Campbells Caravans buys Read Caravans in expansion rollout

Posted by

by Joe Jeffrey

Campbells Caravans expands operations in Read Caravans buyout

Campbells Caravans is expanding with the launch of a third dealership following the acquisition of Blackburn based caravan and outdoor leisure business, Read Caravans.

The purchase was completed earlier this month after former owners, Mark and Denise Holden, decided to sell the business to pursue other interests.

Campbells will take over Read’s two-acre site on Whitebirk Industrial Estate in Blackburn, which includes a caravan showroom and forecourt selling new Bailey, Sprite, Sterling, Swift, Lunar and Venus caravans as well as a wide range of high quality used vehicles, and an accessory and awning department.

The successful aftersales centre, based close by on Lower Phillips Road, will also become part of the Campbells offering and includes an NCC approved workshop, service centre and manufacturer approved insurance and damp repair shop.

The move enables the 47-year-old family run Campbells business to serve caravan and motorhome customers right across Lancashire and the surrounding counties from three premises, all of which are easily accessible from the M6, M61 and M65 motorway network.

Director Daniel Campbell will head up the team at the new Blackburn site. Of the acquisitions,Campbell said: “Read is a respected and established family run business that has a loyal customer base and has received awards for customer satisfaction so there is a great deal of synergy with our own offering. We’re very excited to be bringing it under the Campbells brand and to be able to offer customers, both existing and new, an even higher standard of customer service. 

“A particular highlight for us is that all of the Read team have chosen to stay on,” Campbell continued. “Whilst the name above the door will be different, customers can expect to see the same friendly faces and receive a warm welcome,” he adds.

Joining the director at Campbells Blackburn will be Matthew Holmes, who has been promoted to sales manager of the new branch.  Director Mike Barnes will remain at Lostock Hall to head up Campbells’ caravan dealership on Watkin Lane and the new dedicated motorhome showroom, which opened last Autumn on Croston Road.

Taking a look at the all new Corinium RB from Auto-Sleepers

Posted by

by Joe Jeffrey

Auto-Sleepers have unveiled the all new Corinium RB and CaravanTimes went to take a look around

Auto-Sleepers have announced the introduction of the Corinium RB, the third and final model to comprise of the Corinium Trio range, featuring an impressive island bed layout which looks set to complement the Corinium FB and Duo models successfully launched at Birmingham’s NEC in February earlier this year.

The new RB layout, featuring an impressive island bed in its own private bedroom, is a first for Auto-Sleepers and comes following the company listening to both customers and dealers alike. Delivering a true ‘wow’ factor, the island bed enables an abundance of space and comfort, while offering the option of repositioning the bed when not in use in order to provide a reclined backrest for daytime use too. Storage is no problem either, with room under the bed capable of holding two large sunloungers.

Moving towards the front, the Corinium RB, built on an AL-KO chassis, features a spacious lounge capable of accommodating up to six people, while the option for rear travel seats is certain to appeal to couples and families alike. A fully featured kitchen including microwave and integrated storage for the dining table should enable lots of scope for rustling up hearty meals, while the centre washroom opposite completes the innovative floorplan.

Outside, when its time to go ‘off-grid’, two inline 105amp hour batteries with 80amp solar panel should provide for all you need to remain comfortable when exploring pastures new.

To find out more about the new Corinium RB and to take a look inside, check out our latest video above and let us know what you think of it in the comments below.

Flood Defence plans approved at caravan park despite fierce opposition

Posted by

by Jeanned’Arc Sanbar

Caravan Park flood plan approved but met with resistance from enironmentalists
A flood defence scheme proposed for a north-east caravan park has been met with opposition from environmental experts despite gaining approval from local authorities.

Wood Leisure-owned Deeside Holiday Park in Maryculter, Aberdeenshire, which is situated alongside the River Dee requested a defence wall to be built around the park’s perimeter following on from flood devastation caused by Storm Frank in December last year. Permission was granted by Aberdeenshire Council’s Kincardine and Mearns area committee to go ahead with the plans earlier this week.

