A family-owned camping site near the historic site of the Battle of Hastings is now hosting weddings following a seven-figure funding package from HSBC UK.
Bluebell Coppice, a campsite spanning 15 acres of woodlands, has expanded into the wedding industry following a £1.6 million commercial mortgage refinance from HSBC UK.
The savings from the refinanced deal has enabled Bluebell Coppice to open a 678 sq. ft. barn for weddings and events, and the owners are now in the process of refurbishing an existing lodge to be used as an indoor venue, which is due for completion in April.
The launch of the new events business is expected to boost Bluebell Coppice’s off-season revenue, with the park set to host up to 27 weddings annually, offering exclusive use of the glamping site to couples during off-peak weekends. As a result, revenues are anticipated to increase by £90,000 this year and £200,000 next year.
By lengthening its operational season, Bluebell Coppice will provide extended employment for wardens and cleaners. The site is also recruiting a marketer and administrator for its new events business, and has ambitions to launch an on-site shop and café.
Julie Warren, Owner of Bluebell Coppice, said: “After purchasing Bluebell Coppice in 2019, we were forced to close in 2020 due to Covid, so we didn’t have the trading figures we needed to show profitability. As a result, we had to move from our original bank to a loan provider with high interest rates.
“Switching to HSBC UK has been a game changer. Cutting down our mortgage costs has been a big relief, but more than that, it has given us a chance to grow our business in a way we didn’t think possible before. Now we’re hosting weddings and events, which is something we’ve always wanted to do.”
Dave Green, Relationship Manager for Business Banking South East at HSBC UK, added: “We see great potential in the growth plan for Bluebell Coppice and are delighted to have been able to support it through this mortgage refinance. The global glamping market size has been projected to grow annually by 8.7 per cent until 2030 and by branching into the wedding and events sector, the business will be able to boost its profits and take on new staff from the local area.”
Bluebell Coppice offers a variety of accommodations, including camping pitches, glamping bell tents, and woodland lodges. Set within a forest in East Sussex, the site also features a fishing lake.
The deal came through HSBC UK’s newly launched commercial broker scheme. Under the new scheme, accredited commercial finance brokers will be able to provide business leads to HSBC UK’s relationship managers.
OLPRO has a reputation for creating and distributing exceptional outdoor leisure products and will use the investment to further establish itself in the UK camping market. By securing funding the company will be able to bolster its team, adding 10 team members by 2025, across its sales, marketing, customer services and warehouse departments.
In a UK market lacking in stand-out camping brands, the company is an industry-leader offering products direct to consumers through its website. While a vast majority of sales are through its website, OLPRO supplies retailers including Halfords, B&Q, Argos, The Range and Wayfair, increasing its access to the market.
The Covid-19 pandemic was the catalyst for explosive growth in the camping market. As a result, the existing market of outdoor enthusiasts and festival goers expanded to many more younger and older consumers prioritising outdoor recreation. 42% of England’s adult population went on a camping or caravanning holiday between 2018 – 2021, 38% of which were newcomers who took their first ever camping or caravanning holiday during the pandemic.
The company has more than tripled its turnover in the last six years. OLPRO satisfies the growing demand for camping and outdoor leisure products through its direct-to-consumer strategy, offering good quality options at an affordable price point. This positions the company as the go-to in the UK camping market, which is projected to reach £700m in 2023.
Daniel Walton, Managing Director at OLPRO, says,“OLPRO is fast becoming the recognised go-to brand for stand out camping and campervan equipment. As a British-designed and innovative brand, we’re now selling into more countries as OLPRO products have become more readily available. This funding allows us to invest further into the team, our product development, and to hold more stock so we can cover demand.”
Surjit Kooner, Investment Director at Midven, says, “OLPRO’s management team are the main driving force behind the business. They are experienced and well connected in the outdoor leisure industry, and they have a clear growth trajectory for the business. By securing this investment the OLPRO team has the potential to significantly accelerate growth in a rapidly growing market.”
Keira Shepperson, Director at the British Business Bank, says, “The Midlands Engine Investment Fund backs businesses that are innovative with growth potential – OLPRO has seen such growth with its turnover tripling over the last six years. This funding will support the creation of 10 new job roles which will ultimately have a wider positive impact on the region’s economy.”
Gary Woodman, Chief Executive of the Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership, says, “It is fantastic to see OLPRO securing investment from the Midlands Engine Investment Fund to expand and grow their organisation with new employees. OLPRO is a fast growing Worcestershire business which has seen a plethora of success over previous years with numerous local, regional and national awards for their growth, products and ingenuity.
“This is welcomed news for the county as this investment will help to bring more jobs into the county and further support our local economy over the coming years.”
The Midlands Engine Investment Fund project is supported financially by the European Union using funding from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) as part of the European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme 2014-2020 and the European Investment Bank.
Congratulations on your recent campervan purchase! Owning a campervan or motorhome is a fantastic way to explore the great outdoors and have a comfortable home on wheels. However, before you hit the road, specialist campervan insurance providers Brentacre share some tips for first-time campervan owners to ensure you’ll have the best experience possible.
