Holiday Parks Management Issue 32 April 2018

Holiday Parks Management

tHe UltiMate sUPPliers gUide for Holiday Parks, caravan Parks and caMPsites

April 2018 • Issue 32

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Outdoor

PLAY

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interview: HUW PENDLETON OF CELTIC HOLIDAY PARKS

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Hello

and welcome to

Is it just me – or does this feel like the longest winter? It’s Easter time and parts of the country have still got snow on the ground and the Beast from the East keeps on threatening to come back. With just under a year to go now before we pull out of the European Union, some details are emerging about how the UK is going to look post-Brexit.

Michael Gove, Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, has laid out his plans for redirecting funds in the countryside once we are free of the Common Agricultural Policy. He wants to see £150m in subsidies being taken away from the wealthiest landowners and being given to other countryside projects that will have wider environmental and public benefits. This could be good news for the Holdiay Park sector, as the rural infrastructure, such as flood defences badly need investment.

What’s in this issue?

Holiday Parks

Management

With more than 55% of UK holidaymakers now taking their main holiday in a UK holiday park (according to Away Resorts) - it is clear that making the UK countryside more accessible and enjoyable is not only our mission but is recognised by the government as well.

This month’s interviewee is Huw Pendleton of Celtic Holiday Parks, which recently won the award for the Best Caravan, Camping and Glamping Business in Wales. Huw’s parks are situated in stunning Pembrokeshire (although he grew up in the equally stunning North Wales like myself ). Although Celtic Holiday Parks is a family business - he wasn’t born into the industry. He shares his story about what attracted him to the sector and how he sees the business developing.

Steph Editor

Main cover image and image on this page courtesy of Away Resorts

05 news 19 Huw Pendleton interview 23 The importance of training on

Entertainment Systems by Tony Eyre

24 Environmental news 25 Landscaping News 26 GDPR - what to do now 29 Outdoor play 32 Leisuredays Insurance 36 How to Get Higher Paying Guests by Pitchup 37 How to Avoid Slips and Falls 39 World of Parks and Leisure Homes preview Published by: Upgrade Publishing Ltd. t: 07887 928819. Registered Business: 47 Oliver Close, London, W4 3RL Other Publications: International Glamping Business - www.glampingbusiness.com Publisher: Upgrade Publishing Ltd. Steph Curtis-Raleigh e: steph@upgradepublishing.com Editor: Steph Curtis-Raleigh t: 07887 928819 e: steph@upgradepublishing.com Sales: Kathryn Kelly t: + 44 (0) 7575 408580 e: kath@upgradepublishing.com Design: Dean Coulter, Design on Tap www.designontap.co.uk www.holididayparksmanagement.com Other Events: The Glamping Show - www.glampingshow.com © Upgrade Publishing 2017. No part of this publication may be reproduced nor stored in a retrieval system by any means without the prior permission of the publisher.

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parkNews Government Vows to Bring Green Reforms to Agricultural Policy

Salute to staff as Cumbria park cracks Easter deadline Ground staff at Silverdale Holiday Park in south Cumbria were praised this week after crossing the finishing line on a half-million-pound makeover of guest facilities.

The starting pistol on the project was fired on January 01 this year, and the race was on have all work completed before Easter's guests started to arrive.

But despite setbacks caused by March's devastating snow storms, a raft of new features at the 100-acre park was unveiled with just days to go before the target date.

The Government has laid out its plans for a new agricultural subsidy, post-Brexit, with an emphasis on environmental and public benefits.

Michael Gove, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, claims that the EU Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) awards too much in subsidies to the wealthiest landowners and envisages savings of £150m per year under new plans.

The government has committed to maintaining the £3bn that farmers receive in annual subsidies from the EU until at least 2022, but future payments are expected to depend on them offering wider environmental and public benefits.

This could be good news for rural holiday parks, as the new scheme will encourage farmers to invest in measures such as flood defence schemes, biodiversity programmes, clean air and water efforts, and soil management systems, which will have widespread benefits to the countryside as a whole.

"We want a healthy and beautiful countryside, producing food that makes us healthier as individuals, in a society which has a healthier attitude towards the natural world, an attitude that values permanence, where we wish to preserve and enhance natural capital and where we value the traditions and the virtues of rural life," Gove explained in a speech to farmers last month.

Significantly, the new proposals could see the reallocation of funding being implemented as soon as next year, meaning up to £150m might be taken away from some landowners to be given to others implementing greener practices.

Defra estimates that the 2014 winter floods were estimated to have cost £18.9m to the rural community in the UK as a whole, with the cost to tourism estimated to be in the region of £2.6£4.4m, according to the Environment Agency.

They include a complete refitting of its bar and restaurant, the building of a new luxury amenities for touring guests, and the equipping of the gymnasium with the latest exercise technology.

New wildlife habitats were also created as part of a major landscaping and conservation initiative.

According to business owner Michael Holgate, the deadline was successfully beaten by a team effort involving the park's own ground staff and local contractors.

The ground workers, said Michael, included extra new employees taken on this year at Silverdale and the five other nearby parks belonging to the Holgates Group.

They have brought the total number of staff to over 150, and all the new recruits came from nearby communities and have been offered training opportunities.

The additional ground staff, said Michael, were needed to help in a variety of roles, including putting the half-million-pound investment programme into action: "It was a very time-critical exercise as we had only a few months when the park was less busy to complete all of the work before welcoming thousands of guests over Easter," he said.

"We are anticipating another record year for visitor numbers and holiday home buyers, and we wanted all the new facilities in place for the new season.

"There was a lot of construction, maintenance and re-equipping work to do – but despite some very challenging weather at times, the April deadline was met.

"We are very fortunate to be able to recruit such excellent staff from the local area, and this winter has provided them with a great crash course in holiday park management!".

Among those joining the Holgates team were Michael Finch (aged 20) and Steven Sharpe (aged 19) who both live in Silverdale, and who are now enrolled on the group's training scheme.

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Holiday Parks Management

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parkNews Manufacturer Apprentice Wins Award Luxury Park Home & Lodge Manufacturer Pathfinder Homes’ very own plumbing apprentice Roxy Hall won the 2018 Construction & Building Services Apprentice of the Year award at an award ceremony last month. The exclusive ceremony held at the Imperial Hotel in Torquay was planned and presented by South Devon College and was a celebration of the hard work and commitment the apprentices show working within different industries across the area.

The ceremony looks to recognise this hard work and in total, 35 apprentices were shortlisted in over 18 categories, as well as 27 employers who were also nominated for categories.

Pathfinder Homes’ plumbing apprentice Roxy initially started out as a hairdresser, having qualified through college, however after three years in the trade, decided that dressing luscious locks just wasn’t for her and began her search for pastures new.

Talking with the creative team at Pathfinder Homes, Roxy explained that she knew she wanted to learn a new trade, and enjoyed hands-on practical work, with either mechanics or plumbing being the best

options and after considering both, decided that plumbing was of more interest to her and was the career she wanted to pursue.

After making the decision to become a plumber, Roxy enrolled in an apprenticeship scheme at South Devon College in Paignton, the town that she lives in with her young son. As part of her apprenticeship she attends college once a week, spending the other four days on site at Pathfinder Homes.

Roxy Hall (right) pictured with Victoria Philips, HR Manager at Pathfinder

Having initially worked for a different plumbing firm, Roxy moved to Pathfinder Homes in the summer of 2017.

Prior to the award ceremony Roxy was asked how it felt to do plumbing at college, with plumbing not being a stereotypical or standard choice for most girls. “I knew that I wanted to do a hands-on and practical job because that’s what I enjoy, and I didn’t really mind how it was perceived because I

wanted to show people that I was able to do something that people didn’t normally associate with females.” She was also quizzed on what she does most at work. “I spend most of my time working on second fixes, and occasionally first fixes, but what I enjoy most is using my knowledge to come up with solutions to issues and problems which, sometimes can occur.”

Shorefield Acquires Wilksworth Caravan Park holiday homes to own, and pitches for motorhomes, touring caravans and tents.

Within its picturesque grounds is an historic Grade II listed building once owned by Henry VIII, and the park’s raft of guest facilities include a heated outdoor pool.

The expanding southern England park group Shorefield Holidays has made another addition to its portfolio after acquiring Wilksworth Caravan Park in Dorset.

It brings to eight, the number of top rated parks in membership of the family-owned business which is this year marking its 60th anniversary.

Located near Wimborne Minster, multi-award Wilksworth Caravan Park provides both luxury

Open 101⁄2 months of the year, Wilksworth Caravan Park also provides a full size tennis court, a popular bar and restaurant, and children’s play areas.

Surrounded by tranquil countryside, the five-star park is just a short drive away from the New Forest and coastal destinations such as Sandbanks.

Simon Pollock, chairman and managing director of Shorefield Holidays, said his company was immensely proud to be welcoming Wilksworth Caravan Park into ownership: “All of our parks in Dorset and Hampshire are in the heart of some of Britain’s most beautiful and idyllic locations, and Wilksworth is no exception,” he said.

“This acquisition is part of our strategy for growth, and reflects the significant rise in popularity of staycations as people realise they don’t need to go abroad to experience amazing holidays.

“We have also seen increasing numbers of families buying holiday homes, both as a way of making the most of their leisure, and spending quality time with family and friends.

“We are looking forward to welcoming all of Wilksworth’s past, current and future guests into the Shorefield Holidays family for 2018 and beyond,” said Simon.

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parkNews Devon park makes £1m waves at start of milestone year

55% of Brits Will Be Taking Their Main Holiday at a Lodge or Caravan Park This Year, According to Survey A survey by UK holiday park operator Away Resorts has found that a third of British holidaymakers are staying put this year. Instead of jetting off to warmer climes, 55% of respondents will be taking their main holiday at a UK holiday park. This suggests that the great British holiday continues to go from strength to strength.

The popularity of holiday parks is most apparent amongst the 35–44 and the 45–54 age groups, suggesting that resorts are a favoured accommodation choice amongst families and empty nesters. With accommodation and the local area being top reasons for booking, the proximity of the all-inclusive experience offered at holiday parks appears to be appealing for families.

From night-time entertainment to daytime kids’ activities, and from onsite restaurants to beachside locations, holiday parks are continuing to see a resurgence.