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), however, has ruled against plans approved, stating that the work proposed may have a knock-on effect elsewhere along the Dee, with possible implications including a “loss of floodplain capacity of around 5 per cent”, placing neighbouring properties at “increased risk”.

Managing partner of Wood Leisure said of those in opposition of the plans: “Obviously we are delighted to have the support of the councillors, it’s fantastic they listened to our case and voted in favour of our right to protect the park.

“But we are fully aware that the Scottish Government could still call it in and we could have another hurdle to overcome.

“It’s vital for safeguarding the future of the park and the customers that are on it, it’s all about making sure that we are able to safely evacuate them if we need to.”

What do you think about those opposed to building a flood defence barrier around Deeside Holiday Park? Let us know in the comments section below.

CaravanTimes takes a trip down memory lane to mark 7th anniversary

Posted by

by Joe Jeffrey

Join us as we take a look at some of our most popular stories over the years in order to commemorate CaravanTimes’ seventh anniversary

Seven wonders of the world, seven deadly sins, seven days of the week. we could go on. It is unequivocal that the number seven is of great significance for a number of reasons, and CaravanTimes has just added yet another one to the list with today marking our seventh official anniversary.

To say the past seven years have been somewhat of a rollercoaster ride is pretty much an understatement. From starting out as a simple blog in order to share our passion of the great outdoors with other likeminded caravanners and motorhomers, to becoming the world’s most popular outdoors leisure website in the short space of seven years, it is true to say that we’ve travelled a long way in more ways than one – and we couldn’t have done it without you, our dedicated readers.

In order to mark CaravanTimes’ seventh anniversary, we’ve pieced together seven of our top stories which have either proven immensely popular over the last seven years or struck a chord with you, our readers. Read on and enjoy.

First time tips

With staycations on the rise year-on-year and many people choosing to take the plunge and invest in their very own caravan, it made sense for CaravanTimes to provide a users guide to caravanning for the first time and, last summer, we did exactly that. From caravan jargon, to pitching up for the first time, our guide for first timers certainly proved popular for some. So to check it out again if you’re new to caravanning, or even if you jut want a little refresher before your summer holiday, click here

Widow banned from caravan park

Perhaps the most controversial and certainly the most read story CaravanTimes ever ran surrounded the banning of a recently widowed lady from Searles Leisure Resort in Hunstanton because she was deemed ‘single’, despite frequenting the site on numerous occasions with her husband when he was alive. The story led to Annette Gration calling for a change in Searles’ rules on single-person-occupancy, and also gained an unprecedented amount of media attention, bringing Searles reputation into question for all the wrong reasons. To read more about what happened in case you missed it the first time around, click here

Near miss

When it comes to sharing the road with other users, it goes without saying that a vast majority of us are thoughtful enough to respect the rules of the road, irrespective of all the stick us caravanners get on the odd occasion. In a rather strange turn of events, however, one cyclist got a lot more than he bargained for after cycling along the A59 at Samlesbury, Lancashire back in 2014 when a lorry driver transporting caravans to a local dealership decided to over overtake him in such close proximity that it raised many questions and subsequently cost the lorry driver his job. To check out the video, click here.

Measuring your nose weight

When it comes to caravanning, it pays to be cautious and it pays to pay close attention to safety measures required to ensure a happy journey wherever you’re heading. That’s why CaravanTimes pieced together a top five check list when it comes to loading up your caravan and measuring your nose weight. So if you’re a new caravanner, or simply need a refresher in why it’s important to load your caravan to within the correct limits, click here. You never nose (sorry) when you might need to refer to it.

