Speakers highlight opportunities for UK caravan industry at successful NCC Conference 2016

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by Joe Jeffrey

NCC Conference sees over 200 delegates and special guest speakers take to the stage

More than 200 delegates attended the National Caravan Council (NCC) Conference 2016 last week to hear a stellar line-up of expert speakers including: Nick King – insight director, Autotrader; Carl Castledine – CEO, Away Resorts; Harvey Alexander – director of marketing, The Caravan Club; and Alex Marshall of Management Consultants CIL. Kevin Keegan OBE was an extremely popular after dinner speaker, helping to raise £2,440 for the NCC Benevolent Fund charity.

John Lally, NCC director general, said: “From start to finish our speaker line-up was excellent this year, delivering fresh insights and new perspectives while stimulating plenty of debate in the process. Topics included adjusting caravan products for Millennials and developing new ways of promotion (mobile-friendly, via specially designed apps, using social media etc). Speakers looking at the bigger picture examined how technology is changing the world, the state of the UK and worldwide economy and how positive thinking can influence your business in a positive manner.

“Getting together as an industry is really important. Following a successful 12 months for many, it remains vital our industry continues to innovate and attract new entrants to the market, to improve its customer service and product quality and embrace self-regulation. If we do that, our speakers were agreed that success will continue in 2016 and beyond.”

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Camping and Caravanning Club challenges families to get kids outdoors for National Camping and Caravanning Week

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by Joe Jeffrey

Get ready for National Camping and Caravanning Week with the Camping and Caravanning Club

The Camping and Caravanning Club is challenging families and schools to get kids off the sofa and into the great outdoors for National Camping and Caravanning Week (NCCW).

NCCW is the Club’s major annual campaign to get the British public engaged with camping and caravanning, and to raise the profile of our great hobby. Its theme for 2016 is ‘Get Kids Outdoors with Camping’.

To promote this, the Club invites schools and families to try the ‘Get Kids Outdoors Camping Challenge’. An activity pack, listing 50 activities kids can undertake while camping, was sent to thousands of schools around the UK, and can also be downloaded here.

Participants could win some great prizes. Winning schools will receive camping equipment and vouchers to the value of £250 for a retailer of their choice.

There’s still time to join the fun in the run up to NCCW, and enter the challenge, whether with a school or as a family – the deadline is 13 May.

To support the ‘Get Kids Outdoors with Camping’ theme, the Club has conducted research that shows camping helps improve kids’ overall mental health and physical fitness. The full results will be published and promoted during the week-long schedule of activities.
The research findings follow last year’s NCCW, which showed that children who camp at least once a year go on to do better at school, as well as being happier and healthier, according to their parents.*

The Club will promote the theme and research findings with a pop-up campsite roadshow in England, Wales and Scotland from 30 May to 5 June.

It begins in the Midlands at Twycross Zoo, home to the largest collection of monkeys and apes in the western world, on Monday 30 May. It heads to Roald Dahl Plass in Cardiff Bay on Thursday 2 June and on to Blair Drummond Safari and Adventure Park in Scotland on Saturday 4 June.

Robert Louden MBE, director general at the Club, said: “Once again we’re aiming to get kids active and into the outdoors, and I hope many have a go at completing our Get Kids Outdoors Camping Challenge, either at school or home.

“Activities span the entire curriculum, including subjects like science and maths. Our research last year showed these ranked highly among the subjects better understood by children that camp.”

50 year old caravan takes centre stage at West Midlands Caravan and Motorhome Spring Show

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by Joe Jeffrey

Thousands of visitors expected to Salop’s West Midlands Caravan and Motorhome Spring Show

A 50-year-old touring caravan, which was made the same year award winning caravan dealership Salop Leisure began, was a talking point as the West Midlands Caravan and Motorhome Spring Show opened in Shrewsbury last Friday.

Glyn Davies, MP for Montgomeryshire, officially opened the ten-day show at Salop Leisure’s Emstrey headquarters and was shown the Sprite Major touring caravan, which demonstrates the evolution of caravan design and development over the past half century.

Davies paid tribute to Salop Leisure’s contribution to tourism in Mid Wales and the heart of England describing the company as “a leading economic driving force” in both regions.

