Caravan site operator pays out millions to shareholders

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by Chris Malone

The strength of the staycation has been highlighted by the dividends paid out to the shareholders of two caravan park chains.

Butlins, Warner Holidays and Haven Holidays have handed over £40.3 million to their shareholders after profits rose to £87.9 million in 2009.

Owned by Bourne Leisure, the parks have enjoyed a period of strong trading with many Brits keen to holiday in the UK.

The firm’s cause may have been helped by a combination of the recession, the volcanic ash cloud, currency fluctuations and a number of travel companies going bust.

It recorded a rise in overall custom, with a noticeable spike in short and weekend stays at its sites.

The dividend paid to its shareholders eclipses 2008’s £27 million, with the directors sharing a total salary of £4 million.

Bourne Leisure employs more than 12,000 people nationwide and has recently invested hundreds of millions of pounds in improving its parks around the country.

Bailey Caravans invite owners club to look around production facility

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by Holly Tribe

Bailey Caravans opened the doors of their factory to members of the Bailey Owners Caravan Club at their 40th Anniversary Works Rally last weekend.

175 outfits from all over the UK attended making it the largest rally in the Club’s forty year history. Members were encouraged to take a guided tour of the South Liberty Lane production facility to witness first hand the build methods used in the production of ‘Classic’ construction caravans as well as the new Alu Tech models.

The success of the Alu Tech Bailey Pegasus and Olympus product ranges launched last October has been followed by the release of new top of the range Bailey Unicorn marque earlier this month.

Demand for these caravans has seen Bailey’s production facility re-configured to facilitate full-scale production of the Alu Tech construction system.

The company explained that the plant, which is widely regarded as the most sophisticated in the industry, houses ‘the UK’s only mechanised production line which facilitates automatic movement of the caravans around the factory’.

Bailey have also implemented a number of initiatives to improve both productivity and efficiency ‘which in turn has a positive impact on the final cost of the product’ they added.

MP picks up the keys to 2011 Bailey Pegasus caravan

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by Holly Tribe

She is the Member of Parliament known for her lifestyle as an avid caravanner, who carried on touring despite the security risks of being Foreign Secretary. And former Labour leader Margaret Beckett and her husband Leo show no signs of slowing down after they recently became the proud owners of a new Bailey Pegasus 514.

The couple picked up the keys for their Pegasus 514 from Lowdham Leisureworld in Nottingham. An upgrade from their 2002 Bailey Pegasus Champagne, this will be the Beckett’s fourth tourer from Bailey Caravans.

Margaret has been a Labour MP for Derby South since 1983 and most notably became the first female Foreign Secretary in 2006. But despite holding the position of a top ranking Cabinet Minister responsible for MI6, the Becketts have been enthusiastic caravanners for over thirty years touring all over the UK and mainland Europe.

The four berth model features Bailey’s pioneering Alu-Tech body shell and a number of modifications to suit the couple’s requirements.

Leo underwent a double heart bypass two years ago and thanks to a speedy recovery and enthusiasm for caravanning, the pair are keen to get back on the road.

Leo said: “There was a rumour that we’d be forced to give it up for good, but I wouldn’t stop caravanning for the world”.

Caravan life ‘made me tougher’ says Spurs new boy Van der Vaart

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by Tim Lesnik

Tottenham Hotspur’s newest star has revealed himself to be a fan of caravan life.

Rafael van der Vaart, who signed for Spurs minutes before the end of the summer transfer window, grew up in a caravan with his parents.

Indeed, he told the Sun that his father was born in one and only moved into a “proper” home when his son first tasted success at Ajax.

However, far from being embarrassed about his unconventional upbringing, Van der Vaart said he embraced the caravan way of life.

“For me it was nice because it was different, although everyone was looking and saying, ‘Isn’t it strange to live there?'” he said in an interview with the news provider.

“It helped me, though, because I was like a street fighter. You have to fight for your place.”

Rio Ferdinand is another famous footballer with a penchant for caravans, with the Manchester United and England defender having
spent some of his summer in 2009 at a caravan park in Presthaven, Wales.

Bailey Caravans offer front bumper upgrades for 2010 Alu-Tech models as cost option

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by Marcus Dubois

Bailey Caravans has issued a statement detailing the front panel upgrades available to owners of early Pegasus and Olympus models in the Alu-Tech range.

All 2011 Alu-Tech construction caravans have received upgrades to the front panel protection, but the improvements have now been offered as a cost option to owners of older models.

The Bailey Pegasus and Olympus will sport a new ABS front bumper and a three-part protection film, while the Bailey Olympus will also receive upgraded film protection but does not receive a front bumper upgrade.

The new specification is as follows:

  • Olympus: A three-part, 500 micron polypropelene protection film set
  • Pegasus & Unicorn: A re-designed acrylic capped ABS front bumper, in addition to the three-part 500 micron polypropelene protection film set.

