Derby Caravan Centre hosting Spring Show weekend

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by Justine Iorga

For one weekend only, Derby Caravan Centre is set to host annual spring show

Worried you missed out on a bargain or two at the Caravan, Camping & Motorhome Show last week? Well, worry no more, as Derby Caravan Centre is set to offer some amazing deals too, following the announcement of the company’s annual spring show.

The family business, based in Derbyshire, is holding its spring show weekend during 7 – 8 March and is set to offer some of the best deals out there on a variety of 2015 Elddis and Xplore caravan ranges.

It’s not just caravans and motorhomes that will be on offer though. Derby Caravan Centre will also be offering something for all the family, courtesy of lots of foodstuff, including homemade soup, grandma’s original chocolate chip cookies (nom nom nom), and even a colouring area for the kids so that everyone remains happy and entertained.

What’s more, Derby Caravans will be showcasing a whole load of new season furniture and accessories, including a wide selection of awnings and other new products; there will also be some excellent deals on used awnings, so why not take advantage of the opportunity to stock up in order to prepare for the Easter holidays, which are just right around the corner.

Will you be heading along to see what bargains are on offer come March? Let us know in the comments section below.

Campaign to halt closure of caravan storage facility

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Claire Lawson

Caravanners campaign to prevent closure of ‘unlawful’ caravan storage facility

A caravan storage facility in South Gloucestershire is due to be closed next month amidst claims it is operating unlawfully.

The facility, at Beech Hill Farm in Yate, South Gloucestershire, has been allocated to storing caravans for the past 11 years. However, the local council has now stepped in to state it should never have been operating owing to the site being situated on greenbelt land intended for agricultural use, as well as the fact that planning permission has never been granted.

Those opposed against the council’s decision say it will cause up to as many as 70 caravans to be displaced into residential areas as new storage facilities are very difficult to find. Some caravans may even have to be sold as a result.

Protesters have also claimed that keeping their caravans on contaminated land is ideal, as the land cannot be used for very much else, whilst at the same time remaining an exceptionally safe place for caravan owners, as Deborah Martin, owner of Beech Hill Farm Storage claimed: “I think it is very unfair of South Gloucestershire council forcing the closure of this service. There have never been accidents, incidents, thefts or burglaries and some customers have stored their caravans here for many years.

“Without this service many of my customers would not have anywhere to store their caravans, and may have to sell them, missing out on their family breaks as a result.”

What do you think of the council decision? Should this land continue to be put to better use or simply handed over to the authorities to do as they please? Let us know in the comments section below.

Elddis, Compass, Xplore and Buccaneer prices frozen for 2015

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by Alice Scarsi

Elddis caravans prices to be held for 2015

Elddis, Compass, Xplore and Buccaneer prices are to remain frozen for the whole 2015 season it has been announced.

If you have just got back from the Caravan, Camping and Motorhome Show 2015 you would have seen a great number of deals on a huge wave of manufacturers’ offerings and Elddis, Compass, Xplore and Buccaneer were no different.

Now, to incentivise customers that didn’t manage to close a deal on caravans and motorhomes during the show, Elddis, Compass, Buccaneer and Xplore have decided not to increase their prices for the whole of the 2015 season. The move looks to have been made in order to remain even more competitive on the market at a time when oil prices have fallen considerably and the GBP/Euro exchange rate is proving to be convenient for British tourists.

So if you are still undecided on whether to upgrade, even after the show in Birmingham, a second glance at the Elddis, Compass, Buccaneer and Xplore ranges could help you make up your mind. To find your nearest dealership, click here.

Oyster and Avtex team up to create an integrated satellite TV system with a difference

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by Joe Jeffrey

Oyster and Avtex have joined forces to offer you a clutter-free solution for all your television needs and CaravanTimes went to take a look

We all know how, when getting out and about in our caravan or motorhome, it’s nice to feel at home irrespective of where we decide to pitch up. Essentially, part of this feeling is made up by enjoying our home comforts – including watching a bit of television to pass the time, cosying up with our friends and family and relaxing in front of the box after a long day.