And the staycation is not just a one-time thing: 43% of those surveyed said that they return regularly to their UK holiday destination. So once holidaymakers find an experience they like, they are more likely to come back again and again.

Unsurprisingly, respondents said they would be going away in the summer months and they’ll most likely be residing at the beach.

The British weather is an ongoing joke, so staying by the beach during the summer months is one way to improve your chances of sunshine! But if you thought that people are staying at home to save money, think again. Removing the cost of flights abroad might be tempting Brits to spend more on their accommodation; however, as for their UK break, the majority, at 32%, will be paying £250-£500 per person, mirroring the average cost of accommodation per person abroad.

The UK has long been considered a cheaper alternative to holidays overseas, but the growing and varied accommodation on offer and a multitude of things to do during all seasons, means that more consumers are willing to pay that bit extra for the experience and comfort here in the UK.

Devon's Ladram Bay Holiday Park is preparing to greet the 2018 season with a £1 million splash on a new water attraction and other guest facilities.

The multi-award winning East Devon park in Budleigh Salterton will be celebrating its 75th anniversary this year, and believes it could be busiest on record for the business.

Families will be able to benefit from a raft of new improvements and services on top of those that already made Ladram Bay one of Devon’s most popular park destinations.

They include a multi-activity outdoor splash zone alongside the park's main swimming pool, starring a line-up of fun activities for the children and grown-ups.

The 160-square metre splash zone will include interactive water features, spray guns and even a pirate ship for youngsters to clamber over and explore.

There have also been upgrades and makeovers across other popular park features, including its amusement arcade, retail outlets, and beach shack.

In addition, this winter has seen Ladram Bay source even more southwest suppliers for its restaurant, beach shack and takeaway, including locally brewed ales and farm-made ice creams.

The park enters its anniversary year with a wealth of accolades, including being honoured among the top three parks in the county in the 2017 Devon Tourism Awards.

The park, a former farm, has been owned by the Carter family for many decades, and in 1943 it began welcoming camping guests for the first time.

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parkNews Cheers! Lancs park and craft brewers toast tourism Moss Wood's Henry Wild says that, according to tourist board research, his park generates over £1.2 million of visitor spending each year.

The family owners of a Lancaster holiday park celebrated English Tourism Week last month, by shining the spotlight on a local craft brewery.

Moss Wood caravan park in Cockerham says that the England's annual tourism event is a great chance to show how visitors to Lancashire are helping to support small businesses.

It's done so by appointing Farm Yard Ales, also based in the village, as the park’s main supplier of beers and lagers for thirsty holiday guests.

Much of this, he says, benefits family-run enterprises in north Lancashire, many of which depend heavily on tourism for their livelihoods and the jobs they provide.

Farm Yard Ales, says Henry, now joins the many other locally made products – from potato crisps to black puddings and toffees – in which his park shop specialises.

The micro-brewery was brainchild of Steven Holmes who works on his family's longestablished farm just outside Cockerham where Farm Yard Ales is based.

It began brewing just eight months ago, partfunded by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development, and has since won an

The Zen - an innovative new type of caravan is responding to the growing desire for many people to escape their busy lives and tune out from the digital noise and the stresses of the 21st century when they are on holiday.

Away Resorts Launches the Zen

Hidden among the trees within the beautiful and relaxing setting of the New Forest, the Zen offers a calming and peaceful escape away in the woodlands.

Managing director Carl Castledine says: "We've done our own research, polling 2,000 of our guests. We found that the primary factor for them when selecting their main holiday was their accommodation. We also found that 65% of UK holidaymakers like to relax in their holiday homes in the evening, as opposed to going out.

The UK's pioneering UK holiday park operator, Away Resorts, is launching another groundbreaking accommodation option; this time at its woodland retreat of Sandy Balls in the New Forest.

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"We understand that different people have different drivers when it comes to holiday accommodation. To cater to these different tastes, we have already introduced the familyfriendly New York loft-themed TriBeCa and the Brit-cool Rockstar holiday homes ."

enthusiastic following in and beyond the county.

English Tourism Week is designed to put the spotlight on England's ever-expanding tourism sector, and the £127 billion annual contribution it makes to the UK economy.

According to Henry, whose father Syd started the business over 40 years ago, small enterprises are among the biggest winners from tourism's success story: "People coming on holiday are always looking for new experiences, and that includes enjoying local food and drink in pubs and restaurants, as well as buying it in shops such as ours.

"Lancashire has some of the very best producers in Britain, and visitor spending helps them expand, take on new staff, and broaden their distribution throughout the UK.”

“The Zen is our option for those who want to get back to nature; to switch off from the city's hustle and bustle; to relax and reenergise; to use their holiday to improve their wellness.

These little lodges of tranquility are calming, peaceful and beautifully simplistic - to avoid distracting from the beauty of the natural world. The Zen aims to bring the outside in through the natural woodland interior, with a central living space that provides a great window on the wooded world outside.”

Each Zen at Sandy Balls will come equipped with DVDs and guides on meditation, for guests to try, along with a number of Zeninspired movies to enjoy.

The Zen, which can sleep up to seven, also has its own dedicated parking area and very own secluded hot tub, in which guests can soak in the heart of the forest - just to add that touch of luxury to the relaxing holiday experience.

To do a 360 degree tour of the Zen, go to: awayresorts.co.uk/ways-tostay/lodges/indulgent-zen/360-tour/

parkNews Training for the leisure vehicle and parks industries NCC Training Academy, the dedicated centre for training and specialised skills for leisure vehicle and holiday park industries, has new courses on offer.

NCC Training Academy staff were on hand at the NEC show to publicise a number of new courses available for 2018, including the NCC Park Management Qualification (PMQ).

This qualification is for park operatives which will provide participants with the confidence and relevant practical skills to become key influencers in managing a holiday park.

The course duration is 18 months and it is designed so participants can pick ’n mix from a variety of training modules on offer. This is made up of short courses (including online learning and traditional face-to-face teaching)

to suit individual park environments.

Recent additions within the online training programme options include: I The Essentials of GDPR I IOSH Managing Safety I Consumer Rights Act 2015 I Bribery Act 2010 I Equality, Diversity & Inclusion in the workplace For park operators using combined licence and purchase agreements, NCC Training Academy has developed 12 short online modules (with an additional module for Arrangements in Northern Ireland) to meet the NCC Holiday Park — Holiday Home Ownership Code of Practice. These short courses will help businesses to understand the principles of good practice and minimum standards that must be followed by scheme members when:

I selling new and preowned holiday homes I issuing the ‘Licence Agreement’ to occupy a holiday home pitch and I providing warranty and maintenance services.

All NCC Training Academy courses are available to book directly online, with discounts for NCC members. The training opportunities are available to employers and individuals and new courses are added regularly.

For more information on these and other courses visit www.nccacdademy. org.uk or call 01252 796 090.

Somerset touring park takes top "adults only" title The magazines' annual Top 100 Sites survey asks caravan and motorhome enthusiasts to give their verdict on the quality and hospitality of Britain's 3000-plus touring parks.

In their opinion, the spotless facilities, friendly staff, and picture-postcard surroundings at five-star Bath Chew Valley Caravan Park are unequalled at any other "adults only" park.

Readers of two top touring magazines have voted a hideaway Somerset touring park as their favourite "adults only" holiday spot – for the ninth year.

Bath Chew Valley Caravan Park won its title in the face of stiff competition from scores of other UK parks offering a totally grownup holiday experience.

Based in Bishop Sutton near Bath, the family-run park's triumph came after it polled the highest number of votes from readers of Practical Caravan and Practical Motorhome.

But the honours didn't stop there because, as the votes were counted, Bath Chew Valley emerged as readers' favourite 12-month park for the eighth year on the trot.

In addition, Bath Chew Valley was voted the best touring park in the counties of Somerset, Avon and Wiltshire for the tenth year running.

The park's attractive cedar lodge also placed it in the top ten glamping facilities in Britain.

The park's 45 pitches are spread across more than four acres of landscaped grounds, including dog exercising areas

and a woodland conservation trail which is a magnet for wildlife.

Last year, the park was again presented with the prestigious David Bellamy Gold Conservation and Hedgerows Awards in recognition of its raft of initiatives to protect flora and fauna.

Bath Chew Valley has been a child-free environment for almost 20 years, and park owner Keith Betton says it has always strived to make the tranquil environment one of its most appealing features: "We have an incredibly diverse range of visitors from this country and overseas, and the majority come as a result of a personal recommendation," said Keith.

"Not surprisingly, a large number are teachers and child care professionals who are happier not being reminded of their day-jobs when they go on holiday.

"We're also increasingly popular with younger couples using motorhomes and campervans, so we are particularly pleased to be rated the third best park for them in the UK," added Keith.

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parkNews Windermere holiday park strikes gold for touring guests A picture-postcard Cumbria holiday park on the shores of Windermere, Park Cliffe, is now officially providing its touring guests with gold standard hospitality.

That's because Park Cliffe has joined a small elite of parks flying 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, Park Cliffe was subjected to a rigorous inspection regime which scrutinised almost every aspect of its facilities and services.

In the opinion of the AA's touring experts, the family-owned business can truly be described as a caravan and camping park right at the top of its game.

Susan and her husband Derek took on the park ten years ago, and it has since benefited from many new features introduced by the couple over the last decade.

Park Cliffe's accolade was presented to business co-owner Susan Dickson at a special ceremony at the NEC Caravan, Camping and Motorhome Show in February.

Today it provides luxury caravan holiday homes to rent and to own, fully equipped glamping pods, and pitches for touring caravans, motorhomes and tents.

Customers vote Park Holidays UK a gold performer Customers of Park Holidays UK have delivered a first-class verdict on their experiences with the company – and won it a prestigious gold accolade.

It comes in the form of the 2018 Feefo Gold Trusted Service award, and means that Park Holidays UK has now joined a small elite of firms able to boast the honour.

Feefo is one of the world's most trusted independent review websites, and its top gold award is given only to companies which achieve an exceptionally high scoring.

Feefo's top stamp of approval carries a special weight as only reviewers verified as genuine customers are permitted to give their verdicts.