Familiarize yourself with the basics – and learn from fellow owners
Before you embark on your first campervan trip, it’s essential to understand how your campervan works. This includes learning how to use the electrical and plumbing systems, how to set up the bed and dining area, and how to use any appliances and accessories. It’s also important to know how to drive a campervan, including how to manoeuvre in tight spaces and park in designated overnight camping areas.
If you really want some tips, it’s worth visiting the Caravan Camping and Motorhome Show at the NEC from 21-26 February – it’s ‘the’ event of the year, where you’ll meet plenty of other owners, and pick up lots of tips on everything from reversing to parking in tight spots. You’’ll also find good deals on camping gear and awnings – well worth a visit!
Don’t forget to Insure your van
When you buy a campervan, you’ll need to arrange campervan insurance. It’s important to remember that insurance is not just for when your vehicle is on a road trip – like any vehicle it needs to be insured all year round, especially if you are keeping it on the highway. If you’re just using your van for storage or doing your own custom conversion off road or in a private car park, then you’ll still need to be insured against damage and theft, especially if it was bought on finance.
If anything happens while your campervan is parked up, whether at home or elsewhere, insurance will usually cover any costs incurred from vandalism or theft if you hold comprehensive cover – and of course, you’ll need cover to protect you from other drivers who may accidentally damage your precious van.
Camper Van Conversions and Modifications
It’s worth noting that many insurers will only cover ‘standard’ campers and motorhomes, but in a world where customisation and conversions are trending, a lot of van owners won’t fit the ‘standard’ and you’ll need to find a specialist who recognises the importance and value of making your van truly ‘yours’.
Swansea-based Brentacre are a large insurance broker that has over 36 years of experience insuring some of the most interesting cars and vans on the UK road – and they have policies which cover van conversions. There’s usually a policy available for almost any modifications you make – in fact, most cosmetic conversions don’t cost any extra and even performance modifications can be covered, although the premiums are likely to be higher.
The advantage of choosing a specialist insurer who understands the motorhome market means you’ll have peace of mind, knowing any first-time motorhome owner mistakes will be insured.
Plan your route
When planning your trip, it’s important to consider the size and weight of your campervan, as well as any height and weight restrictions on roads and bridges. You should also consider the availability of overnight camping areas and the cost of overnight parking. Some SatNavs are built specifically for campervan owners and will be able to let you know if a road is too narrow for your van, likewise most campsite owners will let you know the best route. It’s always best to follow their advice rather than take a risk on Google maps!
Stock up on essentials
Before setting off on your trip, make sure you have all the essentials you’ll need, such as food, water, bedding, and clothing. You should also have a first-aid kit, fire extinguisher, and any necessary tools for basic maintenance and repairs and of course, like any other road trip, take your driving licence and insurance details with you.
Stay organised
Campervans are small spaces, so it’s important to stay organised. This includes making a packing list, packing and storing items in designated areas, and keeping the campervan clean and tidy throughout your trip.
Practice safety
When travelling in a campervan, it’s important to practice safety at all times. This includes wearing seat belts, not driving while tired or under the influence of drugs or alcohol, and being aware of other road users, including cyclists and pedestrians.
Join a community
Owning a campervan is a great way to meet new people and make new friends. Joining a campervan community, whether it be a Facebook group or a local club, can provide you with invaluable information and support.
In conclusion, owning a campervan is a fantastic way to explore the great outdoors and experience the freedom of the road. By following these tips, you can ensure that your campervan trips are safe, comfortable, and enjoyable. Happy travels!
It’s no secret that the UK is in the grip of a cost of living crisis with rising fuel costs and facing threatened power cuts – but with the right outdoor gear, campers could be better equipped than most to tackle it.
Here’s some great camping gadgets that could prove really helpful if the lights go out in 2023.
1.Head Torch
A head torch is something, for whatever reason, most men seem to love!
We therefore have a number of them in our house – but there is a good practical reason for them – whether moving around on a field during a night-time set up, or scrambling around in the dark to put the bins out every week, they provide very bright light while keeping your hands free.
Prep ahead: Know where your head torch is, make it the first thing you find because it will help you find everything else! Make sure it has plenty of battery life left in it too – and keep spares.
Let’s be honest, we all started our first camping trips with battery operated lighting, like torches and lanterns – and if yours are anything like ours, they are still useable years later and aren’t particular heavy on battery use. Bringing them indoors could give you the essential light you need to get your other ‘electricity emergency’ kit found and started – because if you are anything like us, most of the candles, lights and batteries aren’t anywhere near the sofa.
However, these days, as camping moves towards a more sustainable future, there are also purpose-made rechargeable camping solutions that tend to be more robust and reliable than their garden equivalents. We like the Vango Lunar 250. It’s charged and next to my chair, we have lots of better solutions to keep functional in an outage, but rather than having a huge pile in the lounge, the little light will help us move around safely while we gather the stored items we need.