“The business creates a huge number of local direct jobs, as well as hundreds more downstream jobs in shops, restaurants and various activities that depend on visitors for success,” he said.

“For 40 years, I have been involved in the promotion of Mid Wales as a destination for visitors. I cannot think of any Government agency or business which has done more to attract visitors to our beautiful part of Britain than Salop Leisure.

“It is a beacon of quality and has a reputation for the highest of standards, driven by continuing investment and attention to customer needs. Congratulations to Salop Leisure on reaching its 50th anniversary this year and I look forward to more growth and success in future years.”

The MP was accompanied on a tour of Salop Leisure’s business by managing director Mark Bebb who revealed the company’s exciting plans over the next two years.

Bebb thanked Davies for his loyal support of the company over many years.

Thousands of visitors are expected to attend the show, which runs until 8 May, where 250 caravan holiday homes, lodges, touring caravans and motorhomes are on display.

The UK’s largest dealership show, which offers free admission, focuses on families and first time buyers. Entertainment will include a falconry display and climbing wall on 7 to 8 May and face painting for children on both weekends of the show.

Visitors will get their first glimpse of the latest innovations in new holiday homes, touring caravans and motorhomes. There are 50 new 2016 touring caravans models on display from Swift, Sterling and Sprite and Salop Leisure’s biggest ever display of 50 new and pre-owned motorhome models from Autocruise, Autohaus VW, Bessacarr and Swift.

New caravan holiday home models are being launched at the show by ABI and Willerby. In total there are 45 new 2016 models on display from ABI, Atlas, BK Bluebird, Carnaby, Regal, Swift and Willerby.

A revolutionary folding camper, which impressed investors on BBC’s popular Dragon’s Den show in January, will be making a star appearance at the show. OPUS unfolds into a camping platform with two double beds and a large kitchen diner area.

Camping and Caravanning Club reveals new-look Lake District campsite

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by Joe Jeffrey

Derwentwater Club site weatherproofed in time for summer holidays

The Camping and Caravanning Club has redeveloped one of its key Lake District campsites with hopes that the refurbishment will put an end to bad weather placing a dampner on those looking to get away this summer.

Previously known as Derwentwater (The Oval and Walker Park), the refurbished site which is now simply called Derwentwater is located just a few minutes’ walk from Keswick, which suffered significant flood damage following Storm Desmond in December 2015.

The new-look Derwentwater Club Site has been weatherproofed to minimise the impact on camping in the event of further extreme weather conditions, in an acknowledged problem area.

It now features 48 hardstanding pitches, all with electric hook-up, as well as a new high quality wash block will make anyone’s stay a comfy one.

What’s more, the site will also feature an exciting new glamping village, home to nine Ready Camp tents, making it the largest offering in the network.

The Ready Camp network of pre-erected tents launched with 17 sites in February 2015, and after a hugely successful first year expanded to 29 sites for the 2016 season.

Each tent offers a comfortable and hassle-free experience to people keen to camp without having to hitch up a caravan or pitch their own tent – all you need to bring are bedding, towels and a sense of adventure.

With accommodation for up to six people, there’s plenty of room for all of the family to spend a night under canvas. They come fully furnished with a double bed, a triple bunk bed and single stow-away bed.

There’s also a kitchen – with a fridge, microwave and hob – basic cooking utensils, crockery and cutlery, a sofa, dining table and chairs, a lockable storage cabinet, electric sockets and lights. Ready Camp holidaymakers will also benefit from Derwentwater’s immaculate new washblock facilities.

Bob Hill, Camping and Caravanning Club Sites Director, said: “Our campsites are designed to bounce back from the effects of extreme weather conditions, but difficult conditions on the shores of Derwentwater in recent years led us to reassess the site.

“By introducing hardstandings that effectively weatherproof camping here in the Lakes, alongside our all-season Ready Camp glamping tents, the fabulous new Derwentwater Site puts the Club in a position to stretch the season and welcome more campers to the Lake District in the years ahead.”

To book your pitch for Derwentwater, which opens on 1 July, click here now.

