HBP Systems’ Till Solution Secures The Future Growth Holiday Park Operator
Lincolnshire holiday park resort, Blue Anchor Leisure, has onboarded HBP Systems and their integrated till solution, to enhance growth and customer experience. Established in 1972, Skegness-based, Blue Anchor Leisure has become a prominent figure in the holiday park industry, popular for its seaside location and host of onsite attractions.With award-winning accommodation and front-of-house staff, their customers were oblivious to struggles behind-the-scenes. Blue Anchor had grown into a 13-site business, with over 200 staff, and anywhere between 1000-30,000 people on-site, at any time. Managing this on their previous paper-based system was negatively impacting the business. Blue Anchor Leisure’s Director, Jonathan Moses, explains: “We needed to give the customers a better service, and the old system that we had just didn’t cut it.” Having multiple sites, with diverse facilities, finding a till solution to meet all their needs was problematic. “We were behind the times. We had unique problems, and we needed a solution that would embrace our unique challenges,” says Jonathan. Blue Anchor discovered Scunthorpe’s, HBP Systems, when they found a video case study online about how they had helped Lyons Holiday Park, by implementing a fully integrated till solution. Blue Anchor’s Account Manager at HBP, Richard Wellham, says: “It was key for them that we had experience with their industry.” The till solution, known as KCPOS, automates the synchronisation of data across the business’ tills, stock control and online sales, feeding it to their accounts. With 25 KCPOS tills installed, it has created a unified platform across Blue Anchor, consistently providing them with real-time data on their business and customers. Finance Manager at Blue Anchor, Nick Chapman, praises: “We can access the system at any given time to see what different outlets have processed and how much money each till has taken. They put our 13 different parks on one network, so we can report in real-time and make fasters decisions, based on accurate data.” Richard Wellham explains: “KCPOS is a perfect fit for holiday parks as it a multi-discipline solution, therefore, it can be tailored to multiple environments within one site, such as; admissions, retail and hospitality. Efficient customer service is vital, so KCPOS has been designed to ensure this.” Blue Anchor Leisure has recently completed filming their own KCPOS case study, in which Jonathan Moses, states: “HBP stuck to the timeframes and delivered the system that we asked for. We found the right company to work with. I wouldn’t just recommend HBP to other holiday parks. I would recommend them to any business that faces unique issues like we do.” To find out more on Blue Anchor Leisure’s journey with KCPOS watch their video case study at, www.hbpsystems.co.uk/case-studies/blue-anchor-leisure-case-study/. — About HBP Systems Ltd. HBP Systems is an award-winning provider and support specialist of EPOS solutions, business software, IT, cybersecurity and telecoms. Founded in 1991, we have been helping SMEs grow through the development, implementation and support of our tailored and scalable quality solutions. For over 25-years, our proven IT expertise and practices have helped businesses enhance their productivity and profitability. At HBP Systems, we understand that no two businesses are the same, therefore neither are their technology requirements. We will always take the time to understand our customers’ unique requirements, values and ambitions to tailor their solutions and support plans to them specifically. For more information on our award-winning services, visit https://www.hbpsystems.co.uk/. To contact HBP Systems, please call us on 01724 400 300 or email us on info@hbpsystems.co.uk.
