Rural Practice Group, explains: “Particular issues can arise with vehicles such as double cab pick-ups which are extremely popular with rural, farming and estate businesses due to their versatility and suitability for the rural setting.

“Such vehicles typically are designed to carry passengers, having covered seats behind the driver and front passenger seats. This would be enough for the

vehicles to be considered cars for VAT purposes. However, for those models which are designed to carry a payload of 1 tonne or more, HMRC accept they are commercial vehicles and not cars from a VAT perspective

“In the case of double cab pick-ups, not all models are designed to carry 1 tonne or more payloads, and HMRC applies the threshold strictly.

“Care should therefore be taken to determine what the payload capacity is of these types of vehicle before VAT is reported as recoverable. HMRC will disallow VAT recovery on the purchase of a car, where the business is not able to demonstrate it is not available for private

use. Corporate branding on the vehicle does not sway their view in this respect. There is more opportunity to reclaim VAT on the purchase of commercial vehicles including double cab pick-ups which have a payload of 1 tonne or more and HMRC accept that minimal or incidental private use does not prevent all of the VAT paid to be reclaimed, subject to the other normal VAT recovery conditions. Businesses should however expect scrutiny on whether the vehicle is a car rather than a commercial vehicle, and also whether the business use can be evidence for either a car or a van.

“Advice should be taken when considering a purchase.”

Image courtesy of iStock

Holiday Park reduces energy bills by installing wood fuelled CHP’s

ESP Energy have recently undertaken the installation of 2 x Volter wood gasification Combined Heat & Power (CHP) units which will provide heat and power to Salop Leisure’s, Love2Stay Holiday Park on the outskirts of Shrewsbury in Shropshire.

The units are fuelled by locally sourced wood chip and are a huge step in the transition of the Holiday Park away from traditionally used fossil fuels and a big step towards being carbon neutral. The system will offset nearly 550 tonnes of CO2 each year and will generate just shy of 2,000,000 kW of green energy in the forms of space heating and electricity which will be used throughout the park.

A factor that was key in the decisionmaking process for this project was the stability of energy costs and security of supply that this system would give the Park. Purchasing wood for £150 per tonne means that the park owners can generate

their own heat and power for as little as 4p per kW, and as the price of wood does not fluctuate in the same way as electricity and gas prices have over the last few years it allows them to plan with the knowledge of exactly what their energy costs will be.

This is the second holiday park in the UK to implement Volter Wood Gasification CHP’s and with the large demands for both heat and power all year round they are proving to be a huge success in the sector.

For more information contact Ross Collison at ESP Energy Ross@espenergy. co.uk—01743718003—www.espenergy. co.uk

Image courtesy of ESP Energy

DekBoard expands range with new HSG282 compliant hot tub collection

DekBoard, the specialist manufacturer of sustainable PVC decking

their needs to ensure our offering reflects these. We know the popularity of hot tubs has risen exponentially, so the addition of HSG282 compliant hot tubs to our range makes perfect sense.

considerations, together with style and quality. 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.”

This new addition enables DekBoard to offer its customers a greater depth of product range and everything they need to create a luxurious outside spacefrom decking to balustrades to hot tubs.

Mark Cartwright, Commercial Director at DekBoard explains: “We work hard to support our customers and pre-empt

“Our HSG282 compliant hot tubs can be used across holiday and residential parks throughout the UK. They offer simplified topside controls, whist others can be password protected to ensure peak performance and cost-efficiency. Our tubs also come with self-dosing water treatment devices and quick drain facilities fitted as standard. Ideal for hassle-free maintenance and quick set-up / put-away.”

Mark concludes: “We’ve supplied the park home and holiday caravan market with highest quality products for many years. When it comes to PVC decking, we know price is one of the most important

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

Images courtesy of DekBoard

Interior Interest: Indoor Dining & Bar Furniture

As Autumn and Winter beckon, our focus moves to creating a welcoming and cosy hospitality space for customers.

But what suits your venue’s style?

Woodberry, longtime experts in supplying outdoor furniture, have now launched a range of indoor furniture based on client favourites.

This first indoor range sees hardworking dining, bar and café furniture in 4 distinct styles.

Traditional

If your venue is more traditional with cosy interiors and a focus on wooden furniture, Woodberry has you covered with a range of dark wood dining and bar furniture.

