HARPA 2026 conference ushers in new name, new energy and a new era
This year’s conference of the Holiday and Residential Parks Association (HARPA) in Westminster saw a new record set for the number of delegates attending the event, and also the number of MPs visiting the QEII Centre to show their support for park-owning businesses in their constituencies. All of those present at the two-day January conference witnessed the official launch of HARPA’s new identity as an important new milestone was established in the association’s proud 75-year history. The upbeat and energised mood of the summit was summed up by HARPA national chairman Ian James who said that a shared sense of purpose and resolve would make this a landmark event. And there was another very literal landmark to celebrate because sited right outside the front of the QEII Centre was a 42-foot long park home from Omar which made a stunning centrepiece to photographs of politicians and HARPA members. Modernity and a future-focussed vision summed up the association’s reinvigorated role, director-general Debbie Walker told delegates, adding that these were also the directions of travel which would be taken by speakers at the event. That was certainly the focus of Lewis Iwu who is CEO of the Purpose Union which helps organisations, campaign on social and environmental issues. A former Oxford graduate, Lewis has worked closely with HARPA on its Parks Make Places initiative. He unveiled the results of the year-long exploration into how parks are benefitting local communities, describing it as sending an important message to politicians and decision-makers. The message from international speaker Steve Judge was equally as positive as he told the inspirational story of how a horrific car accident had put him in a wheelchair and told that he would never walk again. Refusing to accept that grim diagnosis, Steve fought against the odds not just to walk but also to run, cycle and swim again, twice becoming a World Paratriathlon Champion. There was inspiration also to be drawn from the address to delegates by Will Lankston, the MD of Timpson Direct which owns a portfolio of 2,100 stores in Britain offering services from shoe and phone repairs to dry cleaning and key cutting. Will expanded on Timpson’s policy of “Upside Down Management” which gives employees – some 12.5% of whom have served time in prison – total authority to do whatever they can to please customers. They are supported by the firm’s philosophy of ensuring that the happiness of staff is its main goal. The group owns 19 holiday caravans on parks across the UK which each year, provide around 700 families with completely free stays. For ethical hacker Jamie Woodruff, happiness has always been a computer keyboard and a successful breach of a client firm’s cyber defences, and over the years, he has played a key role in uncovering vulnerabilities within major organisations. Jamie described how parks could best protect their digital footprint and not fall victim to the growing scourge of ransomware infection – and he drew gasps from delegates when he hacked the mobile phones of volunteer guests live on the conference stage. Political insights were provided to conference by Times columnist Fraser Nelson. Despite his press background, Fraser believes that social media rather than newspapers are now shaping political opinion, and that therein lies danger. Algorithms, he explained, can present an apocalyptic vision of the world and can help fashion extremist views. He, however, doesn’t think that Britain is broken, and urged park owners concerned about issues such as visitor levies to stay cool and lobby their local MPs. Next to take the platform was Kellie Bright, the multi-award winning actor best known for playing Linda Carter in Eastenders. For the past eight years, Kelly and her husband Paul have owned a holiday caravan at Mother Ivey’s Bay Holiday Park in Padstow, and she talked of the joy it has brought them. The couple’s frequent holidays at the park are shared with their three young sons, and her holiday caravan ownership experience has been “nothing but positive” Kelly told delegates. “Positivity” was also at the core of an entertaining talk given by Dragon’s Den entrepreneur Sara Davies. Remaining positive was the key to building business resilience said Sara who first entered the Den in 2019 as its youngest ever female investor. She described how she started her own company, Crafter’s Companion, whilst studying at York University in 2005, and which was turning over £500,000 by the time she graduated. Her message to park owners was all about setting goals, self-belief, and not being afraid to ask for help along the way. Compering the conference and providing lively and entertaining introductions to each session was former BBC journalist Penny Haslam. Penny’s 20-year media career has made her a popular figure across a wide range of TV and radio programmes including The One Show and BBC Breakfast. Penny also had her own speaking slot at the conference with a talk entitled “Make Yourself a Little Bit Famous” in which she encouraged park owners not to hold back when demonstrating the skills, expertise and knowledge they had accumulated. Running alongside the conference at the QEII centre was an exhibition featuring many major suppliers of goods and services to park businesses. Their attendance and generous sponsorship, said Debbie Walker, had played a major part in making the event such a sparkling success. The conference agenda also featured the official handover of the chains of office as HARPA chair from Ian James to Claire Flower, only the second female incumbent to assume the role in the association’s history.
