Receptional win at UK Digital Experience Awards
Receptional brought home two awards at the prestigious UK Digital Experience Awards 2019 on 12th July. The Bedfordshire digital marketing agency were awarded gold in the Best Digital Marketing Campaign/Project category for their work with UK holiday park operator Away Resorts for ‘The UK’s Most Instagrammable Forest’ campaign. Their second gold award was for Best SEO Strategy in partnership with mobile app development agency, Tappable, which guided a rebrand and site development. Receptional are delighted with the results. Justin Deaville, Managing Director, said: “This is a recognition of the dedication and innovation we’ve demonstrated over the past year, and a chance to celebrate the teamwork that made it possible.“ The UK DXA Awards Presented before an expert panel of judges, Receptional shared their digital stories at Park Plaza Riverbank in London with other business leaders from a wide range of sectors and industries, including LV, Three UK, EE and Sky. Now in its fifth year, the UK Digital Experience Awards offer a unique chance to recognise current innovations in digital customer experience and networking to increase awareness of best practice. About Receptional Founded in 1999, Receptional is an award-winning digital marketing agency at the forefront of search marketing. Consistently delivering outstanding results – more traffic, more sales and better profits for clients – Receptional aim to provide a personalised, flexible service.
New Hex Court Is Set To Revolutionise The Holiday Park Recreation Scene
The HEX Court, the latest invention from Playinnovation™, experts in creating the wow factor through the design and installation of outdoor sports and play equipment, is set to revolutionise holiday park recreation for guests and organisers. This multi-use games area that’s both fun and inclusive has been specifically designed to consist of six ‘pods,’ each providing a different sports activity or target game to create ‘personal pockets’ for children and adults to play. The HEX Court is also great for timetabled activities at caravan and holiday parks because an instructor can take a 360-degree view from the centre of the HEX Court and easily run a number of sessions simultaneously. In addition to encouraging fun and physical activity amongst holiday-goers, it’s also a great facility which promotes positive outcomes via graduated challenges. For example, Playinnovation™ patented games walls can help to develop target skills, hand-to-eye coordination and maths. In one pod, you might find ‘Street Pool,’ then, in the pod next door, a table tennis table or some outdoor gym equipment. The access points can be designed depending on each customer’s requirements, as can a choice of activities. Playinnovation™ founder, Marco Boi said: “I came up with the HEX Court idea in pretty much the same way as I did when designing our rectangular-style, family-inclusive sports areas and educational games walls. “I essentially tried to regress back to my childhood and how I felt about joining in on sports activities while at school and on holiday. Imagine some of the many insecurities children, and adults, have when it comes to participation in sport. There’s a complex and important conversation to be had, linking mental wellbeing, self-esteem and physical activity together, and creating spaces with these ‘pockets’ are a great way to make use of a space that can be maximised by six families or groups all at once.” For more information email marco.boi@playinnovation.co.uk or phone 0203 409 5303.
Minimising the risk of legionella in Caravan & Holiday Parks
As people are becoming far more aware of, legionnaires’ disease is a potentially fatal form of pneumonia. It’s actually far more common than was firstly believed, with more and more cases being diagnosed. Caravan and holiday parks can present a particularly high level of risk due to the seasonal nature of their business, the wide range of occupants and the requirement to store and aerate large amounts of water, predominantly via showers, taps, spa pools/Jacuzzis and hoses. However, there also risks associated with swimming pools, water features, irrigation systems. Legionnaires’ disease is contracted by inhaling fine, airborne water droplets and anyone can be susceptible to the disease. However, the risk of infection is greatly increased for the following: Those aged 45 and over, particularly males Smokers and heavy drinkers Those with a compromised immune system Those with any respiratory, kidney, lung or heart disease The ideal circumstances for legionella bacteria to multiply are for water to sit still at temperatures between 20-45°C. Even allowing for the varying nature of the british weather, greater monitoring of this is needed during the summer months, where Caravan and Holiday Parks are at their highest occupancy. As an owner or operator of a caravan and holiday park it is your responsibility to do all you can to keep people safe from legionnaires disease. You are, more often than not, the statutory duty holder and failing to keep people safe from illness or worse can result in, as a minimum, severe financial penalties or, at worst, prosecution under corporate manslaughter. Guidance on this can be found in the HSE’s ACOP L8 document (www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/books/l8.htm). The three part HSG274 document from the same site will also provide guidance for dutyholders and employers in complying with their health and safety responsibilities. Reading the above can make the dutyholder’s role sound incredibly intimidating. However, as with most compliance matters, there are a number of key, simple tasks, to be performed by a competent person, which can assist in reducing the risks associated with legionella: 1.Have an up to date legionella risk assessment for the site – this assessment will provide an asset register, summarise the overall risk, detail task that can enhance the legionella control and a schematic of the water system on the site. 2.Temperature monitoring– water cyclinders/ calorifiers should have the water stored at 60°C and the hot water should be >50°C at all outlets with cold water <20°C. 3.Monitor, clean and disinfect the cold water storage tanks regularly – these are often large, sometimes positioned outside that need to be inspected regularly, checking the condition of the tank itself (lid, rodent/insect screen, vent pipes & overflows) and the water inside the tank (stagnation, biofilm built up, rust or debris). It is also worth reviewing the size and location of the tank to ensure water is being kept moving as much as possible. 