Caravan Park & Camping Site Outdoor Care: A Practical UK Operator Guide

In today’s competitive caravan and camping industry, first impressions matter more than ever. Guests expect more than just a place to pitch – they’re looking for clean, well-maintained surroundings, durable grass areas and safe, accessible facilities. For site owners and franchise operators, delivering this consistently across the season can be a challenge. This guide, created by the experts at ProGreen, outlines the key outdoor areas to focus on, and how to manage them effectively year-round. 1. Start with Strong, Durable Grass Pitches Grass pitches take the greatest strain on any site. Between vehicle movement, foot traffic and the unpredictable UK weather, it doesn’t take long for pitches to become worn, patchy or muddy. Best practice: • Use a high-wear, fast-recovering seed mix designed specifically for caravan sites • Overseed regularly to prevent thinning • Repair worn areas early to avoid pitch downtime ProGreen’s specialist caravan grass seed is formulated to thrive in UK conditions, delivering reliable growth and strong recovery able to withstand heavy use. For operators, this means faster turnaround between bookings, less time spent on repairs and consistent quality throughout the season. For guests, it creates a much better experience, thanks to firmer ground, less mud and a cleaner finish. 2. Keep Hard Surfaces Clean, Safe & Presentable Hard surfaces such as pathways, patios, decking and access roads are just as important as the pitches themselves. If they aren’t maintained, not only do they quickly become unsightly, but they can also create safety hazards, with slippery surfaces posing a risk to guests and staff alike. Best practice: • Treat problem areas regularly, not reactively • Focus on shaded and high-moisture zones • Build surface cleaning into routine maintenance schedules Products like AlgoClear Pro hard surface cleaner are designed to tackle algae and organic growth quickly and effectively, helping restore surfaces with minimal disruption. 3. Implement a Proactive Weed Control Plan Weeds don’t just affect appearance – they signal poor maintenance to guests and can quickly spread across both grassy and hard surfaces. Common problem areas include edges of pitches, fence lines and boundaries, and gaps in paving and access routes. Best practice: • Move from reactive to planned weed control • Treat early to prevent escalation • Ensure you are using selective and total weed control depending on your requirements A structured weed control programme helps maintain a clean, consistent look across the entire site, while reducing labour time spent on repeated fixes. ProGreen has a wide range of weed control options, from total weed control, ideal for hard surfaces, and selective weed control for use in grassy areas. 4. Ensure Staff Are Trained & Compliant Using professional-grade outdoor treatments correctly is essential, not just for results, but for safety and compliance. Best practice: • Ensure operators hold relevant certifications (e.g. such as PA6 spraying) • Follow correct application procedures • Prioritise health & safety at all times Training gives your team the confidence to apply products safely and effectively, avoiding costly mistakes or misuse, which maintains standards across the site. ProGreen’s highly-skilled in house trainer can deliver a range of in-person training courses, which can be held at your facilities or their dedicated training facility. Online courses are also available for a number of training needs. 5. Take a Joined-Up Approach to Site Maintenance One of the biggest challenges for site managers is juggling multiple suppliers and solutions.A more effective approach is to treat outdoor maintenance as a joined-up system, where: • Grass, hard surfaces, weed and pest control are managed together • Advice and support on best products and application schedules come from one trusted partner This improves your site’s efficiency, consistency and budgeting, ultimately raising your overall site standards to give your guests the best experience possible. Ready to Raise Your Site Standards? Whether you need advice on the right products, support building a maintenance plan or a tailored quote for your site requirements, ProGreen can help. As a holiday park owner or operator, you can enjoy an exclusive 10% off your first orderwith ProGreen using code CIPO10 at checkout, or you can quote this code via telephone if you’d prefer to speak to someone. Visit progreen.co.uk  to explore the full product range or call the team on 0330 165 5568, who will be able to offer a bespoke quote and maintenance plan tailored to your site.

