A Successful Holiday Park Innovation Show for 2019 and 2020 Plans
The Holiday Park Innovation Show has closed its doors for another year, but that doesn’t mean it’s over yet… Before we officially say goodbye to the Holiday Park Innovation Show 2019, we thought it was only right that we emphasise our fantastic achievements. We are so proud to have pulled this event off, and are looking forward to making the show even better for next year. Find out some of our biggest achievements, hear some astounding testimonials, and find out what our plans for 2020 are! All this will be disclosed right here, so read on for more… Facts and Figures From the Show We have been blown away with the feedback we received from our show, and have put together some stats from the questionnaires and emails we sent out. Firstly, our leisure, hospitality and tourism shows altogether welcomed 17,890 visitors, which was a massive 27 percent increase from last year! Within the Holiday Park Innovation Show alone, our visitors held job titles which could be best described as: ● Holiday Park Director, CEO or Founder: 33% ● Business Development Manager/Director: 15% ● Campsite Owner: 21% ● Leisure Centre Director: 3% ● Marketing, Advertising, PR and Social Media Managers: 16% ● Operations, Booking Services and Customer Relations: 5% ● Holiday Park Food and Beverage Services: 7% Out of these attendees, 90 percent are hoping to attend the 2020 show. This comes as no surprise when we consider that 70 percent of visitors said meeting exhibitors was the most beneficial element of the event. When it comes to our exhibitors, over 96 percent have said they are happy with the diversity of the visitors, bringing new business opportunities and leads. In fact, directly after the show, 66 percent of exhibitors confirmed they would be doing business with visitors, and 34 percent were in discussion with potential buyers about future business. Due to this, 85 percent of exhibitors have already re-booked for 2020! What Did Our Exhibitors Have to Say? Overall, we had a lot of positive feedback from our exhibitors, and we really wanted to share with you some of these amazing comments: ● Sutton Hospitality – Alex Sutton: “We’ve had a very successful experience, speaking to landowners and farmers. Overall, it’s been a great success for us.” ● Holiday Let Furnishings Ltd – Rachel Conroy, Director: “We decided to increase the size of our stand this year in a better more central location. It has paid off, as there has hardly been a minute of the show that we haven’t had visitors at our stand. The quality of leads has been very promising. We have already reserved our stand for next year! Thank you to the very helpful Prysm team.” ● Fowler Revolution – David Randall, Sales Manager: “Good atmosphere, friendly staff, great footfall!” ● GPT Waste Management – Donna Liebernberg, Waste Solutions: “Lovely show, enjoyed the company of all our visitors.” ● EDSB Fire & Security – M. Solomon: “We found the show extremely rewarding, and met some excellent businesses.” ● Ecoknit Towels – John Balladon, Sales Director: “Well organised, very helpful and friendly staff, busy – plenty of diverse exhibitors.” ● Arleigh International – David Wood, Sales Rep: “Very interesting show, lots to see in a friendly environment.” ● Caravan Park Electrical Service Ltd – Ted Waring, Director: “Very impressed with the organisation and general layout of the show. Already re-booked for 2020!” ● NCC Benevolent – Melanie Day, Manager: “The HPI show provided a great platform to introduce the NCC Benevolent Fund to the industry; we were thrilled to be a charity partner.” Plans For Next Year’s Holiday Park Innovation Show In today’s modern world, the holiday park industry changes every day, so staying up-to-date with the latest consumer trends is ever-important. Due to this, we strive to make each year’s show better than the last, to ensure that our visitors get the necessary tools they require to improve their hospitality offerings. For next year’s show, we are capping the size, so that we can focus on the exhibitors we have, and on making the whole experience as useful as possible. With this in mind, we have a couple of new ideas up our sleeves, which we hope will make the day even more beneficial for our visitors and exhibitors. These include an awards ceremony stage, where we can showcase our amazing nominees, and their products and services, in front of a live audience. We would also like to put an emphasis on our Panel Debates, which proved to be a very popular fixture, by expanding our range of debates across each show. Want to Exhibit Next Year? Want to exhibit at next year’s show, at the NEC, Birmingham on 11th & 12th November? We’d love to welcome you into our community of exhibitors, so don’t hesitate to get in contact with the Holiday Park & Resort Innovation Show Event Director, William Mansfield: ● Email: william.mansfield@prysmgroup.co.uk ● Phone: +44 (0)117 929 6087 Alternatively, if you want to visit, then stay tuned for our FREE tickets, which will be available to apply for very soon!