Vango Lunar 250, Chargeable via Solar and Mains, Charlies Outdoors, £24.99
Prep ahead: Make sure any lights are handy and good to go, with batteries in and fully charged.
In a perfect world, we would have plenty of notice of a power outage, but those of us who experienced them in the 70’s will remember they often came without warning and at the worst time possible. Which means you can guarantee that at least some people will have them hit when their phones are not charged. Our power bank (super cheap from E-Bay) can give you two full charges – it’s perfect for off grid camping (or like us, in your pocket in case you play too many games on a long journey and argue about the car charger).
We actually have about 5 of them for all our devices and this is similar to the ones we bought 18 months ago. However, if you are hoping to charge a more powerful device, like an ipad Pro, you’ll need something more substantial – we’d only buy something that specifically mentions the ipad Pro.
Now, you heard me mention camping lights – you can also use your power banks to power anything that changes via a USB – and that includes many camping lights these days.
However, it can also help fishkeepers – a 3 hour outage is a nightmare for them. This Amazon filter will power a tiny pump to keep your fish tank oxygenated for short periods.
Helping your fish in a power outage
This tiny USB pump, available on Amazon can be powered by a powerbank in a power outage. (It won’t replace a proper filter long term but it will help buy your pets a little time and give them a bit of oxygenation in an outage.)
Prep ahead: keep your power banks charged and handy and ensure everyone knows where they are. If you are out and about, they also fit handily in a pocket for emergency phone charging!
4. Sleeping bags
If it’s really cold and your heating has gone off, sleeping bags offer a lot more warmth than your duvet – and you can snuggle in them and put the duvet on top.
It’s worth mentioning here that not all sleeping bags are equal and when buying them, check to see what season and temperatures they are rated for – the higher the number of seasons they are rated for, the warmer they will be. That said, if you aren’t actually climbing Everest, you won’t need to spend hundreds of pounds – try to match the temperatures you will face indoors and you will be fine. A 2 or 3 season bag will tackle most camping trips and winter indoors – if however you plan on sleeping outdoors in winter (and it could definitely be fun!) you’ll definitely need a 4 season bag to keep you warm.
Here’s a great high quality sleeping bag from Outwell – the Camper Lux 3-4 season bag – £84.99 from Newquay Camping
Prep ahead: Store sleeping bags indoors to protect them from damp, so they are ready to use if you need them – and if your storage is anything like as chaotic as ours, make sure you can get to them quickly!
5. Camping Lighter – filled and good to go
We all know how handy that camping gear will be for cooking when the home services are down. You’ll need to remember however that most camping items can only be used outdoors, so you will have to wrap up warm.
Most gas items will need a lighter or spark to ignite them – but you’ll need to make sure the lighter has gas in it ahead of time (we’ve all had those ‘damn it needs more gas’ moments!) Just because that’s how luck seems to work, in an emergency, a lighter in need of gas will offer a pathetic squib of a flame for a moment then you’ll be there clicking furiously with no effect.
This lighter is around £13 on Amazon and uses electricity from it’s charge to safely light candles, camp fires and whatever else you fancy! A quick charge via USB will give you 100 sparks, and when flat, just recharge! It works great on candles, firepits etc. and unlike gas they are completely safe to store.
Its perfect for camping, and will gladly light candles, firepits, BBQs and whatever else you need – and if it runs out, you can charge it on your emegency powerbank fairly fast.
Prep ahead: whether using this lighter or a gas lighter, keep it full/charged and ready to go!
6. Camping Cookers and BBQs
There are all manner of cooking gadgets for camping and we have probably tried most of them (and have parted with very few!). In practice, when we camp, there’s just two of us, don’t judge us, apart from the camping brekkie, no matter what the intentions, we normally wind up in a restauarnt – and use the camping gear in our garden in summer!
Most camping gear is great for cooking, everything from the Cadac to the humble stove to the amazing Cobb – campers won’t be short of things to cook with, however all these gas appliances are only suitable for use outdoors because of the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. The electric stuff is great (no surprises we have that too), but it’s not much use in an outage.
Speaking of humble stoves, you can boil an old fashioned kettle for a cuppa and use a flask to keep the water warm.
If gas is an issue at home, or if you can’t get hold of any, for both keeping warm and cooking, we’ve been impressed via the Biolite stove, which is portable, can be powered by logs or charcoal, doubles as a fire and comes with lots of cooking accessories. However, it’s not cheap and if you aren’t a camper, probably not worth the investment.
If you don’t have much storage, don’t want to get gas and are looking for something to just use in an emergency, check out this little HiGear stove – it costs £27 (though often much less when there’s an offer on, so wait til Jan!) It stores completely flat and makes a handy fire or BBQ for outdoor use.
Finally, it may seem odd but if it’s really cold, or you want to save money, an amazing product designed for hot climates makes a great bet! The wonderbag is designed to slow cook using the minimum of fuel.