Caravan Guard shortlisted for Customer Experience Award

Caravan and motorhome insurance specialists, Caravan Guard, is celebrating after being shortlisted for the Customer Experience Award at the 2026 British Insurance Awards. The West Yorkshire based firm will go head-to-head with five other UK companies at the prestigious national awards ceremony at the Royal Albert Hall in London this July. The British Insurance Awards are the insurance market’s biggest celebration of excellence and innovation, recognising companies that are setting new standards for customers across the industry.  And the Customer Experience Award celebrates organisations that put customers at the heart of everything they do.  Caravan Guard’s shortlisting reflects a sustained programme of improvements to make it easier than ever for motorhome and campervan owners to get quotes, take out cover and makes claims. The insurance specialists impressed judges with their passion for delivering brilliant customer experiences, their work to support new motorhome and campervan owners, and a simple, intuitive quote and buy journey. Their entry also highlighted excellent customer feedback scores, high levels of customer loyalty and sustained growth in the motorhome and campervan sector. Caravan Guard’s Managing Director, Ryan Wilby, said he was delighted for the family business to be recognised on a national stage. “Being shortlisted at the British Insurance Awards is a fantastic accolade for the whole team,” he said. “To be recognised alongside some of the biggest names in the insurance industry at such an iconic venue, is something we’re incredibly proud of. The competition is strong, but having made the finals before, we’re keeping everything crossed that we can bring the trophy home for continuing to put our customers first.” For more information about Caravan Guard’s specialist insurance cover for motorhomes, campervans, caravans and trailer tents visit www.caravanguard.co.uk. 

Oil crisis fuels holiday parks bookings boom for families…and Fido

Park Holidays says a surge in summer holiday bookings – currently up by 17% on last April’s figures – will bring a much-needed boost to local economies across Britain. And, says the group, it’s also good news for the nation’s dogs as families shun overseas destinations in favour of a UK stay on which they can take their pets. Park Holidays reports that the rise in holiday caravan and lodge bookings is evident across all its 55 holiday parks in England, Wales and Scotland. The demand, it believes, is being fuelled by fears of flight cancellations by airlines – and possible steep hikes in ticket prices – during the continuing oil crisis. “People are reacting to reports of possible jet fuel shortages, and acting now to secure their summer holidays,” said Brad May, chief marketing officer for Park Holidays UK. “For many families there is just too much uncertainty about going abroad this year, and they are opting for a stay in Britain which will give them more control over their plans. “Our 17% increase in bookings represents thousands of holidays, and this will provide a massive income boost to the rural and coastal communities where our parks operate. “That’s a very real positive for local businesses and people they employ – but let’s not forget the upside this will also bring for our four-legged friends. “Families staying on our parks can share the fun with their dogs and not have to think of them pining away and missing their owners,” said Brad. Facilities on many parks include dog-washing stations, dedicated dog walking areas, and park cafes and restaurants which don’t insist that pooches park themselves outside. “This latest rise in holiday bookings continues the trend we saw last year when people chose a UK stay to avoid the searing temperatures and wildfires in mainland Europe,” said Brad. “We’re proud to be a major player in an industry generating around £12.2 billion of visitor spending each year, and delighted that this summer is set to break new records,” he added. More information about 2026 holidays at Park Holidays, including dog-friendly holidays from £129.00 for a three-day break, is available at www.ParkHolidays.com