Esse: Contemporary Wood-Fired Stoves You Can Cook On
ESSE Engineering makes distinctively British wood-fired stoves which have provided warmth and sustenance in the great outdoors for more than 150 years. Ernest Shackleton relied on ESSE cook stoves for his Antarctic expeditions and today you’ll find ESSE stoves and range cookers at River Cottage and Humble by Nature. As well as radiating a warm and welcoming heat, ESSE’s Ironheart family of wood-fired cook stoves incorporate a range of cooking options, enhancing that ‘back to nature’ experience. Hand-built by skilled craftsmen at our factory in Lancashire, ESSE’s contemporary cook stoves offer an efficient source of ‘off-grid’ heat for almost every glamping application: from shepherds’ huts to yurts, safari tents to log cabins. And while its timeless design and simple styling may give the impression that the Ironheart family has been around for decades, this state-of-the-art piece of quality British engineering incorporates more than 160 years of ESSE cooking stove design and innovation. ESSE’s clean-burning Ironheart family features A-rated operating efficiency and is Ecodesign Ready for use in smoke control zones, but they are in the element in the wild. No gas or electricity? No problem. The Ironheart family comes into its own in an off-grid environment, making it the perfect choice for heating a luxury glamping lodge or log cabin in the woods. The Ironheart has found friends across the world. From Alpine ski chalets to the Australian outback, the Ironheart’s unique combination of rugged design and dependable performance has made it the first choice for adventurous souls and pioneering spirits around the world. The flagship Ironheart wood-fired cooking stove offers enthusiastic chefs the flexibility to bake, boil, roast and braise, while keeping the whole kitchen space warm and toasty. You’ll find an Ironheart taking pride of place in the kitchen at River Cottage, where it’s used to create a cornucopia of rustic treats ranging from home-baked sourdough pizzas to rich slow-cooked casseroles. The Bakeheart combines a punchy 5kW of heat output with the ability to boil a kettle, sear a steak and bake delicious wholesome loaves in the generous 32-litre oven, while the Warmheart offers the same heat output and graduated hotplate in a more compact package. So whether its griddling a steak in the firebox, chargrilling fresh vegetables direct on the cast-iron hotplate or baking a wood-fired pizza in the wild – you can count on an Ironheart to produce perfect results in any environment.
The Caravan industry trade benefits from Brexit boost
The caravan industry is thriving, contributing more than £6 billion per year to the UK economy, according to the NCC. In the wake of all the uncertainty around Brexit, people in the UK are opting for a traditional caravan break – with 39% of UK adults taking a caravan or camping holiday in the last three years. With caravanning so popular, a brand-new study has investigated the best countries in Europe for caravan enthusiasts and found that the UK ranks first – championing over Sweden and France. Chart: Safeguard Insurance Why is caravanning so popular? The caravan holiday is quintessentially British. Rain or shine, the experience of a few days in the countryside or by the sea is soothing for the soul. Holiday parks do a great job of catering to everyone – a requirement as many multigenerational groups of family holiday together, opting for rented accommodation. The most popular type of caravan break is one in a touring caravan, with Brits spending 19.2 million nights in a touring caravan, motorhome or campervan. Static caravans were the second most popular type of break, with 18 million nights. Tents were in third place with 14.7 million nights. Brits are certainly putting their money where their mouth is. With 1,489 camping and caravan sites in the UK, there is plenty of choice for a family-friendly, affordable break. What can the industry do? For the caravan park industry, the most important thing you can do is ensure that your site appeals to all audiences. With the weather here so interchangeable, you should have plenty of indoor and outdoor activities. Offering various types of accommodation options can help too – according to Sanderson Weatherall, static holiday parks are seeing a strong level of demand, whilst glamping is also on the rise, with 1.3 million nights spent in alternative accommodation (e.g. teepees and eco-pods) in 2017. Where else in Europe is popular? The study discovered that France is also a nation of caravan fans, thanks to the amount of camping/caravanning sites in the country – an astonishing 8,853. The French were also big spenders, spending just over 2 million on renting sites for a holiday. Sweden ranked second on the index score despite only having 550 camping and caravan sites. The Swedish favour exploring their own terrain, taking over 1.6 million domestic trips in 2017. The country also had the highest number of new motor caravan registrations, showing that the country is investing in new caravan ownership. UK holiday parks can take advantage of this opportunity by marketing to Sweden and the rest of Europe – showing them what we have to offer as a destination for caravans. There is evidence that the caravan industry in the UK is thriving more than other countries in Europe. With the uncertainty of Brexit still looming over us, caravan parks can promote their facilities and locations to the rest of the UK and beyond to ensure that the industry stays strong. The study mentioned in this article was conducted by Safeguard Insurance.
