A year in the making – the Victory Leisure Homes manufacturing process
Here, Nick Glaves explores the story behind Victory Leisure Homes’ new models and the cyclical process which incorporates trade shows, customer feedback, design and build… With new or updated models launched every year by major manufacturers, the holiday home and lodge industry is anything but static. Indeed, almost as soon as next year’s models have been launched, work gets underway on the following year’s, meaning the merry-go-round of product design, development and launch never ends. It is a cycle Peter Nevitt knows only too well. Peter is the managing director of Victory Leisure Homes and has more than 40 years’ experience in the industry, much of that time successfully heading up Cosalt Holiday Homes. He has dedicated his career to creating the best holiday homes and lodges he possibly can, which has led to Victory Leisure Homes forging a reputation for excellence. “Development of the new models starts almost immediately after the launch of current year’s models,” Peter said. “There is no break. So, for example, September 2017 we had the launch of our 2018 models, and after that the process starts again, planning our 2019 models.” The process starts with collecting rigorous feedback on the latest models at shows such as Cottingham in September and Beaulieu shortly after that. This is where the trade examine the models for the first time and make their initial assessments. Further feedback comes via Victory Leisure Homes’ sales team who speak to the company’s network of clients on a regular basis and collect more in-depth information about how the trade views the ranges. Collating these views is the first step in creating the new models. ‘Trade shows give us around 70% of our feedback’ “The summer and autumn shows at Hull, Beaulieu and West Point give us around 70% of the feedback we need to get the ball rolling,” Peter said. “But we can’t just focus on the next year’s models. At the same time we need to have an eye on what we’re doing for the mid-season launch. Do we have a gap in one of our ranges? Our customers will soon tell us if they think we have, and we need to fill it. “Of course, we’re in full production of the current models during this period to fulfil the orders we have on the books, so we’re really working on all fronts.” After extensive discussions assessing the feedback, Peter puts together a design brief for the new models. With nearly 40 different models across Victory’s ranges of holiday homes and lodges, this is no small task, particularly as most if not all are subject to some level of development every year. The brief is then passed on to Gary Woodifield, director of development and technical services at Victory Leisure Homes, who has 38 years’ experience in the industry. Gary heads up a caravan design team and a lodge design team, and together they create an ‘information package’ for each new model, which contains every nugget of information the production team will need to make it. He also works alongside the director of operations, Gary Corlyon, to ensure that it is possible to build the designs his teams will create. “I work to three key dates,” Gary says. “Pre-show, when some of our customers come to visit us at the factory to get the first glimpse of the development models. This usually takes place in the second week of June. Then there is the start of new model production, around the second week of July, and then the September show at Cottingham. It is absolutely essential all the models are perfected by then. “Once Peter hands me the brief, I can estimate how long the models will take to make and map out those dates from there. “We then decide on which models we need to prototype first, which gives us a sequence to work to. Then it is up to me and the design team to create the information packages that will eventually go to the production team.” As Victory Leisure Homes doesn’t have a dedicated prototyping facility, all development models must be slotted into the ongoing production schedule. ‘Sandra has a great eye for what is fashionable’ This means the designs Gary’s teams create must be as close to the end product as it is possible to get. The designers use AutoCAD for the holiday home or lodge design, and sophisticated 3D graphic design software to create visual representations of the furniture that will go into each model. As 90% of the furniture is made in-house, the software enables the team to design and piece together the whole interior long before the plans hit the factory floor. Next comes the task of liaising with suppliers, choosing colour schemes and ordering upholstery and soft furnishings. It is an area Peter and his wife Sandra come into their own, as Sandra works as the company’s interior designer. Peter said: “Sandra has a great eye for what is fashionable. She will go to show homes, read magazines and look at what is popular in the shops for inspiration. However, we need to be careful because we’re about three seasons behind household interior design and we need to reflect that. Our market can be conservative, so some of the ultra-modern designs wouldn’t work for us.” Peter added that themes and colour schemes will often come about after they have visited suppliers and seen what they have got. The carpet, particularly, is important in choosing a colour scheme. “We will often pick the carpet first and design around that,” he said. “This is because carpets are so difficult to retro-fit into a colour scheme and design theme. If you start from the bottom up, so to speak, you usually end up where you need to be. “Other times we might just see a colour or a fabric we really like and go from there. Inspiration can take many forms, but if you feel something is right, it probably is.” All this information – furniture design, colour schemes, soft
