Focus On Henry Simmons

Henry Simmons and his family have been in the park home industry since 1959. With 4 popular parks in and around Dorset, Residential Park Homes has been successfully operating for over 50 years now.

Henry takes pride in ensuring that their parks are maintained to a remarkably high standard, always going above and beyond for his residents and service providers. His great attention to detail and strong work ethic has allowed him to build a beautiful property empire with breathtaking designs and parks others can only dream of.

Not only does Henry hold an outstanding track record for looking after his residents, but he also maintains strong relationships with manufacturers. This is important to Henry in order to make sure that whatever his customers dream park home is, he can make it happen.

Keep reading to find out more about Henry Simmons and his beautiful parks.

by Deimante Lideikyte

Partners

Residential Park Homes have partnered with one of the UKs leading Park Home manufacturing companies, Omar. Having built residential park homes and luxury lodges for over 50 years and having thousands of satisfied customers across the UK, Simmons knew that Omar would make any customers’ dream home become a reality.

It is for this reason that you see a multitude of different Omar homes showcased across all of Henrys’ parks. With this partnership, Henry is able to ensure the highest possible standards and pay close attention to detail throughout the build of the park homes.

Continued...

Road Trip

On our road trip to the south coast, our director general Bradley and our members services representative Tom had the pleasure of meeting Henry Simmons. Our journey began when we arrived at the Simmons Farm Estate. We were instantly amazed by the high-class entrance and the beauty surrounding us.

It was THE perfect place to settle down in our Vaaroom Motorhome and absorb all the scenic beauty around us. This touring site boasts acres of landscaped grass pitches, situated ideally for anyone looking to explore the Dorset countryside and the famed Jurassic Coast.

We started our morning with a warming cup of coffee, taking in the views around us before we set off on our Simmons adventure. First visit was to Organford Manor Country Park. This park oozed high-class and luxury, from bespoke park home designs to the well-tended surroundings. Upon arrival we met Joe, the sales manager, who drove us around in a buggy.

This is where we were able to capture the park in all its glory. Organford Manor Country Park is located only 6 miles from the Sandbanks Peninsula, which is known to be one of the best beaches in the whole of the UK and renowned for it’s multi-million pound mansions.

With a 360-degree countryside view on site and local wonders just around the corner, it is a dreamy location for a relaxing retirement.

Following this we were taken to the Pinehurst Park Homes where we got to meet the man behind such incredible parks, Henry Simmons. Unsurprisingly, the park was pristine. Prestige designs all over with amazing landscaping.

It quickly became apparent just how dedicated Henry is to his parks and its residents. With residents greeting, smiling, and thanking him all around.

It was at Pinehurst Park that we were able to present Henry with the PHHPA regional award to Organford Manor for its outstanding designs, resident care, and luxurious park.

As if coming along and visiting his residential parks was not enough, we were invited to jump into his Maybach for a ride to our next destination. This is where we got to see how a successful park operator gets his work done from the comforts of his luxurious and, quite frankly, mesmerising new car.

Woodlands Park was next. Unlike the previous parks, this visit allowed us to see park home sites from a different perspective. Whilst the others were filled with exquisitely designed homes and landscapes, this park, on the other hand, was a great opportunity to see the construction and development process behind a residential park.

It was impressive to see just how hands-on Henry is with the development of this park, helping and taking part in as much as he can. It was evident throughout each visit just how involved Henry is with the care for his residents and the parks.

Last, but definitely, not least was the Knightcrest Park. Walking through the park with Henry we were able to see how much he loves what he does. He is a passionate man, always going above and beyond with everything that he does for his residents.

Interview

During our visit we have also had the opportunity to speak with Mr Simmons, hearing more about his journey within the park home industry. Read further to learn more about Henry.

How long has the family been involved in the park home sector and when did you get involved in the business?

We have been in the industry for over 50 years and have experience with the park home industry. The first park I bought was at Puckeridge and I bought it in 2012 around September time.

How did it feel when you bought your first park? Did you realise that that was going to be the journey? The Henry Simmons' journey.

It was a big step because I used to be in the motor trade, so I had to sell up and take the plunge in that day and age. I had to gather my money together and put it all in one venture and take a step forward in doing the development.

Your parks are of exceptional both the quality and the way you run it.You have been regarded as professional and caring by your residents. Did you start out with the intention of having your parks operate in the way they do now?

I put my heart and soul in the parks and there is an old saying “if a job is worth doing, do it properly” and I follow this and try to do as good of a job as I can for my customers. You do not always do the right job at the beginning; I have made plenty of mistakes, but I have always learnt from it.

