Holiday Parks Management
THE ULTIMATE SUPPLIERS GUIDE FOR HOLIDAY PARKS, CARAVAN PARKS AND CAMPSITES
august 2017 • Issue 28
Park News
PARK Improvements
Amusement Machines Glamping Show Preview
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Holiday Parks
Management
I love the image of the tot on the cover building sandcastles. provided by Away Resorts. It sums up everything that’s great about the British summer and holiday parks are a huge part of that. A report released by Clearthought this month, shows that quality of accommodation is key to the growth of the UK holiday park sector and predicts that further mergers and acquisitions are in the pipeline. We have a huge section in this issue on the products and services that can keep your park in tip top condition. In addition, we round up the very best of the amusement machines currently on the market - to ensure that your arcades are making the best possible profits. In another couple of months, we will be hosting The Glamping Show once again at Stoneleigh Park - if you are looking to diversify your park accommodation, we cannot stress strongly enough how important this show could be for you. It is bigger than ever this year with a greater number of outdoor stands showing all kinds of tents, lodges, pods and more. We hope to see you there!
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What’s in this issue? 05 Industry news
34 Adam Beckett column
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37
Park improvements
38 The Glamping Show
24 EAG and VAE Preview 27
33
SALTEX Preview
Preview
40 The World of Parks and
Amusements and Entertainment
Leisure Homes Review
Goldshied Insurance
42 Data Protection by Blacks Solicitors
NEXT ISSUE features include:
Steph EDITOR
Kathryn SALES
■ Holiday Park & Resort Innovation Show Preview
■ Glamping Show Review ■ Retailing and Internet
Published by: Maggie Media Ltd t: 01432 263219. Registered Business: Unit 2, Wyevale Business Park, Wyevale Way, Hereford HR4 7BS Other Publications: Glamping Business - www.glampingbusiness.com Publisher: Maggie Media Ltd, Nina Blanchard e: nina.blanch@maggiemedia.co.uk Editor: Steph Curtis-Raleigh t: 07887 928819 e: steph@maggiemedia.co.uk Sales: Kathryn Kelly t: + 44 (0) 7575 408580 e: kathrynkelly@maggiemedia.co.uk Design: Dean Coulter, Design on Tap www.designontap.co.uk www.holididayparksmanagement.com Other Events: The Glamping Show - www.glampingshow.com © Maggie Media Ltd 2017. No part of this publication may be reproduced nor stored in a retrieval system by any means without the prior permission of the publisher.
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Park News Clearthought Snapshot of UK Holiday Park Industry Industry analysts Clearthought have issued a report looking at activity in the camping, caravans and holiday parks market with specific focus on market drivers and key trends in Europe. The main findings are as follows: Holidaymakers are paying increasing attention to comfort and quality, driving significant growth in the outdoor accommodation industry. Brand development - operators want to both improve the quality of the holiday experience and increase direct sales in order to enhance margins and reduce reliance on thirdparty booking agents
Sand Le Mere Opens Sensory Room For Kids
Premiumisation – operators are improving the quality of the accommodation and experience. For example in the UK many parks are increasing the availability of lodges compared to caravans
Sand Le Mere Holiday Park has opened a sensory room for kids with autism, ADHD and Asperger’s
Environmental - holidaymakers are seeking vacations which are nature-friendly and offer a sense of freedom for families. Frequency – consumers are seeking more regular holidays or short breaks. Owning a holiday home or taking more regular holidays is driving demand. Value for money - consumers want comfort and quality at reasonable prices and mobile homes and lodges can provide this. For those seeking a holiday home for more frequent holidays, a mobile home or lodge can offer significantly better value than purchasing a property Range of services - sites are increasingly providing a full range of leisure and social activities with demand particularly strong for high-quality swimming pools, water parks and sports facilities. With these facilities on site, and some included in the cost of the stay, holiday parks are attractive destinations Regulation – while this varies between countries, regulation regarding mobile home installation remains quite flexible across Europe, driving further growth in the market Major operators, backed by strong financial resources, are consolidating the market as they seek to control supply and distribution. This means independent operators, which have limited resources to make the investments needed to both update their sites and meet regulatory standards, are in a position of relative weakness as they compete with leading private groups.
Sonny’s Sensory Room is furnished with bright and tactile equipment to provide a stimulating setting in an environment that is safe for youngsters. The space is equipped with brightly lit bubble tubes, sensory wall art, a star cloth and changing lights, multi-coloured flooring, bean bags, rollers and gym balls. A second room provides a quiet setting where parents can relax or calm youngsters who become distressed. The space has been named after Sonny Cooke, whose dad Allan is Complex Manager at Sand le Mere and had the original idea for the project.
Fire history highlight of Dorset park's new bar Guests relaxing in the bar of a top Dorset holiday park can now drink in more than just the stylish new surroundings after its recent top-to-toe refurbishment. For Martin's Bar at Highlands End Holiday Park in Bridport is also home to one of England's largest and most important private collections of fire service memorabilia. Exhibits on view range from historic firefighter helmets and other curios to a magnificently restored 1936 Leyland fire engine, and a 1902 Merryweather horsedrawn steam engine. The collection has been built up over three decades by former fire fighter Martin Cox, a member of the family, which has owned Highlands End – and today its four sisterparks – for 45 years.
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Park News continued
Simon Wykes Joins Leisure Electronics & Wexel Sean Young, Managing Director of Leisure Electronics and Wexel Gaming, has announced the appointment of Simon Wykes, the former CEO of Gala and Mecca Bingo, to the Board of Directors of both companies in a non-executive capacity. Sean commented, "The business is undergoing a period of rapid change since we added the fast growing Wexel Gaming digital business to our long established Leisure Electronics business. As the business is growing, we needed more support to assist in the setting of the strategic direction of the business. Simon's knowledge of the sector and people, experience in digitalising gaming businesses and understanding of the challenges facing the retail sector make him the perfect appointment.” Leisure Electronics has been supplying the bingo and gaming industry since 1991. On top of the base business, the company is beginning to see rapid growth in our digital business, Wexel Gaming. Wexel is growing rapidly, having initially delivered tablet fruit machine solutions for adult gaming centres, bingo clubs and holiday parks and digital roulette onto cruise ships.
Wyldecrest Saves Golf Club from Closure Sapey Golf Club, near Bromyard, which was set for closure this summer, will now keep its doors open! Wyldecrest Parks has just bought the popular county golf club, saving 24 jobs. The venue had been put up for sale last October and it was due to close its Oak Course on June 30th and both the Rowan Course and the Footgolf on August 11th. Owned by the same family since it was founded in 1990, Sapey Golf Club now belongs to Wyldecrest Parks, which has recently become the largest park and holiday home operator in the UK, owning 58 parks across the country, including Saltmarshe Castle Park, in Bromyard, acquired by the company in 2015. “Because of Saltmarshe, Wyldecrest is now deeply involved in the area and with the local community so this move only felt logical, to be honest. It’s just an extension of the roots we already have here,” says the owner Alfie Best.
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UK staycations set for another bumper year The UK holiday industry looks set to experience a bumper year according to one of UK’s leading independently-owned holiday park companies. “Uncertainties over Brexit, the weakness of the pound, some great May weather and issues such as the recent BA flight chaos have ensured that bookings for 2017 are buoyant, with some months showing a double-digit growth on 2016 – which was itself a record year,” says Simon Pollock, Chairman and Managing Director of Shorefield Holidays. Shorefield Holidays is a family-owned business operating six parks across Hampshire and Dorset and more than 1,800 units available for self-catering holidays and holiday home ownership. The company has also recently acquired a seventh location, in a strategic move for the business, which is being redeveloped as a luxury boutique lodge park. “There’s been a shift in the last ten years, in response to a whole host of triggers and with the recession at the core. The result has been the renaissance of the British holiday and a focus more on spending time together as couples or with family and friends, “explains Simon. “The short break has also become something of a phenomenon – supplementing a main summer break with a number of shorter escapes throughout the offpeak season. Our May half term was a total sell-out across all the parks and holiday bookings for June to September are very buoyant.” “Our ownership portfolio is performing well as a result of these changes in habit, with people looking for a home-from-home that they can escape to as often as they want – and share with children and grandchildren. We have seen a real trend to retired couples buying one of our lodges or caravans with a view to sharing with extended families who may not otherwise be able to afford their own holidays. This multi-generational market looks set to continue to grow.”