Now, Oyster and Avtex have joined forces to introduce one of the most integrated and hi-tech pieces of kit to enable us to do so.

Touted as being the most easy to use satellite system on the market, whilst doing away with multiple remote controls, the system can be used at the touch of a single button without the need for messy cables and multiple devices – all in HD quality.

CaravanTimes caught up with Oyster to find out more about their collaboration with Avtex and the results are rather impressive. Watch our video here to find out more and let us know what you think.

Yorkshire Caravans hits a five-year high with expected turnover of £9 million

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by Alice Scarsi

Caravan sales company achieves impressive results after conversion of a warehouse into new showroom

A caravan sales company has hit a five-year high with an expected annual turnover of £9 million following refurbishment.

The news comes following Yorkshire Caravans, in Bawtry – the oldest and one of the largest independent retailers of caravans and leisure vehicles in the UK – recent conversion of an empty warehouse into a showroom and the launch of a new website which has seen an increase in sales.

Managing director Jon Goulden commented: “We’ve weathered the recession and we’re hoping for a continuation of the staycation trend.
“Barclays funding has enabled us to transform an empty warehouse into the North’s largest caravan showroom and we’ve hit record sales for the first time in over five years.”
The history of Yorkshire Caravans dates back to 1931, when Percy Smith, owner of a petrol filling station, started to sell caravans after noticing how much attention the one temporarily parked in his station was attracting. From that moment, the newly born family industry started to expand, buying acres of land and becoming a leader in the sector.
Today, the company sells more than 3,500 a year and employs over 50 people. Yorkshire Caravans’ example seems to confirm that the leisure vehicle industry is a solid and growing business that, as has recently been reported, contributes to more than £6 billion a year to the UK economy.

Taking a look at the new Auto-Trail offerings for 2015

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by Alice Scarsi

Auto-Trail has unveiled some great offerings for the 2015 season. CaravanTimes went to the NEC to find out more

With over 30 years of experience in the leisure vehicle industry, Auto-Trail is certainly one of the manufacturers to keep your eye on when it comes to innovative motorhome design.

For 2015, Auto-Trail has updated its existing ranges – the Tracker, Apache, Frontier and V-Line – as well as unveiling the brand new Imala, adding to the company’s versatile range for the new season.

The Imala comes in five different layouts and models ranging from two to four-berth – fitting perfectly the needs of both couples and families. Additional current ranges have been refreshed too, improving even more on their aesthetics and all-important safety standard specifications.

With competitive prices and new innovative specifications, 2015 looks like it will see Auto-Trail continue to grow from strength to strength with the company’s impressive offerings. CaravanTimes went to see Auto Trail at the Caravan, Camping & Motorhome Show 2015 to find out more, so check out our latest video to see what we discovered. We think you’ll be pleasantly impressed.

Introducing the all-new Buccaneer for 2015

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by Joe Jeffrey

The all-new Buccaneer for 2015 is certainly a cut above the rest, but what makes it so luxurious? CaravanTimes went to find out

Hailed as the most luxurious touring caravan range in the UK, the Buccaneer is built on over 50 years of expert craftsmanship. With five four-berth ranges on offer for 2015, it looks like there’s certainly a family focus in mind, but it’s the abundance of standard features included both inside and out, along with class-leading design, which really makes the Buccaneer stand out from the crowd.

Standing at eight feet wide, the 2015 Buccaneer range provides a more than generous amount of space, whilst 6’5″ headroom also allows for this.

As far as additional comfort is concerned, Ozio Coolsoft seating and extra-deep luxury mattresses which stay cool in the summer and warm in the winter come as standard, whilst a large panoramic Sky-Scape sunroof gives a feeling of light and more space.

With so much more on offer as far as the Buccaneer is concerned, CaravanTimes went along to Consett in County Durham to find out more. Check out our latest video above and let us know what you think.

Ben Fogle launches Ready Camp at the Caravan, Camping and Motorhome Show 2015

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by Alice Scarsi

Intrepid explorer, Ben Fogle, launches new glamping product at the NEC

Adventurer Ben Fogle has helped launch a new network of glamping tents at the Caravan, Camping & Motorhome Show 2015.