You can get your meal started outdoors on a camping stove, then bring it in, cover with the insulated wonderbag and wait – the insulation will continue to cook your meal for hours. It’s perfect for slow cooked comfort food like stews without the need to stand outdoors watching a stove for hours – and there’s nothing like a slow cooked stew to warm you up and make you feel better. Unfortunately if you don’t own one already, they are currently out of stock, but keep your eye on this site when they return: UK Shop | Wonderbag™ (wonderbagworld.com) It’s on our must buy list!
Prep ahead: Whatever you plan to cook with, in an extended outage you would need to access your equipment quite quickly, so make sure you know which outdoor box you have them kept in and make sure you have the gas/charcoal handy to use them. You can also use your BBQ – remember, there are no laws saying you can only cook outdoors in summer.
7. Portable Power Stations
There is no shortage of options when it comes to portable solar panels and leisure batteries, however there are massive differences when it comes to quality, time to charge, and durability. Hopefully we’ve given you an introduction below
7.1 Streetwise 6 in One Portable Power Station
I have always been fascinated by ‘camping power stations’ and my first buy was this rather hefty looking 6 in 1 12v tool. It’s a good buy because it will charge your phone using an adapter, it has a decent light, it has a compressor to pump up tyres, it will pump up your tyres – and it also has standalone power when camping. It will power a pump to inflate your tent, it will power a camping fridge (for a few hours) and it will start your car when the battery is flat. It also has a standard mains socket to power devices up to 200w, which isn’t a lot when it comes to indoor appliances but fine for things like phone and laptop chargers.
The fact this offers so many functions makes it worth keeping in your boot for emergencies. It costs around £145, and it’s easily available on the high street. For very short outages, it’s a good little back up to have.
However it does take a very long time to charge – we charged overnight when flat, a total of around 10 hours. It’s also far bulkier than other units but this is down to the level of functionality. I’d buy it again!
Prep ahead: This great little tool needs to be kept charged because you are only likely to use it in an emergency. It’s also therefore important to keep it somewhere it can be accessed quickly.
7.2 Ebay ‘Bargains’ from China
I’d love to say I found them. Sadly this isn’t to be, in our experience, buying cheap means buying twice, our ‘1500w’ solar panel from an auction site was tiny and didn’t even pull 15w on a very sunny day. It wouldn’t even charge a phone. After purchasing I saw lousy reviews – so buyer beware and read reviews (and check they are for your item) before you buy.
7.3 Trusted brands with good reviews
If you are looking at buying anything solar-related, and I mean anything, if you don’t know what you are doing, I advise looking at well known brands with trusted reviews. However, it helps to know that there are different systems available.
7.4 High Quality Portable Power Stations – which brands to trust
Portable power stations usually have a built in inverter which takes the power generated from a portable or fixed solar panel (or from mains power) and stores it in the battery. They are an easy solution that doesn’t require much knowledge about off grid power to use.
Many people use a portable power station as a back up in their home or as an alternative to a hook up when camping. It’s usually an easy, all in one unit and can be charged on mains or on solar, so you can either buy with a compatible solar panel to charge ‘free’ or just keep them mains charged and use as needed.
Well known brands include Jackery, EcoFlow, Bluetti (PowerOak) and Goal Zero and all of these brands have their merits, they are tried and tested rugged units that perform well and have been well tested in the field by full time caravan and RV owners. If you can stretch to one with a lithium-ion type battery, it normally performs better.
My personal favourite is EcoFlow, because their units have the fastest charging times by quite some margin – but all these brands are trusted and you won’t be disappointed with any of them.
We loved our first River Pro so much we are finding our collection growing fast! We have now bought all of the EcoFlow River models and love them – we bought them so we have energy security, but can’t wait to take them camping in 2023! You can find the Ecoflow website here: EcoFlow Portable Power Station – EcoFlow UK
We were able to charge our first one – the River Pro in about 1 hour 15 mins on the mains, and it took about 3 and a half hours on EcoFlow’s 160w solar panel on a sunny day. (It doesn’t matter if it’s cold but cloud will significantly impair solar charging times). It was our first buy and holds the charge very well.
We’ve tested what it can power in the event of a power cut – very easy to do because the app will tell you approximately how long you have left: 2 x 32″ monitors, a laptop and the wifi router will get around 7 hours continuous usage on the River Pro, losing one of the monitors improves this to 15 hours – and losing both and just using the laptop will give us a few days!
It’s easy to see where your power goes with the app, and owning the River Pro has made us far more energy conscious generally!
While working is important to us, we’ve also bought a River 2 (for around £240 on a black friday deal) to keep the lights on for a few hours, and a River Max (priced at £449) so we can power an electric blanket and TV for a few hours in our bedroom too – but this is our newest model and we haven’t tested it yet. Unfortunately electric heaters and cookers will eat into your battery in less than half an hour, so an electric blanket on medium setting is a better alternative.
For long term in-home usage, or more powerful appliances, Ecoflow’s Delta range is much praised and we’ll be looking to get more powerful panels and at least one Delta Pro next year – but we’ll have to save a while first! Long term, our goal, despite renting, is to become energy independent in the Summer months, and Ecoflow is part of our strategy to do this. Once we are off the grid, we won’t be dependent on anyone else to keep us powered.