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Park News continued
Powdrill Joins Osea Leisure Group Osea Leisure Group, owner of Osea Leisure Park and wedding venue Vaulty Manor in Goldhanger, is delighted to announce the appointment of Chris Powdrill, who has joined as General Manager. Chris will oversee all business development at Osea Leisure Group and will be central to the continued growth of Osea Leisure Park and Vaulty Manor. Chris has worked within the leisure and hospitality industry for over 15 years and has vast experience in this sector, including past roles at top five star venues and well-being organisations such as David Lloyd and Nuffield Health. Before beginning a post graduate career within sales and marketing, Chris studied Geology and Earth Science at the University of Leicester, which solidified his intent to pursue a career in the leisure and hospitality sector. Chris’ various roles within the industry have equipped him with a vast array of skills, including an excellent understanding of customer service and sales management, enabling him build a successful career in this field. His most recent role before joining the team in Goldhanger was General Manager for David Lloyd Leisure in Basildon, a position he held for nearly two years.
Countrywide Offers a Life of Luxury Countrywide Park Homes gave hopeful holiday homeowners and people wanting to escape to the country the chance to see what the life of luxury could be like at The World of Park and Leisure Home show in Stoneleigh, 8-11 June 2017. Exhibiting out of an ‘Oakgrove Clarendon’ home, the Countrywide Park Homes team showcased the latest in mod-cons and luxury park home living, giving prospective buyers a look at what life could be like away from the stresses of a city. Jonathan Harvey, director at Countrywide Park Homes, said: “We were delighted to attend The World of Park and Leisure Home show in Stoneleigh. It is always exciting giving people a look at a different way of life. “We are lucky enough to have parks across the UK in some of the most beautiful locations that provide the most idyllic scenery, plenty of things to do and a way of life that some can only dream of. We pride ourselves on offering this life of luxury to everyone in our great homes. Countrywide Park Homes has recently invested in six new parks in Norfolk, Suffolk and Cumbria, offering a range of touring, camping and static caravans, and a range of uniquely designed luxury lodges and park homes.
Parks report summer boom in Dog bookings Searing summer temperatures this year have sparked a sharp rise in the number of families opting to bring their pets on holiday, says Park Holidays UK. Fears of Fido overheating in kennels where owners have no control over their dog's welfare is the main reason for the rise, believes the group. Last year, the company welcomed over 15,000 four-legged friends on its 27 southern England parks, but this year's figures are likely to romp far ahead of that. This rise is also attributable, thinks Park Holidays UK, to the growth in staycations and the fact that many more people now don't have to kennel their pets when they go away.
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Park News continued
Family's island park celebrates awards hat-trick After a triple triumph of awards, the family owners of The Orchards holiday park on the Isle of Wight have issued a massive "thank you!" to their guests. The Newbridge park says it was propelled into the three top spots by the thumbs-up given to The Orchards and its staff by visiting holidaymakers.
In order to qualify for the award, The Orchards was subjected to a rigorous inspection regime which scrutinised almost every aspect of its facilities and services.
This month, The Orchards joined a small elite of parks flying the coveted AA Gold Pennant, the most prestigious award given out by the AA to its highest rated parks.
These included reviews left by customers – and the AA's opinion was that the business could truly be described as a caravan and camping park right at the top of its game.
Cheers! Parks raise the bar for real ale lovers
Skelwith Fold is Lakeland’s Top Park
Glasses were raised this summer to two historic northern family firms which have joined forces in order to offer holidaymakers the ultimate in Lancashire hospitality.
Skelwith Fold caravan park in Ambleside has been crowned as Lakeland's top holiday park in June's closely-fought Cumbria Tourism Awards.
Stockport's 180-year-old Robinsons Brewery will now be supplying its award-winning ales to the Holgates group of holiday parks which also began life in Lancashire.
The family-run business trumped more than 100 eligible parks in the county to take the overall gold accolade in the holiday parks category of the competition.
Although comparatively youthful at just 60 years old, Holgates – like Robinsons – is still run by the same family which originally founded the business.
And now park director Henry Wild says he will use the award to shine the national spotlight on Cumbria's "amazing and diverse" parks industry.
The supply agreement has finally put an end to the search started almost a year ago by Holgates to find the ideal ales for its thousands of holidaymakers each year. They are welcomed at the group's flagship park of Silverdale, based near the north Lancs village of the same name, and its five sister parks in Lancashire and Cumbria.
Henry said that the Cumbria Tourism award has a special significance as it also pays tribute to the park's hard-working staff: "An important component of these awards is the hospitality and quality of service provided to guests, and our team at Skelwith must take a major share of the credit for providing this. "They are always prepared to go the extra mile to make holidaymakers feel welcome and at home, and to help them get the most out of their stay.”
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Holiday Parks Management
IN THE
● The Glamping
Show Review ● Internet ● Retailing ● Holiday Park & Resort Innovation
october issue
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Celebrated Suffolk park joins Park Holidays UK Park Holidays UK has become the new owner of Carlton Meres Country Park in Suffolk, based just ten miles inland from the picturesque seaside town of Aldeburgh.
Park Holidays UK now owns four parks in Suffolk, and director Tony Clish says that Carlton Meres is an exciting new addition to the existing portfolio.
The company's acquisition of the popular and long-established business in Carlton Saxmundham brings to 27 the number of parks operated by the group in Southern England.
With its well-stocked fishing lakes, tranquil location and abundance of leisure facilities, said Tony, the park widens even further the diversity of what the group can offer customers.
Park's heaven in Devon for all-together families
Carlton Meres has long been a popular choice for holiday home buyers, and more than 200 lodges and caravan holiday homes are located in its extensive grounds. There are also holiday homes to rent, and pitches for touring caravans and motorhomes.
The beachside park designed the superb leisure lodge in conjunction with major UK leisure home specialist Prestige to cater for the ever growing holiday trend. Called the Rockpool Lodge and exclusive to Ladram Bay, the lavishly equipped leisure lodge provides two sets of couples each with their own en-suite double bedroom.
Young families who join forces with their grandparents for holidays are now being catered for in style by a top Devon holiday park.
Ladram Bay in Budleigh Salterton has this month opened the doors to a spacious new four-bedroom luxury leisure lodge which makes multi-generation breaks a breeze.
Jewel of a park for lucky couple's Joules prize
Two additional twin bedrooms sleep up to four more people, while generously-sized living areas mean lashings of space for mum, dad, grandparents and youngsters.
Giving the gift of holidays to those in need
When Jo and Simon Wilson recently heard that they were the lucky winners of a gorgeous flower-themed Lunar touring caravan, they were over the moon. But then came the more down-to-earth question posed by the competition organisers: where would they like to receive their prize and enjoy a short break? With more than 3,000 holiday parks to go at, the couple decided to seek advice – and back came the unequivocal answer from their friends in the know. A caravan as beautiful as that, they said, would be perfectly pitched at picturesque Skelwith Fold caravan park in the Lake District. And that is why, this June, Jo and Simon spent their first floral night in their designer caravan under the stars at the multi-award winning Ambleside park.
Thousands of people holiday at award-winning Mother Ivey’s Bay Holiday Park near Padstow each year. Thanks to the park’s commitment to donating one per cent of their annual hire fleet bookings to those in need, they are joined by a significant number of families who wouldn’t otherwise be able to afford a break. Working in partnership with the Family Holiday Association and Wadebridge Foodbank, Mother Ivey’s has organised seventeen week-long free holidays so far this year through its One for All scheme. TV celebrity Fern Britton, who had her own mobile home on the site for many years, launched the initiative in 2013.
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Some of Devon's best-loved characters came together at Ladram Bay Holiday Park to celebrate the start of the high-summer holiday season.
Park News Expansion Sparks Move to Nottingham for Luxury Park Operator Following the successful acquisition of six additional luxury parks across the UK, Countrywide Park Homes has moved offices to Nottingham to accommodate its expanding team.
Mascots Tee Off To Promote Devon
The mascots, representing some of the county's leading visitor attractions, went head-to-head in a lighthearted golf match cheered on by holidaymakers.
It all took place on the five-star Budleigh Salterton park's Jurassic-themed adventure golf course, set against a spectacular backdrop of coastal scenery. Ladram Bay's Mascot Golf Championship has now become something of a tradition in the run-up to the start of school holidays across the UK.
The company has relocated its head office operation to the iconic Rushcliffe Civic Centre in West Bridgford, Nottinghamshire from Leicestershire. The new office overlooks Nottingham’s famous Trent Bridge, sits adjacent to Nottingham Forest’s City Ground and is only two miles from Nottingham city centre.
Lakes park hosts fun day for fell rescue heroes An Ambleside park popular with fell walkers from across the UK has shown its gratitude to the volunteers who turn out when climbers get into difficulties. Skelwith Fold caravan park has raised over £750.00 for the Langdale and Ambleside Mountain Rescue Team to help them continue with their life-saving work. The Tribeca
AA report applauds holiday park investment on Isle of Wight Whitecliff Bay Holiday Park on the Isle of Wight has been awarded a five-star rating by the AA for the first time. The holiday village, which is owned by pioneering UK holiday park operator Away Resorts, secured 89% on the AA Inspection Report 2017, helping the park to obtain the five stars. The AA report concluded: "This popular holiday park continues to change and improve each year. The main section of the park, following the changes last year, has settled down into a well-organised and nicely landscaped area with its oneway road system, imaginative play area, as well as shop and reception. "It was noted that there are two double electric charging stations for cars - good
for the future. There are also a lot of highquality static holiday homes replacing some of the older units. "A great feature of this side of the park, which overlooks Whitecliff Bay, is the NAB Bar and restaurant plus indoor and outdoor pools. A great place to chill out." The report also made reference to the
Tribeca, a revolutionary new caravan that offers affordable ‘boutique-hotel-style' accommodation. The report said about the five Tribecas at Whitecliff Bay: "They are simply spectacular both visually from the outside but internally offer virtually everything in a very spacious and luxurious style. Excellent roadways and landscaping complete the luxury feel to this new area."