Elddis Autoquest 180 to travel alongside endurance runner as part of epic 20,000-mile run

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by Joe Jeffrey

Elddis Autoquest 180 to travel alongside runner in epic journey

A long-distance endurance runner has set off on an epic 3,400-mile European run of a lifetime, thanks in part to a six-berth an Elddis Autoquest 180 which is heading along with him for the ride.

Mark Allison – AKA Run Geordie Run – has embarked upon the Herculean feat, which began in Lisbon in Portugal on Monday, which will see him cross the finish line in Istanbul in August.

Mark, who lives in Northumberland, began running for charity in 1994 to repay what he calls a “debt of gratitude” for hospice care given to his late mother, and has lost both parents to cancer.

To date he has raised around £250,000 for good causes and shows no sign of stopping any time soon.

The run Mark has recently embarked upon is just one leg of his 20,000-mile Around the World quest, which has already seen him run the length of the UK as well as across the United States and Australia in a bid to raise money for The Sir Bobby Robson Foundation and The Children’s Foundation.

Following on from the Europen leg, Mark is aiming to traverse Turkey, Georgia, Russia and Kazakhstan in 2018, followed by China in 2020, Japan in 2021, and New Zealand in 2022.

Such extreme running requires not only extensive planning but also a rock-solid support team, and sponsors have continued to ensure Mark has a constant supply of running shoes and clothes, equipment, food and supplements.

The Elddis motorhome which will join Mark for the European leg of his journey comprises of part of a sponsorship deal from supplies company SOS Group Ltd, and will act as Mark and his unpaid volunteer support team’s base for the 100 days they hope it will take to cross 14 countries to the Turkish city of Istanbul.

The motorhome’s many lockers and storage compartments have been meticulously stocked with kit for the arduous journey ahead.

After collecting his Elddis motorhome, Mark met with footballing legend Jack Charlton and Sir Bobby’s widow Lady Elsie, who were keen to see what his new ‘home-from-home’ for the next 100 days would be like. The football legend even had a quick turn behind the wheel!

We will be following Mark via his Facebook and Twitter – admittedly from the comfort of CaravanTimes Towers – but to donate to the two wonderful charities Mark is running for, click here.

Also, make sure you check out this short documentary below to see more of Mark and learn more about his motivation behind the epic journey below.

BBC Caravanner of the Year champions crowned for 2016

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by Joe Jeffrey

John and Jenny Marsland crowned Caravanners of the Year in BBC2 show

A caravanning couple have been crowned Caravanners of the Year during a new two-part television programme.

John and Jenny Marsland battled it out with two other couples to scoop the title in Caravanner of the Year, organised by The Caravan Club and televised on BBC2, after donning 1960s attire for the grand finale screened last night (Wednesday) which saw the couple host a 1960s themed party.

The Marslands, who have been wed for 38 years, attributed their win in part to their retro-styled 1963 Cheltenham Waterbuck which has helped them undertake many adventures over the years together since purchasing it in 2000.

John said of the caravan: “It’s quite sophisticated now, it has a gas monitoring system that is probably better than most cars have,” he said. “How many caravans have a harddisc drive recorder on board? We do.”

The retired duo, who spend 80 days a year on the road, have trips lined up to Sicily and back, as well as a trip to Norway for a Northern Lights excursion.

Of the couple’s caravan, affectionately named Waterbug, John continued: “This van will be with us until its 70 or 80 years old, I’m sure. I’ve got no desire for a modern van.

“You sit inside them and think it’s very nice but they are too heavy and too complicated, we can handle ours single handed even in our dotage.”

Did you catch last night’s Caravanner of the Year final? If so, what did you think of the judges’ decision? Let us know in the comments below.

Bailey’s Parts Direct set for expansion in continuation of customer service drive

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by Joe Jeffrey

Parts Direct set to move in expansion in bid to enhance customer service even more

Bailey of Bristol is expanding its Parts Direct operation to provide caravan and motorhome owners with a new level in customer service. The company hopes its successful existing operation will benefit further from the re-location thanks to its new, much larger and more conveniently located premises.

A new 1,200m² facility is four times the size of the present building and is situated nearer to the major transport links on the M4/M5 motorway interchange. The extra space will allow Bailey to offer customers an expanded range of 13,000+ parts and accessories, 85 per cent of which can be delivered to their door in 24 hours. Currently the Parts Direct centre can satisfy on average 1,800 orders per week and following this re-location that will rise to 2,400 orders per week, representing a 33% increase in operational capacity.