Willerby welcomes founder’s family for 80th anniversary VIP tour
The family of the man who founded leading holiday home manufacturer Willerby have enjoyed a VIP tour of the company’s headquarters and manufacturing facilities. Jean Morris, the only child of Willerby’s founder, Walter Allan, travelled from her home in Devon to the company’s site in Hull for the occasion. The visit reunited 92-year-old Jean with her father’s legacy as Willerby begins a special year marking the 80th anniversary of the business. Jean was joined by her sons, Simon and Andy, and daughter-in-law Patricia for the memorable visit, during which they met Willerby colleagues, toured the impressive facilitiesand stepped inside Willerby’s newest model. Jean said: “I never imagined I’d have the opportunity to come back to Hull and see the current Willerby site. I’m completely amazed by it. “The thing which surprises me the most is the size and scale of the operation. My father started this business as a one-man band from a small shed and it’s grown to such an impressive scale. “I don’t think he could have ever imagined what it would look like all these years later, but I know he’d be delighted!” This year marks the 80th anniversary of Jean’s father founding the business. After moving to the Hull area from London in the early 1940s with his wife, Margery, and a young Jean, Walter Allan opened a saw mill and timber business in nearby Beverley. It was in 1946 that Walter transferred his business know-how and creative thinking into building caravans, driven by the emergence of caravan holidays in the post-war period. Walter was then a resident of Willerby, on the outskirts of Hull, hence the name of the new business. Following her father’s death in 1970, and since moving away from Yorkshire, Jean had lost touch with Willerby and was unaware of how much the business had grown. After reading a media article about the company’s achievements last year, Jean called Willerby’s head office to say her father would be proud to see how far the business he founded had come. The Willerby team jumped at the chance to reunite with Jean and invited her to take a tour of a modern Willerby holiday home at a luxury holiday park in Cornwall, close to where she lives. Following that reunion, Willerby invited Jean and her family to visit Hull, to tour Willerby’s facilities and see how the business her father founded has developed. The visit began with a meeting with Chief Operating Officer, Nicola Budge, and Chief Commercial Officer, Darren Black, who welcomed the family to the site and told them about the company’s operations today. Willerby Production Director, Aaron Cambridge, and Production Manager, Mark Cook, then led the manufacturing area tour, which took the family along one of Willerby’s fast-paced production lines, enabling them to see the entire process of how a holiday home comes together. During the tour, Jean and her family also had the opportunity to meet many of Willerby’s dedicated team members, including some of the company’s longest-serving colleagues whohave been with the business for over 40 years. Jean said: “My father really cared about his workforce and he was well-liked and respected by all his employees, so he’d be thrilled to hear so much positive feedback from colleagues who work for the business now. “Ensuring his employees were treated well was close to my father’s heart, so he’d be delighted to know that that ethos is still firmly at the heart of the business today. “He was also very innovative, creative and came up with numerous new products and ideas during the early days of Willerby, so it’s fantastic to see how the company is continuing to innovate and develop new industry-leading products.” The family also visited Willerby’s Showground and looked around the latest edition of Willerby’s flagship model, the Vogue. Production Director Aaron Cambridge said: “It was a privilege to meet Jean and her family and show them around our facilities, especially as we’re beginning a very special year marking 80 years since her father founded the business “I’ve spent my entire career in this industry and it has given me a brilliant working life, so I owe a lot to Walter for the part he played in not only founding Willerby, but being at the very forefront of starting the holiday home industry as a whole. “It was a pleasure to hear more about the early days of the business, as well as find out about what kind of person and employer Walter was. From Jean’s description and stories, I definitely think I would have got on with him!” The visit was not only special for Jean, but was also incredibly poignant for her sons Simon and Andy, who have fond memories of their Grandad from their early childhood. Simon said: “Mum has always been so immensely proud of her father and has always talked about him so fondly, sharing many happy memories of his time at the helm of Willerby. “As a family we’re delighted that she has had the opportunity to see what has become of her father’s business, which started from humble beginnings and has gone through such an impressive evolution.”