Scandi-style minimalism

For lighter, brighter interiors there is a range of design-led light oak-coloured chairs and pedestal tables. Each chair has a distinct design style that can easily be

mixed and matched.

Industrial

For more industrial look interiors, Woodberry has developed their iconic outdoor designs for indoor use. Gabion cage base tables can be filled with your choice of filling. Or if long family tables work best for your venue, the Discovery Range Tables and Benches have black metal legs and chunky wood effect tops.

Colourful Bistro

Featuring brightly coloured mix and match metal chairs, colourful vintage distressed tabletops, and marble effect pedestal tables. This bistro range is ideal for family café and dining areas.

Woodberry is keen to understand what furniture works best for your needs so please talk to the friendly team about your

requirements.

For an indoor furniture brochure call our team or download a copy from the Woodberry website

01926 889922

mail@woodberry.co.uk

www.woodberry.co.uk/brochures

Images courtesy of Woodberry

LIFE ON WATER WITHOUT THE COMPROMISE

Multi award winning company Bluefield Houseboats is pioneering houseboat design in the UK and Ireland.

Understanding the diverse needs and aspirations of their customers has enabled them to tailor their houseboat designs and offerings to meet specific requirements.

“Life on Water Without the Compromise” captures the essence of what all Bluefield houseboats offer. From individuals looking for a stress-free permanent living

benefit from innovative and thoughtful designs that optimize the use of space and natural light to create modern living environments.

The company has developed the concept of “bluefield” sites, which are areas of water that can be upcycled into usable space, opening up a whole new realm of possibilities for development. By

while creating unique and sustainable living options. Houseboats provide an innovative and sustainable approach to development, emphasising the importance of utilising available resources and expanding the range of housing choices.

By aligning their vision, mission and core values, the company is setting a clear direction for future growth and success

Image courtesy of Bluefield Houseboats

Park Realty Group manufacture beautiful park homes and luxury lodges and last month introduced a new line of residential caravans

All Park Realty Group homes are supplied with a Platinum Seal Warranty and are BS3632 certified.

The team at Park Realty Group have worked for three months on the design, specification, floor plan and quality finishes to come up with the perfect holiday home range. Because they provide a full range of digital marketing services in-house, clients have access to marketing materials including virtual tours very quickly.

Park Realty Group's new line of residential caravans start from a very attractive price of only £35,950 for a two bedroom home with two bathrooms, including full insulation, choice of cladding and VAT. They also include siting and installation in their price. Park Reality Group have their own siting team and work with transport partners

across the UK.

They offer full sales and marketing services and complete digital marketing capability, including website construction, CGI creation, 3D virtual tours and drone

content through their subsidiary Orb 3D. That’s a pretty comprehensive service to parks! www.parkrealtygroup.co.uk

The team at Park Realty Group welcome new clients and factory visits.

Research reveals what is making park home sector appealing

Residents name the pull factors to downsizing from bricks and mortar

Park home selling specialists, Quickmove Properties, have revealed what makes the park home sector so appealing when looking beyond the immediate equity boost.

Their recent survey of park home owners found that community and cost were the two biggest draws when it comes to attracting downsizers to the park home lifestyle.

Now further insight by Quickmove Properties comes after they asked park home owners to rank the top advantages of living in their park home versus their previous bricks and mortar property.

The fact that a park home is far cheaper and more economical to run ranked top, with many also stating that living in a single level home was also far more beneficial in their later years.

Living in a property that was easier to maintain came in third, while the more active lifestyle was also an appealing factor.

As many as 75% agreed that living within a residential park home community meant that every day felt like a holiday, highlighting the laid back lifestyle and rural or coastal locations of park home communities.

But it’s not just the pace of life that is highly appealing, 90% of those stated they felt safe living within their residential park. No surprise then, that 61% wish they had moved to a residential park sooner in life, with 83% stating they would recommend it to others.

Sales Director at Quickmove Properties, Mark O’Dwyer, commented: “A park home purchase is an attractive proposition for many downsizers as it makes financial sense, especially when using part exchange which allows them to relocate quickly, without fear of their sale collapsing.

“However, the real benefit of the park home lifestyle is often only discovered once they make their move and have

immersed themselves within the ready made community and active lifestyle on their doorstep.

