Are you aware of the risk of Legionella and other diseases?
As a holiday let owner or holiday park owner are you aware of the risk of Legionella and other potentially infectious waterborne diseases? Are you aware of your legal obligations to control and monitor these risks? Anyone can be susceptible to Legionnaires and other waterborne diseases such as pseudomonas, those most susceptible include; people aged over 45, smokers, people who drink heavily, anyone suffering from respiratory, lung or heart disease and anyone with an impaired immune system. Legionella compliance doesn’t have to be complicated, an important aspect of Legionella control in holiday lets is managing the risk during void periods. It’s important that during shut down periods water in the system is completely drained down when not in use. However, if your property is open but has been left vacant for a period longer than a few days the water could still be a risk and should be flushed thoroughly as stagnation encourages bacterial growth. Having a risk assessment in place to identify potential risks in your water system and appointing a competent person in charge of the system, who understands it’s workings and any associated equipment, is always recommended as it will help to identify any possible exposure to Legionella. Undertaking a regular programme to flush the system will also help, flushing of the system on a regular basis can reduce the risk but be wary, water that has been left sitting unused in a system may already contain potentially dangerous bacteria. Fully cleaning and opening outlets such as taps and showers and allowing them to run for several minutes on full will help to flush the system, we would always advise doing this and leaving the room to ensure any potentially dangerous air droplets are not inhaled. However, be aware showers and taps are not the only potential hazards, swimming pools, hot tubs and air conditioning units all carry their own risks as they have environmental conditions that can support the growth of legionella and other infectious diseases. Specific Health and Safety regulations apply to the upkeep of hot tubs as they present a higher risk due to their ideal breading grounds, regulations include temperature management, a well-maintained filtration system, correct chemical balance, record keeping, risk assessment and regular testing. In short, whether you own a caravan, barge, Air BnB or lodge, or you are a caravan or holiday park owner you are legally required under HSG282 and HSG274 to ensure you are fully undertaking the control of Health and Safety at your premises and this includes the control infectious waterborne diseases. Here at SAS Water, we are experts in water control, we are passionate about educating people on the risks involved and what your legal requirements are. So, whether you require training for your employees on the requirements, a risk assessment of your system, sampling of your water, or you would like to speak to us about your obligations then get in touch today at info@saswater.co.uk www.saswater.co.uk or call 01335347058. If you would like to regsiter your interest in our FREE upcoming webinars happening throughtout the year please click here.
Rosneath Castle extends season due to demand
Rosneath Castle Park will be opening its doors for the first time for Christmas and New Year breaks with unbelievable prices starting from just £9 per person per night. Due to popular demand Rosneath Castle Park are extending their season to incorporate december, including Christmas and New Year so guests can enjoy the festivities in one of the most beautiful areas of Scotland. Guarantee the best start to 2024 by waking up on Christmas morning or New Years Day to the glistening wintery waters of Gareloch, stretching out as far as the eye can see, and be mesmerised by the snow-capped hills that surround this idyllic park. Enjoy some spectacular walks in crisp, fresh, Scottish air with walking routes starting at the entrance to the park. Indulge in some delicious Scottish food and drink in the on-site Castle Isle Bar and Restaurant (Christmas/New Year opening hours apply). The park also has a large, secure, outdoor play area, perfect for the little ones to run off some of their excitement, indoor soft play area, on-site shop (Christmas/New Year opening hours apply), and a laundrette. The park is a few minutes’ drive from the village of Rosneath where you can find a supermarket and a hand full of takeaways and restaurants, with many delivering directly to your caravan. Breaks Stay on Friday 22nd December for 7-nights in a Loch View 3-bedroom caravan (sleeps 8) from £9 per person per night (price based on 8 people staying). Stay on Friday 29th December for 7-nights in a Loch View 3-bedroom caravan (sleeps 8) from £12 per person per night (price based on 8 people staying). Stay on Saturday 23rd December for 7-nights in a Gareloch 2-bedroom caravan (sleeps 6) from £12 per person per night (price based on 6 people staying). Stay on Saturday 30rd December for 7-nights in a Loch View 2-bedroom caravan (sleeps 6) from £12 per person per night (price based on 6 people staying). To book a great value festive break, visit www.rosneathcastle.co.uk Ends For press enquiries contact Tracy Roberts – 07856 33760
Divide and conquer! Why leisure sites should plant hedges