4.Clean and descale all showerheads – this should be done quarterly and should involve the hose, showerhead and any inserts being dismantled, fully clean and descaled. 5.Flushing of little used outlets – any taps or water outlets that are not used on a frequent basis should be flushed through weekly to reduce the stagnation risk. Any new water systems must be flushed and to comply with British Standards and current water regulations. A typical guide is that any little used outlet should be flushed weekly for a minimum of three minutes. 6.Remove any pipework blind ends and dead legs – these are runs of often capped pipework where water is not flowing through and can stagnate. Remove these wherever possible, being particularly aware when refurbishment works are being undertaken. 7.Descale all calorifiers and water cyclinders – this is to ensure the reduction of limescale, debris and biofilm building up within the cylinders. 8.Regular water sampling – this will involve microbiological analysis to ensure that drinking water is safe and that the levels of legionella are within permitted parameters. This will also be particularly applicable to jacuzzies, spa pools, hot tubs and swimming pools on site. 9.Back flow protection – make sure that outlets don’t have the capacity for back flow of water into the system. This is especially associated with long shower hoses (enabling showers to sit in water) and with outside/ bib taps where park visitors can attach their own hoses. Even if all of the above is being done but you are still experiencing issues with legionella, additional measures such as the installation of water softeners or chemical dosing units can be investigated. If you are not doing (or outsourcing) the above the routine maintenance tasks you simply will not know, until it is too late, whether there is an issue with the site water system. A competent person can be in-house or an external provider. If you are going to use a service provider, ensure they are accredited by the Legionella Control Association (www.legionellacontrol.org.uk). The LCA will audit their members and accreditation is evidence of competence. Seek references where possible, ideally the provider will have an understanding of the unique needs and demands of caravan and holiday parks. If you are going to do it yourselves, ensure that those performing the tasks are suitably trained and can prove their competence if needed. There are several City & Guilds accredited training courses and centres that can provide specific legionella training. A word of caution however, if you have a high turnover of staff or the same person is not doing all the routine tasks (for example, cleaning staff my be tasked with the shower cleaning) the constant need for re-training to prove competence can outweigh the costs of using an external provider. It is the dutyholder’s responsibility to ensure staff are suitably trained and are performing the tasks correctly. hsl compliance are accredited by the legionella control association and currently provide legionella compliance services to over 300 caravan and holiday parks across the length and breadth of the UK. They have over 180 field based engineers and have been assisting clients with their legionella control since 1976. They can also provide city &
Keeping Guests Warm Throughout The Winter Months
Summer time sometimes lulls us into a false sense of security – it’s warm enough inside and the heating may not be used for weeks (even months) in vans, holidays homes, pods and glamping tents. But come the autumn and winter – when many owners and visitors would like to extend their use of parks – the temperature has got to be spot on for guests to want to return. Here, we take a look at the different approaches to heating and some of the newest, most innovative heating and ventilation methods on the market. Pods Slades Farm Leisure build hand-crafted pods for a variety of outdoor situations. Its underfloor heating and insulated walls ensures the pods are comfortable even in the harshest of weather. The smaller spaces mean pods heat up quickly and efficiently and energy bills remain low. Glamping tents Flue, chimney and renewable heating products supplier Specflue recently published a guide on how to keep your luxury glamping accommodation warm and cosy. Advice for Glampsite Owners contains suggestions on how to select a competent installer and an example of a how a ‘smart’ pellet boiler is providing heat to a luxury geo-dome in Wales. The high- performance appliance can be fired-up ahead of time via a smartphone, to ensure a welcoming atmosphere on arrival! Lodges Many caravan manufacturers have branched out into the luxury world of lodges, where owners and visitors expect a real home-from-home experience. Willerby’s Mulberry lodge offers the revolutionary Thermowise system, which combines excellent insulation and acoustic technology, making the Mulberry 14% warmer and quieter than current industry standards. It also offers customers real savings on energy bills. Caravans and motorhomes Most caravans are built with central heating but in the winter months, condensation can become a problem. Chris Michael from Meaco, supplier of dehumidifiers and air purifiers, says, “Although vans and motorhomes are ventilated when they are built, this only helps to keep the air moving and to stop the air from becoming stale – it will not help to keep the space dry or to protect the artefacts from moisture damage. “This is where a dehumidifier comes in. It will reduce the level of humidity in the air, by sucking in air from the room at one end, removing the moisture, and then blowing it back out into the room again, adding warmth in the process. Sealing any ventilation gaps in a caravan when using a dehumidifier in the winter will make it work more efficiently.” For more information on all of these heating methods, see our website caravanindustryandparkoperator.co.uk.