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environmental NEWS Waterside park makes splash in green awards particularly commended for its commitment to nurturing and improving the biodiversity of the site.
Northumbrian Water's Landal Kielder Waterside park has been honoured with the prestigious David Bellamy Conservation Award at its top gold level.
The park has focussed on hedgerow planting this year and has added an additional 100 metres of hedgerow on site, bringing the Kielder Waterside hedgerow total to just under 590 metres.
Parks are judged on four main factors: wildlife management; reducing the use of energy, water and other resources; recycling, and supporting local communities. Winning the award for the 14th consecutive year, Landal Kielder Waterside was
The hedgerows are managed for wildlife, being cut every other year and mostly layered rather than cut.
Woodlands Family Theme Park has welcomed a raft of new arrivals at its popular zoo farm.
Devon park's new arrivals
are born winners
The baby animals were all born on the park, and one of the stars is proving to be an adorable fallow deer, which is now winning the hearts of visiting families. The fawn was born to one of the three female deer, which have a sanctuary on the park – and the good news is that more are on the way.
But the fawn is not the only big small attraction at Woodlands, for the park has also welcomed two miniature Shetland foals christened Domino and Peaches. There's also a baby alpaca and a collection of cute baby goats, which are keeping everyone amused with their giddy antics. Set in 90 acres of Devon countryside, the family-run park is a wildlife wonderland for families with its huge and ever-growing stock of animal species. In addition to the zoo farm, there is also a falconry centre which features over 40 birds of prey which regularly take part in breathtaking flying displays. Among its many other attractions is a recently opened dinosaur park complete with prehistoric monsters, which give a mighty roar as they are approached.
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Kielder Waterside has also planted an additional 600 native trees around the site which, once mature, will provide local wildlife such as the endangered red squirrel a source of food before the winter months arrive.
Moss Wood
Unveils Nature Trail Moss Wood caravan park in the village of Cockerham has laid out a 1.5km nature discovery trail around its grounds which holidaymakers are being urged to explore. The route is marked with ten interpretation boards, which illustrate and describe the different animals, birds, insects and plants which can be found nearby. Moss Wood hopes that guests' recorded sightings will help it audit more precisely the volume of different species to which the park plays host. Findings will also compared on a regular basis to see if there is any movement in their numbers. The trail takes in both wooded and open areas of the park, including a 3000 square-foot wild flower wilderness, which was sown last year. The colourful corner of the park boasts thousands of high nectarbearing blooms, which provide vital foraging for honey bees and many different types of butterfly. It also takes in areas around the park's spring-fed lake, which act as a magnet for birdlife, dragonflies and a host of other different aquatic species. Features such as these have helped bring family-run Moss Wood official recognition for its raft of imaginative nature conservation initiatives. Last year, it was a finalist in the sustainable tourism category of the Lancashire Tourism Awards, beating hundreds of other eligible businesses in the county to a place among the top four candidates. And this spring, Moss Wood was presented once again with the prestigious David Bellamy Conservation Award at its top gold level for the twentieth consecutive year.
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l p ng m i G INTERNATIONAL
BUSINESS
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PARK IMPROVEMENTS
Specialist Software Provider Reaps Rewards From The Holiday Park Boom Elite Dynamics, creator of EliteParks, a software solution created specifically for the holiday park industry, has installed its software into thee holiday parks this month, including Shorefield Holidays based on the South coast in Hampshire. Shorefield Holidays began its search for a totally integrated system that delivered for finance, operations and reservations last year. After meeting founder Jamaine Campbell, and having a demo of the software, they decided on EliteParks. Andy Bowden, IT Manager and Director at Shorefield Holidays said; “We are extremely pleased with our decision to implement the EliteParks solution, I was very impressed to find a software solution that can be easily used in all departments and covers a significant portion of our business operation, ranging from Holiday Home Sales, Park Management, Holiday Sales and integrated Financial Management.”
Park Holidays and Holiday Resort Unity have also taken the decision to invest in EliteParks to improve reporting and efficiencies. Both operators were looking for a consulting partner from the holiday park sector with Microsoft experience. This demonstrates that the EliteParks solution is scalable for both multi-discipline income streams operating one park to multi park operators such as Park Holidays who operate 25 holiday parks. Intermediate Capital Group bought Park Holidays for £362 million last year and they have backed the investment into the EliteParks solution to achieve their goal of better transparency and analysis across the whole business. EliteParks is built on Microsoft Dynamics NAV latest technology and is the most advanced Holiday Park management solution in the market to date and the business is growing rapidly with 2 new team members already this year, both with vast experience working in holiday parks across the UK. www.elitedynamics.co.uk
MiFi - A Possible Revenue Stream for Park Operators For the first time, British company Cellhire is offering park operators in the UK and Europe mobile communications products for use by their customers and staff.
The main product that Cellhire is offering is a MiFi with integral data SIM card, to provide private Wi-Fi for each caravan/cabin/lodge and for staff to carry around with them. A MiFi is a small, portable router containing a 3G or 4G data SIM card. Just like a home or office router, this mobile communications bundle can be used with smartphones, tablets, laptops, desktop computers and even printers. Also like a home or office router, the MiFi can be shared with multiple users – up to 10 at the same time. The data SIM card gives fast (very fast with the 4G option) access to the internet, while the re-chargeable battery (plus mains connectivity as standard) of each MiFi gives great flexibility of use. Cellhire was founded 1987 and supplies
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consumers and business travellers - and major events such as the Rio and London Olympics, Cannes Film Festival, the Tour de France, UEFA Euro Finals and FIFA World Cups, where the company provides MiFi and SIM card bundles to participants, visitors and major media companies. Park operators can rent MiFis from Cellhire at an agreed monthly rate. The operators are then free to provide whatever service they want with the product. For example, they could offer it to their customers as “Free Private WiFi” in the caravans/lodges etc. Alternatively, operators could charge their customers a fee per week, month or the summer months or any combination of months at any time of the year. For more information contact marketing@cellhire.com
PARK IMPROVEMENTS
CamperClean’s European Charge CPES Ltd can confirm that it is now selling its innovative CamperClean emptying and cleaning station for toilet cassettes into five new countries: Switzerland, Italy, France, Austria and Slovenia. This year, the company has upgraded the machine to accommodate Dometic cassettes. The user is now asked at the start of the cleaning process to choose the type of cassette they have. Once the selection has been made, the cleaning process is as automated as it always has been. Ted Waring Director at CPES Ltd commented, “When CPES was founded back in 1982, electrical connection units were not a common sight on touring parks. CPES Ltd were pioneers in designing and developing this type of product. Just as electricity and running water are an expected part of the facilities provided on touring and motorhome pitches, the CamperClean will be viewed along similar lines.”
Orchard Wooden Playground Equipment Sutcliffe Play’s Orchard range of wood-based clamber units, small and large tower units, swings and trim trails, were all created to provide a combination of physical activity and challenge, social interaction and opportunities for learning. When designing Orchard, Sutcliffe carefully considered the ways in which children interact with play equipment. The company’s expertise in play has enabled them to create a range of high quality equipment which provides exciting, appealing play opportunities for children whilst facilitating their development in physical strength and social interaction. Orchard is suitable for a wide range of ages and abilities, and encourages inclusive play. As well as providing exciting play opportunities for able-bodied children, many of the products in the range also incorporate a range of challenges for children who have more difficulty accessing play. Primarily a natural product, the main component of the range is pine logs, locally farmed from UK forests in a managed sustainable process that ensures the forests are always replenished. The timber used is between 20 and 25 years old, so by the time your play equipment is at the end of its life newly grown trees will be ready for your next play products. All Orchard posts are pressure treated against wet rot, dry rot, and insect infestation. This is only done after the posts have been cut and drilled to ensure that all exposed timber is fully treated. A unique aluminium shoe protects the base of the post once in the ground and ventilation holes help to keep the post dry. At the top, a special rubber cap completely seals the end of the post to keep out any moisture.