Vinyl Solutions partnership with Composite Prime goes from strength to strength
Last year it was announced that Vinyl Solutions, supplier of premium quality decking and fencing for the UK holiday park industry became the exclusive distributor to the sector for Composite Prime, one of the fastest growing UK producers of composite wood plastic decking. Six months in, the partnership is going from strength to strength as the industry continues to see the quality and benefits of the exciting range of composite wood plastic products. Since the start of the year, Vinyl Solutions has been the exclusive distributor for Composite Prime in the holiday home sector – adding a range of composite wood plastic decking products to their product range and more and more customers are seeing the benefits of the range of Composite Prime products. Longer-lasting and low maintenance alternative to timber The Composite Prime decking products are already taking the UK holiday park industry by storm with a number of customers and holiday parks seeing the true benefits and premium quality of the Composite Prime HD Deck® Dual and HD Deck® XS products. Fighting the war on plastics Not only are consumers seeing the quality of the product but are also realising the environmental benefits of the Composite Prime products. Thanks to retailers responding to consumers’ aversion to plastic waste, Composite Prime is saving the equivalent of ten million plastic bottles every six months going to landfill or adding to the plastic waste pouring into the world’s oceans, across their whole product range. The environmental impact of the product is something that both Composite Prime and Vinyl Solutions take very seriously – and customers are realising this. combine FSC® 100% certified hardwood timber with recycled plastic, offering the traditional look and feel of timber, with the attractive benefits the inclusion of plastic has to offer – making it longer-lasting and a low maintenance alternative to timber. Customers are impressed In March, Vinyl Solutions fitted the largest new composite decking solution on a holiday park yet – at Weymouth Bay Holiday Park – with 1000 sq. feet installed surrounding the Park’s outdoor pool areas. The new decking at Weymouth Bay Holiday Park was very well received by the customer, proving the versatility of the Composite Prime composite board. With its slip and stain resistant surface, it is perfect for what is a very popular outdoor area at the Park, particularly during the summer months. Ben Hart, Managing Director from Vinyl Solutions said: “We’re delighted to see that the Composite Prime products are being well received by our holiday park customers. “We have already had some great feedback from customers about the quality and versatility of the new composite decking board and we’re looking to install it for many more customers in the coming months.” Dom Harrison, Managing Director from Composite Prime said: “We are really pleased to hear that Vinyl Solutions’ customers are so impressed by the HD Deck®Dual and HD Deck® XS products. The feedback received so far has been fantastic. “We look forward to continuing our flourishing partnership with Vinyl Solutions and hope that more and more of their customers will continue to see the real quality and benefits that our composite decking products provide, to give the finishing touch to their holiday homes and lodges.”
Top 3 ride-on lawnmowers
Green spaces are key to any holiday park, but keeping those blades short over acres of land is no easy task! Here, we look at three top-reviewed ride-on lawnmowers which you might like to take a closer look at… 1. Lawnflite RN145 Lawn Tractor (105cm cut) (£2,040 inc VAT) A tight turning circle of just 46cm means this MTD offering is great for getting around holiday homes and other obstacles. Ease of use is another draw: the tractor’s transmatic transmission allows you to pre-select a gear and use one speed control pedal rather than continually having to change gears. Power: 8.9kW Engine: 500cc Weight: 198kg Cutting width:105cm 2. Toro TimeCutter SW5000 Zero-Turn Tractor Ride-On Lawnmower (£4,400 inc VAT) With seven different cutting positions, a precise cut is guaranteed with the larger Toro. Its zero-turn function means saving up to 50% on mowing time – as as we all know, time is money! Power: 18.27kW Engine: 708cc Weight 50+kg Cutting width: 127cm 3. McCulloch M145-97T 97cm 500cc Ride on Lawnmower (£1,799 inc VAT) An optional mulching kit and collection box can be fitted to this McCulloch, and the cutting deck is equipped with anti-scalp wheels which reduces the risk of scalping whilst cutting uneven lawns. A smaller model for medium-sized areas, it’s a popular choice. Power: 8.5kW Engine: 500cc Weight: 207kg Cutting width: 97cm