Pitching for an unpredictable summer

Michele Coe-Baxter, Head of Leisure and Tourism at Duncan & Toplis

For many caravan park operators, Easter was more than just a long weekend punctuated by an overabundance of chocolate – it’s the exact moment the season wakes up from its wintry hibernation and the all-important preamble for peak season, which is now just a few weeks away. Whether it’s families making the most of the Easter school holidays or regular visitors returning to their favourite secluded spot, spring typically marks the start of the holiday season. But with rising fuel costs making families rethink their holiday plans, how can park owners ensure a successful summer? Why peak season performance is paramount For many operators, the brief window between the start of spring and the end of summer accounts for the majority of annual income. It’s estimated that around 70-80% of holiday park and campsite profits are generated over the summer months, as long winters give way to an intense burst of activity. While the full impact of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East is still unfolding, this spring will be a good litmus test for what we hope will be a good summer, despite the uncertain global outlook. Holiday parks are well-positioned against economic shocks The previous economic shock that affected the UK from late 2022 onwards saw a cost-of-living crisis, rising energy costs and market turmoil, but the UK’s holiday park and campsite sector still generated around £12.2 billion in visitor spending in the following year, according to the National Caravan Council (NCC). This was an increase of £2.9 billion on the previous year, demonstrating the resilience of the sector. The logic isn’t hard to see. For many, holiday parks offer an affordable alternative to more expensive overseas holidays or hotel stays, so the sector may be well positioned as the impact of conflict in the Middle East increases. However, the Easter holidays will be the first chance to see whether this pattern is repeating, so operators should carefully look back on the holiday period to see how it compares to previous years. The last chance to prepare While it’s often too cold or damp to carry out in-depth maintenance throughout the winter months, spring’s temperate nature and upswing in guests ensure that any areas in need of a little TLC are highlighted in time to be improved. Whether it’s maintenance work, landscaping and facility upgrades or safety checks, these critical tasks can be difficult to complete over winter, so the short window between the school holidays is the ideal time to prioritise these. Add to this the fact that operators are likely to be actively recruiting and more aware of the impending need to train their next cohort of seasonal teams during this time, and suddenly, the spring sows the seeds for a hotbed of activity. One of the first things operators should do is to produce an up-to-date cash flow forecast, which takes into account income from the Easter break. This can help operators to understand when pressure points may arise later in the year and whether short-term financing or staged spending might be necessary. It may seem onerous, but swatting up on the books now can yield dividends during an unpredictable year like this. Clearly, once the season begins, revenue can build quickly. The difficulty lies in bridging the gap between pre-season investment and peak summer income. Maximise profits by adjusting pricing and predicting revenue expectations One of the most valuable exercises ahead of the busy summer season is a simple one: learn the lessons from the previous season to help you prepare for the next. This time, I would encourage you to also look back to the lessons learned from 2023, during the previous cost-of-living crisis. Taking the time to review past occupancy levels, average spend per guest and peak booking periods can reveal useful patterns, allowing you to predict with more accuracy, play to your strengths and, crucially, to shore up your weaker areas before the park is at capacity.  Doing this in spring can be particularly telling, as you are likely to see early indicators of what will and won’t work well in the dizzying height of summer. With this research under your belt, some parks may make the surprising discovery that their busiest weeks are shifting, while others might see that shoulder seasons are becoming stronger as guests seek better value breaks with less background noise.  You may also identify opportunities for maximising your potential income from each visit. The UK Caravan & Camping Alliance confirms that holiday park visitors typically stay around 82% longer than the average UK tourist trip across other types of accommodation, and they also tend to spend more money during their visits.  So, whatever the situation on your site, this creates an opportunity. Longer stays can mean robust revenue, but only if your pricing structures are accurately aligned with current demand and rising operating costs. Even the most modest adjustments to your pitch fees or accommodation rates can help to ensure the season remains profitable, rather than just busy. Taking the time to ensure tax compliance should also form part of this seasonal financial planning. Operators must understand the VAT variables across accommodation, entertainment and on-site amenities, especially when investment in infrastructure or facilities may qualify for capital allowances. This season will be tough for many businesses and families across the UK, so preparation done in the early days of the spring season is essential. Reviewing visitor numbers and behaviours, checking finances, forecasting cash flow and understanding all of your tax obligations early can help to ensure that the months ahead are as commercially sustainable as possible. Duncan & Toplis provides accounting services designed to support businesses in the leisure and tourism sector, including caravan park operators. Services include tax planning, financial forecasting and seasonal cash flow management. To find out more, visit www.duncantoplis.co.uk. By Michele Coe-Baxter, Director and Head of Leisure and Tourism at Duncan & Toplis