“For the vast majority, life feels like a holiday and while retirement certainly helps in this respect, it’s the community itself that really helps create this environment. We’ve received numerous stories of park home buyers making friends for life and, in some cases, even finding love and getting married.

“What’s more, residential park home sites are often gated and incredibly safe and this is a lifestyle factor that is highly appealing to those in their later years.”

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 visit our website at www.dragondrilling.co.uk

Image courtesy of iStock

Instant screening solutions to provide security and privacy

to help absorb noise will help to improve the value of your site and to elevate the experience of your guests.

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.

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.

Adding dense planting in key areas to provide shelter from prevailing winds, shield unsightly views, give privacy and

Supplying the holiday park industry with high quality large trees, specimen shrubs, instant hedging and screening plants for over forty five years, Wykeham

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 .

Is a lack of screening spoiling your efforts? A new neighbouring development, the sudden loss of the screening provided by mature trees, a wayward vehicle crashing through your boundary; all of these and more can compromise your efforts and could even create hither-to unconsidered security issues.

Instant Hedge plants grown at Wykeham Mature Plants

THE BENEFITS OF CORDLESS FOR CARAVAN PARKS

Here, Mark Earles, Business Development Manager for Outdoor Products at

of UX01GZ 40VMax XGT Brushless

Power and versatility

Compatible with over 12 types of attachment, such as pole saws, hedge trimmers, line trimmers, sweepers, and even a water pump accessory, the UX01GZ 40VMax XGT Brushless Split Shaft can be used for a

wide range of tasks on site, such as edging, pruning, cultivating, trimming, brushing and cutting. With just one power head shaft and toolless attachment replacement, users can switch seamlessly between tasks, improving productivity and the

appearance of the site.

The high power 40VMax XGT battery allows for continuous operation in heavy duty applications, delivering 1kW of max power and an impressive no-load speed of up to 9,700rpm. What’s more, the battery is transferable between over 100 products in the XGT range, offering greater flexibility than a petrol-powered split shaft.

Noise reduction

When keeping noise to a minimum is essential, particularly in areas that are in close proximity to guests and public spaces, cordless machines are significantly quieter than their petrol equivalents, allowing essential outdoor work to continue.

Improved health & safety

Safeguarding the health and wellbeing of staff and visitors is a top priority for caravan park operators. A cordless machine reduces the risk of injury from trip hazards and cord entanglement. Furthermore, with no need to transport petrol across the site, there is no danger from petrol spillages.

Zero emissions provide another reason to choose a cordless solution over a 2-stroke petrol engine equivalent, cutting back fumes and making the site more environmentally friendly.

To find out more about the UX01GZ 40VMax XGT Brushless Split Shaft and the rest of Makita’s XGT range, visit: www. makitauk.com.

Makita UK, looks at some of the benefits

Split Shaft and explains how the battery-operated multi-purpose tool can help improve productivity and health and safety on site.

Images courtesy of Makita UK

Robust british built trailers

“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 chute direct from the deck to the large collector, available upto 1300L. Designed and manufactured in Japan for quality that’s built to last.”

Electrify your Caravan Park

Rolec Services have been trusted suppliers of electrical hookup facilities to caravan sites for over 30 years, but did you know we have another way to electrify your caravan park?

Emissions have been the biggest discussion point over the last 10 years.

The UK Government announced their phase-out of diesel and petrol-powered vehicles by 2030, we are seeing more investments in renewable energy and a larger conversation is opening up about how much waste we produce as a nation.

As the UK prepares for a net-zero future, demand for greener modes of transport and charging infrastructure increases. The transition to fully electric vehicles is imminent, which means that EV remains one of the largest green tech industries, with the most potential for growth over the next decade. In fact, according to the International Energy Agency, the number of electric cars on the road globally surpassed 10 million in 2020, despite the COVID-19 pandemic. This trend is expected to continue as more manufacturers invest in electric vehicle technology.

And zero-emission transport is not purely a car issue; if we expand our perspective to include other forms of transport, you might be surprised to find out that the most significant thing that we can do to reduce our individual environmental footprint is to stop flying. Travelling abroad is responsible for around 1 billion tonnes of CO2 emissions globally each year, which is more than the emissions produced by entire countries, making it the next on the chopping block for the environmentally conscious people among us.