World’s most expensive motorhome

We’d be liars if we said we didn’t have our very own dreams and aspirations, and the Elemment Palazzo is certainly one of those. The motormansion on wheels, brought to us by Austrian company Marchi Mobile, certainly struck a chord with our readers for many reasons as our comments section at the end of the story would attest. And measuring in at 215 sq ft, with a slide-out section doubling this to 430 sq ft, as well as an internal headroom of 8’2″ we can see why. Although we’ve placed this on our Christmas wish list since we ran the story in 2011, we’re yet to have received one of these 20 tonne behemoths, which is probably a good thing though as we wouldn’t know where to pitch up with it. To check it out, click here

Caravan levelling

When it comes to caravanning, everyone likes to start off on even ground and, ultimately, pitch up on it. It’s not always that simple though, as we’ve found out on numerous occasions where we’ve suffered sleepless nights, restless woes and everything else in-between owing to this caravan conundrum. Fear not, however, as back in 2013, CaravanTimes headed along to Golden Castle Caravans in order to find out how to pros do it. To find out for yourself, click here.

Ray Mears

Scandal – you’ve gotta love it. And there was certainly plenty of that following Ray Mears’ appearance on popular BBC One show, Room 101, where the outdoor survivalist labelled caravans as “hideous,” choosing for them to be banished to Room 101 for ever more. ‘Everyone’s entitled to their opinion’ we hear you say; and we’d usually be inclined to agree – but not when Mears was just weeks away from attending the NCC’s Caravan, Camping & Motorhome Show at Birmingham’s NEC. Mears was left rather red-faced following on from his appearance and duly relinquished of his services at the show. To read the original story, as broken by CaravanTimes and subsequently picked up by national newspapers, radio and television, click here.

So there you have it. Our most popular stories all under one roof for you to enjoy one more time, and we sincerely hope you did. Finally, we’d like to say a massive THANK YOU for making CaravanTimes what it is today. Without you, our readers, none of this would have been possible.

Caravan Club announces system upgrade

Posted by

by Jeanned’Arc Sanbar

Caravan Club system set to undergo important upgrade this weekend

The Caravan Club has announced its computer systems are set to undergo essential maintenance later this week, in a move which will see some of the Club’s site’s functionality down for almost three days.

From 5:30pm on 29 July to midnight on 31 July, the following services will be unavailable:

– Login to ‘My Profile’ and registered website use
– All bookings – UK and overseas sites, ferries, events, training courses
– Online join and membership renewal
– Access to CLs (Certificated Locations)
– Club Together (our online community)
– Insurance quote and/or purchase
– Purchasing Club Shop products
– Outfit matching services

The Club’s booking app and magazine app will also be down for the duration of the scheduled maintenance.

The downtime comes as The Caravan Club looks to update its membership systems. As a result of the scheduled maintenance, those using the Club’s facilities are advised to bring along a Sites Directory and Handbook for directions and site contact information.

A statement released by the Club said: “We appreciate that this will have a significant impact on our members using the website and app, as well as our site staff. We sincerely apologise for the inconvenience during this time and will endeavour to resume services on Sunday as smoothly as possible.”

Bailey announce price freeze plans for Unicorn and Pegasus and new Pursuit upgrade

Posted by

by Joe Jeffrey

Exciting times as Bailey announce 2017 plans

Bailey of Bristol has announced a sustained period of sales growth over the past twelve months, seeing the company increase its share of both the touring caravan and motorhome markets while necessitating a 20 per cent increase in overall production volumes.

As far as touring caravans are concerned, the success seen over the past year has largely been driven by the continued popularity of the company’s current Pegasus and Unicorn ranges, both of which have accounted for a total of 80 per cent of Bailey caravan retail sales.

As a result of the popularity of both ranges, accessed here has decided to carry on with the production of both Pegasus and Unicorn in their current guise for the start of the 2017 model year from September 2016 onwards.

Bailey has subsequently decided to upgrade their low-cost light-weight Pursuit range following on from both customer and retailer feedback, with plans for the relaunch well under way; new models from the second generation Pursuit range should be appearing early next year.

Following on from these decisions, Bailey has also announced a price freeze on all of its touring caravan ranges going into the 2017 model year, with all recommended retail prices for these vehicles set to remain unchanged from current levels. It has been stressed by Bailey, however, that In the current post-Brexit economic climate these retail prices cannot be guaranteed indefinitely and the offer will be for a limited period only.