With so many demands on time and budgets, why should leisure sites plant hedges? Aside from the obvious functional and ecological benefits there are also sound commercial reasons. As all successful operators know, a holiday park business cannot rely solely on their location or the surrounding countryside and must provide attractive, functional spaces to make their site a destination in itself. Failing to understand the business need for well-maintained outdoor spaces, especially in failing to see them through the eyes of your customers, will lead to poor budgetary decisions and missed opportunities – and failing to understand the conditions on site prior to planting may lead to costly mistakes. Around the British countryside, solid screening and shelter has traditionally been provided by hedgerows. These provide a haven for wildlife and absorb CO2 from the air (helping to combat climate change). From a more practical stand-point, hedging makes sense as it doesn’t require planning permission, is far less likely to blow down than a fence and provides better security as it is harder to climb over. It absorbs sound, often cutting down noise far better than a solid screen such as a fence or wall, and rather than having to be replaced every few years, such as is invariably the case with fencing, a hedge can outlive its owner! If varieties are carefully chosen, maintaining a hedge does not need to be hard work or require as frequent pruning as some may think. You can choose plants to provide different functions in different parts of your site, including those that will make the hedges a real feature of your site. Traditionally, when planting a hedge you’d use small bare root plants of no more than about 12-18 inches tall and wait 5 – 10 years for them to grow enough to produce a decent hedge. This is of course still the obvious option for areas where there is little urgency and where budgets are limited but for important site improvements, to quickly add privacy and security, or simply just to add a “wow” factor to key areas you’re rarely going to want to have to wait that long, so planting more instant solutions need to be an available option. One of the main reasons that Leylandii conifers became so popular is because it makes a good, dense hedge very quickly. However, in terms of its wildlife value, it’s pretty sterile (some might even say damaging), not to mention the problems of when people don’t maintain them. Many people plant Leylandii because they want a 6ft or more hedge quickly but don’t realise that there are other options to achieve quick and effective results. For instance, for a solid evergreen hedge, Laurel is a good choice where the conditions are appropriate as it grows 2-3ft per year but only needs clipping once a year. Heavy Laurel blocks, properly trimmed on the nursery, can instantly provide a solid 6ft hedge for screening and security but, if for whatever reason it’s allowed to get too big, it can be cut hard back and it will regrow from stumps if necessary. There are numerous other plants that could be used for “instant” hedging, such as Portuguese Laurel, Yew, Eleagnus, Privet, Photinia and other evergreens, Hawthorn or holly for a more traditional country hedge, or for an “everbrown” hedge you can get big plants of Beech or Hornbeam (Hornbeam is particularly useful on heavy clay soil prone to being soggy in winter where no evergreen hedging options would thrive). You could even use plants more often used as individual ornamental specimens, like Forsythia, Weigela and so on to make a really attractive informal flowering hedge. The only limit to hedging really is your imagination but remember to use the basic principals of plant selection in choosing the right plant for the conditions as well as for the function and appearance. A conversation with staff at Wykeham to discuss your requirements will help you to select the ideal hedging options for your needs and for the conditions on site. Call in the experts for instant results: With decades of experience in supplying the holiday park industry, as well as expert horticultural knowledge and advice, Wykeham Mature Plants are experts in supplying instant transformations tailored to the site conditions and to the requirements of your business. Supplying the trade with high quality large trees, specimen shrubs, instant hedging and screening plants for over forty five years, Wykeham Mature Plants spans 150 acres of nursery, located in a frost pocket ten miles from Scarborough; the Yorkshire-grown stock is guaranteed to be hardy and free from imported pests and diseases. Wykeham Mature Plants is also certified under the Planty Healthy nursery scheme so customers can rest assured that the highest levels of biosecurity are maintained. Nationwide delivery is available, and for sites located within a hundred miles or so from the nursery, site visits are available to provide consultations on your site and, if required, a professional and guaranteed expert planting service to help give your scheme the best possible start. With Wykeham Mature Plants you can buy time, the most valuable commodity. Mature planting provides instant impact and maturity to key areas, shelter to exposed areas and, perhaps most useful of all, privacy and security to give both you and your customers peace of mind. Utilising the expert advisory services will ensure that your planting scheme will be carefully selected and of guaranteed quality and, with all of the information supplied regarding ongoing care and maintenance, you can be sure that your investment will grow and thrive. Wykeham Mature Plants can be found within the Estate walled gardens adjacent to the main house of Wykeham Abbey, signposted from the A170 approximately ten miles west of Scarborough (open Mon – Fri 9.30am to 4.00pm). For further information, call 01723 862406 or visit www.wykehammatureplants.co.uk. Alternatively, to discuss site visits and planting services (for sites located within a hundred miles or so from the nursery) email m.howe@wykeham.co.uk .