Prep ahead: If you buy a portable power station, test what your device can power when you AREN’T in an emergency situation. This will ensure you are aware of usage and can plan accordingly – and make sure you keep your device charged. Remember, if it’s flat, it’s not a back up!
Conclusion
Your biggest asset in any emergency situation is being prepared – so we hope the above has got you thinking.
While all the above will be excellent in helping you stay warm and comfortable in an emergency, make sure you have these items stored in an accessible place and practice finding them in the dark – because you never know when the power will fail.
Our hope is that the threatened outages won’t happen – but at least if they do, campers will have the upper hand in getting through them!
Image credits: all images are from manufacturers/websites linked in the text. Header image from Depositphotos.com
All of these products are owned by us and we haven’t been sponsored to recommend them.
A glamping park situated in Conwy has announced plans to release further accommodation after an exceptionally popular first year open. The park has released details of three additional luxury glamping pods, each with its own hot tub overlooking the coast in the quiet village of Bryn Pydew between Llandudno and Conwy.
In 2020, the owners Jenny and Darren Jarvis invested over £300,000 erecting 5 luxury pods alongside new motorhome pitches and luxury facilities with the aim of increasing tourism and creating a unique offering unlike anything else in the area.
The park has recently won the Go North Wales ‘Best Newcomer’ for 2022, which is a great reflection on the 100’s of five-star reviews Tan Y Bryn Glamping & Touring received after opening just 7 short months ago.
Owner, Jenny Jarvis said:
“We’re absolutely over the moon to be announcing a further three pods will be added to the park. We’re a small family operation who have heavily invested to create a truly magical experience.
“We love North Wales and everything it has to offer. To be able to share that with people from all over the UK is such a great feeling. We’ve had so many amazing guests from locals who’ve travelled just down the road to rediscover home, to International DJ, Hannah Wants. We feel so humbled by every single person who has walked through our doors.
“2022 is the first year that’s really shown the aftermath of the global pandemic and its impact on tourism. We’re so pleased to see that we can take something positive from it. There are so many people who are now devoted to the staycation because they’ve almost been forced to discover what’s right on their doorstep – us included!
“We’re still welcoming motorhomes to our park, but will be adding three new pods, some of which we will be trailing as pet-friendly options. Each of them will be created to the same high standard as our five well-established pods, and each will benefit from the same incredible view across the coast of North Wales.”
Tan Y Bryn Glamping is currently running a competition on their social media pages to win a stay in one of their new pods, you can check that out here.
To find out more and keep up to date with the latest from Tan Y Bryn Glamping & Touring visit https://tanybrynglamping.co.uk/
When tourists began using Air BnB to book their lodging on trips, some people began reimagining how they vacation. The idea of opting for a homestay over a hotel changed how people approach trips of all stripes—glamping excursions included.
For those who don’t know, glamping combines the words ‘glamour’ and ‘camping’. The idea is that travellers can get out in nature without totally leaving creature comforts behind. Many glamping setups use a simple pod structure, which is perfect for personalization and even expansion in the future.
Today, you can find garden glamping pods for your personal camping experience straight from online retailers. These come in all shapes, sizes, and use types, letting you shop around for the perfect option. Whether looking to explore remote forests and moors or simply spend more time outdoors, glamping is a growing trend for UK travellers.
A New Way to Experience the Outdoors
Glamping allows people to experience the natural world at their own pace. After all, a lot more people are willing to ‘rough it’ on a long hike if they know they’ll have a warm shower and soft bed waiting for them… not a bucket bath and a yoga mat.
Glamping pods have popped up across the UK, which are easy to book and cover a variety of landscapes. For example, visitors can choose between rustic getaways tucked deep inside the woods—designed for total privacy and immersion into nature. Others are located on the beaten path, close to markets and villages.
But not all glamping pods are designed for tourists looking to book an overnight stay. Many glamping pods are personal projects, designed by homeowners looking to get out a bit more.
All the Luxuries of Home
Many glamping pods are for personal use only. As mentioned above, it’s easy to find quality glamping pods online, which can be built at home with minimal fuss. All you have to do is find a perfect plot for the glamping pod, and then see if any materials need to be customized for setup.
For many, glamping pods are a way to re-experience their garden. It’s a perfect place for them to dive into nature without venturing too far from home. Glamping pods can also be setup at campsites and even holiday parks, depending on the park administration. In these cases, they’re a perfect solution for a UK stay-cation.
A Growing Number of Rural Glamping Experiences
Not everyone will have the option of buying their own glamping pod and setting it up in their garden or at a nearby location. But that doesn’t mean you can’t find a glamping pod that’s accessible. As the glamping trend grows, there are a growing number of countryside villages that offer unique glamping experiences.
This means that travellers can experience the wonders of a rural stay without sacrificing comfort. Modern glamping pods are built with sustainability and luxury in mind, which means they have all the features of a hotel without losing a rustic and natural charm.
