New law protects NI caravanners against unscrupulous site owners

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by Tom Lowenstein

Caravan owners in Northern Ireland can thank the local government after a new law protecting their rights became officially operational.

All caravan park owners should now have issued full written agreements to caravanners renting a pitch on their site under the regulations set down by the Caravans Act Northern Ireland 2011 which went live last week (November 3rd).

The main aim of the Act is to crate clear and transparent terms of agreements so that caravan owners know exactly where they stand when it comes to the contract they have for their pitch.

Written contracts are now mandatory and not only offer caravanners increased protection but also give them a greater say in the way their site is managed.

This also relates to static caravans, as in the past many owners found that their site could impose unfair restrictions on them when they wished to sell their holiday home, claiming terms that were perhaps not mentioned in the original verbal agreement.

This could involve things such as vetting potential buyers or charging commission on the sale, but as a result of the new law only terms specified in the written agreement will be permitted.

In great news for caravanners across Northern Ireland, it is estimated that the new Act will benefit 13,500 holiday caravan owners currently renting pitches in the country.

Discover Leisure customers ‘unlikely’ to get their caravan deposit back

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by Chris Jefferies
When the UK’s largest dealer network announced last month that it had gone into administration, many caravanners feared the worst from Discover Leisure.
With deposits taken from several unsuspecting customers at the NCC Motorhome and Caravan Show and many more relying on Discover for repair work under their warranty, doubts were raised as to the company’s ability to fulfil its obligations.
This week, Caravan Times has spoken to administrators KPMG to get an update on the current situation and there is some good news and some bad news.
Alison Anderson, spokesperson for KPMG, said: “Customers who have paid deposits are invited by the administrator to complete a form to register as an unsecured creditor. However, we would warn people who have paid deposits that it is unlikely that there will be sufficient funds to provide a return.”
This will affect only those who paid by debit card or cash, she added, since credit card customers can apply for a “recharge” from their bank or credit card provider.
Ms Anderson continued by saying: “With regards customers who have used storage on site or were undergoing warranty repair work – virtually all of these customers have been liaised with, bar a tiny handful, who we are struggling to contact. The vast majority have their caravans back or moved elsewhere.”
Any customers who still haven’t had their issue resolved are advised to call KPMG on their dedicated Discover Leisure helpline: 0845 617 1490

Caravan construction down 15.2 per cent this summer, NCC reveals

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by Tom Lowenstein

This year has seen a squeeze on the caravan industry with the number of tourers built in the quarter between July and September down on the same period last year.

New figures published by the National Caravan Council (NCC) revealed that some 4,987 touring caravans were constructed in the third quarter of this year, a fall of 15.2 per cent on the 5,879 from 2010.

This means that so far in 2011, just 24,111 tourers had been built in the UK by the end of September, GlassGuide.co.uk reported.

According to the NCC statistics, the number of tourers bought between June and August came in at 5,741 – a slight decrease (four per cent) on the 5,981 sold during those months last year.

Interestingly, it seems that caravanners are increasingly favouring four, five and six berth caravans.

A recent survey by Glass’s found that while demand for two-berth models appears to be declining, four, five and six-berthers are seeing level or increase demand compared to last year.

Honda unveils pictures of the brand new CR-V 4X4

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by Tom Lowenstein

Japanese carmaker Honda has released the very first images of their brand new CR-V, staying true to the popular design of the great towcar.

Last week we reported how the CR-V came third in a poll of the most reliable 4x4s on the market, but now Honda has unveiled a brand new version which is sure to tempt caravanners.

Honda fans had been expecting official pictures to be released in the summer but they didn’t materialise, only to suddenly appear on the company’s website this weekend.

Staying true to its original concept, Honda have packed in a load of new body features into the latest CR-V, Autocar revealed.

A three-bar horizontal grille shouts much louder than the current model’s, with slimline headlights now flanking both sides.

Honda also seem to have enrolled the CR-V in the local gym, with sculpted bodywork and more exaggerated side sills featured on the latest offering.

One thing not yet certain however is the engine configuration, though it’s a safe bet that it will be similar to the current CR-V, which has a choice of a 2.0-litre petrol or 2.2 litre diesel engine under its bonnet.