Serenity Sets Out Growth Plans In Park Homes Market
Park homes operator, Serenity Parks has announced ambitious plans for expansion following the success of its first two ventures in the North West. A newcomer to the parks homes market, Serenity Parks was established just over twelve months ago after founder’s and Director’s Gary Burns & Andrew Wilson seized an opportunity to acquire the two prime sites in the Cheadle Hulme and Frodsham. Following major investment, both parks have achieved strong sales with a GDV of £4 million and just a handful of plots remaining. Burns, who also owns long established and successful £14 million turnover civil engineering business NMC Group with Wilson, said, “Through our many civil engineering contracts we have long been involved with infrastructure and development works for many residential park home estates throughout the country. Given the steady increase in this market and changing perceptions of park home living, we identified a strong opportunity to diversify our business interests and this has proved successful.” Chesters Croft in Cheadle Hulme near Stockport was acquired by Serenity Parks in November 2016 and has since seen major investment in surfacing, drainage, curbing, landscaping and further plot allocations. Serenity bought back a number of plots to upgrade the new homes for sale. The location is arguably one of the most desirable in the North West and as such only five plots out of 47 remain available for sale. Alvanley Park, also in Cheshire, has undergone major upgrade with new homes leaving just 4 remaining for sale out of 40. It sits in a prestige location in the Cheshire countryside and next to National Trust woodland but with easy access to amenities in Frodsham. Now Serenity Parks is seeking new site opportunities with the cash already in place for the right opportunities. Gary Burns continues, “There has been a seismic change in perceptions of park home living, especially among the over 50s who are placing more importance on leisure and the freedom that park home living can give them. The changes to housing policy last July also means that residential park homes are now accepted as a dedicated form of housing giving us more confidence in planning policy for more plots. “According to research by Sanderson Weatherall, over 60% of park home sales have been in the South East and South West with just 30% in the rest of the UK. I see this as a fantastic opportunity to pursue the roll out of more luxurious, high end park homes in the North but our interest remains national. “We are ready and able to invest in redevelopment opportunities where we can transform tired sites to offer prestige park home communities in desirable areas. We have set out ambitions to double the size of our portfolio year on year over the next three years and promote the Serenity Parks brand nationally. Serenity Parks is an independent park home operator and developer which focuses on making luxury living affordable. It is accredited by the British Holiday & Homes Park Association (BH&HPA) as a fully compliant park operator. www.serenityparks.co.uk
Willerby’s new Juniper lodge allows owners to wallpaper its durable walls
A new luxury lodge that enables customers to tailor their own unique model, decorate the super-durable walls and gain a more restful night’s sleep was revealed by Willerby at the Caravan, Camping and Motorhome Show, Birmingham NEC. The Juniper lodge is the second installment from Willerby’s luxury Botanical Collection. With configurability at its core, the lodge offers owners options to shape their space, including panoramic bi-folding doors, two colour schemes and four-bed layout. For those with mobility requirements, the Juniper offers the option to adapt the bathroom to provide users with wheelchair-friendly access, a feature which is complemented by the extra-wide doors and hallways throughout the lodge. Customers can also decide how to utilise the third room to suit their lifestyle. At the NEC show, the marker leader unveiled the Juniper’s unique new wall system. Impressive in its high durability, the Oslo Wall Syste can be painted, plastered and wallpapered again and again. It is also much stronger than plasterboard, with up to 40kg hanging from a single nail, meaning owners can hang pictures and mirrors wherever they like. The Oslo Wall System, exclusive to Willerby, is also highly insulating and proven to improve heat retention by 20%. Willerby’s marketing director Kirsten Bolton explains, “Both the Juniper lodge and our new wall system are a response to the growing desire of our customers to be able to shape their holiday homes to suit their own needs and tastes. Owners can now create the space, look and feel that works for their lifestyle.” Willerby also provided advice from “The Sleep Geek” James Wilson, who was on hand at the NEC to answer all questions sleep related, after the company teamed up with British mattress makers Hypnos to offer two bespoke upgrade options. A survey recently conducted by Willerby revealed the extent to which Brits enjoy a good night’s sleep on holiday, with 74% saying a comfortable bed is top on their list of priorities when it comes to holiday accommodation. So its Simply Better Sleep option offers either the Hypnos Cranborne luxury pocket sprung mattress in