He added, “Once a customer has used this station once they are reluctant to go back to emptying their cassette at a standard waste point ever again”
Sutcliffe also developed a unique joining system for the logs, made of rubber with a steel core which provides a strong connection. The system also spaces the logs slightly apart, which eliminates the possibility of fingers getting trapped between them. Sustainability continues with the natural rubber components used in Orchard, these are made from latex, which is milked in a sustainable way that does not damage the trees.
www.cpes.co.uk
www.sutcliffeplay.co.uk
SML: helping park owners get better reviews. The paint experts at SML Paints and Coatings have been advising park owners and maintenance staff on how to tidy up their play areas, pods and decking. Often a review hangs on a general impression of how well the park is looked after. Fading, chipped or flaking paintwork is simple to fix and not only looks better when done but protects as well. Even an old play area looks cleaner and safer with a fresh coat of paint. Eddy Fulford, one of the sales staff at SML says, “It can be a bit bewildering choosing paints, especially if painting over an existing
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coating, but we have dealt with thousands of projects and can recommend a paint system that will give the best results depending on what you want to paint, the time you have and the equipment you want to use.” SML is one of the UK’s largest suppliers of Jotun paints and coatings – a company from Norway that are well known in Scandinavia and the Middle East for protecting everything from oil rigs and offshore windfarms to wooden houses and lodges. In England and Wales they are less well known but in Scotland companies and individuals have
been using Jotun products for years, realising that most of the products sold in UK DIY stores and trade counters just don’t have the same protection. SML have three websites dedicated to Marine Paints, Protective Coatings and Decorative Paints and Eddy or Malcolm would be happy to talk through your project. Call SML Paints on 01285 862 132. www.smlmarinepaints.co.uk www.smlprotectivecoatings.co.uk www.smldecorativepaints.co.uk
PARK IMPROVEMENTS
PitchSMART Online By Rolec A Breakthrough In Hook-Up Management Following 18 months of research and development Rolec has announced the launch of PitchSMART Online, a new cloudbased computer operated MID-approved Smart metering system for remotely managing caravan hook-ups. This innovative new system has been specifically designed to enable park operators to read each and every hook-up meter from the comfort of their office computer - and in turn generate instant invoices for customers. PitchSMART Online can also be used by the park operator to individually switch on/off each and every one of their electric hook-up units, again from the office computer. Darren North, General Manager of Rolec’s Leisure division, commented: “Traditionally, caravan park operators have had the long and costly task of physically reading electricity meters, taking this information back to the office, and then preparing invoices - which can take anything up to a month at a time to achieve. “With PitchSMART Online the reading of the meters and preparing of invoices can now be achieved in a couple of hours - saving
thousands of man hours and enabling faster, regular invoicing.” Darren also confirmed that as well as providing instant meter readings, invoicing facilities, and the ability to individually switch hook-ups on/off, PitchSMART Online also has the ability to be extended to offer a variety of additional services including: ■ Meter reading, invoicing and switching of static caravan water supplies. ■ Meter reading, invoicing and switching of static caravan gas supplies. ■ Instant access to electricity, water and gas consumption data to support invoicing. ■ Management of park building electricity and water supplies. ■ Instant access to electricity and water consumption data which can be used to negotiate favourable kWh and availability tariffs with utility providers. ■ Multi-park operators can instantly access electricity and water consumption, activities and monies due in across all their parks. ■ Can provide the caravan owner with mobile phone access to their utility account. ■ Can allow the caravan owner to pre-pay for their electricity and water via mobile
phone using their preferred payment method (i.e. Visa, MasterCard, PayPal). ■ PitchSMART Online can also be used to switch and manage the entire park’s lighting system. Darren continued: “We can also offer a variety of services to complement the PitchSMART Online system including installation of PitchSMART Online, testing testing, maintenance and emergency call out services. “In addition we can also provide a range of finance solutions, including 3 and 5 year extended payment terms, monthly lease/buy options, and even a weekly PitchSMART Online rental option from as little as £2 per pitch per week.” darren@rolecserv.co.uk
Bye Bye Buy-To-Let! Investors Switch To UK Holiday Property The UK’s largest property part exchange company, Quick Move Properties has reported a surge in customers using their services to fund leisure home purchases. According to Quick Move Properties’ Leisure Business Manager, Mark O’Dwyer, this has been largely driven by UK investment trends. “With the popularity of staycations and the recent restrictions on tax breaks for Buy-to-let landlords, many UK investors are now viewing Holiday Lets as more effective than traditional bricks and mortar investments. “There are over 2 million landlords in Britain and many are reviewing their investments following the UK government’s introduction of a 3% stamp duty surcharge for anyone buying a second property. This is on top of curbing their mortgage interest relief, so while it's bad news for buy to let property owners, these rules don’t extend to holiday lets, meaning holiday home investors can potentially enjoy higher incomes.”
Quick Move Properties have been swift to offer a specialist part exchange service designed to help investors easily switch their second properties for holiday homes or lodges. They normally provide an offer to buy homes within 24 hours and can complete on the purchase of a vendor’s property within 7 days, making them instantly proceedable for their holiday home investment. As well as the financial advantages, Mr O’Dwyer also believes landlords are part-exchanging to reduce the hassle-factor. “Most holiday parks will let and fully manage all aspects of an investment letting, including bookings,
changeovers, cleaning, maintenance, repairs. Some will even pay site fees and utility bills, giving full peace of mind on investments with a reliable level of rental income. On the other hand, landlords have the worry and cost of dealing with ongoing repairs, redecorating, maintenance and concerns over empty/void periods of no occupation - typically one month per year without a rental income.” www.quickmoveproperties.co.uk
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PARK IMPROVEMENTS
Frontier Pitts – for increased security Over the years Frontier Pitts have installed perimeter security equipment on many caravan park sites nationally, to ensure the holiday park sites fulfil their security requirements with cost-effective traffic management. Frontier Pitts manufactures many marketleading solutions which are ideally suited for controlling constant access to and from site. From the traffic control Automatic Barrier model FBX, to the parking height Rising Kerb, to the Anti-Ram Terra 180° Swing Barrier, Frontier Pitts install many solutions for Caravan Parks The FBX Automatic Barrier is manufactured in boom lengths up to six metres, up to five metres for booms with skirts, and each boom can be fitted with warning lights and signs to the customer’s specification.
The FBX is designed for reliability and durability, featuring sealed-for-life, nomaintenance bearings on the drive shaft; while both barriers and control cabinet are supplied with a 20-year protective alkyd paint finish as standard. The FBX accessories options include a variety of warning signs, lower folding skirts, boom lights, articulated boom, over-ride key switch, magnetic locks for the end-rest, with a choice of ‘pogo stick’ or fixed endrests. Roadblockers and Rising Kerbs are impactresistant barriers which control vehicle access and are well suited to ‘High Security’ sites. Such installations range from car parks through to anti-terrorist protection of defence installations. There are a few models of road blockers available, including the Parking Height
Rising Kerbs and the Security height Roadblockers. Frontier-Pitts, based in Crawley, Sussex, is the acknowledged leader in perimeter security equipment. Our services include design, manufacture, civil and electrical services, site surveys, installation, spare part and a full Maintenance Contracts package to give you complete peace of mind. Their product range includes security gates, automatic barriers, road blockers and rising kerbs, bollards, and pedestrian control gates and turnstiles www.frontierpitts.com
TYM’s small but mighty TS25 Whether you are after small and mighty or big and tough, there’s a tractor for every landscaping requirement in the TYM range. For example, there is the TS25, which can tackle maintenance and transporting tasks at holiday parks, caravan sites and campsites like a pro. The TS25 is one of the few sub-compact tractors on the market available with either a manual or hydrostatic transmission and that means the tractor can be tailored to specific turf maintenance needs. For loader and middeck work, the simple-to-use hydrostatic transmission is the best choice, but for work requiring a set working speed manual transmission will deliver the best results. Adding to its versatility is a wide choice of accessories including a spool valve kit, backhoe, mid-mounted mower, front weight kit, front loader and a rear counter balance. Others in the TYM compact tractor range can also be fitted with an optional, fully airconditioned cab, so the British weather never gets in the way of your workday. With so many optional attachments and accessories available, the TS25 is an adaptable addition to any site and can be used for applications such as: shifting large quantities of logs, rubble, or soil with the
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optional front loader, or towing a midmounted mower attachment across vast stretches of grass effortlessly. On top of all that, the TS25’s lightweight credentials means it’s the perfect choice for use on fine surfaces. Its 25hp three-cylinder engine gives it enough power to perform its tasks with ease, without being detrimental to turf.