Three Common Legionella Myths Busted 

Legionella bacteria can often be misunderstood, even by those working in building management or water safety. Misconceptions can lead to unnecessary panic – or worse, unsafe practices. In this blog we address three Legionella myths we have come across recently and provide practical guidance for managing water systems safely. Myth 1: “I can see Legionella in the water” Some people believe they can identify Legionella visually. One instance involved someone filling a glass with chalky water and claiming it contained the bacteria. FACT: Legionella bacteria are microscopic – between 0.3 and 0.9 μm wide and 2 to 20 μmlong. To put this into perspective, a human hair typically measures between 50 and 120 μm in diameter. Legionella is far too small to be seen by the naked eye. Advice: Never assume water looks safe based on appearance alone. Regular water testing and a robust water safety plan are essential for detecting and controlling Legionella in any building. Myth 2: “I can smell Legionella” Another common misconception is that Legionella emits a noticeable odour. Some online sources suggest it’s possible, but the reality is more nuanced. FACT: Legionella itself doesn’t have a consistent smell detectable by humans. However, a rotten egg or sulphur-like odour may indicate contaminated water, often linked to hydrogen sulphide produced by bacterial activity. Water with an earthy smell when flushing taps can also signal stagnation or infrequent use, which increases the risk of Legionella growth. Advice: If you detect unusual odours while flushing a water outlet: • Stop flushing immediately, assess if the procedure can be completed with extra precautions and measures in place to reduce aerosol generation. • Check previous Legionella Risk Assessment (LRA) to see if any previous issues are highlighted. • Review and update the written scheme if required. • Follow or create a method statement for flushing infrequently used outlets. • Wear appropriate respiratory protective equipment (RPE). • Ventilate the area safely if possible. • Check the records for past trends / failures, including “little used outlet” (LUO) records to see if the outlet is listed. • Assess if cleaning and disinfection is required. • Consider sampling to establish if bacteria are present Food for thought: Dogs have been trained to detect Pseudomonas bacteria by Imperial College London and the Medical Detection Dogs charity. While there’s no documented evidence of dogs detecting Legionella, their success with other pathogens highlights how alternative detection methods can supplement traditional water testing. Myth 3: “Flies lay legionella larvae” This one might sound like a bad sci-fi plot – but it’s a misconception that even some staff members have encountered. FACT: Flies do not lay Legionella larvae. However, flies can act as mechanical carriers, transporting bacteria from a contaminated source to other areas. Their body and feet can pick up Legionella bacteria and spread it, though they don’t create the bacteria themselves. Advice: Preventing Legionella spread via insects is mostly about good hygiene and environmental control: • Maintain high cleaning and housekeeping standards. • Ensure staff training covers water safety and infection control. • Use mechanical measures such as door and window screens to reduce fly access. Bottom Line Legionella myths often stem from misunderstanding and lack of appropriate training, factors that can contribute to the growth and spread of Legionella are stagnation, heat gain, nutrient sources, over capacity, poor training and management. While visual inspection from outlets, taste, odour, or insects are not reliable indicators of Legionella, being aware of these helps building managers and water safety professionals respond appropriately. Key Takeaways: • Legionella is invisible to the naked eye. • Unusual odours may signal water quality issues, but not necessarily Legionella/bacteria. • Flies can spread bacteria from different areas looking for easy food supplies, often decaying organic matter. • Drain flies (also known as sewer or moth flies) thrive in the thin, slimy bacterial films found in drains, floor drains, and sewage pipes. • Regular monitoring, inspection, testing, and following water safety plans remain the most effective defence. Understanding and debunking common Legionella myths isn’t just educational – it’s a crucial part of protecting your building, staff, and visitors from potential outbreaks.

Rising Fuel Costs are Changing Staycation Behaviour – Here’s What It Means for Holiday Parks

Rising fuel costs are continuing to shape how people travel across the UK, and for holiday park operators, the effects are becoming increasingly visible. The cost of getting away is no longer just about the holiday itself. Fuel now plays a meaningful role in decision-making, leading to subtle but important shifts in staycation behaviour. For some guests, higher travel costs mean reconsidering trips altogether. For others, it’s about adapting, shorter journeys, fewer nights, or more cautious spending on park. While these changes may seem minor, over time they influence occupancy patterns, booking values, and overall revenue. Domestic demand remains strong, but guests are becoming more selective. Location matters more than ever, with parks closer to major population centres often seeing increased interest, while those requiring longer journeys may notice changes in booking behaviour. Length of stay is often the first indicator. Shorter breaks can reduce total booking value and increase operational pressure through more frequent changeovers. On-park spend may also soften as guests manage tighter budgets. Booking behaviour is evolving too. Some guests delay decisions, monitoring costs before committing, while others focus more closely on overall value rather than price alone. For operators, the challenge is more nuanced. Filling occupancy is one thing, protecting revenue is another. Discounting may drive bookings, but it doesn’t always support long-term performance. Insight-led decision-making is becoming essential. EliteParks can make a difference. By bringing reservation data, guest profiles, and financial performance together, operators gain a clear view of shifting patterns, where guests are travelling from, how stay length is changing, and how spending is impacted. Fuel costs may be outside your control, but visibility isn’t. With the right insight, operators can act earlier, respond with confidence, and adapt to changing demand with greater precision. While the journey may be costing more, the demand for quality UK stays remains and those best placed to understand the detail behind that demand will be the ones who continue to perform. www.elite-parks.com Info@elite-dynamics.com

Moving the Caravan Industry with Confidence

Neill & Brown Global Logistics vehicle and staff member carrying a static caravan

