Earlier this year Bark.com spoke to a few reformed burglars to find out what really puts them off breaking into properties. Not surprisingly leaving the light on in a prominent position had very little effect! Fake alarm boxes also do little to put off even the most opportunistic thief. However, the combination of motion activated sensors and cameras combined with connected alarms and sirens is still the most effective deterrent.
CampManager is a Park Management and Online Booking system that helps over 350 caravan parks, campsites and holiday parks in the UK & Ireland to generate more bookings and to simplify their park management. With the upcoming GDPR coming into force on 25 May 2018, CampManager have been making amendments to their system that will help their customers comply with the new data legislation.
A recent study by Travelodge shows UK holidaymakers will give the UK economy a boost of £31 billion this summer, as a result of the Dog Friendly staycation trend.
The six-week school holiday is rapidly approaching. However, rather than UK nationals looking to holiday abroad this summer, 57 per cent are taking their breaks in the UK, spending on average £823. This is an increase of 2 per cent (55 per cent) from 2017.
Mark Williamson, Sales and Marketing Director at PHMG, examines how the caravan industry can use hold time and audio branding to their advantage.
Poor call handling doesn’t sit well with the British public.
Whether faced with a bad attitude or an unprofessional manner, a negative telephone experience can impact on a company’s profitability. Research of 1,000 consumers by PHMG discovered 73 per cent of respondents wouldn’t do repeat business with an organisation if their first call wasn’t handled to satisfaction.
Yet employee behaviour can be easily rectified. Telephone training and providing a set of best-practice guidelines ensures callers are met by a polite voice who is happy to help with whatever query they may have.
Bankside Patterson had some great news recently, being named in the 1,000 companies to Inspire Britain 2018 report. Here, managing director Neil Taylor talks to Caravan Industry & Park Operator about the company's climb to the top…
• Could you tell us about the history of Bankside Patterson as a company? When did you begin trading, etc?
Bankside Patterson was formed in 1965 as a steel fabrications specialist. In 1974 it became part of the ABI group of companies and started producing caravan chassis.
In 1994 Bankside split from ABI and started supplying Holiday homes to other manufacturers in the industry.
• Which caravan manufacturers use Bankside Patterson?
Luxury holiday park specialists, Leisure Resorts, launched a brand-new development in the Yorkshire Dales this May Bank Holiday.
Showcasing the brands’ 5-star stance, the opening represents their first foray into the burgeoning lodge rental market, with a £12 million investment creating the Yorkshire Dales’ newest and arguably the most luxurious holiday destination, with the creation of 35 jobs. The level of investment, one of the largest in the area for decades, will also support in driving tourism to the region.
A new £6 million Shropshire caravanning and glamping resort, Love2Stay, has recently celebrated its first birthday and has added Shrewsbury Mayor’s Award for Tourism to its growing collection.
The Mayor’s Awards scheme recognises individuals, organisations, groups and businesses for their achievements which benefit the town.
Love2Stay resort at Emstrey, which is next door to and owned by caravan and motorhome dealership Salop Leisure, won the gold award for tourism and the overall award in recognition of its achievements towards promoting Shrewsbury as a visitor destination.
The award was presented by Mayor of Shrewsbury, Councillor Jane Mackenzie, at a ceremony held at the town’s Guildhall.
Cumbria's Holgates Holiday Parks have returned from the North West in Bloom awards with a whole bunch of floral and conservation accolades.
The six-strong group scooped no fewer than nine top prizes in the annual competition which saw hundreds of businesses and communities take part from across the region.
But there was a tenth fanfare after the glittering ceremony when parks owner Michael Holgate gave special thanks to a member of staff who helped make it all possible.
Kim Hodson-Walker, warden at the Holgate group's Netherbeck Park, was praised by Michael for her "amazing energy and inspiration" in laying the ground for the awards.
Crafts, cakes and eco-friendly cups have helped raise over £1,000 for charity at a North Yorkshire holiday park's green-themed fete this summer.
Riverside Caravan Park in the village of High Bentham was the setting for the annual event which drew hundreds of local residents and holiday guests.
This year's theme was "living in a sustainable world" which was mirrored by many of the stalls and activities set up in the grounds of the family-owned park.
Hand-made jewellery, cards and gifts were among the handicrafts on offer, all produced in the region, along with locally-sourced food and snacks from cakes to bacon butties.
Real-ale lovers are raising their glasses to both hops and honey bees this summer at Skelwith Fold caravan park in Ambleside, Cumbria.
That's because the family-run business has launched its own craft brewery beer, with every bottle benefitting the UK's largest honey bee charity.
The park's Wild Ales will help the British Beekeepers Association make younger people more aware of the importance of halting the decline of Britain's bee population.
The beer is available both at Skelwith Fold, voted Lakeland's top holiday park in last year's Cumbria Tourism Awards, and at its sister-park Moss Wood near Lancaster.