Specification: Engine size (hp): 25 Engine type: Yanmar Transmission: Manual or HST Rear lift capacity: 600 kg Mid PTO speed: 2000 rpm Rear PTO speed: 540 rpm Maximum hydraulic flow: 26.3 lpm reesinkturfcare.co.uk
GreenMech For Forest Management
Set in the heart of East Sussex is the Royal Ashdown Forest Golf Club. Woodland management plays a key part in their maintenance regime, as does the new GreenMech Eco 150 TMP they have recently purchased. Maintained by Chris Mitchell and his team of 10 greens staff, this 1888 established, two 18-hole heathland course, has embarked on the Countryside Higher Level Stewardship programme with Natural England. Chris, who’s been at Royal Ashdown for 44 years, explains, “As participants in the Natural England scheme, we’re embarking on a tree
clearance project to try and return areas back to natural heathland with an eventual aim of a 60% open heather and 40% tree split. However, our old gravity feed chipper just wasn’t up to the job with the variety and quantity of material we were having to process. We asked Alan Pierce at our local GreenMech dealership for advice and he suggested we consider the Eco 150 TMP. Having trusted Alan’s judgement for a number of years we went for it and certainly haven’t been disappointed – it’s streets above our previous model.” The tractor mounted Eco 150 is designed to fit the 3-point linkage of compact tractors up to 45hp and can take material of up to 150mm in diameter easily in its stride. At Royal Ashdown
the chipper has been faced with large pine, birch, ash and oak trees, as well as crab apple trees which most chippers can’t handle. “The Eco 150 TMP deals with crab apple an absolute treat – it really is impressive. I’m also impressed with the GreenMech Disc Blade system, though sceptical at first. I was familiar with straight blades but these are a great idea; when you get a bit of a dull edge you can just turn them round. 18 months on from the purchase of the chipper, we’re still using the original set of disc blades. We’re all delighted with the machine, it’s easy to use and powerful enough to cope with whatever we feed through it. Not only is chipping a quicker and more environmentally friendly method of disposing of the waste, the resultant chip produced is recycled and re-used on bridle paths around the course,” adds Chris.
Landscaping news Malvern Hills puts Kubota’s latest RTV to the test Kubota UK’s commitment to the environment has stepped up once more, after the market-leading machinery supplier donated its RTV-X900 utility vehicle to the Malvern Hills Trust, a charity that conserves the iconic, ecological landscape in Worcestershire. As a popular destination for tourists and locals alike, a home to wildlife, and a workplace for local farmers, the Malvern Hills and Commons make up over 3,000 acres of grassland, woodland and rocky terrain. The Kubota RTV-X900 has already become a major player for the Trust, helping its 20 volunteers and six field staff tackle the expansive and rugged landscape by carrying people and equipment efficiently across the vast site. Community and Conservation Officer, Richard Vale said: “The Kubota RTV-X900 is great, because it allows us to access certain areas that we couldn’t before. We’re now able to maintain the hills easier and quicker, without disturbing any visitors or wildlife. “Every time we use the RTV-X900, we become more confident in its capabilities. The cab offers great protection while its compact characteristics make our presence on the hills very constructive as the machine offers high power without damaging the soft terrain. Anything bigger almost begins to reduce the positive effect we try to have on the environment.”
www. holidayparksmanagement.com
It’s estimated that Malvern Hills receives over one million visitors per year and around 7,000 on peak holiday periods such as the recent Easter weekend. The iconic landscape hosts a range of activities including walking, cycling, horse-riding, and more. Karen Tipping, marketing manager at Kubota UK, concluded: “Kubota takes its commitment to the environment seriously, so much so, that our corporate mission statement is ‘For Earth, For Life’ – its our promise to protect the environment on a global scale. By donating an RTV-X900 to the Malvern Hills Trust, we are living up to this commitment and playing a key role in helping this charity and the valuable work it does.”
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Traditionally a coin-op event, EAG International added the Visitor Attractions Expo in 2014, bringing a sparkling new dimension to the event. Today EAG remains true to its amusement industry roots but visitors are just as likely to be operators of theme parks, holiday parks, FECs, cinemas, bowling centres, visitor attractions and retail destinations. Visitors to EAG and VAE are rewarded with the very latest offerings from more than 200 manufacturers, all rising to the challenge of showcasing impressive new products, many of which will be in Europe for the very first time. In line with current trends, many of the games and merchandise on display will feature licensed entertainment brands for added desirability. This is a show about educational seminars, about networking, and most of all, about incremental income opportunities and products that have the potential to transform your business. “Traditional leisure destinations are changing fast to keep up with high customer expectations, adopting products and ideas from other sectors. We’ve seen indoor play facilities extended to include outdoor and adventure play, whilst outdoor and adventure play facilities are adding indoor facilities. The net result for both is an extended season plus an enhanced visitor experience. For the operator, this may necessitate a move outside of the comfort zone, but the rewards can make this very worthwhile,” says Karen Cooke, show organiser. EAG & VAE 2018 is not only a showcase for the latest and most exciting products, practical advice is also never far away, be it from manufacturers, trade associations, or from industry colleagues at seminars and networking events. Visitors can expect to see the very latest releases of evergreen products such as air hockey, kiddie rides, confectionery and prize
EAG International & VAE – Capturing Secondary Spend On 16th January 2018 more than 5000 leisure industry professionals will descend upon the prestigious ExCel London for EAG International & VAE 2018. In only eight years, the three day event has secured its place as the unmissable start to the New Year, attracting leading manufacturers and buyers from leisure operators around Europe and beyond. vending, bingo, pinball, table football, redemption and novelty games, along with a huge selection of plush and prize merchandise. With the emphasis very much on activity, the event will showcase indoor and outdoor play, laser tag and trampolines. For the larger venue, go-karts, coin-operated mini karts and other leisure vehicles may well be of interest. As we inch ever-closer to the cashless society, many park operators will also be contemplating systems for admission control and payment by card or wristband. With the show’s marketing so precisely targeted, each year more product categories
are added as new exhibitors travel from across the globe, seizing the opportunity to meet genuine and motivated buyers. EAG and VAE 2018 are unique in that the majority of products on display will be directly customer facing and have a direct impact on family enjoyment. They will also have a direct impact on profitability. An enjoyable trip to EAG International & VAE, be it for a single day or all three days, could turn out to be a very wise investment for your business. For further information about EAG International & VAE 2018, visit www.eagexpo.com or contact karencooke@swanevents.co.uk
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NOW ALL FITTED WITH LED REVOLVING WHEEL LIGHTS AND UNDERBODY LIGHTING AND ULTRA VIOLET REFLECTIVE BODY COLOURS!
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The business of PLAY Amusement arcades are a valuable source of income for many parks but there is a huge amount of product and services to choose from. Holiday Parks Management has rounded up the best-performing games of the summer to help you maximise enjoyment and profits in your arcades.
The Perfect Partner
for Parks
JNC Sales have over thirty years of experience in the amusement industry, providing holiday parks and arcades around the country with a variety of brand new machines and popular used classics. JNC Sales is a global, market-leading one-stop shop offering a wide range of equipment at the best possible prices.
Here are some of this year’s most popular new releases: KRAZY KARS - Great gameplay, a stunning LED-lit cabinet, and the option of a one or linkable two player game are just a few of the reasons the Krazy Karz kiddie ride has already proved such a hit this year. Like the Go Go Pony and Dolphin Stars, Krazy Karz appeals to young children through its attractive driving motion and colourful car-themed cabinet, with different coloured seats to suit both boys and girls. The receptive steering wheel and animated sound effects thrill children as they drive around the track, racing against other drivers and hitting various checkpoints.
SUPERHERO ROLLDOWN - This modern take on the popular rolldown has been created strictly with gameplay and design in mind. The objective is for players to get as many 2ps as possible through the holes at the back of the obstacle playing field, with each hole determining the amount of tickets on offer. In the middle of the cabinet is a “Roll the Dice” hole, which allows players to progress to a mini game on the backboard, offering different ticket wins, free spins, ticket boosters and a jackpot. With amazing cabinet design, themed attract audio and simple gameplay this is a super redemption option. FAMILY TELEPHONE BOX CRANE – This 2-player crane is the perfect piece for FECs looking for a standout product with minimal footprint. With two playing zones of different heights, it has been specially designed to allow parents and their children to play at the same time! The red themed telephone box cabinet is perfect for the attraction of players and the promotion of prizes. JNC have over 2,000 different new and used machines in stock, with a professional sales team and dedicated aftersales, making them the perfect partner for holiday parks considering their amusement machine options. www.jnc-sales.co.uk
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The business of PLAY Have you thought about installing Bingo, but being put off by the cost of equipment, getting to the prize levels that attracts customers, increased staff costs to manage the operation – or space restrictions? Then contact Wexel Gaming! There are no upfront equipment costs; the equipment can be supplied on a revenue share basis. You can join an established link group with strong Prize Money and great Jackpots. As part of a link group, the site can benefit from the remote calling facility; therefore the system can be operated within your existing staff levels. Space is always a factor when deciding on equipment. The link allows site operators to keep position numbers to a minimum whilst always giving individual players the opportunity to join in the game. Martin Lagar, Head of Gaming at Parkdean resorts stated “Installing Wexel’s Linked Bingo in our Trecco Bay Park has given our customers an exciting new Bingo product with the chance to win great cash prizes throughout the day. This has helped drive footfall within the arcade at traditionally quieter times of the day so not only have we seen the benefit from a new income stream but also incremental growth throughout the arcade operation at Trecco Bay."