Commenting on the plans for the Bailey caravan portfolio, managing director Nick Howard said “The continued popularity of our existing Pegasus and Unicorn ranges is testimony to the longevity of our products in today’s marketplace. This in turn is a reflection of the amount of effort we put into the development process to ensure our caravans and motorhomes continue to successfully meet the needs of our customers year after year”.

We don’t know about you, but we certainly see a price freeze as great news for the caravan industry. Not only should this encourage more people to step into an ever-growing popular pastime of hitting the great outdoors, but should also provide for great competition coming by way of other manufacturers. What do you think? Let us know below.

Caravanners and motorhomers urged to study driving regulations before setting off abroad this summer

Posted by

by Joe Jeffrey

Make sure you check your speed limits and other driving requirements prior to setting off on your European holiday this summer

With summer holidays about to hit their peak and many couples and families looking to set off on holidays abroad across Europe, it certainly pays to plan ahead, and checking speed limits and drink-drive limits is paramount to ensuring you get the best from your holiday – especially if you want to remain safe and avoid the long arm of the law.

Now, road safety and breakdown organisation, GEM Motoring Assist, is appealing to those looking to venture across the Channel to ensure they are fully aware of each European country’s laws pertaining to speed limits and drink driving.

Drink-drive limits, with the exception of Malta, are all lower than the UK. Many have a standard limit of 0.05 per cent (the UK’s limit is 0.08 per cent), though in the Czech Republic, Hungary, Romania and Slovakia, the limit is zero. Furthermore, speed limits (quite obviously) differ dependent on where you’re heading and what you’re towing.

GEM road safety officer Neil Worth said: “It pays to do some research before you go, whether you’re driving your own car on holiday or organising to rent a vehicle once you get there. Familiarise yourself with motorway speed limits, and remember that foreign drivers are subject to the same traffic rules as residents, often enforceable by hefty on-the-spot fines.

“It’s worth appreciating that although you can legally drive in the UK at the alcohol limit of 0.08 per cent, doing the same thing in Hungary or Norway could put you in prison,” continued Worth. “There is no reliable way to calculate how much alcohol you can drink and stay below the limit. But you have nothing to fear if you steer clear of alcohol before driving.

“Summer holidays are the time to relax and enjoy good weather, good company and hopefully some wonderful scenic road trips, whether in Europe or beyond. A bit of research and sensible journey planning will help ensure you don’t feel the need to speed or to drive after drinking alcohol – so you’ll be staying legal and reducing risk on holiday,” Worth continued.

So, if you’re heading off to Europe this summer, make sure you check out all the driving requirements you should be aware of by clicking here.

For a more comprehensive guide to caravanning and motorhoming abroad, also make sure you check out The Caravan Club’s handy guide which can be accessed here. You never know, it could prevent you from receiving a hefty fine and – more importantly – keep you safe this summer.

Bailey release video highlighting the second generation Autograph

Posted by

by Joe Jeffrey

Get up close and personal with the all new Autograph in Bailey’s latest video

Bailey of Bristol have released a new video highlighting the second generation Autograph motorhome range, unveiled earlier this week as previously reported on CaravanTimes.

Building upon the success of the original Autograph range, launched in 2013, Bailey anticipates the all new Autograph to be their best and most popular motorhome yet.

Priced between £50,995 and £55,490 OTR, the new Bailey Autograph is the result of one of the most comprehensive and rigorous design reviews of its kind – with 28 people working a total of 13,500 man hours and generating 126,000 3-D CAD computer files. By fine-tuning every single detail, the Bailey team have managed to create the next generation of motorhome, designed to make travel and holidaying a pleasure.

Featuring an all-new Peugeot Euro 6 Boxer Cab powered by a 160 BHP engine with six-speed manual gearbox and ESP electronic stability control designed to make the Autograph easier to drive than ever before, the ultra-low profile lightweight AL-KO AMC chassis will help improve road holding and braking efficiency by providing a balanced weight distribution.

Bailey’s designers have also done themselves proud, with an all-new graphic scheme, re-designed back panel incorporating recessed LED exterior lighting and new Aero Style wheel arches, side skirts and flush fit double glazing throughout, every model in the range looks stylish and contemporary on the road.