Generating revenue from EV charging points
In the UK, every 5th new car sold is an electric vehicle (EV), and with the cost of fuel going up, it’s hardly surprising! While it’s evident that there has been an increase in the number of electric cars on our roads, the availability of EV charging points still needs to catch up. It is estimated that there needs to be at least four times the number of public electric car charging points by the end of 2030 to cater to the forecasted number of electric cars. Installing EV charging points at your holiday or caravan park will not only help solve this issue, it can also generate additional revenue. Installing EV charge points can help improve efficiency, convenience, and cost-effectiveness for your business. Charging point costs The cost of getting an electric car charging point supplied and installed can differ depending on what charging units you decide to go for, there are slower and faster units available. The good news, the Office for Low Emission Vehicles (OLEV) has introduced two grants that are available to help towards the installation costs of EV chargers. These are the Workplace Charging Scheme and the EV infrastructure grant. Applying for funding is easy A company like R-EV Power can claim the workplace OLEV grant on your behalf to support the upfront costs of the purchase and installation of your electric vehicle charge points. The grant covers up to 75% of the total costs of the purchase and installation of EV charge points (inclusive of VAT), capped at a maximum of: The Workplace Charging Scheme (WCA) is available to any business, charity, or public authority with some conditions: The EV infrastructure grant for staff and fleets is available for all small-to-medium-sized businesses in the UK. The grant covers up to 75% of the cost of installed infrastructure needed for chargepoints. The grant is limited to £15,000 per grant. Businesses can qualify for up to: Each parking space you are claiming must have a unique chargepoint socket associated with it, or you must have future plans to install a chargepoint. The grant is available to businesses that meet certain conditions: Ways to increase revenue with an EV Charging point There are various models that businesses can adopt to generate revenue from EV charging points. The first, and most obvious is that revenue can be generated from drivers who pay to charge their vehicle. You can set your charging fees, make a mark-up on the energy used, and adjust them at any time. Secondly, you can offer EV charging for free for customers. In return, they are likely to return to your business, stay for longer and as a result spend more money with you. Other benefits of installing an EV Charger at your business: Convenience EV chargers make it convenient for your customers and staff who may have to travel long journeys and need to top up their EV whilst visiting. This is particularly useful if your location is quite remote as having convenient charging points will save them time and reduce the “range anxiety” of your customers and staff. Improved visibility EV charging points will help put your business on the map. EV charging Apps such as Zap Map, Project EV Pro and Monta give electric vehicle drivers access to locate nearby sites with electric charging points. Demonstrates commitment to the environment Social responsibility for businesses is a huge topic. Many companies are making great strides in reducing their energy consumption in day to day operations, introducing electric vehicles and looking at carbon-neutral initiatives. Installing electric vehicle chargers sends a clear and visible message about your environmental commitment as a business. Customers stay for longer If you have a shop on your site, EV charging points can attract customers to your premises and stay for longer whilst their vehicle is charging. And longer browsing times can increase the amount a customer spends with you. The demand for EV charging is only set to increase and as a business owner, EV charging points are a beneficial way to boost your green credentials and give customers and employees added convenience. No matter the size, location and EV requirements of your business, Rawson EV-Power can provide bespoke installation solutions to suit your company’s needs. Visit https://r-evpower.co.uk/commercial-ev-charger-installer/ or call 01978 808517 to find out more.