double or king-sizes, as well as the Super Sleep Singles range. In addition, to celebrate the launch of the new Juniper lodge, Willerby has made a pledge to support the plight of the Juniper berry that has faced near extinction in recent years, by planting bushes in a number of holiday parks across the UK. To find out more about the Willerby Juniper lodge, please visit willerby.com/holiday-lodges/juniper Willerby’s CEO Peter Munk on the new Juniper lodge Caravan Industry & Park Operator’s sales representative Lisa Ryder spoke with the delightful Peter Munk, CEO of Willerby, about the new Juniper lodge. Peter was very excited to introduce the Juniper, saying, “This beautiful lodge is very unique in the industry as it is not only finished to the highest quality, the walls are made from OSLO Wall. This is a different materiel used than that of other park homes. “The Oslo wall is so strong that owners can hang heavy items – including bike racks – on to the wall and be reassured that the walls will not be damaged. Owners can also decorate the interior walls to their preference, including painting and wallpapering.” Peter added that the lodge comes with an option of packages to create a home-from-home feel. He said, “This includes the ability to re-position the furniture to taste, additional third and fourth rooms which can conveniently be a bedroom, a study or utility room.” The interior has a luxurious and stylish finish with a choice of soft furnishing styles, and Willerby designers have even teamed up with Hypno Mattresses to give the owners a relaxing sleep while on holiday. Willerby have also ensured the Juniper is suitable for those needing accessible holidays, with wider door frames for wheelchairs. The Juniper can also be fitted with the additional Simply Pawsome pack, which will provide a holiday for the four legged family members as it offers a ‘pup gate’, stable door, and outdoor tap to stop mucky paws bringing in the dirt. Whilst at the show, Peter shared the news that Willerby had already made a sale to Hendra Holiday Park in Newquay, Cornwall. Meanwhile, the NEC show proved a huge success with its selection of park homes, lodges, touring caravans, motorhomes, campervans, Glamping and camping. They included all the big names in the industry plus a fantastic array of latest products and accessories. The Caravan, Camping and Motorhome Show had a holiday park layout to really create the excitement of planning the next family getaway – it was fun for all the family. Highlights included activities for the children such as a climbing wall, creche area and bush skills work shops, as well as dog agility shows, guest speakers – including the explorer legend Ranulph Fiennes – cooking demonstrations and the opportunity to practise the skill of towing.
Installed Music Systems Hitting The Right Note With Customers
Static caravan manufacturers can satisfy the growing demands of music loving consumers by equipping their premium models with integrated high performance audio solutions previously only used in luxury buildings. That is the message from Paul Hilditch, Brand Manager at Systemline, who has seen a huge uplift in sales as the caravan and static home industry looks to meet the needs of the increasingly tech-savvy customer. Systemline’s audio solutions are currently being utilised by a number of leading manufacturers in order to provide added value to prospective buyers. As a result, the company has seen a 25% year-on-year growth in sales to the industry, including major manufacturers in the UK and now also France. Key clients include ABI (who install the E100 in certain models) and Carnaby (who equip various homes with the E50). Both the E100 and E50 feature a control panel that fits within a double gang back box and comes complete with speaker cables and two high performance 6.5” ceiling mounted speakers from Q Acoustics. Both products include Bluetooth connectivity so caravan owners can benefit from unrivalled access to online music services, whilst the E100 also features a DAB+/FM radio. Paul Hilditch said: “People make a significant investment for the future when purchasing a caravan or static home. Therefore they deserve a high quality audio solution to maximise the enjoyment of listening to their favourite music when on holiday. “Due to the rise in popularity of smartphones, tablets and digital assistants, the population is becoming increasingly technology focused – and it is vital for manufacturers to embrace this growing trend to provide added value and convenience to potential customers. When investing in a luxurious caravan, consumers will be drawn to a clutter free and easy-to-use solution that offers seamless access to their music libraries or radio stations.” https://www.systemline.co.uk
Maxview Launches Remora 40 Suction Mount Satellite TV Kit