It’s no fun in this sun if your cooling systems fail
Hottest day of the year results in 85% increase in commercial air conditioning and refrigeration emergency callouts for failing cooling systems. With forecasters predicting record Summer temperatures of up to 40 degrees this year, the UK could be looking forward to a glorious summer. This is great news for holiday parks and those holidaymakers who choose to staycation this year. But, some holiday parks are about to enter the season of failing cooling systems and refrigeration systems, with this, potentially suffer frustrated guests, damaged reputation, spoiled food and drink stock and profit losses as a result. As we’ve seen over the weekend, the mercury can rise rapidly causing ambient air temperatures to increase beyond comfortable levels. This puts extreme pressure on air conditioning units and refrigeration systems which, if they haven’t been serviced and maintained, can result in unexpected failures, and unpredictable costs. Unfortunately, when this occurs to one business, it often happens to many others simultaneously. “On 26 July last year, temperatures reached their seasonal peak at 35.5 degrees in the UK,” comments Tod Harrison, CEO at Flowrite Services Ltd. “On this day alone, we received 379 emergency callouts to repair broken air conditioning units and refrigeration systems. This marked an 85% increase compared to the same day the week before.” Flowrite runs a 24/7 helpdesk, directing a mobile service team of over 100 engineers across the UK, so help is never far away. “Despite this, and although our engineers always want to help ASAP, the reality is there can be a waiting period during the Summer months when demand is incredibly high,” continues Harrison. With air conditioning now regarded more as a necessity than a luxury, and walk-in fridges/freezers, cellar cooling systems and ice machines being crucial to any restaurants you have on site, any unexpected equipment downtime can cause frustration of sweltering customers, damage to reputation, unhappy staff, spoiled stock and, ultimately, loss of revenue. “If they are well maintained, commercial air conditioning units and refrigeration systems rarely fail,” Harrison continues. “The question holiday park managers need to ask themselves is what is the cost to their business when equipment does fail unexpectedly. We are advising our customers to book a Summer Check-Up before things really heat up, as the cost of an emergency callout and resultant repair works – in addition to the potential cost to their business – is always more than any planned maintenance works.” In addition to preparing for Summer, holiday park managers also need to be aware of the F-Gas regulations and how it will affect their business. Many air conditioning and refrigeration systems use HFC refrigerants, for example R-404A, which have a very high global warming impact if released into the atmosphere. As of 1 January 2020, of most impact to holiday parks will be the ban on using these in the servicing of air conditioning and refrigeration systems. During a Summer Check-Up, Flowrite can review existing equipment and advise what businesses need to do to be compliant with the F-Gas regulations. “Many holiday parks still have outdated cooling systems in operation, which use gasses that are soon to be banned,” adds Harrison. “Come January, servicing older equipment which use these banned gasses will not be possible. If this is the last Summer your outdated air con units and refrigeration systems are going to be operational and legal, it’s a sensible business decision to update them now to avoid potential emergency callouts and repairs over the Summer on equipment which will have to be replaced in January regardless. Newer equipment is also far more energy efficient, so will actually save you money on running costs too.” Flowrite can help holiday parks be ready for what lies ahead with a Summer Check-Up. The service ensures that air conditioning and refrigeration systems are in optimum condition and will withstand the increased demands put on them during the peak Summer months. For more information or to book a Summer Check-Up, please contact the Flowrite team on 0845 603 4040 enquiries@flowriteservices.co.uk or visit www.flowriteservicesltd.co.uk.