Solution From ASL Provides Real-Time Electricity Monitoring
LeisureSmart is a new digital solution from ASL that provides near real-time electricity monitoring for leisure complexes and holiday parks. Using ASL’s trusted technology, LeisureSmart accurately monitors the electricity usage of each pitch, providing management with accurate, near real-time data. How LeisureSmart Works LeisureSmart devices are attached to the electricity hook-up at each pitch and constantly monitor the amount of electricity supplied. The data gathered is then transferred, using GPRS mobile data networks, to a secure cloud- based platform. Each device is self-powered by a built-in battery, meaning that LeisureSmart does not impact on electricity usage. The devices are quick and easy to install, with no additional cables or excavation required. Why Install LeisureSmart? Asset Monitoring – LeisureSmart can monitor amenities (swimming pools, laundries, restaurants etc.) as well as pitches, proving a complete understanding of a site’s electrical requirements. This information can be used to help reduce energy usage and save money. Multi-Site Operations LeisureSmart’s data can be used for benchmarking and comparisons, leading to the implementation of best practice amongst sites and generating significant savings. Increase Employee Efficiency Employees will no longer be required to read individual electricity meters making them free to continue with other tasks they are responsible for around the park. Data Accessibility and Security Stored on a cloud-based portal, data is accessible anywhere and on any device with an internet connection, day or night from anywhere in the world. Why Choose LeisureSmart Developed by ASL, LeisureSmart is an accurate, reliable and secure system that provides park managers with the data required to manage their sites effectively. T: 01604 883880 www.aslh.co.uk
Experts in Legionella Control, Water Hygiene and Water Treatment Services
With nearly 35 years` experience, we take great pride in our ability to provide expert advice and experience on a range of specialist water hygiene related services, Legionella assessments and treatment issues. Our customers can benefit from the peace of mind that they are 100% compliant and that all of their staff, customers and visitors can feel safe from harmful bacteria in water systems. With more cases of Legionella being reported each year, it has never been more important to be on top of your water systems and leisure facilities. IWS can provide you with the expertise and experience to ensure that you are. Our Services Include: • Legionella Risk Assessments to UKAS ISO 17020, BS8580, ACOP L8 and HSG274 • Water Hygiene Monitoring Programmes and Remedial Work to BS8558, ACOP L8 and HSG274 • Water System Treatment and Chemical Supply • Cold Water Storage Tank Clean and Disinfection • Chlorine Dioxide Dosage and Control Packages • Remote Monitoring Systems • Specialist Management of Swimming Pools and Spa Facilities • Water Treatment Programmes for Cooling Towers, Heating and Chilled Water Systems • National 24/7 Coverage • Free of Charge, Bespoke Web-Based Log Book • Other Specialist Water Related Services Available on Request. We have worked within the Caravan and Holiday Parks, Leisure, and Hospitality sectors for many years and understand the water hygiene and treatment issues these sectors face on a day by day basis. These sites can be notoriously high-risk from Legionella bacteria due to accommodation often not being used regularly, sometimes up to a whole season. Legionella Compliance has been strong on the radar of the HSE lately within these markets and not being compliant, well informed or pro-active in this area can be a major detriment to your business. One of the main issues is the management of the potable water storage and distribution systems, which need to be maintained within current drinking water standards. Many sites overlook this area and are then caught out when audits are carried out by the local water supplier. We fully understand the processes that need to be followed to keep you compliant and can assist you with the necessary sampling certification and cleaning regimes. To find out more information, please get in touch with our sales team on 0345 600 6028, or email: whsales@integrated-water.co.ukand specify Caravan Industry & Park Operator. A full range of our services can be found: www.integrated-water.co.uk
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.