Ready Camp, as the glamping tent initiative has been christened, looks set to provide those of us with an alternative to caravanning and motorhoming, without the need to worry about carrying camping equipment around.

Each Ready Camp tent accommodating up to six people and comes fully furnished with a double bed, triple bunk beds, single stow-away bed and a kitchen and, at present, can be found at seventeen Camping & Caravanning Club sites throughout the UK.

As the TV star himself already stated, camping and caravanning holidays are perfect for families, and they don’t have to be set in Antarctica or the Sahara to be an adventure. In this spirit the new Camping and Caravanning Club‘s product, Ready Camp, merges the comforts of a caravan or motorhome with the fun of camping.

Does this alternative sound appealing to you? Head off the official Ready Camp website to discover more or check it out at the Caravan, Camping & Motorhome Show 2015 this week.

Holiday park operator Parkdean set to spend £13.2 million across its UK sites

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by Alice Scarsi

Parkdean to invest huge sum following successful season

Holiday park operator Parkdean has announced a record cash injection of £13.2 million into its twenty-four company’s parks across the UK for 2015, it has been announced.

Half of the investment will be spent on accommodation throughout Parkdean’s sites scattered throughout Scotland, Wales, Cornwall, Devon, Norfolk, Dorset and Hampshire.

Other improvements planned by the company, whose parks offer touring and camping facilities as well as holiday homes, include updating entertainment facilities, providing more activities for children and an upgrade of Wi-Fi facilities currently in place.

Parkdean’s chief executive John Waterworth said: “We had a very successful 2014 and this significant re-investment shows our confidence in our customer growth in 2015 and beyond.
“We are committed to providing the best holiday park accommodation in the UK market.
“Refurbishments mean we can keep holidaymakers comfortable in a home-from-home environment plus we have noted a growing market for luxury lodge holidays and sales across the UK – the British staycation is a trend here to stay, whatever your budget.”

TravelWorld Hymer exhibition now on

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by Tom Walsh

If you’re in Birmingham for the Caravan, Camping & Motorhome Show this week, make sure you check out Hymer’s own exhibition a short drive away in Telford

Heading to the Caravan, Camping & Motorhome Show 2015 in Birmingham this week? Then why not also take in the 2015 Hymer Group Exhibition courtesy of TravelWorld?

Just 40 minutes away from the NEC, TravelWorld in Telford – in their capacity as official UK dealer to Erwin Hymer – houses the largest display of Hymer Group products anywhere in the UK and the exhibition will provide a great chance to see all the latest models and even have a test drive.

Kicking off today and running until Sunday (17 to 22 February), visitors will be able to get their hands on some of the very best leisure vehicles in the UK, all with some great show offers.

Choose from excellent ranges, including the Exsis and Starline, perfect for that next holiday whether it be in the British Isles or further afield.

So if you’re visiting the Caravan, Camping and Motorhome Show this week, head on down to Shropshire as well and see what deals can be picked up at TravelWorld.

National Trailer and Towing Association celebrates 15th anniversary of Quality Secured Scheme

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by Joe Jeffrey

NTTA celebrates its 15th anniversary in the industry

The National Trailer and Towing Association (NTTA) is celebrating 15 years promoting excellence in tow bar installation and trailer maintenance, through its Quality Secured (QS) accreditation scheme.

Since 2000, it is estimated that four million tow bars have been fitted in the UK alone, so towing is certainly big business – as is the NTTA which is recognised by over a million members of the towing public, and recommended and endorsed by the The AA, The Caravan Club and The Camping & Caravanning Club.

A fundamental element of QS is to ensure that members of the scheme are rigorously monitored and independently audited on an annual basis to retain their accreditation. The NTTA’s priority is to ensure the safety of the towing community and recommends people use qualified professionals who have the QS accreditation to provide this vital service.

Phil Holman, the chairman of the NTTA said of the scheme: “We are delighted with the success of the Quality Secured scheme over the last 15 years. It gives consumers confidence when using any of our services and purchasing goods; and the knowledge of doing business with an accredited company that will always give the best service possible with a warranty.”