Inside the new Autograph, the décor has also been expertly refined for 2017, with new cabinetry features, including a ‘Mendip Ash’ finish, create a clean and contemporary look while premium quality fixtures and fittings in a brushed steel finish are standard throughout the kitchen, bathroom and living areas, complementing the design elements throughout.

To take a look at the all new, second generation Autograph, check out the video above and let us know what you think in the comments below.

Stress levels peak at 1hr 16 minutes into car journeys, research finds

Posted by

by Joe Jeffrey

New survey reveals interesting facts surrounding the stresses of travelling

As many of us prepare to embark on our summer holidays across the UK, new research by CompareTheMarket.com has revealed that 1hr 16 minutes into the ‘staycation’ journey is the moment we all wished ‘we were there’ as car journey stress levels peak.

The report, out today as schools across the UK close for the summer holiday, sees more than half of families clock up over three hours on their journey to hot spot favourites such as Cornwall, Devon and the Lake District.

The car journey with caravan in tow is far from the beginning of a relaxing break, however, with 35 per cent of parents battling backseat ‘boredom’, 28 per cent juggling sibling arguments, and a further 25 per cent needing to stop for toilet breaks en route to their destination. 

For some parents, when it comes to keeping the peace, the planning starts the night before, with over one in ten (16 per cent) admitting to ‘keeping their children up late’ in the hope that they’ll sleep in the car. A small five per cent even confess to turning to medication such as Calpol to help induce sleep and reduce travel stresses.

Technology tops the list as the go-to in-car entertainment for families, with 46 per cent of children playing games on smartphones and tables to pass the time. Traditional car games are not dead though, with 42 per cent still playing ‘I Spy’ to keep the children occupied and a further 19 per cent keeping the ‘number plate game’ alive.

Simon McCulloch, Director of Insurance at CompareTheMarket.com, commented: “Staycations are a very attractive option for families this year, particularly with EU and US exchange rates not in our favour. Today’s research, however, shows that the car journey is not always plain sailing, with stress levels typically peaking half way through a 3 hour journey, at 1hr 16minutes.

“Parents have clearly got a few tricks up their sleeves though, with some even keeping the children up late the night before in the hope of some peace during the journey. We’ve today launched a Great British Getaway hub to offer up some really practical advice and help for Mums and Dads to ensure they are as best prepared as they can be before embarking on their staycation journey.” 

To help families plan a stress-free staycation, CompareTheMarket.com has launched the Great British Getaway Hub with top tips on ensuring cars, and families are road ready. To take a look, click here.

Let us know what you do to avoid stress levels when hitting the road on your journey in the comments below.

Marquis announce new Caravelair range for 2017

Posted by

by Joe Jeffrey

New caravan range from Trigano to roll into Marquis this September

Marquis has announced the introduction of a fresh and new range heading to its forecourts, the Caravelair.

Manufactured by French leisure industry giants Trigano, and designed exclusively for Marquis to UK specification, the new Antarès 2017 range will be launching at Marquis South Yorkshire on the weekend of 16 to 18 September with some pretty spectacular launch offers coming along for the ride.

Offering a collection of six layouts, many unique to the UK market, the range looks set to offer excellent value in its class with prices starting at £11,995 OTR. Compact, chic, and easy to tow, the lightweight Antarès range will offer a number of choices, including the 5m two berth 335, featuring all of the mod cons a couple could want for touring, and the six/seven berth 496 which caters for the adventurous family. Each model within the range comes with ambient LED lighting, three burner hob with oven/grill, fully equipped bathrooms, alloy wheels, exterior locker access and AL-KO AKS 3400 Stabilisers for safer towing. Furthermore, the Antarès 455 is the only four berth caravan on the market that offers a full squared off fixed bed, giving domestic style comfort in a leisure vehicle. A five year water ingress warranty on all models will give customers peace of mind.

The Caravelair range will be offered by all Marquis caravan branches who will have advised each model will be made available for collection at any of the eleven Marquis branches.