Still waters run risks – preventing legionella in caravan parks
In a caravan park, the only thing that you really want to be static is the caravans. You certainly don’t want any areas of your domestic water systems to be static, as Gary Nicholls, MD of legionella risk experts Swiftclean, explains. Legionella bacteria, a naturally occurring bacteria found in water courses, thrives in static water, especially in warmer weather, and it can multiply in pipework and water tanks, especially those which are not sufficiently shaded from sunlight and protected from solar heat gain. Keeping your water supply clean and free-flowing is essential to prevent the proliferation of Legionella bacteria and colonisation of the water system. Exposure to this contaminated water (through inhalation of contaminated water droplets) could have the potential to cause Legionnaire’s Disease, a potentially fatal form of pneumonia, with initial ‘flu-like’ symptoms occurring which would become progressively worse in individuals that have a higher susceptibility because of age, illness, immunosuppression, smoking etc. The legal responsibilities of a property manager or owner in respect to legionella risk management and control are spelt out in L8, the Approved Code of Practice and guidance on Legionnaire’s disease (fourth edition), issued by the Health & Safety Executive (HSE). The main focus of the current version of the L8 code is on; risk assessment requirements; responsibilities of the Responsible Person; the control scheme; the review of control measures; and duties and responsibilities of those involved in the supply of water systems. Each organisation should appoint a competent person under the law, known as the Responsible Person, who must understand and carry out your legal obligations in preventing legionella. This Responsible Person has a number of specific responsibilities which help to fulfil the obligations to provide a safe environment under general health & safety law. This applies to employers, landlords and certainly to those overseeing a caravan park of any description. These responsibilities are designed to ensure that suitable precautions are taken to prevent or control the risk of Legionella proliferation and exposure. As part of those responsibilities, you are required to identify and assess any sources of risk; to manage those risks, (which might include cleaning and remedial work); to prevent or control any risks (which might include making sure that tanks are shaded from direct sunlight); and you must keep accurate and detailed records of all the actions that you take to prevent and control the risk of legionella. Accurate record keeping is essential, as it protects the property manager as much as the users of the water system. For this reason, the role of the Responsible Person should also be clearly outlined. The first step towards compliance is an up to date risk assessment, in which you should identify any areas where water can remain static. Installers can be critical in identifying ‘dead legs’ in water systems, which may occur when pipework has been altered to remove a water outlet such as a shower, a sink or even a stand pipe. Water can ‘sit’ in dead ends of pipework, stagnating and providing the ideal conditions for legionella bacteria proliferation; so these dead ends should be removed to enable water to travel through every part of the water system, with no static areas. Dead ends typically occur in properties whose pipework has been changed over the years; so if your site has been reconfigured or vans have been moved, it is essential to ensure that the revised pipework has no dead legs and that water can circulate freely through every part. If you make even minor amends to the pipework, you will need a new risk assessment. Some caravan parks have a built-in legionella risk factor – seasonal occupancy. If you have caravans or park homes which are unoccupied for weeks at a time, the water in their pipework will inevitably be static for long periods, risking the development of legionella bacteria. This will also be the case in year-round occupied homes if a tenant or owner leaves and there is a period of several weeks or more before a new occupant moves in. When letting or selling property to new tenants, it is now vital for the landlord or freeholder to ensure that the water supply is clean and healthy. If a property or water system has been unused for some weeks, the water should be tested for the presence of legionella bacteria and the system thoroughly and safely flushed before use. This means running taps, showers etc. and flushing toilets to ensure a good turnover of water. If you have a camping section adjacent to a caravan park, with communal toilet and shower facilities, don’t forget that these will also need regular flushing and must be covered by the risk assessment. Most importantly, this flushing should be conducted without the generation of spray and preferably should be done before any cleaning teams enter the building. Ironically, they are often the most vulnerable to infection after a period in which water has been static for some time. Legionella control is designed to protect residents, staff and visitors alike. Under the Health and Safety at Work Act and COSHH Regulations there are severe penalties for failing to comply with L8. The Responsible Person can be prosecuted if found to be negligent, and in the case of a death from legionella, this can result in a custodial sentence. The organisation itself can also be prosecuted, and unlimited fines can be imposed, as we have seen in cases of legionella outbreaks in UK hospitals over the years. If you have cold water tanks, these should also form a key part of your risk assessment. In the design and installation of water systems, consideration should be given to shading water tanks and protecting them from the effects of solar gain, and it should be possible to drain them completely if needed. We recommend checking water tanks periodically, at least annually, to make sure that they are free of insects and vermin such as pigeons, squirrels and rats. The structural condition of