The re-location of the existing Parts Direct operation off-site is part of a larger scheme to enable the future re-development of Bailey’s South Liberty Lane production facility. It is also one of a series of new customer service initiatives the company is currently undertaking to enhance owner satisfaction levels. These include a new eight-bay service centre staffed by a team of dedicated technicians to handle more complex vehicle repairs at the factory; a fully-equipped rapid response van out on the road to carry out repairs in the field and a national retailer workshop training programme, including a ‘How-to’ on-line video library, hosted in a dedicated new in-house training centre.

To coincide with this move Bailey has also taken the opportunity to upgrade its Parts Direct website, with new page layouts, improved navigation and upgraded search facilities all making this popular resource much easier for visitors to use. In addition, as with other modern e-commerce sites, it now provides customers with a click and collect option via a new Parts Direct trade counter. With this being the case operating hours for this part of the business have been extended to offer customers a genuine seven-day service for the first time.

Commenting on the company’s new investment, managing director Nick Howard said: “Feedback from independent owner satisfaction surveys shows that the supply of replacement parts remains one of the main concerns for caravan and motorhome owners. Historically we have always performed well in this area however in-line with other changes we are making to the business we felt the time has come to take our customer service to the next level”.

“Industry-firsts such as on-line parts ordering, twenty four hour deliveries and seven day support are genuine game changers in this field and ones which will ultimately make ownership of Bailey leisure vehicle a simpler and more enjoyable experience” he added.

Swift announces continued support for Team WIGGINS with loan of two bespoke Escape motorhomes

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by Joe Jeffrey

Swift Group to continue its support for Team WIGGINS for 2016

Swift Group has announced it will be providing its support once again to Sir Bradley Wiggin’s professional cycle Team for 2016 by supplying Team WIGGINS with two bespoke motorhomes for use in the UK and across the Continent.

According to Swift, the company was pleased to support Team WIGGINS in 2015 and the Swift Escape motorhome performed so well for the team that they asked if they could have two in 2016 to help support the increased size of the team. In 2015 there were 11 riders on the team and they competed together.

For 2016, the team encompasses a wider talent base with a strong U23 team which is competing on a different race calendar to the senior team. This has meant that two motorhomes are required to help support the riders and support crew when they are competing in two different races at the same time on different continents.

The motorhomes are not only used for the riders to prepare, relax and recover after races but are also used by the support crew to prepare all the meals for the team each race day, which can mean cooking for 20 people – rather you than us thanks!

Sarah Bell, one of the main support crew and cook for the team, commented at the NEC show in October 2015: “The Swift Escape has been so reliable while we have been using it and the kitchen has allowed me to bake cakes in the morning for the team and cook lunches and dinners for up to 20 people!”

When Team WIGGINS asked Swift about the supply of the two motorhomes for 2016 they asked if they could be purpose built to cope with the requirements for them on the road when catering for maybe 20 people or more.

Swift has added extra fridges into both the Swift Escape and Swift Kon-tiki to help keep all the food fresh and the manufacturer has also fully upholstered the interiors in dark leather for ultimate comfort, Each motorhome also has a large auto tracking satellite TV dish for the team to watch race footage on, whilst the interiors are kept at the perfect temperature with full air-conditioning in the main living area. Power generators are stored in specific external lockers.

Each motorhome has been fully liveried in corporate Team WIGGINS colours and the roll out awnings have also been digitally printed with the Team WIGGINS logo.

Nick Page, Swift Group commercial director said: “We are again extremely proud to be supporting Team WIGGINS with the supply of our two motorhomes, The Swift Escape is one of the UK’s best-selling motorhome ranges and the 686 layout the Team are using offers great luxury and space. We are also supplying a Swift Kon-tiki 649 which is our top of the range motorhome and offers true luxury in its features and really stands out of the crowd in the Team WIGGINS livery.”

“We are constantly looking to expand our sales in Europe and having Team WIGGINS showcase our products across Europe whilst they race is fantastic and we are extremely proud to be helping the Team bring on the next generation of track and road talent for Great Britain.”