The Bristol manufacturer said that should owners of 2010 Alu-Tech models wish to upgrade their caravan to the new specification, then the items listed above can now be purchased from and fitted by their dealer.

Cost of film protection upgrades (Pegasus and Olympus)

The three-part 500 micron polypropelene protection film set available for both Pegasus and Olympus ranges will retail at a cost of £48.18 (RRP). The film can be fitted without the need to remove the existing ABS front bumpers and will be applied over the existing paint protection film. Unlike previous film upgrades, the set will also include a third section of polypropylene film which covers the area between the central bumper and the gas box door.

Cost of bumper upgrade (Pegasus only)

Pegasus owners have the option of purchasing additional protection in the re-designed acrylic capped ABS front bumpers, which are available at £129.11 (RRP).

Bailey has asked those with 2010 Pegasus models to note that as the new bumpers cover the lower entry point in the awning channel of these models, the fitment of certain awning types will be affected.

Owners of 2011 Pegasus models will find that the entry point has subsequently been raised to a position immediately above the new bumpers and they will not be affected.

The firm has asked owners to contact their supplying retailer should they require further information.

Have you been affected by this story? Have your say here in our Caravan Community.

Buckinghamshire caravan site plans scrapped

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by Chris Malone

Plans for a caravan site in Buckinghamshire have been scrapped after pressure from a local newspaper and residents.

Patrick McDonagh had applied to South Bucks District Council for permission to create pitches for 12 mobile homes and 12 tourers on land close to the expensive residential area of Stoke Wood.

However, a Buckinghamshire Advertiser article drawing attention to the proposals led to him immediately withdrawing the application.

“The application for a change of use of the site to form a caravan park … on land at Stoke Wood, Stoke Poges, the subject of a newspaper article in the Bucks Advertiser on May 27th, was formally withdrawn on May 28th,” the local authority revealed, according to the newspaper.

Residents had reportedly been concerned that any such changes would open the site up to use by travellers and gypsies, with one local telling the newspaper that such people “often bring a lot of trouble”.

Later this month, Buckinghamshire will play host to the Kop Hill Climb centenary celebration, when motorsport enthusiasts are expected to descend on the area in their hundreds.

Bailey Caravans delay launch of entry-level Alu-Tech model after strong Unicorn response

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by Marcus Dubois

Bailey Caravans has revealed it will delay the launch of an “entry-level” model in its Alu-Tech range until early next year. The firm has cited the popularity of its newest model, the Bailey Unicorn as the reason to hold back the introduction of a new range of vehicles.

In correspondence with Caravan Times earlier this week, Bailey revealed that “it was our original intention to launch an entry level Alu-Tech range at the NEC show in October. However in light of the very positive public response to the new Unicorn range availability pre-Christmas is likely to be extremely limited.” As a result of these findings the firm “has decided to delay the launch until early next year.”

Such timing would coincide with the popular Boat and Caravan Show in 2011 which will take place at the end of February. Last year’s show saw 100,000 visitors at the NEC in Birmigham, at which the new Olympus was one of the main attractions. Additionally, the expected rise in VAT will lead some caravan buyers to search for greater value.

Alu-Tech success

The Bristol manufacturer launched its new aluminium-based construction platform named “Alu-Tech” last year with the Bailey Pegasus. Described by the firm as “the most significant development in caravan production technology for over 30 years”, the design is notable for the absence of external fixings, thereby reducing the likelihood of water ingress.

After record sales at International Caravan and Motorhome 2009 confirmed the popularity of the new construction method, Bailey soon introduced a second Alu-Tech model in the Olympus. And enthusiasm for the new technology from existing Bailey owners fond of the long-standing Senator range led to the creation of this summer’s newest model, the Unicorn.

Future additions to the family

With three new models in the space of a year, Bailey recently moved to phase out production of caravans in its “classic construction” range. The popularity of the Pegasus saw the end of the Bailey Senator, while last month the Pageant Series 7 was discontinued with immediate effect following strong sales of the Olympus range.

Such action has left room in the new portfolio for an entry-level model, and in a recent interview with Caravan Times marketing director Simon Howard confirmed that Bailey will soon produce all its caravans on the new construction platform.

“This is the construction technique of the future for us. We’re going to be living in a totally Alu-Tech world”.

Bailey will be displaying its 2011 line-up at International Caravan and Motorhome Show 2010 which takes place at the NEC in Birmingham from 12-17 October.

Bailey Caravans to make announcement on bumper upgrades to 2011 Alu-Tech standards

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by Marcus Dubois

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Bailey Caravans will make a formal statement later this week concerning the upgrade of front panel protection on 2010 Alu-Tech models to 2011 standards.

In a conversation with Caravan Times yesterday the Bristol manufacturer was keen to address the queries of owners of 2010 Alu-Tech caravans. Recently the firm announced that a front bumper had been added to 2011 Unicorn and Pegasus models. Yet a number of owners of 2010 Alu-Tech caravans have expressed an interest in whether a bumper can be retro-fitted to their vehicle.