Johnsons helps make happy holidays with recent plant supply
Johnsons Whixley, one of the UK’s leading commercial nurseries, will help people enjoy even happier holidays after supplying plants to a £1m transformation scheme at a holiday park. North-Yorkshire based Johnsons supplied more than 4,000 plants worth a total of £22,000 to the Hoburne Naish Holiday Park in Hampshire. Included in the delivery were more than 2,000 shrubs and 21 varieties of grasses. In partnership with renowned holiday park operator and developer Hoburne Limited, Johnsons provided stock including a wide variety of grasses, shrubs, hedging and herbaceous plants. Situated on the clifftop with breath-taking sea views, the site combines the very best of coastline and countryside, from sandy beaches to picnics in the nearby New Forest. The holiday park has recently undergone a significant refurbishment of its leisure and entertainment complex, with its family-friendly dining area and improved public spaces, and the design-led regions with comfortable seating options. Attractions also include indoor and outdoor swimming pools, a sauna and on-site brasserie, along with adventure golf, a multi-sports games arena and play areas for children of all ages. The park includes a new development of luxurious holiday homes, set in design-led landscaped areas and offering sea views across to the isle of Wight. In total, Hoburne has spent £6m on giving each of its seven-holiday parks in the South West a facelift. Ellie Richardson, marketingco-ordinator for Johnsons, said: “We are delighted to have contributed a substantial number of plants to help revamp the Hoburne Naish holiday park. Holidays are a very special time for people, full of relaxation, and we hope we can play our part in ensuring visitors have a happy and memorable time amid glorious surroundings.” Mark Preston, Director of Hoburne Properties added “we have been delighted by both the quality of the stock and the level of service we have received from Johnsons, and the feedback from our holidaymakers and owners regarding their first impressions of the recently developed areas has been nothing but complimentary. We look forward to working with Johnsons on some exciting projects we have lined up for this coming winter across our parks”. www.nurserymen.co.uk
Huck Nets Make Play An Adventure For All
The innovative range of purpose designed rope and net play equipment from Dorset-based Huck Nets is guaranteed to make every playground an adventure. It is a popular feature in many parks and playgrounds across the UK and Europe. Huck Nets world-renowned rope and netting is integrated into much of their play equipment. Being manufactured mostly of rope and timber it is ideally suited to outdoor natural play environments. Every element has been designed to allow children’s imaginations to run wild and to give free rein to their natural urge to be active. There are various climbing elements such as climbing pyramids, jungle bridges, net ramps, rope ladders and tunnels, an impressive range of individual and group swings, trampolines, hammocks and aerial runways. Each play system comes with a wide range of different structural design elements in every shape and colour that will blend harmoniously into virtually any adventure landscape. One of the best examples is their rope adventure courses. Hammocks, rope ladders and wobble swings all make use of their strong and durable rope. They also have a great selection of rope net pyramids, scramble nets and climbing ropes, as well as a selection of Bird Nest Trees. At the core of the Birds Nest Tree series is the original HUCK Bird’s Nest® – a round close-meshed basket with a base shaped to form a nest and a steel ring wound round with rope. It is the perfect edition to any outdoor playground and provides a climbing element to complement ground-based play like trampolines and swings. Their outdoor range also includes a fantastic selection of inclusive play equipment. On offer is a l range of obstacle-free play equipment such as swings with safety seats, hammocks and trampolines. The swing has large flat and upright seats to invite people to get moving.The climbing equipment is low enough for children to enjoy climbing regardless of their mobility level. Huck’s Rolli trampoline has been designed for wheelchair users. It has sloping edge panels to enable the surface level trampoline to be accessed safely and easily. An accompanying person can also stand in direct contact with the wheelchair user if required. Alongside, Huck offer a full installation and maintenance service for new and existing outdoor and indoor play areas. Their team will carry out simple repairs to netting, replace worn-out netting and/or equipment, or can work with you to completely refurbish the play area. For information on Huck ’s range of play equipment and their supporting design and installation services call 01308 425100 or email sarah.reynolds@hucknetting.co.uk.