A DENBIGHSHIRE-based family-run tourism group has now peaked as the largest independent holiday park operators in the UK following a multi-million pound deal this week.
Lyons Holiday Parks, founded in Rhyl in 1924, have now expanded into their fourth county in North Wales as Sunnysands Caravan Parks Limited was signed over to the fifth-generation business.
Before their latest western Wales acquisition, the Lyons Group currently operate 14 holiday parks in North Wales and Cumbria, welcome over hundreds of thousands of guests each year to their destinations, and currently employ more than 500 permanent and seasonal team members.
With five new parks near Barmouth, including Lyons Sunnysands Holiday Park, Lyons Snowdon View Holiday Park, Lyons Caerelwan Holiday Park, Lyons Moelfre View Holiday Park, and Lyons Tyddyn Goronwy Holiday Park, the Lyons empire now operates 20 sites across Flintshire, Denbighshire, Conwy, Gwynedd, and Allonby in Cumbria, offering over 6,000 pitches in total.
The entire portfolio, which began catering to guests with converted double-decker buses in 1930’s Rhyl, now boasts a wealth of accommodation including caravans for hire, static holiday homes to purchase, touring pitches, camping pitches, glamping pods, two hotels, holiday cottages and a farmhouse to hire, as well as a leisure resort with log cabins and hotel rooms that is currently under construction.
Having dominated the North Wales coast from Holywell to Penmaenmawr for decades, the decision to migrate the award-winning business to mid-Wales was the next natural move for the ‘ever expanding empire.’
The Lyons Mounds men at Snowdon View in Llanberis
Last June, an analysis of mobile data revealed that Talybont in Barmouth, the location of the main site Sunnysands, saw the biggest increase in visits of any coastal town in England and Wales.
Sunnysands’ park’s prime locations in Barmouth and Snowdon were a huge appeal to the Lyons Group, who plan to continue offering holidays to some of the millions of tourists who flock to West Wales each summer.
The other deciding factor was the close-knit, family run history that Sunnysands bequeathed, having remained safely in the same hands of the Mead family for over 50 years. This familial factor is what director Geoff Lyons Mound Senior, whose Grandfather Joe Lyons established the Lyons Camp in Rhyl in 1924, deems as the ‘winning chip’ of any business venture.
Mr Lyons Mound, alongside his two sons Geoff and Joseph Lyons Mound, along with their sons Geoff Lyons Mound Jnr and Danny Lyons Mound, and Joseph Lyons Mound Jnr and Levi Lyons Mound, attended the official handover in Sunnysands this week (picture.)
Joseph Lyons Mound said: “To be here with my father, my brother, my sons and my nephews, taking on this new venture in an area untapped by the Lyons name is incredible. We’re all extremely proud to be a part of this family, and each one of us has contributed to the expansion of this company in some way.
“My father has been a significant participant in North Wales’s tourism sector for over six decades, and has seen some huge changes, developments, and demolitions in his career. Knowing that he is now passing on his knowledge and experience to both my son Joseph Jnr, and my brother’s son Geoff Jnr, means everything to us and encompasses everything it is to be a ‘family-run’ business.”
The young directors, both in their early twenties, will be playing a major part in operating the five new Gwynedd parks.
Joseph Lyons Mound Jnr said: “We’re keen to evolve the Lyons brand in West Wales and maintain the company’s longstanding reputation and bring in things we know have worked for us in the past at our parks in Denbighshire and Conwy. We’ve been doing this for almost 100 years, and we’re proud of what we’ve achieved in this time.”
The directors of the Lyons Group took time to meet the existing team who have been dedicated to the Sunnysands brand over the past half decade. Joseph Lyons Mound said: “We’re very fortunate to be able to continue working with those who have supported the Meads over the past few years, and who have a wealth of local knowledge and expertise.
“We understand that company takeovers after many happy years can sometimes be unsettling, so our goal this week was to answer any questions, and reassure these wonderful people that they, as well as their jobs, are in safe hands. It’s all about the coming together of two families to share knowledge, learn from each other, and support each other across multiple venues. We’re all here for the same thing: to maintain North Wales’ status as a top tourist destination and to ensure our guests have the best experience.”
The Lyons Group’s mission statement has never rung so true: to be the preferred holiday destination for affordable family holidays where guests can make precious memories for years to come – with such a wealth of accommodation available, the directors feel this goal will be achievable with their new integrated teams.
Geoff Lyons Mound Jnr said: “We’re so fortunate here in North Wales to be sat among history, wherever we go. All it takes is one trip to the beautiful Lyons Snowdon View Caravan Park in Llanberis to be reminded of our ancestry, both in the natural world and in the industrial world. The landscape of Lyons Sunnysands, where the mountains meet the sea is just stunning, and it’s our job now to protect and preserve this landscape for generations to come.”
Geoff Lyons Mound said: “We’re Lyons Holiday Parks. We’re investors, we’re visionaries, and we love nothing more than upgrading and investing in our parks to ensure the best experience possible for our guests. Whenever we have building plans, we do our utmost to use local suppliers and tradespeople, because although the tourism industry in Wales appeals to a global market, it all starts here with the community.”
