Motorhome and campervan insurance

Insurance specialists, Caravan Guard, were delighted to be named What Motorhome magazine’s best motorhome insurance provider AND best campervan insurance provider for 2024. The awards follow on from picking up the Warners Group magazine’s motorhome insurance provider of the year in 2023 and also winning Best motorhome insurance provider at the Insurance Choice Awards last November. The Halifax based intermediary which works with many of the UK’s motorhome dealerships has now picked up What Motorhome’s award four times in the last five years. But 2024 is the first year the magazine has named a separate campervan insurance provider of the year. The judges praised Caravan Guard’s high cover levels and low premiums when comparing its policy and prices against 11 other well-known specialist insurance providers. Caravan Guard Partnerships Director Neil Menzies said: “Naturally we’re delighted to win another award for our motorhome insurance product and it’s a real honour to pick up best campervan insurance provider too.  “We do work hard to keep our cover benefits amongst the best in our market and our premiums competitive. We want motorhome and campervan dealers to refer their customers to us with confidence and we hope these latest awards will add to that.” If your dealership isn’t already working with Caravan Guard why not get in touch with its dealer relations team? Email development@caravanguard.co.uk for more information about its award-winning policies, great value premiums, excellent service and extensive cover for your customers, plus healthy levels of commission for your business.  https://www.caravanguard.co.uk

Plug-N-Go – EV charging points

Plug-N-Go provide turnkey funded solutions for businesses who are looking at installing or increasing EV charging points in car parks, on a risk and cost-free basis and takes care of the following: Plug-n-Go provide fully or part funded AC & DC charging solutions for public facing carparks ensuring that the site owner generates an income from the charging points, whilst providing facilities for their working fleet, staff and the local community. We work with the client to navigate the appropriate grant funding schemes to ensure that available funding is secured and can provide ‘top up’ funding for any shortfalls to deliver the optimum solution.  “Our expertise is in the business and public sector, working with Local Authorities, hotels, commercial retail spaces, health care sectors and many more. We offer a A-Z solution from site survey, designing and installing, monitoring and proactive maintenance and what’s more, we futureproof all our sites, with many power supplies pre-wired below ground. Where possible, we tap into our expertise in renewable energy and power using solar or wind energy and with thousands of registered users now using the Plug-N-Go app – we are helping the country go electric. Our charging stations appear on Google Maps or advertised through partner networks such as Zapmap and Allstar, “ explained Keith – CEO. Plug-n-Go designs solutions to provide immediate and future planned needs, with a collaborative approach to ensure that reliability and control is at the heart of the final solution.  The design process incorporates the client energy strategy for the building and ensures that innovation and options are considered including energy conservation, Battery Energy Storage Systems and load management, where this is not possible, we also manage the delivery of new DNO energy connections to facilitate the installation of the charging network. Understanding the full consumer experience to EV charging is key to delivering a network that works for everyone, is reliable and supported. We do this by ensuring that the design is robust, the installation is comprehensive, and the operation of the network is proactively monitored, maintained, and supported 24/7/365 by our specialist EV team at the AA.  Our experience comes from working with Government departments, local authorities, Healthcare organisations and the asset management companies to ensure your asset works for you. To find out more about bespoke solutions, across a wide range of charging equipment models, speeds and volumes, see the website below: Tel 0203 657 9672 Web https://plug-n-go.com/ Email info@plug-n-go.com 