With this in mind, the holiday park

industry has the potential to become the saving grace for Brits looking to get away from it all without sacrificing the planet in the process.

A Home-Away-from-Home Needs a Home Charger

The infrastructure needed to support the transition to fully electric is not currently meeting demand. Identified as the main concern for EV drivers in Zenith’s EVXperience report, range anxiety and the struggle of finding somewhere to chargeup on long journeys stands as a roadblock to enjoying an EV staycation. Having the option of charging at your destination, for many, will make the difference between a relaxing family vacation or a weekend trawling the countryside trying to get charged up.

Which is why it’s no surprise that, according to new research by the Department for Transport (DfT), almost half (47%) of the available public charging network, or 19,044 chargepoints, can be found in destination locations. By adding charging to your list of facilities, EV drivers will have the security of knowing that they won’t have to plan their trip around charging, which will encourage them to favour your park for their next short-break or summer holiday.

Put Your Holiday Park on the EV Map One thing you might not have considered is how many EV drivers will travel off-the-beaten-path in search of charging. If you know your area is lacking public charging infrastructure, which we’ve already discussed that most are, making your chargepoints visible on charging apps like ZapMap increases the likelihood that drivers will travel to your holiday park to charge on their way to another destination.

Vehicle downtime, although a source of irritation for EV drivers, opens up possibilities for you as a business to provide additional facilities to cater to this particular clientele. A café, mini golf, or even just a vending machine will be well-loved by families

looking to pass the time as their car gets juiced up. All of which have the potential to become additional revenue streams for your business.

Even so, if you look at energy prices in the UK currently, the thought of giving away more electricity to visitors might seem like a daunting proposition. However, with the right back-office software, your chargepoints can pay for themselves over time.

Charging tariffs can now be completely customised: you can segment pricing for different groups, like staff and public, tariffs can be raised during peak hours, and you can even reserve chargepoints for certain visitors at certain times. Meaning you can guarantee your guests will have charging available to them.

Watiff There Was Funding Available?

Thanks to our recent partnership with Wattif EV, we are in the unique position of being able to offer partial and fully funded options to our EV customers. Wattif’s 100% fully funded turn-key solution covers the cost of chargepoint installation, purchase, maintenance and software. Meaning you can install charging infrastructure without any risk of investment for the business.

Alternatively, you can take advantage of a 50% partially funded option. If you opt for this alternative, Wattif EV will take responsibility for the cost of installing, maintaining and operating your chargepoint but the initial upfront cost will be shared between the two.

There are also Government grants that are available to you as a holiday park operator. You could be eligible for up to £14,000 of Government support towards the purchase and installation of new chargepoints through the Workplace Charging Scheme (WCS). This grant covers up to 75% of the total cost of chargepoint purchase and installation, up to £350 per socket.

If you did want to take part in the WCS, applications close March 31st 2024.

For more on how Rolec can support your caravan parks EV charging requirements, visit: https://www.rolecserv.com/caravanev-charging or get in touch: enquiries@ rolecserv.co.uk | 01205 724754

Find out what Rolec are getting up to: Twitter @RolecEV @RolecLeisure

LinkedIn: Rolec Services

Instagram: @rolecserv

Image courtesy of Rolec EV

EV adoption: ensure your business doesn’t get left behind –why now is the time to transition

By Nicola Mahmood, Business Development Director, Equans EV Solutions

As businesses across the UK look to play their part to support the government's net zero target, EV adoption naturally becomes part of the conversation.

That said, the first question often asked by businesses isn’t ‘should we invest in EV’, ‘but rather ‘when should we start investing in EV?’ – the answer to that question, in the simplest form, is now.

The government’s ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars will be enforced from

2030 in the UK.

This may seem far into the futurehowever, the reality is that for many businesses, that’s likely just one, or two fleet replacement cycles.

Invest now to reduce costs

The combination of an ever-increasing need for EVs and continued regulatory pressure, has in turn created a surge in demand for EV infrastructure. In fact, statistics have shown that almost twothirds of businesses expect to operate a 100% electric fleet in the next four years. Delaying your transition, or waiting until you are forced to switch could result in higher costs and longer lead times. When infrastructure demand increases, wait times for new grid connections will rise,

infrastructure providers will have less capacity and charger demand will increase. By investing now, your business can get ahead and in turn, save valuable time and money in the future

Now is the time to transition

Involving a delivery partner in the early stages will help to ensure your solution is fully suitable and scalable, supporting the demands and needs of your business. The benefits of adopting EV for businesses are endless from a reduced corporate carbon footprint, to cost savings via lower running costs. There are also various government funding initiatives and grants available to support your journey – meaning there’s never been a better time to switch.

https://www.equans.co.uk/contact-us

Image 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.