Guests can comment on any aspect of a company's services, from the ease with which a booking can be made to the ways in which staff help make their holidays more memorable.

Across all aspects of its services, Park Holidays UK gained a massive thumbs-up from customers.

"It's especially pleasing because Feefo only accepts reviews from bona fide customers on its review website, so the credibility of the comments is never in doubt.

Last year, said Park Holidays UK director Tony Clish, the company invested over ÂŁ20 million in new swimming pools and other leisure facilities across its 26 holiday parks:

"They are exclusively from people who have booked with Park Holidays UK, and who have first-hand experience of the holidays and standards of service we offer.

"We have always been determined to provide the best quality and the best value to our holiday guests, and we are hugely proud that they have voted us this award," he said.

"In other words, these reviews are simply what genuine customers feel about us - and we are delighted to be exceeding their expectations in so many different ways," added Mr Clish.

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parkNews Top award for Norfolk park judged happiness hero

"Cool" motorhomes driving up younger set, says park A Somerset touring park which saw motorhome visitors leap by almost 20% last year predicts that the passion for freewheeling lifestyles will continue in 2018.

But Bath Chew Valley Caravan Park, set in the tranquil Mendip Hills, says the on-trend image of motorhomes is not just driving up bookings.

It's also bringing down the average age of guests as younger couples increasingly view them as a way of making holidays more of an adventure at any time of the year.

Now the family-run park has moved to make itself even more motorhome friendly by providing pitch facilities for campervans and motorhomes up to nine metres long.

It's also introduced its own by-the-hour car hire facility so that guests can explore the countryside in greater comfort, and park more easily in nearby destinations such as Bath and Cheddar Gorge.

Ambleside park is best in North West, declares AA

Staff and the family owners of north Norfolk's Searles Leisure Resort are celebrating this month after it was crowned as Norfolk and Suffolk's perfect park destination.

Popular BBC TV presenter David Whiteley who hosted the event said that Searles Leisure Resort had emerged as the stand-out holiday park winner.

The Hunstanton business was the overall winner in the parks category of a prestigious new awards scheme with judges describing Searles as having an unbeatable "happiness factor".

Stepping into the spotlight to receive the award were brothers Paul and Andrew Searle who, with their sister Joanna, are directors of the long-established business.

Sponsored by major media group The Eastern Daily Press and Hoseasons, the Norfolk and Suffolk Tourism Awards 2018 made its starstudded debut in February.

The competition is designed to highlight the region's top tourism performers, and drew almost 300 VIP guests to the glittering finals at Edmunsbury Cathedral in Bury St Edmunds.

Skelwith Fold caravan park in Ambleside has been named by the AA as North West England's top destination for touring caravan and motorhome owners, as well as glampers.

The family business beat hundreds of other eligible parks to take the overall NW Campsite of the Year title in the recent AA Caravan and Camping Awards.

Skelwith Fold's accolade was presented to business owner Henry Wild at a special ceremony at the NEC Caravan, Camping and Motorhome Show in February.

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The park first began welcoming campers over 60 years ago onto what was then a farm, and it has since grown to become one of eastern England's largest and bestloved holiday centres.

It provides more than 800 holiday home and touring pitches, including luxury lodges to buy and rent, plus a raft of family-friendly attractions and outdoor activities.

The 130-acre park achieved its honour following a "secret shopper" visit from an AA inspector who declared in his report that "this is one of the best campsites I have ever stayed on".

Wild said that the AA's top regional accolade was a fantastic start to the 2018 season for the park which his family has owned for over 20 years.

The award follows the park being crowned last year as Lakeland's top holiday park in the Cumbria Tourism Awards when it took the overall gold place in the competition.

parkNews Away Resorts becomes first-ever UK operator to offer Any Day Arrivals all year round Away Resorts has become the first UK holiday park operator to launch Any Day Arrivals all year round.

Any Day Arrivals offers flexibility to guests who don't want to be restricted to the three, four and seven-day duration times, giving them the option to book in and check out on any day that they choose.

The operator trialled the new flexible booking functionality from October 2016 to 1 April, and it has proved to be so successful that Away Resorts is rolling it out across all six of its parks all year round.

The only restrictions are that guests must book for a minimum of two nights. Away Resorts chief executive Carl Castledine said the decision to introduce the flexible

booking facility all year round is in response to a growing demand to offer complete flexibility for guests keen to get away but don't want to be confined to booking holidays within set durations.

"We trialled the Any Day Arrivals concept over a seven-month, off-peak period, and noticed a trend away from booking the traditional three, four and seven-night breaks towards more flexible durations that allowed our guests to fit in a mini break around their busy lives.

"The Any Day Arrivals functionality allows holidaymakers the chance to squeeze in a few days away without the cost or restraints of having to fit within three, four or seven-night the duration that an operator traditionally wants them too.

"I am really proud to say that Away Resorts is the only UK holiday park operator to be offering this flexibility. We like be ahead of the curve in the holiday park industry when it comes to giving our customers exactly what they want.

"Many of our guests would like the option to book on different days for different durations, particularly families with flexible work schedules who would consider a holiday break if they can arrive on a Wednesday or Thursday instead of being locked into fixed arrival dates.

"Also, with the internet providing people with the opportunity to work from home, we know that some of our guests like to head to one of our parks on a Thursday evening, and work from their lodge or caravan, which is something they can do as we have park-wide wifi at all our selfcatered resorts."

Over 4,000 struggling families awarded a vital break in 2017 Support from the travel and tourism industry helped the Family Holiday Association to provide vital breaks to 4,137 struggling families in 2017. This was the second year running that the charity have been able to help over 4,000 families with a day trip or short break away from home.

More than 9,000 children and almost 7,000 adults benefited with nearly two thirds having a break together for the first time.

Family Holiday Association research found that virtually all families (99%) had fun and created happy memories, with 93% reporting reduced stress and worries and the same number felt better able to cope after their break. “These results are an important and tangible indication of the importance of breaks away from home,” stated John Kinnear, the charity’s Head of Programmes.

The majority of short breaks provided by the charity were in seaside caravan parks located around the British coast. As well as owning 15 caravans located at eight different parks, the charity has benefited from increased collaboration with more owners donating spare and peak time capacity to help families in need.

Charity Director John McDonald said: “2017 has proved another hugely successful year for

the Family Holiday Association and we are extremely proud of what we’ve achieved.

"The travel and tourism industry has always been central to our charity’s activities, and the support of caravan parks, owners and managers is greatly appreciated. As ever, there is much more that can be done but with continued support and collaboration we believe we are in a great position to see further significant growth in the years ahead.”

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parkNews Financial Controller Moves From Cars To Caravans

The Willows Caravan Park Near Abersoch For Sale Offers close to £1.375m are being sought for The Willows, a multiple-award caravan and camping park near North Wales’ seaside resort Abersoch by real estate advisors Colliers International.

The 9.2-acre (3.7 hectare) park has 54 pitches including four exclusive “glamping” or glamorous camping units, a static holiday hire caravan, reception/office, three-bedroom owners’ accommodation and another 3.7 acres for development subject to planning.

Located beside the village of Mynytho and overlooking the Llyn Peninsula and Cardigan Bay, the park offers easy access to Abersoch and Pwllheli, some of Europe’s best beaches and activities including walking, sailing, water sports, golf courses, Surf Snowdonia and Snowdonia Zip Wire.

Acting on behalf of family owners Miles and Anna James who plan to retire after 13 years, Colliers described the park as an “exceedingly popular tourist destination” in North Wales, the only UK region to be ranked in the global Best in Travel list of destinations to visit in 2017 and with a separate endorsement by Lonely Planet.

Yorkshire Caravans of Bawtry, the oldest and largest independent retailer of caravans, awnings and leisure accessories in the UK, has appointed a new Financial Controller.

Chris Brown, 52, from the village of Barlborough in Derbyshire will fill the shoes of John Siddall who is to retire from the business in May after 14 years with the team.

“Chris is a highly experienced accountant, having working in various financial roles in the automotive sector and is already proving himself to be a great asset to our team,” said Jon Goulden, Chairman of Yorkshire Caravans. “As John begins his well-earned retirement we are confident that Chris will keep the financial wheels turning smoothly. He has already made a significant impact and joins us at an exciting time following the company’s 85th anniversary, major investment in the site over the past 12 months and as the business develops its plans for future growth.”

Chris, who is an avid gym goer is married with two adult children and is looking forward to the arrival of his first grandchild in May. He has worked in the automotive sector for almost 20 years.

“The motor trade and the caravan industry share many similarities in their operation and I am excited to join such a prosperous, long established family business and look forward to being part of its ongoing success and planned growth,” said Chris.

The park has won numerous awards including 5 Star Visit Wales & Britain accreditation, the National Tourism Awards ‘Best Place to Stay’ (Touring and Camping), Top 100 Practical Caravan, Top 10 Glampsite and Premier Parks Award.

New holiday park opens as business celebrates its 60th year Shorefield Holidays, one of the UK’s leading family-run holiday park businesses, has started its milestone birthday year by adding two major, strategic investments to its portfolio with support from HSBC. And just in time for Easter, the first of its two acquisitions was officially opened by Cllr Barry Dunning, the Town Mayor of Lymington and Pennington Town Council.

New Forest Lodge Retreat, Shorefield Holidays’ seventh park on the edge of the New Forest, was acquired last year and has been turned into an exclusive, gated community of 12 luxury boutique holiday ownership lodges. Homeowners will have access to luxury facilities including an exclusive health and fitness club with heated indoor and outdoor pools, a sauna, steam room and spa bath.

Adjacent to the park is the beautiful Lavender House, which can sleep up to 14 people in seven en-suite rooms – it even has its own cinema room. This fantastic addition to the selfcatering portfolio was also toured and opened by Cllr Dunning.

Following hot on the heels of this new park, Shorefield acquired its eighth and latest park at the beginning of this year. Wilksworth Caravan Park is in Dorset and offers both holiday ownership as well as award-winning camping and touring facilities, which are open for Easter.

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20% of Uk Holiday Parks now offer glamping

Be Part of the new dawn in staycations, visit

21st - 23rd september 2017 naec, warwickshire

www.theglampingshow.com

THE VIEW FROM

THE TOP

Huw Pendleton is Md of celtic Holiday Parks, which last month won the Best camping, caravan and glamping in wales in the national tourism awards. He talks to Holiday Parks Management about how he became involved in the sector, family, glamping and his company objectives.