“We are really looking forward to welcoming Team WIGGINS to Beverley in Yorkshire on Friday 29 April as our factory is just 7 miles away and this could be termed our home race. The Team will be cheered on by over 1,000 of our employees over the three-day race.”

Whale recognised in Brunswick Corporation Chairman’s Health and Safety Awards

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by Joe Jeffrey

Whale honoured in prestigious safety awards

Well known supplier of water and heating systems for leisure vehicles, Whale, has been announced as winner of the Brunswick Corporation’s Chairman’s Safety Award. The purpose of the programme is to recognise and reward employees and facilities that have achieved outstanding safety and health performance through promoting and practicing safety awareness, ultimately minimising workplace incidents and injuries.

Whale was one of just three companies who won the Chairman’s Safety Award and, as a result, will receive $10,000 (approximately £6,850) to be donated to a local charity of their choice.

The Brunswick Chairman’s Safety Award is selected and presented by Brunswick senior management to the most outstanding performers.

Whale managing director, Patrick Roberts, said: “We are delighted and honoured that the Whale team has been recognised with such a prestigious award by Brunswick Corporation for our approach to health and safety systems and our excellent safety record.

“It is a refection of the entire team’s commitment to continuous improvement and with the support of Brunswick Corporation we will continue to strive t create a safe, efficient and positive working environment for everyone involved in the business.”

In a statement regarding the safety award program, Mark Schwabero, Brunswick Corporation chairman and CEO explained: “Safety is everyone’s responsibility and concern at Brunswick. Each day we strive to ensure the safety of our employees and the communities in which they live and work.”

Midlands caravan park set to celebrate 80th anniversary in true style

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by Joe Jeffrey

Host of activities schedule to mark caravan park’s 80th birthday

A Midland caravan park looks set to celebrate its 80th anniversary by marking the special milestone with an exciting array of on-site birthday activities including a number of fun events for caravanners and campers to enjoy to make it an unforgettable day.

Opened in 1936 as the Holding Memorial Site, after Camping and Caravanning Club founder Thomas Hiram Holding, Clent Hills Camping and Caravanning Club Site in the Midlands is one of the Club’s oldest existing sites.

Campers are invited to attend the event, due to take place on 29 May, dressed in 1930s clothing. There will also be lots of activities to enjoy, including a camp bake-off, children’s painting competition, a pavement art event and egg rolling. And for those with a four-legged friend, there’s even a dog show.

Two marquees will be installed to provide shelter from the elements, both rain and shine, and all the activities can be enjoyed free of charge by those camping on site.

Holiday site manager, Tina Bland, said: “It’s our first year here at Clent Hills, and we’re delighted to arrive at such an exciting time. The team here will all be in 1930s dress on the big day, and we’d love campers to join in the fun too. It’ll be unforgettable.”

Situated approximately 15 miles from Birmingham and offering panoramic views of the Cotswolds, Malvern Hills and Black Mountains of Wales, Clent Hills Club Site has 95 pitches, offering both hardstanding and grass only.

Bob Hill, Club sites director, said: “All members of our Holiday Site Team at Clent Hills Club Site are really looking forward to putting on a packed schedule of activities for campers to enjoy.

“Clent Hills is a popular Club Site with families and joins several others that have long been in Club hands – for example, Walton on Thames Club Site in Surrey celebrated its centenary in 2013.”

The Clent Hills party falls during this year’s Big Club Get Together, which will provide Camping and Caravanning Club members a chance to discover the benefits that social camping with Region, District and Special Interest Sections has to offer. It also falls ahead of this year’s National Camping and Caravanning Week (NCCW), the Club’s major annual campaign to raise the profile of camping and caravanning.

To book a pitch for the 80th birthday celebrations at Clent Hills Club Site, click here.

Leisure vehicle owners sue Dometic for alleged dangerous refrigerator defect linked to fires and explosions

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by Joe Jeffrey

Dometic Corporation sued for ‘putting lives at risk’ over faulty fridges

A group of leisure vehicle owners have filed a class-action lawsuit against Dometic Corporation, stating that the company sold defective gas absorption refrigerators with cooling systems that can spontaneously ignite in leisure vehicles, putting consumers at risk of deadly fires, explosions, loss of property and loss of the value of their property. according to consumer-rights law firm Hagens Berman.