Risk Free Linked Bingo...
So what are you waiting for? Join other top operators like Praesepe, Nobles, Tyne Tees, Godden Gaming, Beacon, Majestic, Showcase and Parkdean Resorts in the UK’s fastest growing Bingo circuit. chris@wexel.co.uk
World of Rides
Releases Superhero Future Battery Bike Battery rides are still the best fun for children, as they are fully-interactive, with exciting lighting and sound effects, as well as allowing them to choose the direction and speed at which they travel. The added pleasure of being able to carry a passenger,
on the back seat is an added bonus (World of Rides rides are strong enough to take an adult on the back). Importantly, battery rides also teach children future driving and road safety skills, as they are in full control of each vehicle, and any mistake they make will be another lesson learned safely indoors, ready for the time when they start to drive real vehicle on our roads. The World of Rides team has been working closely with their colleagues in Europe for over a year, to develop the World’s first ‘Future Bike’ battery ride with revolving LED wheel lights and under-body lights, as well as bodywork designs that becomes reflective under ultra-violet lighting. The new range complements the already hugely popular Superheroes range of rides and site tests have resulted in much higher income levels than ever anticipated. With an unrivalled turning circle of only 300cm, the Future Bikes have been made in response to all those Holiday
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Park and FEC owners who previously never had enough room available to build a full size 6m x 12m (approx. 20ft x 40ft) battery operated go-kart track, or for all those who already have one, but desperately wanted something new and exciting to offer their young visitors. Up to four Future Bike battery rides only require a track size area of about 3.5m x 6m (approx. 12ft x 20ft). www.worldofrides.com
C N J E H T H IT W Y A L P COME AND R E M M U S IS H T S E O R E H SUPER NEW NEW
JNC Super Heroes Rolldown £8,495
Family Telephone (2pl) £1,795
NEW
Crazy Toy 3 crane £2,495
NEW NEW Rescue Firefighters £2,395 or 2 player £4,495
Krazy Karz £2,995 or 2 for £5,495
FOR A FULL LIST OF NEW AND USED MACHINES AVAILABLE PLEASE CALL THE OFFICE 01179382552 GARY NEWMAN 07958544390 WWW.JNC-SALES.CO.UK / SALES@JNC-SALES.CO.UK ISSUE 28 l AUGUST 2017
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The business of PLAY
PAWPatrol
is on a roll for Kiddy Rides!
Following the huge success the company is currently experiencing with its first officially licensed PAWPatrol ride 'Marshall', Kiddy Rides is set to launch its second ride from the Nickelodeon brand in the form of 'Chase'. Chase, is PAWPatrol's German Shepherd Police Pup who drives the impressive Police Cruiser vehicle which the ride design is based upon. "The ride has been in development for a while now, and after following strict and stringent guides from the brand, we are confident that we have a terrific product which represents the show and the characters perfectly,” states Gareth Jones. the ride’s designer and Northern Leisure's Production Manager. "The Chase ride has a great presence about it. It’s bold and attractive with an eye-catching display of flashing LEDs!” The three-dimensional character sits in the rear of the ride this time, leaving more room in the cockpit area to fit up to two small children. A two-dimensional element with the character 'Skye' sits along side the rider in the seating area. There are multiple pushbutton sounds, a steering wheel and an array of emergency-style flashing lights, along with the shows catchy theme tune which is played throughout the ride cycle. The ride is manufactured in the UK, using leading components and brands which are tried, tested and proven to ensure reliability and safety, a trait of any Kiddy Rides product. The main body is produced in high quality leadfree Gel-coat ensuring a long lasting durable finish. As with the Marshall ride, easy access to all components and accessories has been kept in mind when designing the new machine to ensure undemanding maintenance and service for the operator. “The prototype Chase Ride is now complete and we're extremely pleased with the result!” adds Jones. “We already have a number of orders taken for the ride and production is almost imminent pending approval. August should see the first of the rides rolling out to customers worldwide!” www.kiddridesuk.com
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The Arcade One-Stop Shop BANDAI NAMCO is one of the biggest amusement machine companies in the world and the creator of the legendary PACMAN. NAMCO has created many legendary arcade titles over the years, such as Galaga, Tekken, Time Crisis and more Star Wars Battle Pod. BNAE is involved in all levels of business from the design and development and supply of the machines to the running and operation of locations, servicing and spare parts and even the supply of prizes for redemption and cranes. Therefore, the company is able to tailor its offering to suit the client’s needs, from the outright purchasing of products to a turnkey solution where it designs and lays out the locations and then manages them on an incomeshare basis. BANDAI NAMCO has a massive range of its own titles and a selection of the very best third-party machines sourced from all over the world including everything from small kiddies rides to large-scale video game attractions, sports games, photo machines and ticket redemption games. The BANDAI NAMCO range of redemption-related products include a stock management system and redemption ticket eaters, as well as a range of high quality tickets which can be branded to the individual location. The company’s in-house prize division stocks a wide range of products from branded confectionery to electronic products and everything in between and can even offer OEM development of a range of products with a locations branding on them. The latest range of retail quality licensed plush includes products from the likes of DC Comics Heroes such as Wonder Woman, Superman/Batman, Shaun the Sheep and PAC-MAN in various sizes and price points. Going forwards there is a road map of other licensed products to tie into the movie releases to help maximise the profits for customers. BANDAI NAMCO Amusement Europe Services (BNAES) is contracted to supply various companies embracing a wide spectrum of leisure environments, notably, The Original Bowling Company (incorporating both Hollywood Bowl and AMF Bowling), Tenpin Bowling, Bourne Leisure on Butlins and Haven Holiday Parks, as well as many independent Family Entertainment Centres, seaside arcades, children’s play centres, Holiday Parks and local authority outlets. A nationwide team of dedicated and skilled engineers and collectors ensure that all customers’ locations are kept to the very peak in potential earnings. BNAES rotate their equipment on a regular basis ensuring optimal levels of income on all types equipment across all locations.
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A D V E R T O R I A L What is Gold Shield Warranty? Gold Shield is a 10 years warranty for park homeowners, provided and administered on behalf of the manufacturers and the NCC. The scheme ensures that all homes registered under the warranty benefit from full structural cover for a ten-year period. These benefits are provided alongside and in addition to a purchaser’s right under the law.
What does it cover? Park home owners will have protection against any major inherent defect in the structure of their home. An inherent defect is defined as a fault present but not known at the time of purchase. For example, window and doorframes, roof trusses, timber joists, fascias and soffits.
How is the warranty registered? In order to be eligible for a Gold Shield warranty, both the manufacturer and the park must be registered with Gold Shield. If both of these requirements are met, it is the homeowner’s responsibility to register the warranty.
How do parks register with Gold Shield? Simply complete the form on our website www.goldshieldwararnty.co.uk or call us on 0191 258 8124.
What responsibilities do Park owners have? Both manufacturers and Park owners have a number of obligations that they must adhere to, with regard to the manufacture, transportation and siting of the home. For example, when skirting the home, a minimum of 25mm air gap should be kept from both the top and the bottom of the skirting and the home. It is also a requirement that all homeowners be given a copy of the Gold Shield warranty handbook at time of sale.
What responsibilities do homeowners have? Homeowners also have a number of maintenance obligations, a full list of which can be found in their Gold Shield warranty handbook or on our website. Maintenance requirements include: annual inspection of the roof/ridge tiles to ensure there is no damage or displacement; gutters and down pipes clear of dead leaves and debris; chassis is kept rust free; exterior walls should be re-painted with good quality exterior finish within the first 2 years and then every 3 years. Failure to properly maintain the home could invalidate the warranty in the event of a claim.
Gold Shield Making Park Home Maintenance Easier for All by David Brock, MD of MB&G Insurance Ltd & GoldShield, a leading provider of leisure warranty in the UK. What is Gold Shield Care? It has become apparent from our claims history that many homeowners (and some park owners) are not fully aware of their obligations, especially from a regular maintenance point of view. We have therefore introduced three new schemes, purely to help homeowners budget for their essential maintenance. The schemes provide for all annual maintenance requirements and repainting of the home and will be carried out by a member of the Approved Gold Shield network. This will mean that, in the event of a claim, all maintenance requirements will have been met.
What are the advantages for Park owners? It is in the interests of all park owners that they have well-maintained homes on their parks. This reduces complaints and can make the job of selling to new owners a little bit easier. Gold Shield Care schemes are an additional service that they can offer to their customers and cements the relationship between park and homeowners. We can provide park owners with a supply of leaflets that they can display in site offices and they
could place a link on the park’s website. We will be sending out a Gold Shield Information Pack to all park owners, giving more detail on how they can get involved in the scheme. Should they require more information, please contact us on 0191 258 8124.