The Mayfield Group celebrates 30 years of transforming holiday homes
2019 was an exciting year for The Mayfield Group. This year, we celebrated 30 years of service to the holiday home and decking industry. Holiday homes come in all shapes and sizes and we are experts in creating the perfect sundeck solution for each holiday home across the UK. From design to installation, The Mayfield Group will work with you and your park operators every step of the way to help you realise your dream decking. Established in 1989, The Mayfield Group is the manufacturer of the popular Focus Decking and the luxurious Hampton Decking. The skilled Mayfield team can supply and fit custom made sundecks for your holiday home. From Seamist Green to Cornish Cream, we have a wide range of colours available for your new Hampton decking. Our stylish and modern decking can help you transform the look of your static caravan. In the last 30 years we have shown a continued commitment to creating new, outdoor spaces for your whole family to enjoy. Our team can install the latest accessories, including ClearView balustrades, Integrated LED handrails, Silverback steps or even Volcano Hot Tubs! Your local Mayfield expert can also incorporate slopes, rails and gates into your decking design to make sure your new outdoor space is easily accessible for all. Where did it all begin? 30 years ago, Debbie spotted a gap in the market when working at a holiday park selling holiday homes. Debbie helped alleviate access issues for an elderly resident and realised that parks operators could offer accessible sundecks and decking to truly enhance their static caravans. Soon the offering expanded to include ramps, rails, lighting, gates and a whole range of sundeck accessories. Since the early days of The Mayfield Group, Debbie has loved attending some of the biggest holiday homes shows in the UK. When first attending these shows, there were no sundecks or access ramps on displays and Debbie saw this as an opportunity to showcase Mayfield’s selection of holiday home accessories. This step has since transformed the holiday home accessory industry and solidified The Mayfield Group as one of the most trustworthy brands. What’s next for The Mayfield Group? As we look forward to our next 30 years, we hope to continue innovating the holiday home industry and providing caravan owners with the decking of their dreams. The Mayfield Group use the latest technology to develop new products and we have lined up several exciting projects coming up during our landmark year. Cleaning and maintaining your decking has never been easier. We’ve developed high-quality uPVC decking with a longer life expectancy. The new decking combines durability and weather-resistance with a professional finish. Our uPVC sundecks are available in all of our popular colours, including, Dolphin Grey, Brownsea Brown and Kimmeridge Bay Grey. uPVC decking does not absorb any water to guarantee long-lasting decking with no staining or decay. We also continue to diversify our offering by introducing new sundeck accessories as well as improving our existing offering. In particular, we are really proud of our fresh, energy-efficient adaptation to the popular Windsor Lights for your posts. Our Windsor Lights provide a traditional alternative to the Integrated LED handrail, and both can truly enhance your outdoor space once the sun goes down. We have made sure that getting a fast, accurate and perfectly-tailored quote is easier than ever. Our new online Sundeck designed programme, Deck Me, has been created to help you design the perfect custom decking with the size and location of your holiday home in mind. Our reimagined mission With all the new and exciting Mayfield products available, we wanted to provide our customers with a trustworthy and effective cleaning solution that would still be good for the planet. We developed the cost-effective Wash Bomb, a biodegradable and solvent-free decking cleaner which can tackle staining on all surfaces. The Wash Bomb is now available from our online After Care store. The Mayfield Group are always developing new ways to contribute towards sustaining the environment. Our uPVC Hampton Decking is made from recycled materials and are also 100% recyclable. We want to help reduce the production of new plastics and other new materials. As a business, we hope to continue growing and we have recently refreshed our brand image to better reflect our dynamic, forward-thinking product offering and our company ethos and vision. Our new logo represents the progression we have made throughout 30 years of business. The new website exhibits the minimalist and luxury feel from the new branding and further shows the development of our business. This year we will also launch a new loyalty scheme for our long-standing trade customers. As a thank you, we will be offering loyalty card holders access to a wide range of benefits. Please call the team for more details. Where can you see us? The Mayfield Group have enjoyed exhibiting at some of the most popular Holiday Home shows in the UK. This year we will be attending The Caravan Extravaganza (3rd-8th June) in Hull and the Holiday Caravan and Residential Park Homes show (26th-29th September) in Beaulieu. We’ve already been to the Ideal Home SECC this year and our new decking and accessories have been displayed by our partners, Pathfinder, Prestige and Tingdene at the Park and Leisure Homes Show (7th-9th June) at Stoneleigh. If you are at any of these upcoming shows makes sure you pay a visit to our friendly team and take a look at our latest products. For further information and your free, custom-built quote contact The Mayfield Group or visit our new website.