What is the background to you becoming involved in the holiday park industry?

I grew up on a farm in North Wales that my grandparents bought in the 1940s, my father took the farm over in 1978. It was a beef and sheep farm, with some arable land, in the 1980s diversification saw the development of a grass airstrip which became home to the North Wales Gliding Club.

Bryn Gwyn Bach became one of the longest grass airstrips in the country. As a teenager, I used to sell sandwiches, sweets, crisps and drinks to visitors to the gliding club at the farm. I rented my first caravan out when I was 15 on the farm to a couple who had not long been married, it was an old Pemberton caravan that had been on the farm for many years, and I renovated it. Thinking back, I must have been destined to work in the caravan industry!

hospitality sector and an understanding of a corporate organisation. I left to open a greetings card and gift shop in Rhos-on-Sea but quickly realised I missed the hospitality sector and was approached to work at a local family hotel, restaurant and function house; The White House in Rhuallt. This really helped me understand the values of a family business.

During my time at the White House, I also took responsibility for the wedding car fleet.

The Jones family who owned the White House operated a small touring park on a field next to the hotel. One evening whilst working in the restaurant I found a BH & HPA journal behind the bar and started to flick

through pages and saw some of the parks that were for sale. This planted a seed in my mind.

I decided to set to work, I worked with a local architect to make plans to develop the farm buildings, and was successful in gaining residential permission on three buildings.

The search was on for a park, with many trips throughout the country, utilising the agent’s details from the BH & HPA Journal. Our family farm was sold to friends who operated parks, they provided much needed knowledge and a crash course into park operation. The sale of the farm and purchase of the Croft Caravan Park was concluded within a little over six weeks, on the 19th March 1999.

The airstrip became home to a number of classic aircraft that were owned by a couple of park operators from the North Wales coast, and I quickly came to realise what a fantastic business holiday parks were.

On leaving school, I worked for Barclays bank for a short period of time and also a computer company, before joining Trusthouse Forte, where I worked for 8 years. this gave me a fabulous grounding in the

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Many holiday parks are family businesses – are your family involved in yours?

Yes, absolutely, I could not have done it alone! Although buying a park was my initiative and I arranged it all; when I initially suggested getting planning permission on buildings, selling them and buying a park, I asked if my parents would support the idea and invest with me.

I think they thought it would never happen so they agreed eventually – even my grandmother aged 79 and her Jack Russell ‘Freeway’ agreed to move!

My grandmother is sadly no longer with us but was very proud of our achievements. As a child, I used to cycle to Caerwys a couple of miles from home, and we would always stop at Barlow’s Caravan Park, where we would look through the windows of caravans for sale.

I remember being very excited when the owner took my grandmother and me around the park in her Ford Cortina estate. My mother also used to take me to stay in her friend’s caravan at Aberdynant near Porthmadoc - I remember the smell of the gas lights like it was yesterday. When I was a little older we travelled further afield and holidayed for two years at Lydstep Haven

when it was owned by Pontin’s.

I remember all of the caravans looked the same, I think they were BK Bluebirds, and the park always looked lovely! We never had a holiday as a family as Dad always had to look after the farm. I loved our caravan holidays, but never thought I would end up owning and operating parks!

How useful has you career in the hotel industry been as a preparation to running holiday parks?

Parks have a lot of similarity to hotels in many ways, with bars, restaurants, customer service, leisure suites, staff and changeovers, so it was a vey good grounding. In the same way that growing up on a farm helped prepare me for using machinery and having an interest in the management of grounds, so without having been brought up within a park operator family, I think I have had the best possible preparation I could have had.

Possibly, with my experience outside of the industry, it has provided me with an unblinkered vision which has helped me develop my company objectives.

What are the unique challenges of holiday parks over hotels?

The biggest challenges parks face over hotels has to be the Health & Safety risks we experience every day, in particular to the movement and siting of caravans, and the vast array of equipment most parks operate within the grounds maintenance teams.

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What are the different characteristics of your three holiday parks and do they attract different types of guest?

All parks are unique in character and that’s probably why most neighbouring park operators get on so well. We are a rare industry and sharing good practice seems to be the norm. When looking to expand, I viewed a lot of parks. I am really pleased we have the parks we do; they provide a great diversity for our guests to choose from. Croft is set on the edge of a beautiful rural village in a very natural setting with lots of trees, Noble Court is half a mile from the centre of the beautiful former market town of Narberth, with its eclectic mix of independent boutiques and coffee shops. With the latest addition of Meadow House nestled on the top of the cliffs between Saundersfoot and Amroth, with the most amazing far-reaching views - as far as Lundy in Cornwall on a good day - we really do have something for everyone. The parks do attract quite distinct characters, although all are marketed in the same way, and that is quite interesting to see.

How did you come to acquire them?

With the exception of Croft, we were approached by agents who knew we were looking to expand. We did, however, search extensively and have viewed many parks over the years. For park acquisition, I think it always pays to keep in touch with the agents and cast your net very wide. I am very lucky to enjoy good relationships with a variety of the main agents selling parks.

Are you increasingly letting out caravan pitches for an entire season? How does this help your business?

Although as the adage goes; ‘there is no such thing as bad weather – just bad clothing’ our summers can be challenging on the weather front, which can impact on bookings. I like a balance of short and long stay touring pitches to try and make the most of what we have.

You have glamping in just one site at the moment – why is this?

Noble Court enjoys the largest acreage, and also has vast planning permission so provides the biggest opportunity, due to the characteristics of the park. We have lots of different glamping plans which we will be launching over the next couple of years.

You have just acquired a number of Hampton lodges. How are you defining the offer – through price or guest demographic?

We have two, two-bedroom Hampton lodges and one, one-bedroom variant designed especially for Celtic Escapes, with another being delivered early April. Our target audience is quite high-end, we want to provide sensational holidays for people

enjoying the best views in a relaxing space which is a low-density development. Silvano and the team at Prestige have been incredible in providing advice and help during the design phase, and delivering first class units; it is a very exciting time for us at Celtic Holiday Parks and we are really looking forward to wowing our first guests.

Your facilities are definitely more aspirational than a lot of holiday parks. Would you say the holiday park guest is changing overall – or that you are aiming to attract a different kind of holiday park guest?

I have always taken the view that if something is worth doing it is worth doing well. I didn’t see the benefit of developing traditional facilities, and wanted to build something that created a lasting impression. I have always pushed boundaries, and our major developments have done that, both for me personally and as a group. All of our guests are important and we treat our developments as of they were a journey. It is important to take guests on the journey with us, and of course we want to attract new guests at the same time.

I think there will always be a place for the traditional park, but the market space has created huge opportunities for something different. My ethos is to provide hotel facilities within a holiday park environment, and to do it well. I am very lucky to be supported by a great team, and we still employ people who have worked with us almost from the start, although some have had career changes we have welcomed them back, embracing the experience they have gained working elsewhere.

What’s next for Celtic Holiday Parks?

We are like most operators looking for the next big idea or trend. We are adding a purpose-built spa treatment lodge, which we have designed with our friends at Prestige, we can’t wait to take delivery of this at Croft during this season. This will enable an enhanced offering of beauty and relaxation treatments. As for what else, we have plenty of ideas so you will have to watch this space!

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Want to maximise HOLidAY PARk REVENuE? Operating an independent holiday park can be lucrative says Dan Yates, founder of Pitchup.com, but sustained success depends on more than being fully booked - it’s vital to ensure you attract ‘the right type’ of guest in terms of their spend.

The outlook is good. Statistics from VisitEngland* show that caravanning and camping accounted for 49 million bednights and £1.7bn of spending by Brits between January and November 2017, up 7% on the year before. Holiday visits to the UK from overseas were up 9%** compared to 2016, with no slow down reported for 2018. So - for those already managing a holiday park - this should be a very good year.

We launched Pitchup.com in 2009 and received over 14 million annual visits last year, with visits up 40% so far this year. We currently list more than 3,000 parks in 47 countries across the UK and Europe, the Americas, Africa and Australia. The core of the outdoor accommodation sector - the largest type of domestic holiday measured by bednights - remains traditional caravan or camping holidays, with tent and tourer pitches, static caravans and lodges the most popular categories.

So how do you ensure the positive UK market trends translate to profits for your park?

Critical to making your site work for you is good old-fashioned strategic planning, complemented by a nimble-minded approach to a leisure market that changes ever more swiftly.

Firstly, keep an eye on your guest surveys, which can be a goldmine of ideas as well as free quality control. Guests will complain about service, cleanliness, even the weather but only a handful about price. Nobody wants to pay more than they have to, but what your

guests really want is a memorable experience - and most are happy to pay for it. There are, of course, some basics to adhere to.

Attract and impress high spenders with highquality, well-maintained facilities. Your customers want heated units with power showers, clean toilets, hot water in the sinks, free WiFI (unless you’re promoting an ‘off grid’ location) and increasingly extras such as hairdryers, or at least power points with mirrors. This applies even to sites where guests are staying in touring caravans and motorhomes, as some prefer a spacious shower block to the smaller facilities in their unit.

Ensure guests feel appreciated. Whether it’s a personalised note left in their lodge, a welcome food pack or simply referring to them by name throughout their stay, good service stands out a mile. It makes for a memorable stay which, when paired with great facilities and a seamless booking experience, translates into repeat custom, positive reviews and recommendations to friends and family.

Decide how much time and money you’re able and willing to invest in personal touches: be realistic and don’t overpromise. This approach is less about offering ‘freebies’ and more about complementing what attracted holidaymakers to your park in the first place: help your guests to get the very most from their stay with you. That way, if they are paying a little more, they still feel they are getting good value.

Embrace your location. Our search data has revealed that many are becoming less interested in conventional facilities such as bars, clubhouses or swimming pools, so emphasise the great outdoors and the distinctive experiences your guests might not be able to enjoy at home or at competing parks. Not every holiday park can offer

outdoor accommodation specialist and founder of Pitchup.com, dan yates, shares his top tips for attracting higher paying guests unspoilt coastline or uninterrupted sunset views, so this is about making the most of your park’s natural advantages and creating local links to delight your guests (not on a farm? Befriend a local farmer who’s happy for your guests to visit and see the animals; negotiate a discount with a local taxi company for your guests’ pre-booked cabs).