Find more photos like this on CaravanTimes

Bailey invests in new machinery after £13m NEC Show sales

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by Tom Lowenstein

If the Bristol-based caravan maker Bailey is anything to go by, the future of the UK caravan market is looking very healthy.

At the recent Motorhome and Caravan Show, the company received more than £13 million in retail orders.

Bailey’s order book is now stacked up so far into the new year it has had to invest in more equipment to increase production capabilities.

The Bristol-based manufacturer has committed to a £250,000 spend on new capital equipment as it looks to increase the rate at which it can produce its quality caravans and motorhomes.

Bailey’s unique Alu-Tech construction system which it now uses in all of its models puts big demand on its laminating plant, a key part in the production process of its strong, fully laminated body shell panels.

The new equipment will allow Bailey to increase the capacity at the plant to keep up with the demand as it works its way through its orders.

Coachman Caravans first to adopt new Truma heating system

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by Tom Lowenstein

The British caravan maker Coachman has announced that it will be the first manufacturer to fit its caravans with the brand new Truma timed central heating system.

Coachman is set to be the only company whose caravans will boast the Combi boiler system this year, with its VIP and Pastiche ranges this year both sporting the revolutionary new heater.

Featuring a custom-made timer panel with a back-lit LCD display screen, caravanners are able to take advantage of a fully-programmable system allowing them to set their heating and water to exactly the right levels.

Martin Fitzpatrick, Coachman’s Sales Director, said: “Truma worked jointly with our technical department to deliver this control system, which is simple to use and can provide heating instantly or on a timer.”

He added that in opting for the system, Coachman is very confident that they have chosen the right system to meet their customers’ needs.

Boat and Caravan Show 2012 cancelled after industry pulls support

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by Marcus Dubois

The organisers of the oldest show in the industry have been forced to cancel Boat and Caravan 2012, citing a lack of support from caravan manufacturers and dealers.

Ocean Media were due to host the popular show between 21-26 February 2012 at the NEC in Birmingham. The firm has also been forced to cancel the Outdoor Leisure Show, which made its debut earlier this year alongside the established Boat and Caravan brand.

The sudden move follows a year in which industry body the National Caravan Council launched its own events, beginning with last month’s Motorhome and Caravan Show in Birmingham.

Following a failure to secure the Boat and Caravan tenancy at the NEC next year, NCC Events then scheduled a new February show in London for 2012 – an event which ultimately contributed to the end of Boat and Caravan.

A lack of support

In a statement earlier today, Ocean Media explained the decision to cancel the show “has been taken because of a lack of support from the caravan manufacturers and their dealers, despite having strong support from all other parts of the show”.

The exhibition organisers described having “consulted in particular [with] caravan dealers” to establish that a national show was needed to support the leisure sector.” In the run up to next February, Ocean had received endorsement from the Camping and Caravanning Club and a number of caravan dealers.

Yet despite this, the dealers eventually felt unable to participate in the show, which Ocean believes “undermined one of the main pillars of the show” and “rendered it no longer viable”.

The end of a 50-year-old brand

With a heritage stretching back over half a century, Boat and Caravan could safely lay claim to being the longest running caravan show in the UK. Having attracted over 87,000 paying visitors to a successful show last February, the cancellation now leaves NCC Events’ February show at London Excel as the only major caravan event for that month.

Ocean Media CEO Trevor Barratt expressed regret at the loss of the show, stating that: “Loyal exhibitors, including a number of caravan dealers and the shows many visitors will feel sorry that due to a lack of support from one element of the industry, the 2012 show has cancelled after more than 50 years.”

COMPETITION: Story of Sprite Caravans book winner announced

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by Chris Jefferies
Last month on Caravan Times, we announced the launch of the new book from Andrew Jenkinson, the Story of Sprite Caravans, with a special reader giveaway.
The deadline passed on Monday and we were overwhelmed by the number of you who wanted to get your hands on this book.
All you had to do to be in with a chance of winning was to tell us who founded Sprite Caravans in 1949.
Most of you got it right, by answering Sam Alper, although one reader thought that Rat Pack legend Sammy Davis Jr. was the man behind the iconic caravan brand!
Anyway, without further ado, we are very pleased to announce that the random number generator has done its job and the lucky winner is… Caravan Times newcomer Sarah Hignett.
We will be in touch with Sarah via e-mail to arrange delivery of her book, along with a £5 gift voucher that the lovely people at Veloce Publishing have also kindly thrown in.
Commiserations to all those who missed out, but be sure to keep checking back regularly as we will be running another reader competition in the near future.