Makita – Powering the outdoors
With over 100 years’ experience, Makita’s products are renowned worldwide for their ease of use, consistent performance and high quality – and are trusted by professionals in every sector. Driven by continuous investment into research and product development, Makita delivers the power, performance and durability that professional users demand with products that are more compact, have less vibration, need less maintenance and have zero emissions. Makita’s growing portfolio of battery powered garden machinery offers professionals a complete system of outdoor power equipment with more solutions for trimming, cutting and clean-ups to revolutionise the way professionals work, whatever the task. Its cordless machines currently span over 300 LXT 18V and Twin 18V models that can be powered by the same battery platform, and over 100 products within its powerful XGT 40VMax system driven by the XGT battery platform, meaning professionals can complete both soft and hard landscaping tasks safely and efficiently, without the noise, emissions or challenges of storing, transporting and handling fuel. The company’s XGT platform is Makita’s most powerful cordless offering to date with products that can easily match the performance of the equivalent petrol models to provide users with the high levels of performance needed for professional use, without compromising on battery run time or charge time. The growing Makita XGT range now comprises over 100 products including more than 30 garden and grounds maintenance models. The collection includes XGT blowers, pole saws, hedge trimmers, brush cutters, linetrimmers, split shaft multi-function tools and lawnmowers, as well as lighting, dust extraction, job site apparel, and more. The range also includes 40VMax and 80VMax tools for hard landscaping tasks including circular and mitre saws, impact drivers, brad nailers and earth augers. Makita’s XGT tools are also built to last. XGT batteries have been built for rugged and tough environments with a secure connection mechanism that prevents accidental detachment and a heavy duty, shock absorbing outer casing and cell holder that protects from accidental heavy impacts. The battery is also IPX4 rated with a triple layer waterproofing – which is ideal for groundskeepers working outdoors in unpredictable weather. The high power, durability and long run times offered also mean work can be completed efficiently. Makita takes a technology driven approach to each of its products, designing every tool within its impressive portfolio with improved user experience in mind. From brushless motors to Anti-Vibration Technology and lithium-ion batteries, Makita’s innovative technologies ensure its products meet the demands of today and tomorrow. With Makita’s extensive range of garden machinery products, landscaping and groundscare professionals can find the tool that suits them and their requirements. To find out more about Makita’s range of garden machinery products visit: www.makitauk.com.
Saniflo launches Sanicubic GR HP range
Charity champ Ben scoops rising star accolade at Cumbria Tourism Awards
Holiday parks body appoints new Director General
Addagrip Terraco: Elevating Landscapes with Sustainable Resin Surfaces
In an age where sustainability takes centre stage in all aspects of life, Addagrip Terraco stands as a beacon of innovation in the world of resin surfacing. With over four decades of experience and a commitment to transforming outdoor spaces, they have become a trusted name in the industry. Paving the Way to Sustainability Established in 1980, Addagrip Terraco has evolved over the years to become a leading manufacturer, formulator, and supplier of resin systems. Their journey, spanning more than 40 years, reflects a dedication to providing high-quality, sustainable, and decorative surfacing solutions. Addagrip Terraco’s portfolio spans a wide range of projects, from domestic paths and driveways to expansive commercial schemes. They specialize in creating surfaces that not only look beautiful but also contribute to a sustainable future. A Resin Range for Every Vision Addagrip Terraco takes pride in offering a diverse range of resin-bound and resin-bonded surfacing systems, ensuring that there’s a perfect solution for every project. Among their notable product lines are Addaset, Addabound, and Terrabound. Addaset: If you’re aiming for a premium, decorative finish, Addaset is an ideal choice. It combines natural aggregate with a clear resin binder to create a durable, porous, and SuDS-compliant surface. Addaset is an excellent option for both pedestrian and vehicular areas. Addabound: A great blend of aesthetics and functionality, Addabound offers a decorative finish with the added advantage of being porous. This means it allows water to drain through, making it perfect for areas where sustainable drainage is a must. Plus, it meets the stringent requirements of SuDS (Sustainable Drainage Systems) regulations. Terrabound: For a rustic and natural look, Terrabound is the answer. It’s available in a wide range of natural aggregates, and its permeable properties align perfectly with modern sustainability goals. Sustainable Surfaces: A Priority As global concerns about environmental impact continue to rise, Addagrip Terraco remains committed to providing surfacing solutions that align with sustainable principles. Their porous resin systems contribute significantly to sustainable urban development. The porous nature of these surfaces allows rainwater to permeate through, reducing the risk of flooding and minimizing surface water runoff. This functionality ensures that water is effectively managed, reducing strain on drainage systems and preventing pollution of natural water sources. From Concept to Reality: Real-Life Projects Addagrip Terraco’s impact can be seen in a multitude of real-life projects. Whether it’s creating a charming residential driveway, enhancing public spaces, or contributing to large-scale commercial schemes, their commitment to excellence shines through. Conclusion: A Sustainable Future with Addagrip Terraco In a world where sustainable practices are non-negotiable, Addagrip Terraco leads the way with their innovative resin systems. Their commitment to sustainable drainage, porous surfaces, and adherence to environmental regulations makes them the go-to choice for architects, landscape designers, and homeowners alike. Incorporating their products into your projects isn’t just a choice for superior aesthetics; it’s a pledge towards a more sustainable future. As they say at Addagrip Terraco, “Whatever your surfacing requirement, we’ve got it covered.” It’s a promise they deliver on, every time. If you’re ready to embark on a journey towards sustainable, beautiful outdoor spaces, Addagrip Terraco is your trusted partner. Join hands with them and be a part of the movement towards a greener, more sustainable future.