Invest in what matters. By using a site like Pitchup.com you can unchain yourself from your phone and email to focus on what really matters - ensuring your holiday park runs smoothly and providing an ever-better experience for guests - and leave the promotion and sales to us. Being part of the UK’s leading outdoor accommodation specialist showcases your business to millions of customers actively looking for a park just like yours, a platform much more challenging and prohibitively expensive - to create alone.

Attracting high-spending guests isn’t about following the pack or offering a bewildering range of ‘extras’ to all your guests: it’s much more nuanced. Guests will be prepared to spend more if their experience beats expectations, meaning they take home happy memories. How you achieve that - and ensure your holiday park remains successful - just takes a little inspiration, planning and promotion.

Our approach is that there should be no risk to our partners, so we charge 15% commission (with 2.5% reclaimable if you’re registered for UK VAT) due only when we deliver bookings. *January - November 2017, Great Britain Tourism Survey **Overseas residents’ holidays to the UK from 2017, International Passenger Survey

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environmental News Cumbria holiday park declares war on single-use plastics It is also pulling the plug on water sold in plastic bottles, and installing a filtered water dispenser so that guests can fill their own bottles free of charge. In addition, says Susan, the park has now taken delivery of a plastics recycling station so that the waste can be disposed of without causing pollution.

Families staying at a Windermere holiday park this year will be helping the family-run business to call time on plastic waste.

Reaction from guests so far, she comments, has been overwhelmingly positive: Thanks to programmes such as the BBC's Blue Planet series, I think we're all much more aware of the threats posed by plastic, and not least to wildlife," said Susan.

Park Cliffe has announced a crackdown on plastic items which are designed for single use, including straws, bags, bottles, sauce sachets and coffee cups. From now on, holiday guests will be asked to join the park in helping to tackle the mountains of waste plastic accumulating in our oceans and rivers.

"Footage of turtles and other marine animals trapped in plastic bags has made a big impact on many people, and we all know that a solution must be found.

But according to park co-owner Susan Dickson, people staying at the park won't need to make any sacrifices in order to contribute to the clean-up bid.

"Park Cliffe tends to attract those with a concern for the natural world, and they are very supportive of our steps to become more environmentally friendly," added Susan.

Old fashioned paper drinking straws are being drafted in, and items once sold in plastic bags will be handed over in a biodegradable paper bags.

Waging war on plastics is not the park's only move to protect the natural world, and Park Cliffe's many awards include accolades for its care of the countryside. Among them is the David Bellamy Conservation Award at its top gold level, presented to the park for its raft of initiatives to safeguard wildlife in its grounds.

Park Cliffe's cafe has squeezed out sauce sachets in favour of condiments in glass bottles, and takeaway coffees and teas will now come in compostable cups.

Or if customers bring their own reusable cups, a 25p discount will be offered.

Earlier this year, the business also announced it was ditching diesel for many of the journeys made around the 25-acre park by parking up its Land Rover in favour of an electric vehicle.

Scotland’s Tourism Business Makes Positive Impact on Environment, Says Report Sustainable tourism business in Scotland has saved 1 million tonnes of water and ¼ million tonnes of carbon, according to an impacts report published by the sustainable accreditation organisation, Green Tourism.

The report, entitled 20 Years of Making a Difference, addresses the positive impact Green Tourism accredited businesses have had on the environment over a period of twenty years. It was released at a Scottish Tourism Alliance reception at the Scottish Parliament attended

by Fiona Hyslop MSP. Green Tourism sustainability assessments undertaken by the organisation spanning the last twenty years have revealed carbon and water savings, habitat and biodiversity creation, waste recovery, local procurement and business savings.

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The detailed analysis was undertaken across tourism businesses including accommodation providers, visitor attractions, tour operators and event and conference venues across Scotland.

The impact of a combined sustainable approach across 809 Scottish accredited businesses shows that 5 million ‘green' bed nights were enjoyed last year (2017), with 25 million visitors choosing sustainable destinations, attractions and venues in 2016.

Furthermore, a staggering 1.5 million trees have been planted by environmentally-aware tourism businesses over the last 20 years.

The report also shows that the ‘green movement' is gaining traction with 30% of tourism businesses now part of a local food initiative, an increase of 150% in 5 years.

landscaping News Kubota strengthens groundcare dealer network with Buxtons Kubota UK is pleased to announce it has further strengthened its extensive dealer network after joining forces with Staffordshire-based groundcare and arboriculture specialists Buxtons.

The appointment of Buxtons is part of Kubota’s ongoing investment to ensure its market leading range of high performance groundcare machinery is supplied through an independent dealer network that is committed to a first class service offering.

The new partnership means Buxtons will now supply Kubota’s complete range of high quality and innovative groundcare solutions,

from walk behind, ride-on, out-front and zero turn mowers, to Kubota’s industry leading compact tractors and its durable and rugged RTV utility vehicles. This includes Kubota’s recently launched range of BX Series, B1 Series and B2 Series sub-compact tractors, and the new ZD1211 zero turn rideon mower.

Neale Hopley, Managing Director of Buxtons said: “We are absolutely delighted to become a Kubota dealer. Although we previously supplied groundcare equipment, our range was limited. This new relationship with Kubota enables us to significantly expand our business, giving us the chance to target a much wider range of commercial sectors including local authority, education, equestrian and the sports turf market.

“These are exciting times for Buxtons.

The Kubota brand is synonymous with quality, durability and reliability, with a fantastic reputation for innovative, cost effective and hard working machines.

It’s a trusted brand that turf professionals know will get the job done and not let them down. We are extremely excited to be working in

partnership with Kubota and are looking forward to growing our business with them.”

Adrian Langmead, Business Development Manager for Kubota UK’s Groundcare Division said: “Here at Kubota we pride ourselves on having a dealership network that is second to none. By signing Buxtons up as a new dealer we can extend our reach across a 30-mile radius throughout the Staffordshire area, enabling us to secure key accounts within the commercial market.

“Buxtons is a well established and respected dealership, so it was a natural fit to partner with an organisation whose commitments reflect our own. We’re looking forward to the longevity of this partnership, enabling Buxtons to provide both residential and commercial customers with the highest quality Kubota machinery, Kubota Care, Kubota Finance and aftersales services and parts.”

Buxtons has already received significant interest in Kubota’s machinery, securing a number of orders from both commercial and residential customers at its recent open day, which saw over 100 potential and current customers attend.

Easy does it with John deere’s new compact tractor John Deere’s new 3038E compact tractor is an economical and versatile machine suitable for a wide variety of customers, including landscape contractors, groundscare maintenance service providers, sports turf managers, rural property owners and equestrian operations.

The 3038E is equipped with a powerful, emissions-compliant Stage IV diesel engine developing 37.3hp. A hydrostatic transmission with Twin Touch foot pedals provides the operator with simple, comfortable controls to select exactly the right speed for the job at hand.

Combined with power assisted steering, the Twin Touch pedals are intuitive and easy to use and enable the operator to maximise productivity. The tractor’s independent Power Take Off can be engaged on the go, eliminating the need to stop and use the clutch. The 3038E also features an easy-lift

bonnet that provides wide-open access to the engine bay for maintenance.

A new 300E front loader has been designed to complement the 3038E and features a curved boom and durable components. Together with the tractor’s tight turning circle, this offers a highly manoeuvrable combination for materials handling, whether working indoors or outdoors. Four-wheel drive is available as standard for more demanding applications and difficult ground conditions.

“This new tractor is easy to operate, easy to maintain, easy to own and easy to buy,” says Carlos Aragones, John Deere’s European turf segment manager. “No matter what the task, the 3038E compact tractor delivers John Deere quality and reliability at a budget-friendly price.”

The 3038E compact tractor also offers telescoping draft links as a factory or field installed option. This makes attaching and removing rear implements very easy and increases overall performance in the field. This option is compatible with a wide range of implements, including mowers, rear blades and posthole diggers.

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What is

General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)?

gdPr is the general data Protection directive, a new data protection law from the european Union that will replace the existing data Protection act 1998 (dPa) that many people will be familiar with. it will apply across the eU and is designed to increase the rights of individuals (called data subjects) in light of the massive change in the use of data over the last 20 years and to try and harmonise data protection law across the eU.

When does it come into force?

The GDPR comes into force on 25 May 2018.

Who will enforce it in the UK? In the UK, it will be enforced by the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) who currently deal with the Data Protection Act (DPA).

One reason that organisations are concerned about GDPR is that penalties and fines for breaches of the GDPR could be substantial (up to 4% of Global Revenues).

specified explicit legitimate purposes and must not be processed further in any manner incompatible with those purposes;

Importantly, this needs to be an ongoing process. This is not a one-off effort and compliance must be kept under review and updated.

I personal data must be adequate, relevant and limited to what is necessary in relation to the purposes for which it is collected;

What data does this apply to and what is meant by processing?

I personal data must be accurate and kept up-to-date;

Who does it apply to?

The GDPR applies to anyone who processes or controls personal data. Personal Data means any information relating to an identifiable person in both electronic and manual filing systems. People familiar with the terms data controller, data processor and personal data from the DPA will have some understanding of what this means.

Why are so many people talking about it?

There are a number of reasons for this. GDPR will impose new obligations not only on data controllers (the people who decide how the data is processed) but also on data processors (the people who process the data as instructed by the data controllers). In order to comply with the GDPR, details about how data is being used and processed needs to be reviewed very carefully so that appropriate policies and protections that comply with the GDPR can be put in place.

Data is not just names and addresses. It can be anything that can identify an individual or could be used with other data to identify an individual. This means that it’s not just lists of names and addresses - it might mean photos, CCTV and IP addresses of people accessing your website. And processing is similarly wide. It covers virtually anything that might be done to data, from collecting it, storing it, analysing it, using it, transmitting it, deleting it and destroying it.

What are the data protection principles?