Is the reception in touring caravans driving your guests to distraction? If interference is their nemesis, then this clever piece of kit could be the answer to this caravan conundrum. Maxview have just launched the Remora 40 – the ideal portable solution for receiving satellite TV in motorhomes, caravans, HGVs, van conversions and many other mobile vehicles and applications. The Remora 40 is a portable suction mount satellite kit designed to receive satellite TV for people on the move or who want to receive satellite TV when away from home. The manual satellite system uses a unique dual suction mount to offer complete flexibility within a compact 40cm dish package. And for those concerned about the set-up, Maxview have ensured the Remora 40 is easy to install. Designed and manufactured in the UK, the Remora 40 combines a range of innovative features to simplify the assembly and alignment process for effortless set-up and take down. The Remora 40 is the ideal satellite for easy, temporary attachment to any flat, vertical surface. The Remora 40 kit is a three-part design which requires no tools for assembly. Maxview’s unique flexible F to F cable is also included in the kit and makes the connection of the dish to your satellite receiver easier and neater. The Remora 40 even comes with a protective storage bag for safe transportation and storage when not in use. The only thing guests will need is a satellite receiver and TV, or a TV with integrated satellite receiver. The Remora 40 Satellite TV Kit retails at £114.99 and is available direct from Maxview or from a Maxview stockist. For more information on the Remora 40 product or if you are interested in distributing products please visit maxview.co.uk. Review opportunity: please contact Caravan Industry & Park Operator magazine on editorial@euromediaal.com if you would like to review the Remora 40 satellite TV kit and give your feedback! NB: This would be a loan of a review model Remora 40 which would be returnable after the review.
Why Willerby’s Simply Pawsome Pack is a treat for dog owners too
By showcasing their pet-friendly holiday home add-on the Simply Pawsome pack at the Manchester Caravan & Motorhome show recently, Willerby proved that bringing a pet on holiday can be made less stressful for both dog owners and their furry friends. David Campbell, co-founder of The Animal Behavior Centre, tells our editor Victoria Galligan why parks are trying to be even more dog friendly than ever before… Why did Willerby decide to create the Simply Pawsome pack? Is there a big market for dog owners in the holiday home trade? With approximately 8.5million dogs in the country, many owners prefer to have a family holiday in the UK and their pets play a big role in their family life. Dog owners make purchases with their animals in mind, they may choose a specific type of car for their pets to ensure that they travel safely or even buy houses with their dogs in mind. Holidaying is no different, ask most dog owners and they will say, “If my dog isn’t welcome then I don’t want to go.” What does the Simply Pawsome Pack offer to make like easier for dog owners? The Pawsome Pack contains some practical features that makes holidaying with your dog easier: for example there are times when you may wish to restrict your dog’s movement to a specific area of your home such as meal times, when they are muddy or when visitors arrive. One feature of the pack is a child and dog-friendly gate system that allows for this. A second feature is a stable door that can be fitted instead of a solid door – this allows your dog or young puppy to remain safely within your living space without wandering outside while you relax or carry on with your chores, whilst at the same time enjoying fresh air by having the top door open. The third feature, whilst simplicity itself, is a real bonus to those of us that enjoy walking our dogs on the beach or when it is muddy and would prefer that our pets left the sand and mud outside before coming indoors – and that is the option of an outdoor tap to wash your dogs off before they come inside. I said it was simple but the best ideas are, I only wish someone would invent an outdoor tap for my car! How do dogs respond to the Pack? Whether you choose some or all of the features offered by Willerby, your dog will benefit from those additions. Dogs gain much of their knowledge by things remaining consistent and so regular use of an outdoor tap after exercise, or times of restriction such as meal times will allow your dog to relax and gain confidence in his new surroundings. Of course it is not always possible to have your dog in sight but the addition of a stable door will give both you and your dog a feeling of greater safety and well being. What other tips do you have for park owners when it come to accommodating dogs? As an animal behaviorist and trainer, my role not only includes working with animals but also educating owners and other professionals who work within the the pet industry. This may be with regards to issues they are experiencing or simply offering tips, such as reminding dog owners that whilst on holiday they should ensure their dog’s identity tag is relevant to their current location so their pet can easily be returned should they go missing. Park operators and owners understand the importance of preparing for the season to come and pre-empting how busy they are going to be at key areas of the season such as Bank Holidays and weekends. Unfortunately whilst their clients are having a well-earned break, so are many other professionals including local vets and so it is well worth contacting the vets in their area to see if they operate a 24 hour service should the need arise. Of course not everyone loves pets and whilst I have found that very few people actually dislike them, many can consider them to be a nuisance and so it is important that a balance is kept – for example if you provide a dog-free children’s play area, why not also provide a dog area that is open to adults and supervised children only? And, of course, provision of a dog waste bin or two will make life easier for all concerned. See willerby.com/pawsomedogs for more information about the Simply Pawsome Pack, and dog owners should check out theanimalbehaviourcentre.co.uk for information about dog training in the North West.