Invest in Year-Round Outdoor Comfort

Enhance Your Holiday Park Experience: Invest in Year-Round Outdoor Comfort As the trend for outdoor living continues to grow, holiday parks across the nation are recognising the importance of weatherproofing their outdoor spaces. By doing so, they not only extend the usability of these areas throughout the year but also significantly boost customer satisfaction and, consequently, their revenue. If your holiday park features an on-site restaurant with an outdoor dining area, now is the perfect time to consider enhancing it with a high-quality canopy. By installing a canopy that covers the entire dining space, you create an inviting environment where guests can comfortably dine outdoors, regardless of the weather. Whether it’s shielding them from an unexpected rain shower or providing much-needed shade during the peak of summer, a canopy ensures that your guests can enjoy their meals in comfort and style. The Benefits of Weather-Proofing Outdoor Dining Areas Weatherproofing your outdoor dining areas offers several key benefits. First and foremost, it protects your guests from the elements—be it a sudden downpour or the intense heat of the midday sun. This added protection makes dining outside enjoyable, leading to an increase in repeat customers who appreciate the comfort and convenience your park offers. Moreover, by creating a sheltered outdoor dining experience, you enhance the overall appeal of your holiday park. This investment in a canopy could be the factor that sets your park apart from competitors, making it a preferred destination for holidaymakers. Capitalise on the Outdoor Living Trend The outdoor living trend shows no signs of slowing down, with more and more people seeking opportunities to spend time outside, particularly when it involves dining with family and friends. By installing a canopy over your outdoor dining area, you tap into this growing lifestyle trend. A well-designed canopy not only enhances the functionality of your space but also attracts guests who are keen to enjoy the fresh air and scenic surroundings during their meals. This investment can translate into more holiday bookings, as potential guests are drawn to the idea of enjoying outdoor dining regardless of the weather. Your holiday park becomes a destination where guests know they can have the full outdoor experience, without the worry of being rained out or overheated. Enhance Guest Satisfaction with All-Weather Outdoor Spaces To ensure your guests get the most out of their holiday experience, it’s essential to provide outdoor spaces that are equipped to handle all weather conditions. Don’t let unpredictable weather patterns disappoint your holiday-goers. By providing shaded areas for sunny days and sheltered spaces for rainy days, you allow your guests to enjoy the great outdoors fully, no matter what the weather brings. A canopy over your outdoor dining or communal areas gives your guests the opportunity to make the most of their time at your park. Whether they are looking for a quiet place to enjoy a meal or a comfortable spot to relax, your weather-proofed outdoor spaces will leave a lasting impression. Expand Entertainment Opportunities with Weatherproofing Outdoor comfort and entertainment is a major draw for holiday parks, but the unpredictability of weather can often lead to cancelled events, disappointed guests, and lost revenue. How many times have you planned an outdoor event only to cancel it due to unexpected rain? With a canopy, those worries become a thing of the past. By installing a canopy, you not only provide a sheltered space for dining, but also create a versatile area that can be used for outdoor entertainment. Imagine planning an outdoor event, without the constant fear of weather disruptions. This dual-purpose use of your canopy maximises the value of your investment, allowing you to offer a diverse range of activities without the risk of cancellations. In conclusion, investing in a canopy for your holiday park is more than just a practical decision—it’s a outdoor comfort, a strategic move that enhances guest satisfaction, boosts revenue, and solidifies your park’s reputation as a premier destination. Contact Able Canopies, the canopy experts to find out how we can help you achieve the perfect covered outdoor dining and entertaining areas. Call 0800 389 9072, email sales@ablecanopies.co.uk or visit www.ablecanopies.co.uk.

Complete online booking solution for holiday parks

From holiday parks to campsites and glamping units to self-catering cottages, Pitched Booking offers a complete online booking solution for all holiday businesses. If you are a holiday business owner or operator, you know handling bookings efficiently can sometimes be challenging. If this season has proved a little stressful and you’re in need of smoother, automated processes, Pitched Booking could be the solution you’re after. What is Pitched Booking? Pitched Booking (a sub-brand of Pitched) is a software package that has been developed by people who have worked in the industry and have a good understanding of your requirements. It is tailored specifically for campsites and holiday parks to meet your needs of running your business efficiently. Making your job easier We understand that you need a system that not only performs a multitude of tasks but one that also reduces the time you spend managing bookings, payments and analysing reports. That’s why our intuitive, cloud-based software is one of the most streamlined and straightforward platforms available on the market – yet is packed with time-saving functions and features that make managing your business a doddle.  The built-in automations mean you can set up confirmation emails that fire-off to the customer when an online booking is made, emails that automatically request balance payments, pre-arrival emails a few days before their stay and a post-departure email to thank them for visiting and ask for their feedback. So rather than you doing all this manually, your time can be better spent elsewhere.  The easy-to-use reporting shows you recent bookings, who’s on park currently, today’s arrivals and departures and so much more – it’s all there for you at the click of a button. Effortless Integrations We provide seamless integration with the major booking agents. API integration with Pitchup and Campsites.co.uk, plus iCal integration with a host of other providers including AirBnb and Booking.com. Support We understand new software and technology can be daunting which is why we have ensured our system is simple and intuitive – and we think you’ll love using it. But we know everyone needs help from time to time, so our dedicated support team are on hand when you need us (and our customers are very happy with our speedy response times). Sound good? The best way to see if it’s the right solution for your business is to see it in action. That’s why we offer a free personalised demonstration followed by a 14 day trial where you can see how the system works based on your own pitch/unit configurations. Head to our website for your complete online booking solution, See more here or call 01726 438690for a friendly, no obligation chat about how we can help your business.