Navigating Insurance Claims
Making an insurance claim should be relatively straightforward, but there are things that can complicate the process. Delays in the resolution of a claim can cost a park business money. In the worst-case scenario a claim may be rejected altogether. The following top tips from Compass illustrates what park owners and managers can do to ensure that their claims experiences run as smoothly as possible. Read your policy! Different providers offer different covers and all insurers revise their policies from time to time, so it’s important to check: • policy terms, conditions, excesses, restrictions and inner sub limits • the accuracy of your Sums Insured amounts – If you’re not confident to make a valuation of your business assets, the best people to advise on re-building costs are RICS qualified quantity or building surveyors • automatic reinstatement of Sums Insured after claim. Claims service Some providers are much better than others at responding to claims, especially under emergency conditions. Consider: • reputation – ask other park owners and managers which providers they would recommend for their claims service • insurers that run a UK-based dedicated in-house claims team, manned by trained and experienced specialists • insurers that offer a 24/7/365 emergency response service • insurers with strong experience of managing worst-case (disaster) scenarios • insurers that have access to a wide network of the specialist service providers and suppliers that may be required to resolve your claim • those who employ AEs – a good insurance account executive (AE) will help in terms of claims delivery, especially in an emergency. • those that may be able to make interim/advanced claims payments for large-scale, expensive claims. Keep in touch It’s very important to let your insurer know about any changes made to your business as and when they occur to avoid under-insurance (see more information below). A good rule of thumb is to always tell your insurer what you tell your accountant. Speed and evidence The sooner you let your insurer know about a claim the better. Find out who you will need to contact, how to contact them, and any relevant timescales. The more information you can provide your insurer with in relation to a claim the better. Do what you can to help by taking photographs, gathering witness statements, recording the time, location, weather conditions, keeping damaged goods, etc. Your insurer will be able to elaborate on this basic list on a case-by-case basis. Keep up-to-date records Parks need to understand their legal responsibilities and keep evidence to show that they are adhering to them. If this evidence isn’t up-to-date and available, an insurer may be unable to defend a park business against a claim. And while we’re talking about record-keeping, ensure your insurance policy documents are kept safe and in a location where they can be accessed by relevant staff members as required. Sensible business management Sometimes it’s easier for a park’s maintenance team to manage remedial/reparation works. Keeping spares of parts and equipment that is vital to day-to-day operations, especially when these items cannot be quickly replaced, is also practical. Consider additional cover Protecting yourself, your staff and your business against claims won’t always begin and end with a commercial policy. It will sometimes be appropriate for a park to take out additional covers, e.g. Business Interruption and Directors’ & Officers’ cover. Speak to your provider for more information. Don’t under-insure! Whether deliberate or not, park owners and managers need to be aware that if they are under-insured, their insurer will not automatically pay out the full cost of a claim. Instead they may apply a calculation which reduces the claim amount by the percentage they were under-insured by. For example, if a building is insured for £200,000, but its true rebuild cost is £400,000, an insurer will be quick to identify the fact that the building was only insured at 50% of its value. This means that only 50% of a claim may be met in the event of a loss. There are any number of ways that a park could find itself under-insured. Examples include: • if you haven’t had your park’s material assets professionally valued for insurance purposes in the last three years • you are now VAT registered • you are carrying more stock now than when you took out your insurance policy • you’ve altered or extended your park premises • you haven’t factored in replacement costs for (e.g.) gates, fences, car parking areas, roads and pathways etc. • you haven’t factored in the costs of professional fees such as an architect or surveyor • you haven’t factored in costs such as site clearance or access – particularly where your business might need, for example, a crane of heavy plant to help with remedial work because of the claim. As aforementioned under-insurance can present itself mid-term. Keep your insurer up-to-date to avoid this. Beware the impact of customer claims Park businesses shoulder an element of risk when it comes to their customers’ insurance cover. The bigger a customer’s loss, the bigger the potential impact upon the park business. In the worst-case scenario, where total losses occur and multiple insurance providers are involved, a park’s operations can be severely affected. The way in which some parks try to take some control over their destiny in this regard is to become an appointed representative or introducer appointed representative of an insurer provider they trust. This allows them to respectively sell or introduce an insurance product to their customers within the parameters of financial regulation. For further support on preventing claims and to hear more about our market leading 24/7/365 Major Incident support, please contact the Compass team on 0344 274 0277.