Are there any other schemes that Park owners could benefit from? Gold Shield is part of the Aros Holdings Group, who also own MB&G Insurance. MB&G Insurance is the UK’s leading provider of leisure warranties. MB&G offer warranties on caravans, motorhomes and static caravans and offer a Lifetime Warranty, specifically designed as a monthly warranty for caravan and motorhome owners. For any park that wishes to advertise warranties on touring sites or to static caravan owners, we can supply leaflets with a code for your park. MB&G will pay commissions to the park owner for anyone who picks up one of their leaflets and goes on to buy. To discuss this in more detail, please contact MB&G on 0191 258 8124.
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Monitoring:
individual holiday home, once no water is proved to be present the holiday home owner can be assured that there is no need to leave the heating on as there is no danger of damage to their properties pipes.
a new park tech revolution Control over park energy and water is now being put into owners’ hands. People are able to control their heating at home, so business expectations naturally tend in the same direction. Recently holiday parks have expressed tremendous interest in the latest technologies that allow accurate monitoring of energy and water. This allows for a more accurate billing; further enhancing the precedent set by smart meter installations. Head office can now collate data across all parks within their group, while individual sites micro manage to significantly reduce unnecessary administration and allow staff to focus on other areas of the operation. Leaks of any kind are a particular problem. With parks having such a complex infrastructure of pipes, water leakage can be particularly costly. Major losses leading to an unexpectedly high bill can now be completely avoided without staff needing to move from their seat. HSE compliance is also important. Smart monitoring software has the ability to email or text alerts for pathogen outbreaks the
In another scenario where a window is left open at the radiator is left on heat a smart monitoring system can instruct a smart radiator valve to switch the radiator off in that particular room preventing costly losses, something the home owner will no doubt appreciate.
Written by Adam Beckett, independent energy and utilities consultant at Leisureparkenergy.com
moment they arise; for example if a Legionella outbreak is detected anywhere in a sub monitored water system an alert is immediately sent. The very latest technology available, is where monitoring links to smart active devices and acts as a buildings management systems (BMS). For example when the Legionella outbreak is detected in the tap, a device triggers the tap to auto flush without the need for human intervention, unless the operator chooses otherwise. Let's examine another application; Liquid Propane Gas (LPG) leaks can be potentially catastrophic. The selfsame principle applies to the tap scenario – a leak detected by the monitoring system instantly triggers a smart valve to shut supply that particular pipe. Again this can be an autonomous operation if desired. Another example could exist where holiday home owners leave the heating on all winter to avoid ice causing the pipes to burst. If the holiday park owner is footing the bill for multiple dwellings, the costs over winter can be considerable. Micro monitoring will detect whether or not any water is sitting in the pipes beneath an
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Such is the potential and appetite for systems like these the NCC have passed their approval for certain manufacturers and the UK government are keen to encourage early adoption with attractive tax incentives. For any system to be financially viable the initial installation and running costs must be favourable, with the Zigbee low-cost wireless transmitters representing a significant part of the infrastructure. This, combined with the Energy Technology List (ETL) approval for certain systems means that a new installation qualifies for 100% enhanced capital allowances (ECA) claimable in the first year. When selecting an appropriate monitoring system be sure to invest in a flexible platform that is compatible with other software, including monitoring, control and finance platforms. This will allow the system to be cost effectively upgraded as technology evolves. Park Directors who act early will gain a significant financial head start over the competition. Once they have accurate data it opens up a whole new world of possibility, especially with energy in mind. Imagine a park that could generate and store the majority of its energy, gaining independence from energy suppliers spiralling unit prices. Then consider that the National Grid have considerable financial incentives in place for early adopters of energy storage units. Furthermore there are marketing advantages when the park showcases its green technology to attract discerning and educated customers with more disposable income. Accurate data collected by precisely the right monitoring system is the base map for the brave new world of intelligent parks.
SALTEX 2017 Visitor registration to SALTEX 2017 is now open and anyone involved in the holiday park industries could well benefit from a trip to the exhibition.
Last year’s SALTEX (Sports, Amenities, Landscaping Trade Exhibition) was an unprecedented success with 292 exhibitors and 8,754 unique visitors spanning 45 different nations. Building on that success, SALTEX 2017’s improved show features and unrivalled industry support are set to work together to create the most exciting holiday park industry event to date when the doors open at the NEC, Birmingham on November 1 and 2. With three large halls containing many of the major players from across the industry, SALTEX 2017 is the ideal place to see products and services which could improve the daily operations of holiday parks. The exhibition will see a plethora of exhibitors
representing the likes of play equipment and services, turf maintenance equipment, fencing and landscaping, sports surface design, research and consultancy, seeds, turf, aggregates and treatments, and facilities services management. Visitors can also expect to see new products being unveiled, new unique services and some exciting guest appearances on the exhibitor stands. There will be a number of education opportunities at this year’s SALTEX through LEARNING LIVE – an all-encompassing free to attend education programme designed for all sectors of the industry. It has also been confirmed that outdoor working demonstrations will be taking place again at this year’s show and will be held on a grass area directly outside the SALTEX halls 6, 7 and 8. Just as it did in 2016, the outdoor
demonstrations will provide visitors with a perfect opportunity of seeing a number of products in action. The NEC has well connected transport links to the rest of the country – with more than 75 per cent of the UK’s population situated within just three hours from the venue. Plus visitors who decide to travel by Virgin Rail can receive 25 per cent discount on their ticket fare. The full programme of SALTEX events will be regularly updated via www.iogsaltex.com. Visitor registration to SALTEX 2017 is free. To confirm your attendance visit www.iogsaltex.com Follow SALTEX on Twitter @IOG_SALTEX and Facebook – www.facebook.com/IOGSALTEX
TARGET THE GLAMPING SECTOR WITH THIS UNBEATABLE OFFER In conjunction with the organisers of the Glamping Show, International Glamping Business magazine has put together the perfect marketing opportunity for you.
For just £250 you will be able to: ● Place a classified advert in the Official Show Guide ● Place a classified advert in the post-show November issue of International Glamping Business magazine ● Distribute up to 2,000 of your brochures from the Great Wall Of Glamping at the Glamping Show 2017.
If glamping is your target market then this amazing opportunity is for you. To take advantage of this offer contact:
e: kathrynkelly@maggiemedia.co.uk
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What’s on Display AT THIS YEAR’S GLAMPING SHOW
Now in its third year, the Glamping Show has become a truly international event and visitors can expect to see glamping suppliers from all corners of the world showcasing an extensive range of different structures from luxury tents, pods and shepherd huts to floating lodges and treehouses plus everything in between as well as a wide range of accessories and all the services you need to ensure the successful running of a glamping business. Here is a line-up of some of the exhibitors you can expect to see at this year’s show. Anytime Booking Providers of a web-based booking and management system designed for campsite, holiday parks and self-catering properties. Take the hassle out of booking by using Anytime Booking. Web: www.anytimebooking.co.uk Tel: 01326 574660
Ashwood Shepherd Huts Every Ashwood shepherd hut is made by highly skilled and experience professional hut builders builders who will create a hut to your unique specification. Web: www.ashwoodshepherhuts.co.uk Tel: 01823 461638
Bond Fabrications Manufacturers and suppliers of performance safari tents, Bond will be showcasing their amazing tents that can withstand wind speeds of up to 75mph Web: www.bondfabrications.co.uk Tel: 01453 767171
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Camp Manager Providers of an online booking and management system that is simple and easy to use and designed specifically for glampsites, campsites and caravan parks. Web: campmanager.com Tel: 02036 378750
Cedartree A long established, British manufacturer of high quality cedar buildings. The team will be showcasing their newest Cedar Cabin at this year’s show. Web: www.cedartreeu.com Tel: 0845 601 1099
Certainly Wood Suppliers of quality British kiln dried firewood, kindling and flamers (natural firelighters) and are indeed the inventors of kiln dried firewood. Perfect for cosy evenings around the BBQ. Web: www.certainlywood.co.uk Tel: 0845 901 1679
Delabie UK The European market leader for tap ware and sanitary
NEW
accessories that are perfect for any glamping environment. Web: www.delabie.co.uk Tel: 01491 824449
Energy Solutions Off-grid power solutions from Energy Solutions means glamp site owners have the ability to deliver power for guest amenities such as lighting, heating, cooking, fridges and even washing machines to even the most remotest of locations. Web: www.energy-solutions.co.uk Tel: 01634 290772
Netguides Providers of an online booking and management system specifically designed for holiday parks. A service-based system that you just pay to use, no capital cost, no installation or local security concerns and no backup worries. Web: www.netguides.co.uk Tel: 01983 282420
Friar Best Insurance Services Fully independent insurance brokers who have identified specific needs for camping and glamping sites comprising of unusual structures, catering for the unique type of risks these present. Web: www.friarbest.co.uk Tel: 01394 383868
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Green Eco Living Manufacturer and supplier of eco friend, energy efficient glamping pods, Green Eco Living has developed the most thermally efficient process in the UK. Web: greenecoliving.co.uk Tel: 01257 453791
GTF Green Technology Finance A leading independent finance broker specialising in equipment finance and a leasing providing for operators within the event and hospitality sectors. Web: gtfeventequipmentfinance.co.uk Tel: 01234 881340
Outstanding An Outstanding tent is the equivalent to a relaxing adventure! A tent manufacturer with unparalleled experience in the design and development of ‘outstanding’ products. Web: www.outstandingtent.co.uk Tel: 07713 136955
Portable Power Tech Specialists in off-grid lighting and power, offering a wide range of solutions perfect for the glamping market. Web: www.portablepowertech.com Tel: 01474 761051
Riverside Shepherd Huts Jean and her team are back again this year showcasing not one but three of their amazing shepherd huts. Web: www.riversideshepherdhuts.co.uk Tel: 01527 821848
The Septic Tank Company Take the worry out of planning your site’s sewage system but letting the Septic Tank
Store plan, supply and install it for you. Web: www.theseptictankstore.co.uk Tel: 01295 236101
Tiger Moth Rugs
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Give your glamping structures a unique interior design. Talk to Tiger Moth Rugs who supply carpets, tribal rugs, kilims, cushions and other one off items www.tigermothrugs.wordpress.com Tel: 01453 887457
TiksPac An environmental concept whereby stations allow for the free distribution of dog waste bags placed at selected locations. Ideal for glamping sites and holiday parks who have guest dogs. Web: www.tikspack.co.uk Tel: 01925 593982
Towergate Insurance Offering park owners the protection and peace of mind to keep their businesses running smoothly, providing specialist insurance that can be tailored towards specific risk solutions for park site operators. Web: www.towergateinsurance.co.uk
Woo Woo Waterless toilets from Woo Woo are kind on the environment and provide the perfect sanitation solution for any glamping site. Web: www.waterlesstoilets.co.uk Tel: 020 3051 0738
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The World of Park Homes and Leisure Show 2017 Last month’s show which took place at from 8-11 to June was a huge success. The 8th June was the trade preview day for the event and Holiday Parks Management was distributed to all trade visitors in their welcome bags. Next year’s event will also take place at NAEC Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire and the new dates have been announced – they will be 8th – 10th June for the General Public with 7th June as the Trade Preview Day. The show opens daily at 10am.