Behind every successful caravan park is a logistics partner capable of delivering units safely, compliantly and on schedule. As a leader in the specialist movement of caravans and portable buildings all over the UK and Europe, Neill & Brown Global Logistics understands the unique demands placed on caravan and park operators.  From transporting new units direct from manufacturers to relocating pre-owned caravans between sites, handling oversized and out-of-gauge loads is part of its day-to-day operations. Neill & Brown provides a fully managed, end-to-end service led by Neill & Brown director Stuart Dean. “Abnormal load transport is never simply a matter of getting from A to B; it requires detailed planning, route assessments and strict compliance with legislation,” he says. The Neill & Brown in-house team manages the entire process, securing permits, notifying police, highway and bridge authorities where required. This ensures every movement is completed safely, efficiently and with minimal disruption. “The movement of caravans and park homes demands specialist knowledge and careful coordination,” explains Stuart.  “Every route, every load and every client requirement is different, which is why planning and communication are absolutely critical.” The company also operates dedicated abnormal load escort services across Yorkshire, the North East and the North West, helping to protect both loads and other road users. With extensive experience in transporting long, wide and high indivisible loads, Neill & Brown brings reliability and consistency to even the most complex projects. As a fourth-generation family business with more than 100 years of heritage rooted in the Hull and Humber region, Neill & Brown combines a proud history with a forward-thinking approach. Today, it supports a diverse customer base across multiple sectors, offering UK, European and global logistics by road, rail, sea and air. Its services extend beyond transport to include warehousing, customs clearance, packaging and insurance. With more than 200,000 sq ft of secure storage and daily timed collections and deliveries, the company handles everything from general cargo to hazardous and specialist loads. “What sets us apart is our personal approach,” adds Stuart. “We work closely with our customers to make sure every move is delivered safely, compliantly and exactly as planned.” For caravan and park operators, this means a trusted logistics partner that understands the industry and delivers a professional, dependable service every time. Contact Neill & Brown on:

How bespoke lodge design is helping shape the future of holiday parks

The UK winter of 2025/26 has provided a timely reminder that weather patterns across the country continue to evolve. The season has brought notable regional contrasts, from heavier snowfall in parts of Scotland to prolonged rainfall elsewhere.  Data from the UK Met Office and wider climate studies reflects what many holiday park operators are already planning for: a climate that is generally warmer, wetter and more variable than it was several decades ago. For UK-based timber lodge manufacturer Pinelog, this is familiar territory. With 40 years’ experience designing, manufacturing and siting luxury timber lodges, the family-owned business has long understood how British weather influences lodge performance, maintenance requirements and long-term value. Designing with the climate in mind has always been integral to Pinelog’s approach. “We’re seeing growing interest from holiday parks in lodges built to the BS 3632 standard, with thoughtful design features such as covered external areas and dedicated boot or utility rooms,” said Judy Barwell, Sales Account Manager at Pinelog. “These details help protect interiors, reduce wear and tear, and support longer seasonal use for park operators.” Weather conditions increasingly influence how parks plan layouts, drainage and siting. Good design and build quality play an important role in supporting smooth day-to-day operations across the site. As a result, build quality, materials and design are now central considerations rather than purely visual choices. Lodge designs developed around real holiday park use, rather than idealised conditions, are proving better suited to long-term performance in the UK environment. External resilience combined with interior practicality When it comes to the weather, much industry focus has rightly been placed on external features such as roofing, cladding, insulation, foundations and drainage.  However, interior layout is also growing in importance. Wetter conditions inevitably mean more outdoor clothing, boots and equipment entering lodges. Practical layouts that help manage this, particularly in rental settings, can improve turnaround efficiency while protecting fixtures and furnishings. Dedicated utility rooms are one response to this.  Acting as transition spaces, utility rooms accessed directly by external doors help keep living areas cleaner and more comfortable, supporting both guest experience and long-term durability. Pinelog’s Coppice lodge includes a utility room as standard and has become popular with parks appealing to outdoor-focused and dog-friendly markets.  Due to the nature of Pinelog’s lodge construction, utility rooms can be added across the company’s range. “Our lodges are fully bespoke,” explained Judy. “That means designs can be adapted to suit individual park locations, guest profiles and operational needs. Flexibility is increasingly important.” The continuing growth in demand for pet friendly accommodation has also seen Pinelog offer the addition of warm-water pet showers within utility spaces. Research shows that 40% of people look for pet-friendly facilities when choosing UK holiday destinations. As Pinelog has found, features such as durable and easy to clean flooring, and integrated dog-washing facilities are now practical design considerations for many parks. A considered evolution for the sector The increase demand in pet friendly accommodation has been driven by the rise of staycations in the UK in recent years, with over 50% of Brits preferring to holiday at home rather than travel abroad. Demand for self-catering, and unique rentals has grown as people seek more flexible, home-like experiences. There is increased demand for off-season breaks (September – March), supported by a desire for wellness, nature, and adventure. These shifts reflect a transition towards more personalised, flexible, and experiential travel. Bespoke lodge design is becoming a natural progression for holiday parks responding to changing guest expectations and operating environments. Targeted tothe wellness breaks market, Pinelog offers luxury bathrooms and the option of a sauna in a number of its models. Thoughtful investment in design, materials and build quality helps protect assets, enhance guest experience and support long-term park performance. In a sector shaped by experience as much as environment, working with a manufacturer that understands the evolving demands of guests makes a measurable difference. “A one-size fits all approach to holiday accommodation does not marry with modern guest expectations,” said Judy. “Since 2020 we’ve seen demand for pet-friendly accommodation escalate. Additionally, we’ve seen an increase from holiday parks foraccessible lodges to support multi-generational breaks. This can be easily catered for with bespoke lodge design.” Bespoke design, informed by experience Lodges must perform consistently in high-use holiday park environments, maintain quality over time and retain residual value in a growing second-hand market With this in mind, despite having been a leader in the luxury timber lodge market since 1986, Pinelog’s design-led approach continues to evolve based on performance across holiday parks nationwide. Its latest lodge design, the Orryn,embodies the firm’s commitment to combining both style and performance.  The Orryn’s standing seam metal roof, half-height timber walls and a projecting roofline that creates a sheltered, all-weather outdoor space, means it not only looksgood, but it is also practical and functional, and increases usable living areas while supporting longevity. “The first Orryn-style lodge is set to be sited on a holiday park soon. Like every lodgein the Pinelog range, we can adapt it to suit the holiday park’s specific requirementsand that’s exactly what we have done with this one. It’s all about creating a lodge that delivers long-term, year-round and whole life value for our customers,” added Judy.  To learn more about bespoke lodge design for your holiday park, visit Pinelog at www.pinelog.co.uk or call 01246 942842.