Timing matters – act now for off-season transformations
Spring will soon be upon us and time is running out to make off-season improvements to your site, not just to minimise disruption to your customers while carrying out major projects but also, for planting trees, shrubs and hedging, the dormant season is the best (and in some cases the only) time to do it. Know thyself… Failing to understand the business need for attractive and functional outdoor spaces, especially in failing to see them through the eyes of your customers, will lead to poor budgetary decisions and missed opportunities. To avoid expensive mistakes it is important to have a clear idea of what you want to achieve and how it will benefit your customers before undertaking a planting scheme. Prioritise key areas, plan for ongoing maintenance and don’t take on more than you can handle in one go. Know the conditions on site and select plants accordingly – planting the right plant in the right place will avoid problems later. Where required, mature planting can provide instant impact and maturity to key areas, shelter to exposed areas as well as privacy and security. 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 grown to provide instant impact and is guaranteed to be hardy and, as one of the few nurseries in the country to have achieved Plant Healthy certification, you can rest assured that it is free from imported pests and diseases. For further information, a page dedicated to the needs of holiday park operators and the leisure industry can be found on Wykeham Mature Plants website at https://www.wykehammatureplants.co.uk/planting-for-holiday-parks/ . Advisory and planting services 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. Do you want to give your plants the best start possible? Wykeham Mature Plants offers planting services for the range of trees, mature shrubs and instant hedging. From relatively small planting schemes to major projects, if your site is within a hundred miles or so from the nursery (for distances further than that a conversation would need to happen first!), site visits are available to provide an accurate quote to assess your project’s logistics and the conditions on site, to help you to prioritise which areas to plant first in terms of the benefit to your business and to help you to maximise your ROI. The fee for the visit is £50 within Yorkshire but this increases for visits further afield. Buy peace of mind Not only are the plants grown on the PlantHealthy certified, 150 acre nursery in North Yorkshire guaranteed to be hardy and free from imported pests and diseases, but stock planted by the Wykeham team is guaranteed for three years – subject to correct aftercare as instructed of course (regular communication is encouraged!) – protecting your investment. Get in touch For more information regarding the planting service call the office on 01723 862 406 or email m.howe@wykeham.co.uk to discuss your requirements or arrange for a site visit.
Caravan Park Compliance Requirements Explained (UK Guide)
Caravan Park Compliance Requirements Explained Running a caravan or holiday park in the UK comes with a wide range of regulatory responsibilities. From site licensing and planning conditions to fire safety, electrical checks and consumer‑law obligations, operators must navigate a complex framework designed to protect guests, owners and the wider community. Understanding these rules is essential not only for legal compliance but also for maintaining high standards, avoiding enforcement action and safeguarding the long‑term reputation of your park. This guide provides a clear, structured overview of the main compliance areas every UK park operator needs to understand, along with the common pitfalls that lead to regulatory issues. What Is a Caravan Park Licence? A caravan site licence is a legal document issued by your local authority that sets out the conditions under which a park can operate. It typically covers: You may also require planning permission which may restrict year‑round use. Your caravan park licence cannot override it. When a Licence Is Required A site licence is required if: Exemptions are limited and typically apply only to small, temporary or agricultural sites. Most commercial holiday parks must hold a valid licence at all times. You do not need a licence to run a caravan site if: Operator Responsibilities Under a Licence Park operators must comply with all conditions set out in their licence, including: 1. Fire Safety (See: Fire Safety Regulations for Holiday Parks) 2. Gas & Electrical Safety (See: Electrical Safety Obligations for Caravan Parks) 3. Health & Safety (See: Health & Safety Responsibilities of Park Operators) 4. Consumer‑Law Compliance If the park sells caravans or lodges, operators must follow consumer‑protection law, including: Local Authority Role & Inspections Local authorities are responsible for: Inspections may be scheduled or unannounced. Authorities can issue improvement notices, vary licence conditions or, in serious cases, prosecute operators who fail to comply. Common Compliance Issues The most frequent problems identified during inspections include: These issues often arise from outdated documentation, inconsistent staff training or lack of regular internal audits. Key Takeaways for Park Operators Understanding and managing compliance is essential for protecting your business, your guests and your long‑term reputation. Specialist legal advice may be advisable. Find out more and apply for a licence at https://www.gov.uk/find-licences/caravan-site-licence