The GDPR sets out data protection principles which need to be complied with. These include: I personal data must be processed lawfully, fairly and in a transparent manner; I personal data must be collected only for

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I personal data should not be kept longer than is necessary for the purposes for which it is processed; I appropriate security and protection against unauthorised or unlawful processing, accidental loss, destruction or damage must be implemented using appropriate technical measures; I the data controller must be able to demonstrate compliance with the principles.

Consent and lawful processing Obtaining informed consent to process data will become even more important in many cases in a way that complies with the data protection principles. Consent must be an active, affirmative action. Pre-ticked boxes or

opt outs will not be able to be used. Records must be kept of how and when consent was obtained. Consent is not the only way to process data lawfully. Lawful use also includes processing data to comply with a contract or legal obligation.

12 steps to take now 1. Awareness You should make sure that decision makers and key people in your organisation are aware that the law is changing with regard to GDPR. They need to appreciate the impact this is likely to have.

2. Information you hold You should document what personal data you hold, where it came from and who you share it with. You may need to organise an information audit.

3. Communicating privacy information You should review your current privacy notices and put a plan in place for making any necessary changes in time for GDPR implementation.

4. Individuals’ rights You should check your procedures to ensure they cover all the rights individuals have, including how you would delete personal data or provide data electronically and in a commonly used format.

5. Subject access requests You should

update your procedures and plan how you will handle requests within the new timescales and provide any additional information.

6. Lawful basis for processing personal data You should identify the lawful basis for your processing activity in the GDPR, document it and update your privacy notice to explain it.

7. Consent You should review how you seek, record and manage consent and whether you need to make any changes. Refresh existing consents now if they don’t meet the GDPR standard.

8. Children You should start thinking now about whether you need to put systems in place to verify individuals’ ages and to obtain parental or guardian consent for any data processing activity.

9. Data breaches You should make sure you have the right procedures in place to detect, report and investigate a personal data breach.

10. Data Protection by Design and Data Protection Impact Assessments You should familiarise yourself now with the ICO’s code of practice on Privacy Impact Assessments as well as the latest guidance from the Article 29 Working Party, and work out how and

when to implement them in your organisation.

11. Data Protection Officers You should designate someone to take responsibility for data protection compliance and assess where this role will sit within your organisation’s structure and governance arrangements. You should consider whether you are required to formally designate a Data Protection Officer.

12. International If your organisation operates in more than one EU member state (ie you carry out cross-border processing), you should determine your lead data protection supervisory authority. Article 29 Working Party guidelines will help you do this.

For further information please visit the Information Commissioner’s Office website below, or small organisations can call the ICO helpline on 0303 123 1113 and select option 4 to be diverted to staff who can offer support.

As well as advice on preparing for the GDPR, callers can also ask questions about current data protection rules and other legislation regulated by the ICO including electronic marketing and Freedom of Information.

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OutdoorPlay New Off-Road OUTLANDER Driving School seat belts, horn, head lights, direction indicators, accelerator and brake pedal with brake lights… as well as having a reverse gear.

World of Rides is launching its brand new ‘Parent & Child’ battery operated Off-Road OUTLANDER Driving School Cars for 2018, to allow all operators to be able to contribute to children’s road safety education, as well as providing a safe, colourful, popular and very profitable new Jungle or Jurassic style of attraction for their venues, either indoors or outdoors.

The large twin seat Off-Road OUTLANDER Driving School Cars are fitted with a working dashboard, with ignition key, and have fully-operational

They also have the following exciting benefits: I Comfortable side-by-side seating for either two children or a ‘Parent & Child’.

I Sturdy, long lasting, glass fibre bodywork in a large range of original colours.

I Strong metal foot pedals and controls for rugged use by would-be adventurers.

I Agricultural pneumatic tyres for use on short cut grass and flat unmade roads.

I Cars can also be run on real or synthetic ice rinks.

I Authentic off-road design, with either coin, token or remote STOP/START control.

I Fully sprung suspension on all four wheels.

I Full safety barriers around each vehicle, and 12 months H.S.E.A.D.I.P.S. documents.

“Our main purpose is to edutain children by making learning fun,” said Customer Support Manager Andrew Robinson. www.worldofrides.com

Huck Nets make play an adventure The innovative range of purpose-designed rope and net play equipment from Dorset-based Huck Nets is guaranteed to make every playground an adventure. It is a popular feature in parks and playgrounds across the UK and Europe, and being manufactured mostly of rope and timber is ideally suited to outdoor natural play environments. Play worlds can be customised individually with rope ladders, ropes, tyres and numerous other accessories to meet every specific individual requirement.

Every element has been designed to allow children’s imaginations to run wild and to give free rein to their natural urge to be active. There are various climbing elements such as climbing pyramids, jungle bridges, net ramps, rope ladders and tunnels, an impressive range of individual and group swings, trampolines, hammocks and aerial runways. Each play system comes with a wide range of different structural design elements in every shape and colour that will blend harmoniously into virtually any adventure landscape.

The ‘Black Forest’ Birds Nest Tower is Huck’s showpiece. Standing an impressive 6.85m high it not only incorporates Huck’s original Birds Nest® but is also able to include a wide range of different play and climbing elements such as climbing tunnels, climbing bridges, climbing walls, net chimneys, countless ladders and stainless steel slides. Single and double versions are available.

“It is an awesome piece of kit,” says Sarah Reynolds, Huck’s Play Manager. “Like all our play and climbing equipment is has been

designed to encourage children’s imagination and their natural need for movement and excitement. It is extremely versatile and because of all the different structural design elements it is suitable for all ages and will give them endless fun. Probably the most exciting feature is the central climbing tunnel that allows the very top of the structure to be explored. Standing nearly 7m high this means that the area for miles around can be viewed.”

For more information on Huck ’s range of play equipment and their supporting design and installation services call 01308 425100 or email sarah.reynolds@hucknetting.co.uk

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OutdoorPlay Innovative new equipment from Sutcliffe Play Sutcliffe Play, a UK manufacturer, has launched a new range of innovative new playground equipment that is perfect for holiday park settings.

Andy Love from Sutcliffe Play says: “Sutcliffe Play has established .a reputation as a leading designer of children’s play equipment over many years. Over that time, we’ve developed an understanding of the needs of both our customers and the children using playgrounds – all of that knowledge and expertise has been used to develop our new equipment.

“Happy children means happy parents and we have a proven track record of creating exciting playgrounds that add a real wow factor, more importantly they can keep families entertained and children wanting to return to play on them time and time again.”

The company has expanded some of its most popular ranges, as well as launching brand new and exciting standalone pieces of playground equipment.

The new equipment includes three new multi-play units that have been added to Orchard, the sustainable and environmentally friendly wooden range of playground equipment. Maple, Rowan and Oak complement and add even more play value to the range.

The Orchard range combines age appropriate physically challenging activities with a natural appearance which allow it to blend aesthetically into rural play spaces.

Sutcliffe Play is already working on the development of further items of this range to be launched later this year and the first new boatthemed Orchard unit, which encourages imaginative and social play, will be installed in July.

The company has also launched the new Cobra Swing that has been designed for up to six children to swing together. Using a combination of balancing, swinging and rocking, a chunky rope seat also means adults are able to sit and swing with younger children.

With over 40 years’ experience in the design department, Sutcliffe Play is always open to a new challenge and prides itself on turning customers’ visions into realities. With a new and dedicated Business Development Manager, Simon Sharp, it offers a free design and project management service and can create tailor-made, bespoke play equipment solutions, specific for your site and customer group.

Simon adds: “I’m looking forward to helping create inspirational and innovative play spaces using our new products, they are already proving popular in the play area outside our factory.” www.sutcliffeplay.co.uk

Outdoor Play Space Company Secures Four Awards Timotay Playscapes, outdoor play space experts and home to inspirational outdoor spaces, has achieved four gold awards from the Association of Professional Landscapers (APL) I Gold: Community Garden (Cherry Lane Adventure Playground) I Gold: The Village Project I Gold: Contemporary Cheshire Garden I Silver: The Social Garden The Association of Professional Landscapers encompasses accredited landscape companies who design, build and maintain gardens throughout the UK. The APL is the only landscaping scheme operator of Trustmark, a Government endorsed initiative that promotes professional trades to consumers. They showcase and select leaders within the landscaping arena, where the design and final project demonstrates quality and superior final project.

Areas of the project included: a large sand and water play area, a ‘fun in the trees’ zone, climbing areas, tunnelled underground zones, raised climbing platforms and sensory paths. The extensive play values demonstrated within this project caters for children of all age ranges and abilities. It was a space to bring families together and enjoy the outdoor space.

If you have an outdoor space that you would like to develop or enhance, please contact Timotay Playscapes to book your free consultation and design enquiries@timotayplayscapes.co.uk or 01933 665151.

Timotay was invited to work in partnership with Cherry Lane Adventure Playground. The project was part of an 18-month refurbishment of the eagerly awaited flagship playground. Timotay and the project team at Cherry Lane worked together to deliver this exciting project, and to ensure that all key objectives were met.

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a d v e r t o r i a l

Choosing the right insurance partner Supporting your park in what it does best A strong insurance partner should make it easier for a park to focus on its core activities. We like to say the Leisuredays team is best at making customer insurance easy.

Our 120-plus strong team works hard to make sure park operators get maximum profits and no hassle from their customer insurance arrangements.

Not only do we have a team of nationwide business development managers to support parks, but there’s also a much bigger team supporting park customers, seven-days-aweek at our head office in Halifax, West Yorkshire.

Here at Leisuredays, we’re also proud to say that our business development managers have been with the company for years, each with a dedicated area and dedicated parks, so they’re able to offer a very personalised service.

It’s a huge benefit to our partners as it helps to build long-term relationships, as well as a tailored service and offering, to achieve agreed business goals.

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choosing the right insurance partner for your holiday park can have long-term benefits for your business. Here leisuredays’ Head of development gareth walker explains why…

Our contact centre advisers also help park customers get the insurance cover they need and our pricing team makes sure premiums are competitive to maximise take-up rates.

Our dedicated claims liaison team looks after any customer insurance claims, helping your park to look its best and keeping customers informed and happy.

Our holiday caravan insurance policy has the maximum 5 Star rating from independent financial researcher Defaqto. This shows that our holiday caravan policy provides one of the highest quality insurance offerings in the market.