Is now the time to buy or sell a caravan park?
Thinking of buying or selling a caravan park? Richard Prestwich from Savills property services’ leisure and trade team gives his view on the holiday and home park market… Last year was a particularly strong year for the holiday and home park market, which encompasses touring parks, holiday static parks and residential parks, driven predominantly by domestic investment as the popularity of staycations continued to increase. According to research from Ortus Secured Finance, turnover at the 100 largest holiday parks was up 9% from £2.46billion in 2012 to £2.7billion last year. Savills sold over 30 parks in 2017 and we estimate that a total number of independently owned park transactions to be in the region of 90 to 120 as a result there has been positive signs of continued growth in terms of value. The average ‘per pitch’ value has steadily risen across the board since 2014, particularly for noticeable in the residential park value which has risen from £23,000 to £31,000. With values rising and the popularity of the market, what does 2018 hold for the sector? Now is the time to put your caravan park on the open market as demand outstrips supply It is difficult to predict the future of the market as the uncertainty of the outcome of the EU referendum and the ensuing economic reaction looms in the background. With lenders keen to lend, there are still plenty of tempting rates to attract borrowers, thus ensuring a continued demand for assets. However, there may be an imbalance between supply and demand in 2018, with a lack of parks on the open market. This lack of supply was initially felt in 2017 as the balance tipped towards a seller’s market and a resulting increase in off market transactions and a number of buyers competing for the same property. We predict that sites with redevelopment potential will become increasingly popular in 2018 as luxury parks across the UK have experienced increased demand from tourists. Consequently, caravan park owners are improving the quality of their units, thus fuelling the demand for sites with redevelopment potential. UK holiday caravan manufacturers are also reporting significant increases in the number of units being made to satisfy demand. With the strong market experienced in 2017 and no foreseeable slowing down of demand from both investors and visitors to sites we are confident that 2018 will be another good year for the sector. Richard is an associate director in the leisure and trade related property team at Savills Chester. For more information on buying or selling a caravan park, see savills.co.uk
Controlling Legionella in Caravan and Holiday Parks
Legionnaires’ disease is a potentially fatal form of pneumonia. It is caused by the legionella bacteria which can develop in any system where water is stored at temperatures favourable to its growth; water tanks, calorifiers, hot and cold-water systems, pools and spas. On caravan and holiday parks, the statutory duty holder for the premises is responsible for making sure the site is risk assessed, and ensuring that regular checks are carried out to prevent the conditions occurring that might allow the bacteria to grow. Failing to comply can result in serious health implications and even death in some cases. Businesses also risk severe fines or, in the worst cases, prosecution for involuntary manslaughter. Fortunately, the risk from legionella bacteria can be reduced and managed simply and effectively by taking the correct preventative actions including: Carrying out a legionella risk assessment to identify any risks and set out ways in which the risks can be reduced. Completing any remedial works identified during the risk assessment, such as water tank cleaning or plumbing alterations, to ensure all water systems meet the current standards. Carrying out regular ongoing monitoring to ensure the risk from legionella bacteria is managed and that control measures are working effectively. Managing risk, minimising disruption Caravan and holiday parks share several unique factors that require special consideration. These include; fluctuation in demand for water, seasonality, large volumes of stored water, tank-fed drinking water and the management of spa and swimming pool complexes. Typical maintenance work that should be scheduled includes: Legionella risk assessment Cold water storage tank cleaning and disinfection Showerhead descaling and disinfection Pipework alterations Descaling of water cylinders and calorifiers (quarterly) BS8558 flushing and disinfection on new buildings Drinking water sampling Disruption to guests (and to the business) can be minimised by adopting a proactive approach and spreading maintenance work throughout the year, with the most invasive and disruptive tasks being carried out in the off season. In fact, several tasks are best carried out before the season gets under way, such as the cleaning and disinfection of cold water storage tanks, the flushing out