Fire Safety Regulations for Holiday Parks
Fire safety is one of the most critical compliance areas for holiday park operators in England and Wales. With caravans, lodges, communal buildings and high guest turnover, parks face unique fire‑risk challenges that require structured planning and strict adherence to regulation. Meeting fire‑safety obligations is not only a legal requirement — it protects guests, staff, assets and the long‑term reputation of the park. This guide explains what fire‑safety regulation means for holiday parks, when obligations apply, and the responsibilities operators must meet to remain compliant. What Are Fire Safety Regulations for Holiday Parks? Fire‑safety requirements for holiday parks are governed primarily by the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, which applies to all non‑domestic premises, including: The regulations require operators to: Because caravans and lodges are lightweight structures with combustible materials, fire can spread rapidly — making spacing, alarms and emergency planning essential. When Fire‑Safety Regulations Apply Fire‑safety duties apply: Operators must also review fire‑safety measures whenever: Operator Responsibilities Under Fire‑Safety Regulations Holiday park operators must meet a range of legal duties, including: 1. Fire‑Risk Assessments A written fire‑risk assessment is mandatory and must be: 2. Unit Spacing and Layout Correct spacing reduces the risk of fire spreading between units. Operators must ensure: 3. Fire‑Point Provision and Maintenance Fire points must include: 4. Smoke and CO Alarms in Rental Units All hire units must have: 5. Safe Escape Routes Operators must maintain: 6. Staff Training All staff — including seasonal workers — must understand: Local Authority Role & Inspections Local authorities and fire services may: Inspections may be scheduled or unannounced, particularly during peak season. Common Compliance Issues The most frequent fire‑safety problems found on holiday parks include: These issues often arise from rapid turnover, seasonal staffing and inconsistent internal checks. Key Takeaways for Park Operators
Planning Permission for Caravan Parks
Planning permission is one of the most important regulatory considerations for UK caravan and holiday park operators. It determines how land can be used, how many units can be sited, what facilities can be built, and the length of the operating season. Getting it right is essential for legal compliance, long‑term investment planning and avoiding costly enforcement action. This guide explains what planning permission means for caravan parks, when it is required, and the responsibilities operators must meet to remain compliant with local‑authority expectations. What Is Planning Permission for Caravan Parks? Planning permission is the formal approval from a local planning authority (LPA) that allows land to be used as a caravan or holiday park. It sets out: Planning permission works alongside the site licence. Both documents must align — the licence cannot permit anything that planning permission prohibits. When Planning Permission Is Required Planning permission is required for: Even small changes may require approval if they affect the character, capacity or environmental impact of the site. Operators should always check with the LPA before making alterations, as retrospective applications can be costly and may not be approved. Operator Responsibilities Under Planning Permission Holiday park operators must comply with all planning conditions, which may include: 1. Occupancy Restrictions Many parks have conditions limiting: Breaching occupancy rules is one of the most common enforcement issues. 2. Unit Numbers and Layout Operators must ensure: 3. Landscaping and Environmental Measures Conditions may require: 4. Infrastructure and Access Operators may need to maintain: 5. Record Keeping Operators should retain: These may be requested during inspections or enforcement investigations. Local Authority Role & Inspections Local planning authorities: Planning enforcement can include: Early engagement with the LPA helps avoid disputes and delays. Common Compliance Issues Typical planning‑permission problems for caravan parks include: These issues often arise from incremental changes over time, lack of documentation or misunderstanding of planning conditions. Key Takeaways for Park Operators Understanding planning‑permission requirements is essential for protecting your business and supporting sustainable growth.