Alan Buckwell, sales director, commented on the new offering saying: “The exciting new range allows a fantastic opportunity for caravanners to buy a new touring vehicle for under £12,000 with a wide variety of models to suit. Marquis are confident that their appeal fills a gap in the UK market and offers great value for money.”

Adventure Leisure Vehicles cease import and sale of leisure vehicles over Brexit

Posted by

by Joe Jeffrey

Adverse effect of Brexit sees leisure vehicle dealership cease trading in new Airstreams

Purveyors of Airstream travel trailers, Adventure Leisure Vehicles, have announced it is to cease importing and selling new Airstream travel trailers following the UK’s decision to leave Europe.

The decision is said to concentrate on issues pertaining to the adverse effect of Brexit on the USD and GBP exchange rate, and sadly comes just as Adventure Leisure Vehicles look set to mark their ten-year anniversary.

Since launching Airstream’s European range in 2006, the iconic silver bullets have gone on to win a string of top industry awards, as well as star in numerous television shows, while enabling Adventure Leisure Vehicles to build a solid relationship with the Airstream Inc team based in Ohio.

It’s not all doom and gloom though, and Adventure Leisure Vehicles, who have dealerships in Cumbria and Gloucestershire, will continue to provide service and warranty support, as well as a parts and repairs service to Airstreamers across the UK. The company will also continue to trade in pre-loved Airstreams, while also go on to sell their remaining showroom models at pre-referendum exchange rates. Current new Airstreams in stock include the 534, 604 and iconic 684. The company will also continue to sell additional offerings by other manufacturers including T@B, Silverline, Ariba and Kip.

Swift launch new 2017 rally car

Posted by

by Joe Jeffrey

Swift announces new 2017 rally car ahead of BRC1 class championship

Swift Group has launched their 2017 rally car, a Ford Fiesta R5 built by world renowned M-Sport. The car will compete in the top class of the British Rally Championship and will be driven by Matt Edwards, the reigning 2016 BRC Class 2 Champion.

Swift Group has had a long and illustrious association with the world of rallying, with the Group’s chairman, Peter Smith, competing for many years in a variety of rally championships. Add to this Smith’s son and fellow Swift Group board member, Guy, inheriting his father’s passion and successfully forging a career as a professional racing driver and you can see where the connection between caravanning and rally cars at Swift fits into place.

In recent years, Swift Group has also supported a number of promising and established drivers including Matt Edwards, Ashley Slights and Julian Reynolds, the latter of whom competes in the British Trials and Rally Driver Association.

For 2017, Swift Group will continue their sponsorship of Matt Edwards and his co-driver Will Rogers as they move up into the BRC1 class. From the early stages of his career, Matt has impressed with his speed and skill winning his first championship class in 2007.

Swift Group first sponsored Matt in 2010 just after he had teamed up with co-driver Will Rogers. Swift support has continued since and for the current season Matt has been competing in a self-built Mitsubishi Evo in which he secured the BRC Class 2 championship with two events remaining.

At the Carlisle Rally this June, Matt was offered the opportunity to compete in an M-Sport Ford Fiesta R5. Despite having only driven the R5 for 20 miles before the rally, Matt set a blistering pace only to be undone by a puncture.

M-Sport’s globally successful Ford Fiesta R5 received an extensive upgrade this year that brought substantial performance enhancements to what is already a championship-winning vehicle.

Since its debut in the middle of 2013, the Fiesta R5 has become M-Sport’s most successful global rally car. With more than 170 cars competing around the globe, the Fiesta can boast hundreds of class victories alongside outright wins and championship laurels.

“It has been tremendous to see Matt develop as a rally driver and I am thrilled that Swift Group has decided to support his step up into the top class of the British Rally Championship” said Peter Smith, Swift Group Chairman.

Matt Edwards commented: “The opportunity to compete in the 2017 BRC Championship in an R5 is a dream come true and allows me to test myself against the best rally drivers in Britain. I am especially pleased to be continuing my relationship with the Swift Group who has been a fantastic sponsor over the last few years.

We here at CaravanTimes wish the team all the best in the upcoming championship – we’ll make sure we have everything crossed.