How Club Campers Celebrated 100 Years Of The Caravan
From coffee mornings to colouring competitions – how Club campers celebrated 100 years of the caravan during National Camping and Caravanning Week Inspired by Julia Bradbury’s night on the first floating campsite on the Thames in central London last month, and a party she hosted to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the start of caravan manufacturing in the UK, Camping and Caravanning Club sites across the UK undertook their own celebrations during National Camping and Caravanning Week (27 May to 2 June). The most creative activity was by the staff at the ‘Alton, the Star’ Camping and Caravanning Club site in Staffordshire who made a replica Eccles caravan from 1919 – the year commercial production of caravans started in the UK. They also hosted a party with caravan-themed bunting decorated by families staying on the site during half-term. In Crowborough, East Sussex, the managers at the Club site organised a children’s colouring competition. Each child completed an outline drawing of a caravan holiday scene, and the best six from different age categories won a WHSmith voucher. And in the Midlands, the Club’s Clent Hills site near Birmingham organised a ‘100 years of caravanning’ coffee morning and raised money for the local air ambulance charity. At the same time, The Camping and Caravanning Club also encouraged campers to share photos of their caravan holidays on social media using the hashtag #lovemycaravan and to enter a competition to win an awning package worth over £1,100. These, and many other activities at other Club sites across the UK, show how caravans have become such an important part of so many people’s lives, and the UK’s economy, and why The Camping and Caravanning Club celebrates National Camping and Caravanning Week each year. “National Camping and Caravanning Week is all about inspiring the nation to get outdoors whether that’s through caravanning, motorhoming or traditional tent camping. And we’re all more aware than ever that getting into the great outdoors is good for our mental health and well as being great fun,” said Julia Bradbury, TV presenter and President of The Camping and Caravanning Club. Paul Jones, the Marketing and Communications Director at The Camping and Caravanning Club, said: “It is brilliant that so many of our Club sites joined the celebration of 100 years of the caravan during this year’s National Camping and Caravanning Week. We’re really grateful that our President, Julia Bradbury, launched National Camping and Caravanning Week 2019 in such a fun way and brought the 100th anniversary of the caravan to the attention of the whole country.”
KC Solutions Help Caravan, Lodge & Holiday Park Operators Grow
KC Solutions help caravan, lodge and holiday parks become more profitable through the visibility and sharing of data. Having the right data available at the right time makes more informed business decisions easier and removes the guess work. Understanding the unique issues faced by businesses in this ever-changing industry, KC Solutions develop and implement a range of solutions from sales to stock management to finance which are built around the core business driver of data visibility and integration. Removing human error, automating key processes and providing clear concise reports immediately allow you to make more money, remove frustrations and increase your customers’ experience. From site office management, to site-fee processing with owners, to weekender rentals, to cafes, to bars, to restaurants, to stock rooms and warehouse management, to finance and account handling, to loyalty and increasing customer spend – KC Solutions’ products and services can help you streamline and automate your processes at every touch point, where your customers or staff are involved. Designed to provide a common platform between your sales, stock and finances, their expertise allows KC Solutions to take a reassuring approach to tackle your particular issues and provide technological solutions that fit. Understanding that there is no out-of-the-box solution for you caravan, lodge or holiday park, and having strong and prosperous relationships with large and influential businesses in the industry KC Solutions have the knowledge to support and help you grow. With over 30 years of experience in working with business software, data and integrations, KC Solutions are in a prime position to help your business achieve its goal. With 99% customer retention, and 98% positive customer feedback, our award-winning team offer the best value for money support services anywhere in the UK. KC Solutions’ customers include Lyons Holiday Parks in North Wales, Blue Anchor Leisure in Lincolnshire and more – all of which will testify to the trusted products and services on offer. Don’t take our word for it, here are their testimonies for how we helped them: Lyons Holiday Parks: https://kcpos.co.uk/case-studies/lyons-holiday-park/ Blue Anchor Leisure: https://kcpos.co.uk/case-studies/blue-anchor-leisure-holiday-caravan-and-lodge-park-operator-in-lincolnshire/ Give us a call today on 01482 423 907 Kcpos.co.uk