Through our compliance team, we guide parks through their insurance regulatory responsibilities and offer support in complying with the latest data protection legislation.

A partner that saves you time We know that handling hundreds of customers’ insurance policies is time consuming for a park operator, so it’s worth looking for an insurance partner which has the staff and expertise to administer and renew your customers’ insurance on your behalf year-after-year.

Choose a long-term partner It’s important to make sure that you, your park and your customers, get something out of the partnership. Your chosen insurance partner should be able to offer you healthy levels of commission, competitive premiums and high conversions. A long-term partnership will mean your take up rates and commission begin to snowball year on year.

But also look out for an excellent reputation for customer service and a credible underwriter who can handle any claims effectively and efficiently.

Industry awards and high ratings on websites such as ReviewCentre.com are a good measure of how well customers and the industry rates your insurance partner.

Leisuredays has the backing of a leading UK insurer RSA, helping to make sure claims are processed quickly so a park can quickly get back on its feet should disaster strike.

For more information on how a proactive insurance partner could help grow and support your business, please call 01422 396 772 or email the Leisuredays Development team on development@leisuredays.co.uk

Prevention Is Better Than Cure With Marsh’s Degrilleur In response to water companies’ appeals to reduce the amount of non-biodegradable material being discharged into the sewage system, treatment plant specialist Marsh Industries now offers a range of Degrilleur trash barriers for pump chambers and sewage treatment plants. The Degrilleur units will quickly pay for themselves by preventing blockages and possible plant failure or flooding that can be caused by nondissolvable items being flushed into the system.

Degrilleur is a bar screen which, when positioned ahead of the system’s inlet, prevents debris from entering and pushes it to the top of the chamber where it is stored in a collection chamber until it can be cleared and disposed of appropriately via the unit’s manhole cover. This simple mechanical process involves no moving parts so the Marsh Degrilleur units are maintenance-free and totally reliable in operation.

Available in two sizes – 2,000 and 6,000 litres - as standard with other sizes for tanks up to 36,000 litres available as specials, Degrilleur units are perfect for domestic, commercial and even industrial applications. It can also function as a flow-splitting chamber for multi-stream applications or an upstream trash screen in storm water attenuation schemes.

Water companies estimate that it costs the UK as much as £90million a year to clear an estimated 360,000 blocked sewers clogged up by nondecomposable items such as wipes, microbeads in cleaning products, and grease. Half of these blockages are avoidable and are caused by the incorrect disposal of wet wipes and other hygiene products via toilets.

Flushing these items leads to blockages, flooding, damage to beaches and waterways, and ultimately increased bills for consumers. Anglian Water, for instance, believes 800 tonnes of wipes and sanitary items are being flushed every week in its eastern England region alone and in the Thames region alone, disposal of unsuitable products, combined with fats, oils, grease and food waste poured down the sink, causes 1,000 homes and 5,000 gardens to be flooded each year.

product News 20-Year Anniversary for Quickmove 2018 marks a very exciting milestone for Quickmove Properties as it celebrates two decades of helping customers buy new property on holiday and residential parks. In 1998, their first office in Wiltshire specialised in managing property part exchange deals for retirement developers. Twenty years later, their home exchange programme has been used by nearly 7,000 home buyers nationwide, and their park home buying service now helps people with the entire process of buying on-park home developments.

Quickmove’s 20th birthday is celebrated on a new company logo and will be promoted throughout the year at consumer shows and other events.

Chairman Steve Abbley commented: “We are very proud to mark this important year. The retirement and leisure property market has undergone huge changes in the last two decades, particularly with the growth of luxury lodges as a viable alternative to increasingly-rare bricks and mortar bungalows. Quickmove are well placed to help people buy in this sector.”

Alongside its 20-year celebrations, Quickmove Properties has unveiled its new website, redesigned to give potential home buyers all the information they need to buy on a park. The site is optimised for mobile devices and features a range of new video content, infographics, Q&As, news, events and inspirational articles such as how to choose the best park and myth-busting about the park home lifestyle.

There is a dedicated trade section for park operators, explaining the support that Quickmove offers to generate leads through marketing and helping to turn interested customers into proceedable buyers using their popular property part exchange scheme. The page can be found at www.quickmoveproperties.co.uk/park-operators.

Quickmove generates active customer leads for partners in its park network, helping to market properties for sale and making buyers proceedable using property part-exchange and stock support services. The service is delivered by a dedicated team of in-house property specialists, with significant experience in dealing with manufacturers, customers, estate agents and solicitors, making the process smooth and hassle-free for all. info@quickmoveproperties.co.uk

Cubicles enhance pods and log cabins The Kinedo range of shower cubicles from Saniflo is transforming the bathrooms in glamping and holiday park accommodation all over the UK. Combining contemporary styling with swift installation the Kinedo shower cubicles can be up and running and fully watertight in just a few hours; providing efficiency for the manufacturer and problem-free operation for site owners. Another huge benefit, according to the owner of Henllee Hall Lodges in Shropshire, is the ease of cleaning and maintenance.

“The glass panels on the inside of our Kinedo Eden cubicles definitely make life easier for our team of cleaners and they are much more hygienic than grout. We have never experienced a leak so there’s rarely any maintenance and our plumbers love the ease of installation; particularly as they don’t need to tile. They are a great solution in our log cabins.”

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product News

Frontier Pitts Works With Caravan Parks To Increase Security

Over the years, Frontier Pitts has installed perimeter security equipment on many caravan park sites nationally, to ensure the holiday park sites fulfil their security requirements with cost-effective traffic management.

Frontier Pitts manufactures many marketleading solutions, which are ideally suited for controlling constant access to and from site. From the traffic-control Automatic Barrier model FBX, to the parking height Rising Kerb, to the Anti-Ram Terra 180° Swing Barrier, Frontier Pitts installs many solutions for caravan parks The FBX Automatic Barrier is manufactured in boom lengths up to six metres, up to five metres for booms with skirts, and each boom can be fitted with warning lights and signs to the customer’s specification.

The FBX is designed for reliability and durability, featuring sealed-for-life, no-

maintenance bearings on the drive shaft; while both barriers and control cabinet are supplied with a 20-year protective alkyd paint finish as standard. The FBX accessories options include a variety of warning signs, lower folding skirts, boom lights, articulated boom, override key switch, magnetic locks for the end-rest, with a choice of ‘pogo stick’ or fixed end-rests.

Roadblockers and Rising Kerbs are impactresistant barriers which control vehicle access and are well suited to ‘High Security’ sites. Such installations range from car parks through to anti-terrorist protection of defence installations. There are a few models of road blockers available, including the Parking Height Rising Kerbs and the Security height Roadblockers.

Frontier Pitts, based in Crawley, Sussex, is

the acknowledged leader in perimeter security equipment. Services include design, manufacture, civil and electrical services, site surveys, installation, spare parts and a full maintenance contract package to give customers complete peace of mind. The product range includes security gates, automatic barriers, road blockers and rising kerbs, bollards, and pedestrian control gates and turnstiles www.frontierpitts.com

Kensa launches new website information A new suite of online resources to help customers identify the best configuration of ground source technology, and analyse the associated costs and savings, has been launched by UK manufacturer Kensa Heat Pumps.

The new website sections on www.kensaheatpumps.com showcase a number of typical costed examples and schematics for innovative ground source system architectures that can be applied across a variety of domestic and commercial scenarios.

See: www.kensaheatpumps.com/solution-centre/typical-examplescosts.

Customers can review estimated costings for the supply and installation of the Kensa heat pump and ground array equipment, alongside projected running and servicing costs. The examples also show how costs can be offset by the generous income available through the Government’s Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) scheme.

In addition, customers can refer to Kensa’s online guide, ‘Which RHI is right for me’, to help clarify whether a project set up can qualify for 7 years of Domestic, or 20 years of Non-Domestic RHI funding. Kensa will keep this page updated to reflect proposed future legislation changes.

See: www.kensaheatpumps.com/grants-incentives/which-rhi-is-rightfor-me.

Housed in the ‘Solution Centre’ section of Kensa’s website, the ground source system architectures explore traditional configurations, as well as more complex scenarios, including modular cascaded systems and district heating schemes.

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Paul Dennison, Sales Manager for Kensa, says: “This body of work is our response to requests from the market. Kensa understands that when a customer is considering ground source heat pumps, they want to see a breakdown of the associated costs and understand what the return on investment would be.

“Ground source heat pumps aren’t a ‘one size fits all’ technology. They can be used in a wide variety of different applications in various project set-ups, including cascaded, district and micro district. Through this work, Kensa is keen to share our innovative, solution-focussed approach with customers to open their eyes to the possibilities of our technology.”

product News Puxton Park opens ropes courses from Innovative Leisure UK adventure attractions specialist Innovative Leisure has announced the opening of a Sky Trail high ropes course and a Sky Tykes junior ropes course at Puxton Park near Bristol in the UK. The new attractions represent an investment by the park of over £300,000.

Covering an area 25.7m x 14.7m and taking participants to a height of 6m, the Sky Trail course can be enjoyed by visitors 1m tall accompanied by an adult and 1.2m unaccompanied and is therefore ideal for the family market. Capacity on the high ropes course is up to 25 people at any one time and approximately 50 per hour.

Featuring a wide variety of fun, challenging elements which test users both physically and mentally, the Puxton high ropes

course also incorporates two elements which appear for the first time on a UK course – a rolling log and a wave tunnel.

The Puxton high ropes course also features the walk the plan element, which sees guests walk out towards the park’s narrow gauge railway.

The course has been built as a single level course but with the capacity to add a further level in the future if the operator decides to expand the attraction. In addition to the main high ropes course, Puxton has also added a Sky Tykes junior ropes course adjacent to it, offering an introduction to ropes courses for the very youngest of visitors. www.innovativeleisure.co.uk

Rolec Project Manage Major Park Redevelopment Specialist Utility contractor to the caravan park, marina and electric vehicle charging industries, Rolec Services, recently undertook the role of turnkey main contractor during a refurbishment of the Inverbeg Holiday Park.