The lawsuit, filed by consumer-rights law firm, Hagens Berman, states that the defective refrigerators have caused or contributed to at least 3,000 fires since 1997 in the US alone, resulting in more than $100 million (£69.1 million) in property damage and personal injury claims, all of which Dometic tracked through multiple non-public, internal databases. Despite this knowledge, the lawsuit claims Dometic “failed and refused to eliminate the defects and/or provide consumers with adequate warnings.”

The lawsuit states that every gas absorption refrigerator manufactured by Dometic since 1997 shares common technology, common cooling unit design and common defects, including the propensity of the refrigerator’s cooling unit boiler tube to corrode, crack and expel hydrogen gas at high pressure, which can spontaneously combust, or reach other ignition sources, causing a fire.

The 80-page lawsuit filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California in San Francisco seeks to force Dometic to repair or replace defective refrigerators and compensate consumers for the diminution of value of their RVs and boats as a result of these manufacturer defects.

Steve Berman, managing partner of Hagens Berman, said: “As millions of owners prep RVs and boats for summer activities, they’re completely unaware that the vehicles they will soon use to transport family and friends essentially contain a pressurized tank of hydrogen gas that can leak and ignite a fire. While Dometic promised consumers that its refrigerators were safe for use, it chose to overlook reports of fires and failures of its products and never publicly disclosed the true risk of this defect.”

“We don’t think owners should risk their lives on every trip and have to wait for a potentially deadly hydrogen-fueled fire to get a safe refrigerator or receive payback for Dometic’s brazen misconduct,” Berman added.

“It’s an alarming issue, especially when you consider the layout of an RV,” Berman continued. “If a Dometic refrigerator were to suddenly release this pressurised, flammable gas and start a fire, occupants could easily become trapped inside.”

The suit also addresses two recalls issued by Dometic in which it is claimed Dometic “used and manipulated the recall process to conceal the true dangers and safety risks inherent in their Defective Gas Absorption Refrigerators from both federal regulators and consumers,” resulting, the claim says, in many caravan parks and camping grounds across the United States becoming flush with vehicles containing defective gas absorption refrigerators that may spontaneously burst into flames. The company continues to receive new fire claims “at an alarming rate,” the suit also states.

In addition, the suit states that Dometic resorted to “retaining a cadre of regionally based fire investigators, third-party claims administrators, attorneys and various engineering and metallurgical experts” upon each report of a refrigerator fire or explosion deployed “for the express purpose of diverting attention” from the refrigerators as the cause of the fire and to hide the issue from the public.

In a series of statements released by Dometic, the company said: “The company takes this accusation seriously but vehemently denies that the company would consciously have refrained from eliminating defects in the said product.

“Dometic conducts its operations in strongly regulated environment and it is a vital requirement that all products comply with applicable laws and regulations regarding safety. Dometic works proactively with product safety in an open and close cooperation with governmental authorities and strictly follows the applicable legislation and recommendations.

“Dometic’s opinion is that the allegations are without merits and intend to vigorously defend against them.”

Park Holidays up for sale at £250 million

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by Joe Jeffrey

PwC instructed by private equity firm as Park Holidays goes up for grabs

Caravan park company, Park Holidays, has been placed up for sale for a cool £250 million. The company, owned by private equity firm, Caledonia, has instructed PwC to help assess its options, with indications that the company will be sold to another private equity firm.

As Britain’s fourth largest caravan holiday operator, Park Holidays is set to see earnings rise to £35 million this year, as the current offer price reflects a significant increase on the £172 million the company sold for to Caledonia in 2013.

According to various sources, it is thought a deal will be struck within the next three months, with numerous companies already expressing an interest.

Park Holidays currently has 25 caravan parks in the south of England which has seen significant success over the past few years owing to the rising trend in staycationing on British soil. According to VisitEngland, £1.9 billion was spent on breaks at holiday and caravan parks during 2015.

The move comes following the merger of Parkdean Holidays and Park Resorts in a £960 million deal last year as previously reported on CaravanTimes.