Competition – Stay safe on the winter roads with a Nextbase Dash Cam
Need an extra pair of eyes on the road this winter? The new Nextbase Dash Cam can be just that! As the nights draw in and the weather deteriorates, driving can become a challenge, especially if you are towing a caravan or driving a motorhome. But, Nextbase the leading and award-winning Dash Cam manufacturer has pioneered a world first in in-car technology with the launch of Emergency SOS mode in its Series 2 Dash Cams that aim to make your winter drives safer by acting as an independent witness to any such incidents – proving non-fault where necessary. Nextbase’s Series 2 range includes the 322GW; the world’s first Dash Cam with Emergency SOS, which ensures your journey is safer than ever before. It will alert the emergency services to your location in the event of the accident and send on crucial medical data to aid efficient treatment. A vastly upgraded 2.5” IPS HD touch screen for menu selection and playback provides the ultimate user experience. The 322GW is also compatible with the Nextbase Rear-View Camera Modules to add a second camera. Personalise your Dash Cam and choose one of 3 different rear camera views from Rear, Cabin or Rear Window view. Keep your stationary Caravans and Morothomes safe with it’s Intelligent Parking Mode. This automatically records any bump or physical movement on the vehicle when left unattended. This is an option that can be selected in the menu of EVERY new Series 2 Nextbase Dash Cam. As soon as you park and your ignition is turned off, the Dash Cam will automatically switch into “parking mode” by shutting down everything except the G Force sensor. The sensitivity of the G force sensor is then increased dramatically. Key features: 1080p HD resolution at 60 fps, 2.5” HD IPS touch screen, 140° viewing angle, 10Hz GPS Module, AutoSync, Bluetooth 4.2, Wi-Fi via MyNextbase Connect and PC/Mac software – MyNextbase Player. More information can be found about the Nextbase cams here: https:// www.nextbase.com/en-gb/dash-cams/322gw-dash-cam/ To be in with a chance of winning both Nextbase Series 2 322GW RRP: £99 Nextbase Rear- View camera RRP: £49 and 32GB U3 microSD Card RRP: £20 CLICK HERE and answer the question!
Holidays just got greener as caravan park harnesses the power of the sun!
One of the North Wales coast’s ‘greenest’ caravan parks has just become even more eco-friendly after harnessing the area’s famous sunshine to help power its mobile homes – and save themselves money in the process. Energy experts Hafod Renewables have just installed an 86-panel solar array at the Ty Gwyn Caravan Park, at Towyn, Abergele, where the Owen family have been welcoming visitors since 1938. The third generation of the family, brother and sister Rhodri and Angharad, have been stepping up their ‘green’ credentials with renewable electricity tariffs and recycling policies and the new £23,000 system will save them over £4,000 a year and pay for itself within six years. Hafod Renewables Managing Director David Jones is at the UK’s largest holiday park show, the Holiday Park and Resort Innovation 2019, at the NEC in Birmingham this week to bang the drum for renewable energy in the tourism industry and to showcase the Ty Gwyn project. He said: “We want to try and educate the holiday park sector that there are cleaner, more sustainable and cheaper ways to provide electricity for their sites. “This makes sense for sites like Ty Gwyn because they’re busy from Easter through to Halloween which are also the sunniest and warmest months of the year. “Here at Ty Gwyn they also have a number of buildings with roofs suitable for solar panels and so the new system is spread over five different buildings and generates 34.4 kilowatts of electricity which is enough to run eight homes and easily tops up their mains supply.” It’s a perfect solution for Rhodri who had been faced with rising electricity costs, increasing demand and possible supply issues on the park which is just yards from the beach at Towyn. He said: “We are very proud of our green credentials and are delighted to have been able to work with Hafod Renewables. “As a high consumer of energy, part of our green drive is to move all our electric to cleaner energy sources and alongside the solar, we have also switched our mains electricity contract to a green tariff. “Our customers have an increasing awareness of green issues and are looking to exceed their expectations on this. “Our Swn Y Mor Restaurant and Bar uses local suppliers, recycles and avoids single use plastics and we hope to have an electric car charging station soon. “If the scheme performs as we expect it will, we plan in time to add more solar panels here.” David Jones set up Hafod Renewables with his father, Richard, in Denbigh in 2011 and the award-winning £1.5 million turnover firm now operates from new off-grid headquarters in