of little used outlets and the descaling and disinfection of showerheads. Work to be carried out, out of season Cold water storage tank cleaning and disinfection Caravan and holiday parks often have a large cold-water storage tank, possibly located outdoors or underground, that feeds all services. These tanks must be inspected annually to check their condition and whether cleaning is required. To comply with water regulations tanks must have the following: A close-fitting lid made of a suitable material in good condition. Insulation to control temperature. Vermin and insect screens. Opposing inlet and outlets. Overflows, vents and warning pipes in good condition. Stagnation is a common problem with over-sized tanks or where water usage fluctuates throughout the year. Stagnant water creates a habitat in which legionella bacteria can grow and multiply to sufficient numbers for an outbreak to occur. Therefore, it is imperative to avoid stagnation by the regular flushing of little used outlets, and the cleaning and disinfection of the storage tank. Reduction of water storage Electronic tank level switches can be installed to control the capacity of stored water in off-peak or low season to match reduction in demand. Reducing the amount of stored water will reduce the possibility of stagnation and help maintain healthy functionality. Showerhead descaling and disinfection Legionnaires’ disease is normally contracted by inhaling tiny, airborne droplets (aerosol) of legionella bacteria. Showers are a notorious source of aerosol, therefore the hose, inserts and showerheads must be dismantled, cleaned, descaled and disinfected on a quarterly basis. Descaling water cylinders and calorifiers The build-up of limescale within a hot water cylinder or calorifier is a common cause of systems not working efficiently. It can result in both a reduction of water flow and poor temperature control. Chemical cleaning can remove limescale which both reduces the risk of legionella and improves energy efficiency, so reducing heating costs. Refurbishment and new buildings If any new building work, extensions or alterations are carried out on a caravan or holiday park site, new water systems must be flushed and disinfected to comply with British Standard 8558 and current water regulations. This ensures they are hygienic and ready to be put into service. A certificate must be provided to prove the work has been carried out. On-going maintenance to be done during holiday season The simplest and most common method of controlling legionella in hot and cold-water systems is by controlling the temperature. Hot water needs to be stored at 60°C in cylinders or calorifiers and must achieve 50°C at all outlets within 1 minute of running the tap. Cold water must be stored at below 20°C and not exceed 20°C within 2 minutes of running the tap. Monthly monitoring of temperatures must be carried out and recorded, and if these control temperatures are not being achieved further control measures will need to be implemented. Infrequently used outlets must also be flushed through on a weekly basis to reduce the risk of stagnation and ensure temperature control is maintained. Showerheads must also be checked on a quarterly basis. Drinking water sampling Drinking water supplied from cold-water storage tanks must be routinely tested to ensure the water is safe to drink. Professional guidance ensures peace of mind With so much else to think about, it’s not surprising that many caravan and holiday park managers choose to appoint a specialist to help ensure they are fully compliant with current HSE guidance. Dantek Environmental Services specialise in water hygiene and can help solve any problem that water might cause in the built environment. Their highly trained and experienced team provide expert technical advice and support to ensure compliance is achieved and provide peace of mind. Managing Director of Dantek, Dan Collins said, “We advise on all matters concerning water and the built environment and can work with caravan and holiday park owners to help prevent Legionnaires’ disease. Our advice helps ensure best
Setting up a bike hire service & how it can bring business benefits
Looking ahead to the 2020 holiday season, it’s a good time to consider new attractions and facilities for your caravan park, in terms of generating extra revenue, raising your profile and attracting additional custom from locals, holidaymakers and visitors to your area. Of course, new ventures are always a major consideration, in terms of outlay, time in-put, logistics and staffing, but one on-site service that’s proving increasingly popular at caravan parks of varying sizes, is a bike hire facility. For many of us, the idea of enjoying a spot of cycling on a caravan holiday is very appealing, but the practicalities of transporting the bikes and accessories can sometimes prove too difficult if you’re not an avid cyclist and you are also pressed for space in the car! Bike hire is often