I try to make sure that the parks are up to my standards and that I would be happy to live there. So, we try to do a nice proper job, we use great materials like granite curbs, we use bigger water pipes so they can connect fire hydrants to them and use bigger drains to limit the amount of flooding.

There are learning curves that you learn along the way, but I always ask myself would I be happy to live in the park as it is? How would I like it done? I am a bit OCD with the parks and developments, and I try to personally get involved to make sure I am happy with the decisions made. You definitely learn a lot in life that is for sure.

Your creative design and flare of your parks are incredible and stunning. As soon as you pull up at the gate it is clear that the park is under the Henry Simmons family brand. As you travel round the site you can feel the quality but also the community. You can always tell if a park's energy is good, and your parks have a beautiful energy. Why is that?

When I take a park over or develop it the first thing I do is contact the residents. It is especially important to build a relationship with them. I always tell them to contact me directly or go into the office if they have any issues no matter how small. I will sort out anything they are not happy with to ensure they are enjoying living on the park. If I take over a secondhand park which has problems, we will resolve the issues and make sure that the park is of the quality that the residents want.

So, you know, come, and talk to us and tell us if there is a problem, ring me, come into the office, email me. You know, let us resolve the problem. Life’s too short.

You have a very calm personality and how you come across and I think that reflects on the feeling of your parks. What are you like when you are under pressure?

No, I just think sometimes if you get it wrong and are under pressure you just have to take it on the chin. We have got plenty of things wrong, we have over ordered on concrete, and we have had to send it back and pay the bill. You know no one is perfect. So, if you are under pressure and you get it wrong you cannot worry about it.

Organford manor is an incredible park which has been developed recently with a lot of mobile homes. Is it correct that Omar has taken an interest in filming the site?

Yes, that is true, they have filmed drone footage in the park and I believe they are going to use it for their social media. I felt very honoured and flattered to receive the phone call about filming in the park.

On that side of the park there are mainly Omar and Wessex homes. Dean, the managing director of Omar, has been very good to me and we work very well together that is for sure. Omar is currently building a new factory in Ringford and they’ll have a showground in the south of England which will be fantastic for us.

Do you think there is a different skill set required for being a residential operator or a holiday operator or is it similar?

We have had touring parks before, when I bought Organford Manor in 2014 and we had a touring park there and we managed it for around 7 years. We had another site as well and I think we had around 250 pitches there and could end up with around 1000 people there, so we are used to dealing with people. I would say we have experience in both aspects of the industry. Your parks are of exceptional both the quality and the way you run it.You have been regarded as professional and caring by your residents. Did you start out with the intention of having your parks operate in the way they do now?

I put my heart and soul in the parks and there is an old saying “if a job is worth doing, do it properly” and I follow this and try to do as good of a job as I can for my customers. You do not always do the right job at the beginning; I have made plenty of mistakes, but I have always learnt from it.

I try to make sure that the parks are up to my standards and that I would be happy to live there. So, we try to do a nice proper job, we use great materials like granite curbs, we use bigger water pipes so they can connect fire hydrants to them and use bigger drains to limit the amount of flooding.

There are learning curves that you learn along the way, but I always ask myself would I be happy to live in the park as it is? How would I like it done? I am a bit OCD with the parks and developments, and I try to personally get involved to make sure I am happy with the decisions made. You definitely learn a lot in life that is for sure.

Your creative design and flare of your parks are incredible and stunning. As soon as you pull up at the gate it is clear that the park is under the Henry Simmons family brand. As you travel round the site you can feel the quality but also the community. You can always tell if a park's energy is good, and your parks have a beautiful energy. Why is that?

When I take a park over or develop it the first thing I do is contact the residents. It is especially important to build a relationship with them. I always tell them to contact me directly or go into the office if they have any issues no matter how small.

Did you ever think that you were going to ‘muck’ it up? Was there ever a moment where you thought ‘I’ve had enough’? Are you driven by success?

No, not at all, never give up. I am driven by success. Always driven and up the next morning even earlier.

Final question, what is the future of Henry Simmons and the park?

What is your definition of success? What makes you successful?

I believe that it is hard work and perseverance I really do, and I think if you put your heart and soul into it. It will make it work and to just get on with it. The future. No, we will just go along and do the best we can. If we can afford to expand, we will just go along and expand in the right locations. It is as simple as that.

The Park Home and Holiday Park Association was extremely excited to be able to travel down and explore Henry’s residential park homes. It was an incredible experience to come along and follow Henry for a workday in his life. On behalf of Bradley and the PHHPA we would like to thank you for your time and for showing us around your parks. And also, a huge congratulations on receiving a well deserved PHHPA regional award.