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

RMS: optimised pricing

CMS: excellent customer journey

tools they need to do just that and save your own team from complaints about slow connection. It will also make your employees lives easier having a reliable connection to work with and decrease any WiFi downtime or ‘dead zones’ that you

Holiday park invests in ultrafast broadband for customers

Vale of Glamorgan leisure park signs 10 year deal with Ogi

Fontygary Leisure Park in Wales is set to offer customers a high performance internet service.

The new infrastructure provided by Ogi will set it apart from most resorts bringing full fibre connectivity to around 500 holiday homes and the surrounding leisure facilities at the Rhoose site.

With tourism worth around £3billion to the Welsh economy, the need for reliable connectivity is quickly becoming a getaway essential with customers putting a strain on many legacy systems.

This new network gives visitors the best of both worlds, with the leisure park now able to offer traditional outdoor experiences by the sea, side-by-side with access to Ogi’s reliable connectivity for gaming, streaming and even hybrid working.

The 10-year-deal brings gigabit-capable connectivity to long-term park residents and holiday makers for the first time, with leisure park staff also being upskilled to install and manage the new service.

Part of Ogi’s initial phase £200m rollout,

the broadband provider sees this deal as the first of many with local leisure and tourism businesses –bridging the gap between switching off and being always on.

Park Manager, Simon Owen, said: “Bringing this vital infrastructure to the park will really help us stand out now and long into the future.

“As more and more people look to holiday closer to home, UK parks like ours are thriving.

“Our park here in Rhoose is full of ways for visitors to unwind and enjoy a digital detox, but we know people need to stay in touch too.

“Ogi’s new network allows us to provide the best of both worlds – and from a partner based, quite literally, right around the corner.”

Speaking as work got underway, Andrew Dow, Ogi’s Director of Business Sales, said:

“We’re really excited to be welcoming Fontygary to the Ogi network. This landmark deal is a real gamechanger for us and, I hope, residents and visitors to the park, who’ll all benefit from our ultrafast and ultra-reliable Welsh broadband speeds.” Staff at the park will be trained to install the new connections, with Ogi engineers on hand to support when needed.

The network forms an additional part of Ogi’s plan to bring full fibre broadband to 150,000 homes and businesses within the next few years.

Save money and the planet with Golden Coast heat pumps

A smart, efficient, and reliable way to heat your hot tubs

Recent years have seen a notable shift in how holiday and caravan parks are heating their hot tubs. More and more sites are installing air source heat pumps to replace less efficient electric heaters in a drive towards environmental and financial sustainability.

Golden Coast, a leading supplier in the wet leisure industry, is dedicated to delivering innovative holiday park products and solutions to reduce energy usage and cut costs without compromising on performance and quality.

“Every day we see the growing importance of sustainability initiatives and the need for businesses to meet ever-stricter green targets,” explains Adam Clark, General Manager at Golden Coast. “Air source heat pumps are a popular choice to reduce your site’s carbon footprint as they can make a significant difference in a relatively short time. By embracing environmentally conscious choices, you’re positioning your business as a leader in sustainable practices. These efforts not only increase your ESG rating, but also stand out to conscientious guests seeking eco-friendly accommodation.”

Investing in heat pumps not only provides long-term savings but also accelerates the return on investment. Field testing by a holiday park operator showed an impressive potential ROI of only 18 months, based on application and the environment during use. The money saved can be redirected elsewhere in the business, further enhancing the experience for guests.

The shift to heat pumps can also offer peace of

mind knowing that your park's electrical infrastructure remains stable even during peak demand, as Adam Clark explains: "One significant advantage of air source heat pumps is their ability to operate on low amounts of electricity. This feature greatly reduces the risk of overloading the park's power supply, especially when you are simultaneously running numerous light and heat sources."