Councils across UK cutting winter road services budgets

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by Tom Lowenstein

Caravanners braving the cold for a trip away this winter are being urged to take extra care when towing, with news that councils are cutting their budgets for winter road services despite the woeful inadequacy of services last winter.

Road safety charity the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) made the warning that roads will become more hazardous for drivers this winter with cuts affecting services.

Last year saw a 37 per cent increase in the number of cars overturning because of snow and ice.

Yet estimates from the Department for Communities and Local Government reveal a 3.6 per cent fall in the budgets for gritting roads, snowploughing and standby provisions.

Figures show that 67 councils will reduce their winter road services spending, 33 of which have cut 10 per cent on last year.

Twenty-one councils have budgets 30 per cent less than last year.

IAM chief executive Simon Best said: “Councils must make contingency plans … This has to include dealing with large numbers of drivers stranded for hours with no access to heat or food.”

Ted Young, site inspector for the Caravan Storage Site Owners’ Association commented that it was important to keep caravans insured.

“Choose a specialist insurer because they have got experience in the market,” he advised

Caravan industry booming as two parks unveil expansion plans

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by Tom Lowenstein

Caravanners in east Yorkshire have been buoyed by the news that two holiday parks in the region are set for multi-million pound expansions.

Park Resorts, which runs Withernsea and Sands Holiday Park, has gained approval to add an extra 170 caravan plots to the two sites.

As a result of the investment, the local economy is set to benefit to the tune of £1.25 million each year, the Hull Daily Mail reported.

Alan Castledine, Park Resorts’ operations director, told the newspaper: “This recession will not go on forever, so we want to be ready for the upturn.

“We are also benefiting from staycations, where people holiday in this country rather than abroad.”

Meanwhile, Sand le Mere Holiday Village near Withernsea is also set to undergo a facelift. With £5 million due to be invested, the site is awaiting a new entertainment complex as well as an expansion in caravan plots.

The National Caravan Council’s Louise Wood was delighted with the “positive effect” the news would have on the caravan industry.

Neighbour’s lawnmower blaze destroys £3,000 caravan

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by Tom Lowenstein

A family in Peterborough returned home from a day out to find their neighbour’s faulty lawnmower had started a huge fire, destroying their caravan and a motorbike parked in the drive

After putting his lawnmower back in the shed for last time before winter, a Peterborough man watched in horror as the shed burst into flames.
Chris Underwood, 52, could do nothing to stop the fire as it tore through the wooden shed before destroying next door’s caravan and motorbike and melting the paint on their Vauxhall Zafira.

The Saunders family, who live next to Mr Underwood, returned from a day out to find the devastation that the faulty lawnmower had reaped on their driveway.

The caravan’s owner, 49-year-old Shaun Saunders, said: “We are all in a state of shock, but it was just one of those freak accidents.

“Our neighbour is very apologetic but it’s one of those things, there’s nothing we can do.”

Ted Young, site inspector at the Caravan Storage Site Owners’ Association (CaSSOA) said that it is important that caravan owners have adequate insurance all year round to guarantee that they don’t have to foot the bill when accidents like this happen.

The Saunders are expecting to receive an insurance pay-out for everything except their caravan, Newstoday.co.uk reported.

The mystery of the vanishing three-wheeled caravan

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by Tom Lowenstein

A caravan that only had three wheels has mysteriously vanished from a layby near Scarborough.

Its owner was towing the caravan when he noticed it had a puncture, so pulled over and left it parked in the layby while he went to get the rogue tyre repaired.

Returning just 20 minutes later, the man found to his astonishment that the caravan had been stolen, the Scarborough Evening News reported.

The off-white single-axle Ace Jubilee Viceroy tourer has vanished without leaving a trace and has left authorities baffled as to how it could have been towed away with one wheel missing.

Police have appealed for anyone who may have information surrounding its theft to get in touch as they seek to solve the mystery.

Anyone who thinks they may have seen the caravan, which disappeared at around 6.30pm on Tuesday (October 25th), is asked to contact Scarborough Police on 0845 606 0247.