Saniflo Sanicompact

Saniflo Sanicompact helps installer overcome impossible toilet installation. Some installers shy away from a challenge, but others just embrace finding solutions to seemingly impossible situations.   

Safety Upgrade Announcement 

This safety upgrade announcement is to provide the parks and end users with information surrounding the nature of the ‘urgent’ safety concern and the corrective actions that will need to be carried out to rectify the issue.  The models affected were supplied into the industry between 2018 and 2023, see below list of models:  MP6 (Primo 6) – Morco Primo 6 Litre MP11 (Primo 11) – Morco Primo 11 Litre EUP6 – 6 Litre Water Heater Open Flue EUP11 – 11 Litre Water Heater Open Flue  Please refer to the Gas Safety upgrade announcement below.  https://www.gassaferegister.co.uk/media/ww4mlj24/sa-033-morco-open-flued-water-heaters-v2.pdf At Morco, we have been committed to addressing this issue and have conducted exhaustive testing on each of the appliances to understand the nature of the problem. As a result, we have discovered the need to replace the plastic control knobs and front bezel (Safety upgrade service pack) due to possible gas leaks igniting and causing these components to ignite and melt, if the appliance has not been installed, commissioned, or serviced correctly. We would kindly ask anyone owning a holiday caravan where one of the affected appliances has been installed to contact Morco by completing the form available on our website link below.  https://www.morcoproducts.co.uk/gas-water-heater-safety-upgrade-form We will then arrange for a Gas Safe Registered Engineer to fit the Safety upgrade service pack, and simultaneously conduct a health check on the appliance surrounding the areas of concern included in the Gas Safety alert.  Please note: These service packs can only be installed by using a Gas Safe registered engineer to ensure safety and compliance.  If you have any further questions or safety concerns, please contact Morco Products Ltd on telephone number 01482 325456 or via email at gaswaterheaters@morcoproducts.co.uk