Despite its lower power usage, heat pumps do not lack in performance. Thanks to clever inverter technology

they can maintain a consistent temperature of up to 40°C while achieving an output of up to 13 kilowatts of heat for each kilowatt of energy consumed. This remarkable efficiency makes heat pump 13 times more efficient than a standard electric heater.

A key feature of Golden heat pumps is the lockable touchscreen display, allowing management to easily monitor electricity consumption. With precise control over water temperature adjustments in increments of 0.1°C, you can ensure that the pump only

utilises the energy necessary. This level of control lets you stay on top of your spending and prevent any unwelcome surprises when the electricity bill arrives.

By efficiently managing your energy consumption, you can optimise cost savings while maintaining an exceptional guest experience.

For more information about Golden Coast hot tub heat pumps, contact a member of the sales team on 01271 378100, email swimmer@ goldenc.com or visit www. goldenc.com.

Image 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.

Biodigester Wastewater Treatment Plants

Established in 1987 Burnham Environmental Services Ltd specializes in the design of underground wastewater/sewage treatment plants and the supply of a number of different products

Scheme design is free of charge and site visits are available throughout the UK.

The sewage treatment plants available have two stage primary settlement, followed by a Submerged Aerated Filter (SAF) and a final settlement stage. There is an automatic recirculation system that allows the return of final solids from the aerobic process and treated effluent to balance out the treatment process and cope with variable loadings.

BES offers simple timer systems for treatment plants that are set for continuous running during peak periods or 50/50 for

intermediate loading and small regular aeration and recycling for when a site is closed and there is no flow. aerobic allowing a very quick response and growth of micro-organisms when loading returns.

Where there is a communal kitchen cooking meals it is essential to have a large full retention grease trap for the kitchen drainage only. Grease in a natural biological treatment plant can have a significant impact on treatment efficiency and create an unpleasant odour.

The chemical loo waste from touring caravans and motorhomes contains strong

chemicals that stop micro-organisms from working and consequently has to be tankered away from site.

BES is happy to answer questions.

Full details of the Biodigester range may be obtained from the family owned business, backed by 50 years experience; Burnham Environmental Services Ltd, 27 Brightstowe Road, Burnham-on-Sea, Somerset TA8 2HW, Tel: 01278 786104, Email: sales@biodigester.com, Website: www.Biodigester.com

DESIGNERS, MANUFACTURERS AND SUPPLIERS OF A WIDE RANGE OF TREATMENT SYSTEMS TO STRINGENT STANDARDS

WASTEWATER / SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANTS

ESTABLISHED 1987

THE ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY SOLUTION

BURNHAM ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES LTD

T: 01278 786104 | Email: sales@biodigester.com | Website: www.biodigester.com

• UP TO 500 PEOPLE SERVED IN A SINGLE TANK

• RECTANGULAR OR CYLINDRICAL TANKS

• WIDE RANGE OF SIZES

• CARAVAN SITE SPECIALISTS

• FREE NATIONWIDE SITE VISITS AND SCHEME DESIGN

• REMEDIAL SCHEMES FOR FAILING SYSTEMS

• TIMER SYSTEMS FOR POWER SAVING

• PROCESSES SUITABLE FOR VARIABLE LOADINGS

• WELL PROVEN FOUR STAGE AEROBIC TREATMENT

• GREASE TRAPS

27 BRIGHTSTOWE ROAD, BURNHAM-ON-SEA, SOMERSET, UK, TA8 2HW

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

SALTEX 2023

November 1st & 2nd, 2023

NEC, Birmingham

The Sports turf Amenities Landscaping Trade Exhibition (SALTEX) is the brand name of the exhibition owned and operated by the Grounds Management Association (GMA), the UK’s leading industry body for the sports turf and grounds care sector. Now in its 77th year, SALTEX remains Europe’s largest FREE sports turf, amenities, and landscaping trade exhibition with over 400 brands showcasing products in three halls, across two days, at one location.

A must-attend event for everybody operating in or supplying to the grounds care industry, SALTEX provides a great opportunity to meet industry colleagues and make new connections – building networks, knowledge and learning about new innovations.

The show takes place annually at the centrally located the NEC, Birmingham, attracting visitors and exhibitors from all over the world.

It’s FREE to enter and FREE to join the learning sessions.

https://www.saltex.org.uk/

The

Holiday Park and Resort Innovation Show

November 15th & 16th, 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