a popular choice for family groups, occasional cyclists or the adventurous amongst us who fancy trying mountain biking trails for a day or two. We called on Michael Kercel of cycling experts Raleigh www.raleigh.co.uk to offer some tips on setting up a cycle hire service on the caravan park –it may be just a little easier and a lot more lucrative for your business than you’d previously imagined. “Raleigh are often approached by businesses wanting to provide a cycle hire fleet and also to give some practical advice to operators who decide to go for it and introduce a bike hire facility for their own clientele and visitors to the area too. If you’d like to offer bike hire but don’t want to have to staff it and set it up from scratch, then some operators make a success of their venture by teaming up with a local independent cycle dealer who will run the scheme whilst the caravan operator takes rent and possibly a percentage of the hire business. This is often viewed as an ideal scenario if you are lucky enough to have a local dealer who is interested in an arrangement of this kind. However, many operators choose to go it alone and start with a modest fleet of cycles, building up the stock in year 2 and beyond as the facility begins to take off. As with any new venture it pays to do your homework and check out the competition. The footfall at your site and its location, plus your degree of enthusiasm for the project will all make a contribution to its success – as will your ability to promote the new facility on your website & other marketing material. It also needs to be publicised at grass roots level by displaying leaflets and cards in local pubs and shops, via selected holiday cottage companies and TICs for example. Location, Location (Cycling) Location If you are located close to established cycle trails , reservoirs and other good cycling terrain then that is a definite bonus. The nature of the local landscape will also play a part in establishing the types of bikes that you have on offer. For example: if you are set in typical mountain bike territory, then it almost goes without saying that you need to include mountain bikes or even electric mountain bikes in your hire fleet, whereas those caravan parks in flatter terrain with winding country lanes and safer spots for children to cycle are more likely to take the family hire route – especially if this is your core clientele. No two caravan parks are the same so Raleigh can help you to identify suitable Raleigh or Raleigh Group company bikes. It makes sound sense to choose a fleet of reliable cycles from the same manufacturer and to have several of the same type of bike both from an aesthetics point of view and because of compatibility of spare parts and helping to keep the cost of stocking spare parts to a minimum. If you’re near to a trail centre then it would be worth investing in a good hardtail Mountain Bike such as the Diamondback Heist 1, which you could typically expect to hire out at a day rate of around £20-25 – depending on your location, footfall & the local competition. Consider the hire periods on offer – do you just want to hire out for full and half days, with a reduced rate for weekly hire, or would your setting also lend itself to hourly hire scenarios? You may also need to consider supplying locks if the hire bikes will be used to travel to local shops and cafes. The new trend for power – assisted electric bikes ( or E-bikes as they’re sometimes known) is also proving a popular cycle hire attraction – especially for parents & grandparents who like to keep up with younger members of the family on cycling trips. There are also specialist e-mountain bikes that are proving a new experience for the adventure seekers too! Popular electric hire bikes from the Raleigh range include the new Strada Trail Sport electric (below) a hardwearing electric bike that’s suited to both roads and tracks,. http://www.raleigh.co.uk/ProductType/ProductRange/Product/ProductDetail.aspx?img=RSTSMDGN.jpg&pc=1&pt=198&pg=18011 For the e-mountain bike thrill-seekers our sister company Haibike’s high spec electric mountain bikes are proving a big draw. The Haibike SDuro Hard 7 4.0 pictured below is proving a popular choice amongst these new generation E-bikers. High performance electric bikes can often be hired out at prices in the region of £40 +per day so they’re suited to operators who enjoy a high footfall of mountain biking enthusiasts. For the family market, Raleigh offers Burley cycle trailers for the little ones who aren’t yet ready to cycle independently for any distance and the high spec Raleigh Performance range is a good choice for children who are proficient peddlars aged from 5 to around 12 or 13 (depending on height). Remember, additional revenue can be generated on accessory hire – such as helmets, locks etc. Other considerations include the fact that ideally you need a visible ‘shop front’ for your cycle hire facility – there’s no point having it if people