101,606 visitors attended this year’s Caravan, Camping & Motorhome Show at the National Exhibition Centre (NEC), Birmingham, a triumphant return with a huge wave of new buyers visiting from across the UK eager to explore everything from tents to campervans, trailer tents to motorhomes, caravans to luxury lodges.
Many exhibitors including Coachman, Knaus, Bailey, Auto-Sleepers and Rapido reported the show as being the best on record for sales of leisure vehicles. Visitors were delighted with the return to live events, relishing the opportunity to get inside and compare the layouts, fittings and finishes of hundreds of models side by side.
As well as five halls full of caravans, motorhomes, campervans, holiday caravans, luxury lodges, tents, trailer tents, accessories and destinations, the introduction of the Inspiration Theatre saw a great spectrum of speakers from all kinds of outdoor interests drawing huge crowds. The biggest of the weekend was for Matt Baker, who talked about adventures with his caravan Cathy and his new show ‘Travels with Mum and Dad’. Julia Bradbury, Lizzie Daly MBE, Martin Dorey, Miranda Krestovnikoff and Andrew Cotton also took visitors through their travel adventures and thrills in the outdoors. Ex- Eastenders’ star and motorhome fan Adam Woodyat was joined by surprise guest Shane Richie and pop star turned farmer, JB Gill was spotted roaming the halls.
Families flocked to the free activities on offer which included a 10m high climbing wall, a custom built paddleboarding and kayaking pool, (filled with a whopping 316,000 litres of water) and the Great British Seaside with its own sandy beach, helter-skelter and crabbing pier. Newbies also took advantage of the free Motorhome Manoeuvring courses and Caravan Towing Tuition, offered by the Caravan and Motorhome Club and the Camping and Caravanning Club – with sessions quickly booking out each day.
Karen Dodd, Interim Marketing Director at NCC Events said,
“It’s been a difficult couple of years, but we are delighted to be back delivering our most successful event yet. This is the biggest audience the show has ever seen, with 86% of ticket buyers being new to the Show. This reflects a huge influx of new people to the industry, with a new appreciation for getting out into the great outdoors. Our exhibitors have seen thousands of new customers walking the halls across the six days. We’d like to thank them for their continued support and are looking forward to building on this interest to produce an even bigger and better Motorhome & Caravan Show at the NEC in October.”
Tickets are on sale now for next show from the NCC, the Motorhome and Caravan Show, which takes place at the NEC from 18th-23rd October.
Ben Parker, Sales Director at Coachman Caravans said,
“Our new Coachman motorhomes have proved to be very well received, and we’ve sold 25 over the course of the week. We sold 46 caravans on our first day vs 21 in 2020 on day one. It’s been busy, but absolutely brilliant!”
Ian Rawlings, Sales Director at Bailey of Bristol said,
“This show has exceeded expectations. Our retailers have continued to enjoy high levels of sales throughout the week and it’s great to be back with customers, both new and returning. We’re delighted with the numbers of people visiting the event. See you in October!”
David Williams, Sales and Marketing Director at Auto Sleepers said,
“This week has exceeded our expectations across the board. Our primary concern was the customer experience, and the show has delivered a great result with the spread of the footfall throughout the week. We’re seeing lots of new customers to the market, as well as lots of returning customers. It represents a leap forward with customers confident to get in and explore the vehicles, which is great news.”
Norbert Waldhäusl, Export Manager for Rapido, Itineo and Dreamer said,
“It was great to be part of this year’s Caravan Camping & Motorhome Show – it felt like we were back to “pre-pandemic” times, with strong visitor frequentation each day and even bigger interest in leisure vehicles than in the years before. We had great results with the products of our three brands RAPIDO, ITINEO and DREAMER, and achieved a historic record level of sales.”
Mike Lake, UK Agent, Knaus Tabbert AG said,
“The best ever result for Knaus Tabbert AG at any Birmingham Show in either February or October. A big thank you to our retailers, the stand team, the organisers and of course our customers the new members of the Knaus Tabbert family.”
Grenville Chamberlain OBE, Chairman of the Caravan Club said,
“It’s been an excellent show. A wide range of interests are represented, with lots of new entrants to caravanning and motorhoming. This show has surpassed 2020 and we’ve really liked to have the crowds spread evenly across the six days. It’s allowed us to spend more quality time with people visiting and the show. The buzz at the event is reflective of the growth in our industry more widely.”
Keith Holland, Business Development Director at Willerby said,
“It’s been really nice to be back together as an industry. We’re proud to be supporting the NCC team, as well as our partners and resellers this week. We’ve launched two new products which have been excellently received. We’ve had lots of positive leads from both old and new faces.”
Hayden Yates – Sales Director, North Wales Resorts said,
“This has been a brilliant show for us. We’re showing a side elevation lodge with a 42ft wide living space on the Tingdene stand. We already have follow-up appointments booked back in Wales – we’re full next week. We’re probably coming away with 100 leads for people looking to buy a lodge which has been monumental.”