Tremeirchion. He said: “There is no subsidy support provided any more for solar schemes but as the cost of solar panels have come down, their efficiency has risen so solar power is still very competitive and in the long-term it will be cheaper than fossil-fuel or even nuclear generated power. “It works very well for businesses which have plenty of roof space and we have fitted systems to dairy farms and even a bakery and although Ty Gwyn doesn’t have a single large roof it has plenty of buildings which are suitable. “This solution made sense for them economically because putting in a solar system reduces their reliance on the grid and means they don’t have to start up their backup diesel generator. “As people run more and more electrical appliances I think a lot of holiday parks will find themselves close to the limit like them so renewable solutions make sense. “This system will pay for itself within six years but it has a 25-year lifespan so that adds up to almost 20 years of free electricity. “It should even be possible to fit panels to the roofs of caravans which could potentially provide the site with all the power it needs at some stage in the future.” Hafod Renewables installed their first system in July 2010 and since then they have fitted over 10,000 solar panels, stacked end on end they would tower over 29,028 foot Mount Everest. In the past 12 months they have provided solar systems for 68 customers, including businesses like Henllan Bakery in Denbigh, dairy farms and even the world’s oldest heritage railway, the Talyllyn, where although Welsh steam coal is still king, solar is now playing its part. They have also installed over 73 air-source systems and over 30 ground-source systems with a 16,000 hen egg producer and the North Wales Wildlife Trust among their customers. David added: “In just a few years almost everyone will be driving electric cars and by then most of our power will be produced by solar, wind, tidal and other renewables. “Renewable energy isn’t a Cinderella-style operation any more. It’s a real contender and one with a better, cheaper long-term future than fossil-fuel or even nuclear generated power.” For more on Hafod Renewables go to https://www.hafodrenewables.co.uk/
Frontier Pitts Work With The Caravan Club’s To Increase Security
Over the years Frontier Pitts have installed perimeter security equipment on many of The Caravan Club sites nationally, to ensure the holiday park sites fulfil their security requirements with cost-effective traffic management. Frontier Pitts market-leading FBX Automatic Barrier is ideally suited for controlling constant access to and from Caravan Club sites nationally. The FBX provides an effective solution to traffic congestion, whilst maintaining a visual security deterrent. 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 able to be raised or lowered through a complete 90-degree arc in as little as 1.8 seconds, depending on boom length, with operation being instantly reversible. The FBX is designed for reliability and durability, featuring sealed-for-life, no-maintenance 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 end-rests. However when The Caravan Club approached Frontier Pitts to install an entrance security system at their new Cadeside caravan storage compound in Taunton, Somerset they voiced concerns that the visual deterrent of the automatic FBX barrier no longer provided enough security. To overcome these concerns, Frontier Pitts were awarded the contract to supply and install a heavy-duty Roadblocker with traffic lights and control cabinet. The ‘Parking height’ model of Roadblocker was installed, with a card reader system to permit entry and exit from the site, and a vehicle induction loop system either side of the roadblocker to ensure the unit raises safely once a vehicle has passed over the ground sensors. Roadblockers and Rising Kerbs are designed to offer an impact-resistant barrier to 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 five models of roadblockers available, starting with the ‘SMT’ Surface mounted roadblocker which requires minimal civil works. The ‘Parking’ Roadblocker is manufactured with a lifted height of 353mm, the ‘Security’ Roadblocker with a lifted height of 533mm, and the ‘Special Lift Height’ Roadblocker with a lifted height of 800mm. Frontier Pitts has also recently introduced their fifth model to their range of roadblockers called the ‘ATTB-80’, a model which has been successfully crash tested and has a lifted height of 800mm. The Roadblocker is a rugged underground rising kerb which is hydraulically powered for reliability and strength, and can manufactured in lengths of up to 4000mm. The unit consists of two major parts; the base unit and the rising lid. The base unit is manufactured from heavy gauge steel channel, and contains a number of sealed-for-life ball bearings. The rising lid section is a welded