Health & Safety Responsibilities of Park Operators
Health and safety compliance is a core responsibility for every UK caravan and holiday park operator. With a mix of accommodation, public areas, staff workplaces and high visitor turnover, parks must manage a wide range of risks. Meeting health and safety obligations is essential not only for legal compliance but also for protecting guests, staff and the long‑term reputation of the park. This guide explains what health and safety law requires from park operators, when duties apply, and the common issues that lead to enforcement action. What Are Health & Safety Responsibilities for Park Operators? Holiday parks fall under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, which requires operators to ensure, so far as reasonably practicable: Operators must also comply with specific regulations covering: Health and safety duties apply to all areas of the park, including rental units, communal buildings, shops, cafés, workshops and outdoor spaces. When Health & Safety Duties Apply Health and safety responsibilities apply: Operators must also review health and safety arrangements when: Operator Responsibilities Under Health & Safety Law 1. Risk Assessments Operators must carry out written risk assessments covering: Assessments must be reviewed regularly and after any significant change. 2. Safe Maintenance of Facilities Operators must ensure: 3. Gas & Electrical Safety Parks must comply with: This includes annual gas checks and periodic electrical testing. 4. Water Hygiene & Legionella Control Operators must manage risks in: 5. Staff Training & Competence All staff must receive training appropriate to their role, including: 6. Guest Information Clear communication helps reduce risk, including: Local Authority Role & Inspections Local authorities and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE): Inspections may be scheduled or triggered by incidents. Common Compliance Issues Typical health and safety problems include: These issues often arise from seasonal pressures or inconsistent internal checks. Key Takeaways for Park Operators
Electrical Safety Obligations for Caravan Parks
Electrical safety is a critical compliance area for UK caravan and holiday park operators. With multiple accommodation units, communal buildings, outdoor lighting, EV chargers and high seasonal demand, parks must ensure that all electrical systems are safe, well‑maintained and compliant with UK regulations. This guide explains what electrical‑safety law requires from park operators, when inspections are needed, and the common issues that lead to enforcement action. What Are Electrical Safety Obligations for Caravan Parks? Holiday parks must comply with: These regulations require operators to ensure that: Electrical safety applies to: When Electrical Safety Duties Apply Electrical‑safety responsibilities apply: Operators must also review electrical safety after: Operator Responsibilities Under Electrical‑Safety Regulations 1. Periodic Inspection & Testing (EICR) Operators must ensure: Holiday parks typically require more frequent inspections due to high usage. 2. Safety of Touring Hook‑Ups Hook‑up points must be: 3. Electrical Safety in Rental Units Operators must ensure: 4. Maintenance of Communal Facilities Electrical systems in: must be inspected and maintained to prevent risk. 5. Competent Contractors Only qualified electricians should: Local Authority Role & Inspections Local authorities may: The Health and Safety Executive may also become involved in serious incidents. Common Compliance Issues Frequent electrical‑safety problems include: These issues often arise from seasonal pressures and high turnover of guests. Key Takeaways for Park Operators
The World of Park & Leisure Homes Show 2026| Industry Event
The World of Park & Leisure Homes Show returns this June to the NAEC Stoneleigh in Warwickshire, bringing together one of the most targeted and engaged audiences in the sector — both Trade and Public. This isn’t just another date in the calendar. It’s the moment when buyers are at their most open, most curious, and most ready to make decisions that shape future developments. What sets the show apart is its unapologetically hands‑on experience. Visitors step inside real homes, speak directly with manufacturers, and interact with products in a way no digital platform can match. They compare models, ask detailed questions, and immerse themselves in the lifestyle — often for the first time. Why It Matters for Every Corner of the Industry For parks: It’s the moment visitors picture themselves living or holidaying on your site — whether leisure or residential. For manufacturers: Your craftsmanship is experienced first‑hand by the people who matter most: park owners, landowners, developers, and decision‑makers. For suppliers and service providers: Your products and solutions become part of the visitor’s vision for their next project. For industry experts: Your knowledge becomes the bridge between curiosity and confidence, helping buyers make informed choices. The show remains the sector’s most powerful catalyst for meaningful connection — where conversations start, relationships form, and future sales take shape. Flexible Opportunities for Exhibitors Exhibitors can participate in several ways: As the organisers put it: “Our show offers the entire industry an unparalleled opportunity to build early relationships and influence buying decisions. It’s where conversations begin, trust is built, and future sales take shape.” Be Part of the Industry’s Most Important Gathering The World of Park & Leisure Homes Show continues to be the sector’s key annual meeting point — where parks, manufacturers, suppliers, and experts come together to shape the future of the industry. If you’d like to get involved, simply get in touch: 📧 organisers@parkandleisurehomeshows.co.uk 🌐 www.parkhomeandleisure.co.uk 📞 07917 131681