Secret Garden Glamping launches first overseas location thanks to franchise scheme

The Secret Garden Glamping

Britain’s highest profile glamping firm – Secret Garden Glamping – has opened its first accommodation outside of the UK – just over the water in the Republic of Ireland. The new location near Wexford, in the south eastern corner of the country, launched in February thanks to the company’s new franchise scheme – which seeks to leverage the brand name, first made famous on BBC Dragon’s Den. Derry Green, founder and owner of the Secret Garden Glamping, said he was delighted that their first international expansion site was on the Emerald Isle; and he revealed they had further ambitions to launch in the USA. He commented: “We are expanding to new locations in the UK; we’ve got six more opening in the UK this year. “As we’ve got a massive UK audience that’s been relatively simple but Ireland’s been a target for us for a little while now.   “One of the questions that has come up is would our audience migrate over from different countries because we have a huge audience across the world from a social media point of view? “We have been asking ourselves, can we do it in a different territory, so Ireland is the kind of test bed for that. “If we can get an Irish audience to go to an Irish location then that gives us data on what we need to do when we go to the US, to get a US audience going to a US location!  “I had planned to open there in 2027 but if Ireland goes well I may bring it forward to this year.” Derry, whose business has been picking up a host of awards over the past few years, including being named the AA Glamping and Camping Site of the Year, said customer demand had made the expansion plan a no-brainer. He added: “We’ve just celebrated our six year anniversary and our audience and our bookings haven’t slowed down.  “It’s been continuous for the past six years, every time we do something new it elevates not only the brand, but also what we’re doing going forward. “So the right time to expand is always ‘now’, and we want to try and make sure that over the next 12 to 18 months we become the go to brand for the whole of the UK and Ireland for glamping. “We are seeing a boom again within the UK and Ireland with the issues around the US and the Middle East. “People are always looking for alternatives and it has been like that since Covid, but what we’re looking at doing now is how do you cater for all these different types of people with all different reasons for wanting to travel in the UK?” Plans are now afoot to open in a range of UK locations, including Wales and north east England. As reported, Derry, who was recently re-elected as Chairman of the Glamping Industry Trade Association (GITA), has begun the franchise scheme to get people away from the OTA (Online Travel Agency) booking sites such as Booking.com and AirBnB, who normally take 15-20% of revenue.To find out more call Derry on 07732 812409 email him directly via info@thesecretgardenglamping.uk or visit www.thesecretgardenglamping.uk/franchise