Earlier in the year a number of Bailey Pegasus and Olympus owners showed concern that road chippings and stone dents could cause cosmetic damage. In an edition of our consumer programme Talkback, Bailey marketing director Simon Howard moved to reassure customers by offering the solution of a front bumper. Purchasers of the earliest models of Pegasus are likely to receive information on how they can add the new design to their existing caravan.

Bailey has confirmed that a bumper will not be fitted to the 2011 Olympus range, and it is therefore unlikely that one will be made available as a part for existing Olympus models.

The photograph (taken by a forum user) shows how the new bumper design appears on the Bailey Unicorn. Sporting a three-striped decal which echoes the colour scheme of the Unicorn logo, it has been designed to protect those areas likely to be bombarded by loose chippings on the road.

Bailey Caravans will look to another successful year at International Caravan and Motorhome in October after registering record sales in 2009. Much of the focus will be on the Bailey Unicorn which has been heralded as the first luxury caravan for the firm.

Information on the bumper upgrades will be available on Caravan Times later this week.

Haven caravan sites see holiday bookings boost

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by Chris Malone

Families continue to holiday at caravan parks in spite of the recession according to a leading firm in the industry.

Haven Holidays claim that Brits are still splashing out on its top of the range Platinum-grade vacations, with sales soaring throughout the summer.

A spokeswoman explained that last-minute weekend breaks are particularly popular, with bookings up 15 per cent year-on-year.

She said: “At the same time, demand for our top-of-the-range Platinum-grade accommodation was up a whopping 35 per cent – indicating families will splash out if they perceive they’re getting good value.”

Kent, Dorset and Sussex were among the most popular locations for static caravans, while couples and families with tourers opted for Blackpool, Wales and Cumbria.

With 35 holiday parks throughout the UK, Haven aims to offer a superior caravan holiday experience.

The firm recently confirmed that it had booked TV talent show stars Same Difference and Stavros Flatley for one of its parks.

Lotto jackpot winners head on caravan holiday

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by Chris Malone

A British couple who won £7.7 million on the Lotto are enjoying a holiday to celebrate their win.

However, the Sun has revealed that Ivan and Sue Westbury are taking their first break as millionaires in a caravan park.

The couple have travelled to Cornwall, where they are enjoying a staycation thanks to an offer in the newspaper that meant they could stay for just £9.50 at the caravan park.

Mr Westbury is a 64-year-old lightning conductor factory owner, who has not missed a day of work since his big win and still drives a five-year-old Astra, which has clocked up 100,000 miles.

“We’d booked the holiday before the win and I always said we’d go on it,” he told the Sun.

“It’s our fourth £9.50 and we love them because the accommodation is good, clean and in good locations – and you can’t question the value.”

The millionaire explained that being able to bring his dog was a big plus, while each break they have enjoyed at camp sites has been “great fun and relaxing”.

Cornwall is a favourite destination for surfers and sailors, who enjoy the wonders of the Cornish coast.

Scottish celebrities recall past caravan holidays

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by Chris Malone

Holidaymakers considering taking a last-minute caravan trip to Scotland may be interested in reading about how three Scottish celebrities used to spend their vacations.

According to the Daily Record, astrologer David Wells enjoyed seaside holidays to Ayrshire, where he would spend time in a caravan with his family.

He also headed to the Highlands and saw much of his own country, thanks to his father’s motto that there is enough to see in Scotland to make it needless to travel elsewhere.

“We had friends in Fort William, which was a favourite and such a beautiful part of the world with scenery that’s impossible to beat,” he told the newspaper.

Meanwhile, Daily Record columnist Julie Hannah explained that she regularly enjoyed trips in the Scottish Highlands as a youngster, with journeys made to Glenshee, Aviemore and Glencoe.

Newsreader Shereen Nanjiani added that she was a regular traveller to Fife, where she would spend the summer in Crail and the caravan haven of Elie.

Elie is located close to the historic town of St Andrews, which is known as the home of golf.

X Factor stars to perform at Haven caravan site

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by Chris Malone

With X Factor fever starting to take hold of the UK once more, caravanners staying at Haven’s Combe Haven Holiday Park are set to get front row seats to see some of the show’s past stars.

Last year’s finalists Miss Frank are set to appear on September 22nd as part of a summer full of top performances.

The girl band’s performance will be followed up a week later by Greek dancing stars Stavros Flatley, who first rose to fame on Britain’s Got Talent.

Next month will see X Factor’s brother and sister act Same Difference take to the stage on October 6th, before talent show legend Chico rocks the caravan park on October 20th.

“Combe Haven has enjoyed a fantastic summer and these four acts promise to make autumn even more spectacular. We’re delighted to have these stars coming to us and they’ll be a real treat for our guests,” the company explained.

Haven’s 35 holiday parks have loads of other great entertainment and activities available and feature their own heated swimming pools and sports facilities.