Cambrian, Homeseeker, Lodgikol, Manor, Oakgrove, Omar, Pathfinder, Pemberton, Prestige, Tingdene, Sovereign, StatelyAlbion, Wessex, Willerby and two brand new manufacturers MRC Modular and Red Rose Manufacturing.
The show allows park owners, park operators and others in the trade a unique opportunity to spend quality time with manufacturers, view new models and other homes on display and consider new concepts and designs. It’s a perfect environment to do business and also a great chance to simply catch up with friends and colleagues in the relaxed atmosphere and surroundings.
Plus of course there was a huge array of park sites, industry-specific products and services including insurance, financing, decking, coatings, refurbishments, part exchange, estate agents, investment companies to name a few.
2017 was the show’s biggest ever gathering of UK manufacturers showcasing over 55 lodges and park homes, including ABI;
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With Daily Seminar speakers including John Clement of Turbervilles Solicitors, Brenda Feeney from Zebra Finance Andre Wiese from QuantaPX and Silvano Geranio of Prestige Park & Leisure Homes. All seminars included a Question & Answer session.
Park owners and operators included Hoseasons, Just Lodges, Allens Caravans, Tingdene Parks, Hollins Park, Frisby Lakes, Sovereign Park Home Developments, Berkeley Parks, Park Life, Wyldecrest, Kernow, McFarland Group, Killarney Homes, Pure Leisure, The Pines Holiday Lodges, Park Home Life, Ranksborough Hall, Peaklands Investments, Dodwell Park, Warfield Park, Avon Estates with a NEW development in Presthope Grange. Services, Suppliers such as Resitex Coatings, Park Home Assist, Zebra Finance, Rolec, Park Sure, Park Home Chassis, The Furniture Centre, Costco, Insulated Homes, Paul Baker Insurance, Caravan Electrical, NuVex Park Home Refurbishments, Towergate, UK Sundecks, SFP Contracts, Jefford Carpets, Superior Spas and UKGS Ground Screws. www.parkhomeandleisure.co.uk
GDPR Keeping Data Under Lock and Key The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) will come into effect next year on 25 May and is set to introduce some significant changes to the data protection regime in the UK. The impact of these changes and identifying what issues are relevant will be a challenge for many holiday park owners. So what is changing and what should you be doing now to make sure that next year does not hold any nasty surprises? Does the GDPR apply to me? The answer is almost certainly yes. The obligations of GDPR fall on all organisations which process personal data regardless of their size or type. “Processing” includes using data in almost any way whatsoever (including receiving it, storing it, copying it and destroying it); personal data is any information from which a living individual can be identified. Those definitions are very broad and as a holiday park owner or operator you are almost certainly subject to the GDPR and everything in it.
Brexit and GDPR One thing to note at the outset is that there is almost no chance of the GDPR going away. Technically it is already part of UK law and both the government and the Information
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Commissioner have made it clear that it will come into force as planned, regardless of how Brexit negotiations go. Even if there was a complete change of direction, you would still have to comply with the GDPR if you sell goods or services to EU citizens.
The changes: rights of individuals In a nutshell, old rights are being strengthened and new rights being introduced. There is a new “right to be forgotten” which gives individuals the right to require you to remove their data from your systems and the right to data portability, designed to allow individuals to obtain and reuse their personal data for their own purposes across different services. Subject Access Requests, which are nothing new, will have to be complied with in less time (one
month as opposed to 40 days) and the right to impose a fee of up to £10 for responding to a Subject Access Request is being removed.
Obligations Even where individuals’ rights remain the same, the obligations placed on organisations in relation to them are set to become stricter. Keeping a record of the decisions you make regarding data protection is now a legal requirement, as is maintaining records of what data you have and why you have it. Much more information is now expected to be provided to individuals as well in the form of privacy policies. It is important to note that these obligations apply regardless of the size of your operation.
Phil Gorski, Data Protection Specialist and IP Solicitor,
Blacks Solicitors LLP is the leading law firm in the North of England for the holiday parks sector. Our Holiday Parks Team is made up of specialists who have combined their technical legal knowledge with an understanding of the holiday parks industry to offer a wide range of services including transactional services on the sale and disposal of parks, regulatory and management services in relation to a wide range of matters on parks (including disputes and managing employees) and succession planning.” www.lawblacks.com
What to do now?
5.
Make sure that the key decision makers are aware of data protection generally and that the law is changing in less than a year. If you run a park day to day for a larger operator, it is important that the operator knows what needs to be done.
Familiarise yourself with the rights of individuals and satisfy yourself that you can deal with a request for those rights to be acted on. If you are a large operator, you should have written procedures in place to do so and make sure that your employees recognise such a request if one comes in.
2.
6.
1.
Assess what information you have, where it came from and who you share it with. What you will need to do will depend on the data that you have.
3. 4.
Document the result of your assessment.
Check that you have privacy policies in place and if so that they set out the basis for processing data and what you do with it.
Holiday Parks
Management
7.
Record everything you do. Accountability, being able to show what you have done to comply with your obligations, will be vital.
8.
Don’t leave everything until the last minute, start to prepare now!
Classifieds
Contact Kath today for details of our classifieds package Clean Your Caravan
Make sure you know what to do if there is a data breach (for example, if an individual’s data goes astray). Put a procedure in place to deal with reporting and investigating a breach.
t: +44 (0) 7575 408580 e: kathrynkelly@swanevents.co.uk
Online Bookings YO AD FO U R P D R F AR RE K E A FANTASTIC BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY Whether you are an established glamping operator or planning to launch a glamping business; a visit to the Glamping Show will pay dividends!
Externat Designs
Inside Ou tside Bring www.bringinsideoutside.com Tel 07917858566 Email Rex.dovey@live.co.uk
Bring your luxury living space outdoors with a stunning kitchen and living area. All work is bespoke and fulfilled to clients specifications.
Photography
Discover the latest products and services and attend any of over 60 seminars covering every aspect of setting up and running a glamping business - FREE.
DEVELOP YOUR NEXT BUSINESS AT THE GLAMPING SHOW
TO REGISTER visit:www.theglampingshow.com THE GLAMPING SHOW 21st – 23rd September 2017
NAEC, Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire
ISSUE 28 l AUGUST 2017
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Visit
...and see where it leads you
21st - 23rd September 2017
NAEC, Warwickshire
Register now to visit
www.theglampingshow.com