The contract at Inverbeg, a site located on the banks of Loch Lomond in Scotland, was issued by Luss Estates directly to Rolec and included the design and installation of: I A new centrally located 500kVA high voltage ground mounted transformer supply I The construction of a building to house the high voltage transformer, as well as the LV metering and distribution switchgear I The design and installation of a new park-wide low voltage electrical distribution system I The installation of just under 200 x MID certified metered electrical hook-up supplies for the park’s caravans, holiday pods and bungalow-sized log cabins I The design and installation of a park encompassing lighting system to include 56 x low level Sauro LED energy efficient lights and a photocell-controlled management system I The installation of new electricity and gas supplies to the park’s buildings, including offices, shops, laundries, water and sanitation pump stations, and security barriers.

I The design and installation of an entire park-wide underground gas pipe system complete with a high capacity, centralised gas tank hub.

I The design and construction of a British Standards specification gas compound, featuring concrete pad, security fencing, authorised access gates, crash protection barriers and firefighting facilities.

I The installation of just under 200 x metered gas connection units for the park’s caravans, pods and log cabins

I The transfer of the park’s caravans, pods and log cabins from existing electricity and gas systems to the newly installed ones Rolec also carried out all of the testing and certification work required for the project.

Martin Georgeson, Rolec’s Leisure division Sales Director commented: “The turnkey project at Inverbeg Holiday Park has gone like clockwork from beginning to end and, according to Luss Estates, has exceeded all expectations.

“In addition to managing everything from initial systems design work, groundworks, building construction, HV & LV electrical systems, and the gas network, we also implemented and managed the construction site’s Health & Safety and Subcontractor induction programme.

“With Rolec firmly established as the UK’s leading, largest and most comprehensive specialist in leisure park utility systems we are comfortably able to provide nationwide multi-park utility management solutions - as well as project manage park developments of any size.” www.rolecserv.com

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product Focus

Product Training Is Key for Happy Staff and Guests

we asked tony eyre of connected entertainment about how important he feels the product training is for the Jigsaw touchscreen entertainment system.

“Making sure that all of our Jigsaw users are properly trained on our widening range of content is a high priority for us. Product training gives our Jigsaw users the confidence they need to operate their Jigsaw systems professionally and deliver the best guest experience possible.

As the demands upon Entertainment Staff grow, it’s vital we fulfil our part as suppliers, by supporting the Jigsaw product with thorough product training and technical support.

Websites such as TripAdvisor, have become an important search and reference tool for holiday makers when choosing where to go.

Before making that all-important decision, families want to be confident that their chosen park offers the range of facilities they need, and entertainment and Entertainment Staff often feature high on their list of priorities.

Our extensive pre-season Jigsaw Training Program ensures all Entertainments Staff get the right level of training to support an Entertainments Programme using their Jigsaw system.

In the weeks running up to Easter this year, we have delivered pre-season Jigsaw training to more than 1,100 Entertainment Staff within our Holiday Park customers. And we shall continue to conduct further on-park visits throughout the season to ensure the software content we develop meets the exacting needs of our Jigsaw Users.

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Every year sees new and innovative content developed and uploaded to our customers’ Jigsaw systems; Interactive Game Shows, Smart Phone Apps, Linked Quiz, improved compliance features within our Bingo software, are just some of the new features for 2018. Pre-season training is so important for us, just as it is for our Jigsaw Users. We offer this service free of charge to our customers; and we are unaware of any other companies that put this much emphasis on product training.

Our aim is to untap the full potential of Jigsaw’s Content by training the very people whom our customers rely on to deliver that unforgettable guest experience; the Entertainments Team. Our shared aim is to help secure the guests’ return year after year, some of whom may even go on to buy their own holiday home.

One of the most valuable aspects of the preseason training is the fact that we get in front of those best placed to provide the most constructive feedback; the Entertainments Team. Our customers drive our development programme and we are already working towards a new version of Jigsaw scheduled for release in 2019.

Our customers are our best Ambassadors, and our growth has been primarily by word of mouth. There are now more Jigsaw systems in Holiday Parks than any other touchscreen entertainment system. We attribute this to our product development program which is in turn fed by our commitment to product training.

Our training doesn’t end with our Jigsaw Users. Our own Jigsaw Team are also trained by experts from within the Entertainments Industry. This training focusses on presentation and customer service, and helps the Jigsaw Team become more aware of potential situations that may arise on-park that Entertainments Staff often experience directly. And often, the training we receive is delivered by the very people who also select and manage Entertainments Teams around the UK. This empathetic approach ensures a cohesive thought process within our Technical Support Team, and is especially important when we’re providing remote technical support to an already busy entertainments department.

The 2018 season shall see us continue to visit parks regularly and support our Jigsaw Users. We shall spend time with them in their venues, and take their feedback back into our development program.

And while I know the 2018 season has only just started, such is the importance of Jigsaw training, that we’re already planning our 2019 pre-season training schedule and working closely with our customers to ensure we get training dates booked in as soon as possible.

Product training is a significant investment for us, and one that we hope secures the continued growth of Jigsaw’s placement in the holiday park market.”

product Focus

Make Your Holiday Park

Slip-Free

caravanning is a popular pastime for retirees and the elderly. it is also a viable permanent downsizing option for homeowners looking to save money. with more people visiting caravan sites than ever, parks need to make sure that their sites are safe for visitors of all levels of mobility.

Domestic tourism is on the rise in the UK, as "staycations" increase in popularity.

According to statistics compiled by the National Caravan Council (NCC), more than 50 million nights are spent in a caravan in the UK each year – whether in the country’s 365,000 static and holiday homes, the 550,000 touring caravans or 225,000 motorhomes. As people choose to explore Britain during their holidays, park maintenance has become more important than ever as sites compete for more domestic tourism.

When choosing the ideal site, over a third of campers consider onsite facilities to be the biggest deciding factor. From communal shower areas to onsite entertainment, the quality of your site's facilities can be the difference between a booking or being passed by.

Safe attractions and facilities for everyone High quality onsite facilities include having safe and reliable walkways, paths and flooring. Shower areas need to be safe and non-slip to protect your visitors, while outdoor boardwalks and pathways need to resist weather 365 days a year. In a typical year, slips and trips account for over 33% of all reported major injuries at camp sites.

There is rarely a single cause of a slipping accident, and a holistic approach is required when assessing risk and securing sites.

Static Caravans Anti-slip sheeting and panels can be retrofitted to wooden steps and walkways, providing long term safety benefits due to its durability and natural resistance to corrosion.

We recommend glass-reinforced plastic (GRP). This robust and grippy material is idea is an ideal, low-maintenance and versatile solution that can provide your static caravan decking with years of extra life.

Communal Areas Suitable for both internal and external premises, anti-slip flooring is perfect for both medium and heavy foot traffic in the most hazardous weather. Resin flooring in shower areas provides a water-tight and safe surface for visitors to use your facilities. Resin flooring is also easy to clean and repair, making your regular maintenance much easier.

Park Maintenance Many caravan parks make a feature of the fishing facilities and lakeside walks. In order to allow wheelchair users, the elderly and the visually impaired to enjoy these facilities too, you need to make sure they have access too.

Caravan sites try to preserve a natural look and feel by using materials such as wood and stone in their walkways, observation platforms and caravan decking. While visually fetching, they can present a hazard to the elderly and less physically able. Strips of anti-slip panels or tape can be coloured to blend in to the natural features, allowing you to maintain your visual appeal without compromising on safety.

If you're setting up a site, remember the basics. Each pitch should be no more than 90m (300ft) from a drinking water tap, and each tap must have a soak-away or gully. The number of toilets that have to be supplied depends on the number of pitches and there must be a properly designed disposal point for caravanners’ own chemical closets.

These are just a few quick tips for creating a secure and safe site for visitors. Maintenance of outdoor areas can be an expensive and time-consuming task for camp sites. But it is necessary, because accidents that occur on your site don't just cost compensation claims - they could impact your reputation and your future business.

Produced in association with GripClad, the UK’s leading supplier of quality anti-slip flooring and stairs safety solutions.

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The World of Park and Leisure Homes Show 2018 NAEC Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire

don’t Miss the ‘trade only Preview day’ thursday 7th June (from 10am) or general open days 8th – 10th June

Possibly the biggest collection of Park Homes and Leisure Lodges on show at any one time.

Visit the UK’s leading dedicated show for the Park and Leisure Homes Industry. The ‘Trade Only Preview Day’ provides a unique and exclusive opportunity for Park Owners and Operators along with others in the trade to spend quality time viewing around 60 Leisure Lodges and Park Homes on display and discussing your particular requirements and options directly with the UK’s manufacturers

I Lissett Homes I Manor Park Homes I Oakgrove Lodges & Park Homes I Oakwood Park Homes I Omar Park & Leisure Homes I Pathfinder Homes I Pemberton Park & Leisure Homes I Prestige Homeseeker I Stately Albion I Tingdene Park Homes & Holiday Lodges I Tiny Eco Homes I Wessex Unique Lodges & Park Homes I Willerby Ltd Now that’s how to Compare the Market!

Manufacturers already confirmed for this year are:I ABI I Cambrian Sovereign Park & Leisure Homes I Country Homes Park & Leisure Homes I Kingston Park & Leisure Homes

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The ‘Trade Only Preview Day’ provides a perfect environment to do business in privacy and comfort. Plus, it’s a great chance to simply enjoy a day out and catch up with friends and colleagues from across the Industry.

Amongst the many Exhibitors are:- Resitex Coatings, Park Home Assist, Zebra Finance, Park Sure, Park Home Chassis, Furniture Centre, Insulated Homes, Paul Baker Insurance, Caravan Electrical, UK Sundeck and UKGS Ground Screws; Morso Fires, Hydro Aluminum & Complete Spas and Holiday Parks Management Magazine.

If you can’t make the Trade Preview Day, the show is open to the General Public/Trade from Friday 8th to Sunday 10th June and of course, Park Owners and others from the Trade are most welcome to visit on any of these days. Entry and Parking are free plus all visitors receive a complimentary Show Guide Organiser: @parkandleisurehomeshows.co.uk www.parkhomeandleisure.co.uk

Holiday Parks Management

we have started work on our annual suppliers directory visit our website on www.holidayparksmanagement.com to fill out your free directory listing the directory will be sent to every Holiday Park in the Uk

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