Malcolm Bell, Chief Executive of Visit Cornwall said,
“It’s been a great show, with lots of families coming to see us. There have been a lot of people who are new to the motorhome industry which has brought new people to us. Everyday has been a busy day which is great, and we’ll definitely be coming back.”
Michelle Jewell, Marketing Manager of The Camping and Caravanning Club said;
“It’s great to be back. We were really pleased with the visitor numbers at the show, which is reflected in our strong performance, and each day felt like a Saturday. We exceeded our targets and our new-member recruitment was up by 15% in comparison to 2020.
The stand had a positive vibe and we had a really warm response to our speakers including Club President Julia Bradbury, and also to YouTubers The Roaming Radfords who joined us throughout the show.”
Motorhome WiFi, a frontrunner in mobile WiFi provision, has revealed a groundbreaking new package which will sure-up connectivity for the growing number of people who require reliable internet access whilst on the road, or in a remote location, securing their ability to access 4G and 5G connection wherever and whenever they need it.
Yorkshire-based mobile home connectivity gurus, Motorhome WiFi, have introduced the superior Category 22 router to their latest package, the 5G Now Compact Pro, which includes everything needed to ensure connectivity, from the router itself to a vehicle roof mounted antenna and internal docking station.
Category 22 router
The Category 22 router is something of a breakthrough in WiFi connectivity terms, offering 5G connection that rivals that of even the latest smartphones. It is capable of establishing up to 7 simultaneous download and 3 upload connections, with the added bonus of being more cost effective than other routers on the market. It is ideal for 2 or more users, whether it is for essential business use or just for streaming TV content into their motorhome or caravan in any rural or remote location in the UK
Motorhome Wi-Fi Director Adam Blacklin explains why the Category 22 router is such a big deal,
“People often think that it is purely the strength of the signal that is the key factor in WiFi coverage but it isn’t, it’s actually about out-competing the number of other devices in the area that are also trying to access it. This is where the Category 22 router really comes into its own, securing that connection for you over and above the demands of others.”
Travelling demands
The last few years has seen a massive increase in demand for mobile WiFi connectivity, with the exponential growth in people working away from a centralised office environment, together with the growing travel writing/blogging industry. Many people have chosen to combine their commercial and business activities with their love of the open road, but this has seen a big rise in competition for that all important WiFi access. In a survey by Growmotely, 97% of respondents indicated that they did not want to return to an office-based job full-time, with 61% indicating that they would prefer to be fully remote. This gives them the potential to work from literally anywhere, so long as they have the requisite WiFi access, which is where the Category 22 comes in.
Lightning Speed
The addition of the Category 22 router to the Compact Pro package will enable lightning download speeds for up to 32 devices and one wired device, meeting the data needs of the most demanding users. It promises the fastest possible 4G and 5G speeds via a small, compact design with a simple, touch screen menu and colour display. Adam says, “This is another big step up for motorhomers and caravanners alike as it will guarantee their connectivity for the foreseeable future, enabling them to pursue their dreams both personally and professionally”
About Motorhome Wifi
Motorhome WiFi is a UK based provider of motorhome connectivity products and solutions serving motorhomers, manufacturers, dealers and hire companies across the UK, Europe and beyond.
A motorhome company has seen a 700 per cent increase in demand for its rentals this year compared to two years ago.
The Motorhome Holiday Company has a waiting list of people looking for late availability as people have cancelled foreign trips – and has more than doubled its marketing list.
And the firm, which specialises in hiring and selling luxury motorhomes and a great customer experience, has also seen a change in its client-base.
Managing director Matt Sims said: “We used to deal mostly with retirees. Now we are seeing more people in their early 20s, looking for adventure, or families with young children.
The father-of-four, whose children help out at the shop and online, added: “It’s not just about the travel, but the experience. It’s about spending quality time with your loved ones in a setting of your choosing.”
Campervan and caravan dealers are reporting booming sales, according to Car Dealer magazine.
Limited stock
But global supply chain problems – linked to Brexit, Covid and huge demand – have led to stock shortages.
Matt said prices were rising by 60 per cent and he has had to wait up to four months for some parts for motorhomes, particularly those coming from outside of the UK.
It includes specialist components for motorhome appliances, such as fridges and heating systems, which are a special type, shape and colour.
He said: “We have to act quickly to secure stock, which is going up in price. We’ve ordered some parts which were promised six-week delivery – then took nearly four months to arrive.”
Growing audience
The National Caravan Council says there are 225,000 motorhomes in Britain – and sales have tripled since 2000.
The Motorhome Holiday Company has also launched the Staycation Inspiration magazine, which is available for free in digital format.
The motorhome, touring caravan and caravan holiday home industry contributes £6 billion a year to the UK economy, according to the National Caravan Council.
It also employs in excess of 130,000 people, including part time and seasonal staff.
There are reported to be more than 1 million leisure accommodation vehicles in use in the UK – with an estimated 2 million people taking such a holiday each year.
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