If you’re heading to the Caravan, Camping & Motorhome Show 2015 this week, make sure you visit the NTTA, one of over 350 exhibitors in attendance, who will be promoting the QS scheme and offering advice to new owners and seasoned caravanners alike.

Discover the most innovative and unique leisure ideas at the Caravan, Camping & Motorhome Show 2015

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by Alice Scarsi

The Caravan, Camping & Motorhome Show finally arrives at Birmingham’s NEC tomorrow and CaravanTimes takes a look at some of the most innovative features on show

Leisure industry ideas evolve each and every year and 2015 is no different. Sometimes, with evolution comes surprise and, from tomorrow, the Caravan, Camping & Motorhome Show 2015 will be full of them.

So, if you are one of the lucky 80,000 visitors expected to attend the NEC this week, make sure you check out some of the most innovative ideas we’ve compiled below. It goes without saying, you’re in for a treat.

Eco-friendly

Hillside Leisure will be introducing two new electric campervans from tomorrow. The Dalsbury E, is based on the Nissan ENV200 and has zero emission. It comes with all the mod-cons you would expect, including cooking facilities, bed and pop-top roof. The second is the Birchover campervan, based on the VW T5 van and both will enable you to explore the great outdoors in comfort, whilst having zero impact on the environment.

Customisation

Do you like to add a personal touch when it comes to your caravan? Well, the new Adria Altea 4 might just be for you. Adria are offering you the chance to choose your own paint job from a kaleidoscope of colours and design using their interactive website, enabling you to stand out from the crowd like never before.

Expanding motorhome

Do you remember the Markies we talked about a couple weeks ago? Well now comes Moto-Trek’s Xcite G. This camper van with expandable sides provides room for a large bed, kitchen and enough storage space to store bikes or scooters inside – all whilst remaining compact enough to park in a garage or driveway when not extended making it the ideal choice for those with limited space, but a love for the outdoors.

Luxury

We are used to luxurious models, but this is truly one of a kind. The Rapido 890FF motorhome, in fact, offers more than you can imagine, including a solid marble kitchen, a large fridge, a stove and a large living room. It will be unveiled at the NEC, and it promises to turn some heads.

Car-like driving experience

Well House Leisure will launch two versions of the Ford Terrier, a versatile campervan promising a car-like driving experience and many customisation options at the NEC this week, including a large solar panel on the roof, a forward facing clam-opening roof, all-leather intern, a twin-burner hob, a 42-litre fridge, recessed lighting and smart storage solutions.

Small and versatile

If you don’t see yourself as one to tow around a heavy caravan or simply don’t have enough space to store one, we think that Mogo Freedom could be the perfect choice for you. It is a light, two-wheeled caravan that fits into a garage and can be used to carry bikes, kites, skis and any other equipment to your camping destination whilst also having the ability to be adapted into a place to sleep, a kitchen or whatever suits better your needs. This is innovation at its best.

Towing tent

The Campmaster Air is an inflatable trailer tent that expands out from your trailer. What makes the Campmaster Air even more innovative is that it is so light that even a motorbike can tow it. Who said that caravanning is only for car drivers?

Home office

The Swift S-Pod is not a caravan, nor a motorhome, but a fresh new innovative take on the holiday home that can be situated wherever it best suits your needs. This compact, yet spacious new addition to the Swift family comes equipped with washroom, kitchen and spacious living quarters all featuring modern interiors and comes in two layouts: a two-berth where a double bed folds down above the sofa and a five-berth that also has a corner searing area with bunk. The public we spoke to seems to love it already. The versatility of the S-Pod means that it can be put to a number of uses, including a holiday home, office or even a granny flat at the end of a well-sized garden.

Helicopter

Hopping on board a helicopter is probably something most people would love to do at least once in their lives. At the NEC this week you will be able to do exactly that. A converted Lynx helicopter with funky interior with will be on display courtesy of Reams Hill caravan park, who offer overnight stay in the Lynx at their park.

So there’s our take on just a small handful of innovative products on show at the NEC this week. Let us know what you’re looking forward to seeing.