fabrication of heavy gauge steel channel upon which the chequer plate road sections are bolted. The curved perimeter skirt of the Roadblocker is made from a mild steel sheet, and the higher lift versions are fitted with a patented double-lift skirt. A heavy gauge, mild steel angle trimmer frame is installed in the second pour of the concrete foundations, with Spragg tie bars fitted to ensure fixing. The Roadblocker is finished with a scratch resistant, alkyd paint finish. The standard finish is chevron style yellow and black stripes. The electrical and hydraulic control systems are contained within a weatherproof control cabinet which is mounted upon a separate foundation near the Roadblocker. Accessories available for the roadblocker are manual release valves, which in an event of a power fail the manual hand pump can be used to raise and lower the unit. Frontier Pitts also highly recommend installing traffic lights with all roadblocker systems, to ensure the driver of the vehicle is aware when it is safe to proceed. The Terra 180 Swing Arm Barrier is another solution which has been successfully impact tested and offers anti-theft protection with a manually operated barrier system which is ideal for sites with no power supply. The FBX Automatic Barrier and Roadblocker/Rising Kerb, as with all Frontier-Pitts products, is entirely designed and built in Britain to the most stringent international standards. Frontier-Pitts, based in Crawley, Sussex, is the acknowledged leader in perimeter security equipment. Its complete range of products and services is the result of decades of experience. It has offices in Hong Kong, France and China, with over 30 per cent of production exported, and customers in more than 100 countries. Full project management capability includes design, manufacture, civil and electrical services, site surveys, installation, spare parts, refurbishment and fully comprehensive customer services. Constant product R & D is allied to continuing quality improvements in manufacturing and dedicated customer service. This includes producing one of the strongest Roadblockers on the market. The new product is based upon the Terra Blocker design (crash tested in the 1970’s) which has been performing at more than 3000 installation sites worldwide for 30 years. Following months of in-house design and computer simulations, the new ATTB-80 was successfully tested by MIRA independent Crash Laboratories in January 2005. Frontier-Pitts has the full ISO 9001 accreditation. For further information, please look at our website www.frontierpitts.com or Telephone 01293 422800
Its time to get prepared for more first-time campers!
It’s become common knowledge that motorhoming is on the increase, the world over, and with an estimated 225,000 motorhomes in the UK, according to the National Office of Statistics, this figure is only set to rise. So, what does this mean for park and industry operators? Erwin Hymer Centre’s RentEasy manager, Stuart Phipps gives his perspective on how to best cater for millennials as they come of age and gear up to seize the lion’s share of the camping market’s growth. According to Curbed magazine, millennials are the largest set of campers, accounting for 41 percent overall, and by 2025, the number of 30 – 45-year-olds will have grown to 72 million people. It’s relevant data for everyone in the industry and particularly those who are considering their green credentials, hook up facilities and bandwidth capabilities. First-timers Significantly, this generation, across the globe, accounts for a growing number of first-time motorhomes and in 2018, 56% of first-time campers were millennials. We regularly speak to renters who are taking their motorhome to a campsite for their first time. Although they have often done their research when it comes to wi-fi availability at a site, they still have the expectation that they can use their high-energy equipment. For example, appliances like hair straighteners, kettles and microwaves will have adverse effects on low amperage campsite supplies. This could lead to nuisance tripping of the supply inside the motorhome. We always advise our first-time motorhome customers before they head off on their excursion, that most campsites will have 16-amp hook ups available, which is ample for their needs, but to check on the park operator’s website first. It’s also interesting that there is a growing number of people, not necessarily first-time campers, who want their motorhome holiday to be a more self-sufficient experience. This has led to a rise in the installation of leisure batteries and the use of solar panels, as more people hunt for secluded locations, to enhance their wild camping experience. All these trends are set to multiply and motorhome dealers and park operators alike, need to be ready to cater for this unique and diverse set of camping enthusiasts who are set to reign.