Viltra, we care about the protection of our waterways

At Viltra, we care about the protection of our waterways. We work with clients who care about their impact on the rivers, lakes, and beaches close to their properties. We believe that businesses in the tourism and hospitality sector who rely on promoting their surrounding area should be amongst the strongest advocates for properly managing their own wastewater and effluent treatment. Right across the UK and Ireland, we are hearing more and more stories about sewage (sewerage) spills and pollution instances in our waterways. This has a significant impact on the tourism industry, especially for businesses that rely on these waterways to enhance their offering. At Viltra, we have worked with camping, caravaning, glamping sites, hotels, guest houses, and tourist attractions, right across the UK and Ireland. From Loch Lomond in Scotland to Cork in Ireland, we have designed bespoke wastewater and effluent treatment solutions to meet even the most challenging demands. Our Projects Some of our recent tourism projects include Finn Lough Resort, Rossharbour Resort, and Corick House Hotel & Spa on the shores of Lough Erne in Northern Ireland, Darver Castle, a 15th-century historic estate in Ireland and Enterkine Hotel Ayr and Arranview holiday park, one of the gateways to the Scottish Highlands, which hosts luxury lakeside lodges and glamping pods. In England, Viltra has worked on various projects for FURTHER.SPACE, a luxury glamping holiday company in the most rural and unique settings in locations such as Devon and Cornwall in the southwest of England. Viltra also works directly with the National Trust on its sites across Northern Ireland. How is this relevant to me? Do you have washroom facilities, a swimming pool, a laundrette, a bar/restaurant, a spa, or hot tubs? If so, you need to consider whether your wastewater and effluent treatment plant is fit for purpose. Perhaps you are only in the planning stages of your facility, and you are not sure of the requirements. You may be a well-established facility that is constantly having to work on a system that is not suitable for your growing business. Viltra’s highly experienced team has been working with tourism and hospitality providers for more than 20 years offering consultation, advice, installation, and maintenance of wastewater treatment systems. Your Considerations Environment Effective wastewater treatment is essential to prevent contamination of soil and water bodies. If you rely on a watercourse as part of your business offering, your business could be seriously impacted, in the event of a pollution incident. Health & Safety Proper, effective wastewater treatment ensures the health and safety of customers and staff by minimising the risk of exposure to water pollution and waterborne diseases. Reputation By investing in a system that protects the environment, you also protect your reputation from the risk of a pollution incident. It can also support efforts towards greener credentials, something which is becoming increasingly important for customers. Compliance Tourism site operators must adhere to stringent environmental regulations in their respective jurisdictions in the UK and Ireland. If your site doesn’t comply, you again risk not only reputational and financial damage but also potential legal issues. Financial There is a cost involved in putting in place a bespoke system to suit your site requirements; however, Viltra always seeks to work within a client’s budget to deliver value for money. We believe that the long-term environmental benefits, peace of mind, and reduction of reputational risk are worth the investment. Site-Specific Considerations Selecting the appropriate wastewater treatment system for your facility depends on several factors, including: •             Site Size and Capacity: Larger sites with higher visitor numbers require systems with greater treatment capacities. •             Soil and Groundwater Conditions: Soil type, permeability, and groundwater levels influence the choice of treatment system. •             Regulatory Requirements: Compliance with local environmental regulations is essential. Viltra offers a service that supports our clients through the entire decision-making process. This starts with applying for ‘Consent to Discharge’ on your behalf, if required; through to advising on the most effective and efficient system for your site. This is followed by installation and servicing/maintenance to ensure the long-term sustainability of your system. Types of Systems There are several different solutions for consideration, depending on the site-specific considerations outlined above. Septic tank solutions tend to not suitable for sites with higher wastewater volumes. This consists of an underground tank where solids settle, and liquids are partially treated before being discharged into a drainage field. They are rarely a viable solution for tourism facilities on their own, due to sheer volume, but can be used as part of an overall approach. Treatment plants use biological processes to treat wastewater, producing cleaner effluent that can be safely discharged or reused. Viltra specialises in the design and installation of treatment plants where the water that leaves the system is as, or nearly as clean as the water that has come in through the taps and showers, etc. Drip dispersal systems which evenly distribute treated wastewater into the soil through a network of small tubes is another system often used by tourism and hospitality outlets. This method ensures efficient absorption and further purification by soil microorganisms. For caravan, camping, and glamping sites aiming to promote eco-tourism, sustainable wastewater treatment solutions like drip distribution systems are ideal. This option can help to minimise environmental impact and enhance the site’s green credentials. What Next? If you would like to find out more about any of these options, costs, complexity, and site suitability for your facilities, please get in touch. Our team would be happy to chat through any issues you are currently having and discuss potential solutions. Quote ‘Caravan Industry and Park Operator Magazine in your correspondence for a free consultation. Simply email enquiries@viltra.co.uk or call +44 28 30 83 5533.https://www.viltra.co.uk/

The ideal, easy solution by Ecodeck grids

Ecodeck Grids Ltd are specialists in environmentally friendly permeable pavers and ground reinforcement grids, which makes them ideal for Caravan Sites and even extended parking areas at home.  We have been designing and manufacturing our products for over 16 years, our expertise in this field is second to none, which is why we offer a 25-year guarantee. All our products are made from 100% recycled materials, and we guarantee sustainability is at the heart of our business, as we are all learning to care more for the environment around us. We currently recycle in excess of 10,000 tonnes per year of waste plastic and turn it into sustainable and environmentally eco-friendly garden and landscape construction products. Our products are all made by our in-house team based in The Midlands and delivered nationally & internationally to your site. We pride ourselves in our product capabilities, and tests are carried out in professional environments, where they are certified for suitable use. Our permeable pavers provide stability achieving S.U.D.S compliant permeable surfaces, as well as complying with the Flood and Water Management Act of 2010 which encourages the use of permeable pavers to mitigate against flooding. https://www.ecodeck.biz/

Kinedo expands the team in the north

scott taylor image

Kinedo is delighted to announce the appointment of Scott Taylor as Area Sales Manager for Kinedo in Scotland and North East. He will also be representing Saniflo in Scotland. Scott, who formerly worked in sales and key accounts for a range of bathroom brands, including Jacuzzi, Heritage, Laufen and Ideal Standard, joined the team in April. Thanks to his extensive contacts in the industry, he is already working hard increasing awareness and displays of the innovative range of Kinedo products, including the range of cuttable trays, the new Kinewall wall panel range, the all-on-one shower cubicles and the range of walk-ins and enclosures. He is also providing front line service to merchants and specifiers for Saniflo products across the whole of Scotland.  Outside work Scott’s time is taken up with an energetic 10-month-old Border Collie and he is also gearing up to partake in a London to Paris bike ride for charity.  sales@saniflo.co.uk