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.
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
What’s the outlook for the leisure and hospitality sector in 2026?
The leisure and hospitality sector is extremely dynamic, with businesses heavily affected by uncontrollable external factors such as government policies and consumer trends. In 2025, we saw employers’ National Insurance contributions and the National Minimum Wage (NMW) rise, placing increasing financial pressures on businesses. The sector has also been adapting to the boom in technology and AI, which consumers are increasingly expecting to use to enhance their customer experience – and this is only the beginning of this trend. So, now we’re in 2026, what opportunities and challenges can we expect to see? And how can leisure and hospitality businesses prepare for these? Roads over runways According to Hilton’s 2026 Trends Report, road trips are leading future travel plans for Brits, with 61% planning to drive to their destination of choice in the next 12 months. This is largely driven by the cost-saving appeal, but many also value the spontaneity, being able to pack more items and the convenience of having their own car. This suggests that many people will be opting to holiday in the UK in 2026, rather than travelling abroad, which presents a great opportunity for leisure and hospitality businesses across the country. But where there are opportunities, there are also challenges, and businesses will need to be ready for increased demand. Making sure you have the resources to deliver your services during busy periods is vital, whether that’s by hiring more team members or increasing stock reserves. If you haven’t already, look at your budgets and forecasts for 2026 to make sure you have the reserves to invest in the resources you’ll need to keep up with this expected increase in demand. And don’t forget – competing businesses will also be taking advantage of this UK road trip trend, so put yourself ahead of the competition by diversifying your services and offering attractive incentives to customers. Whether it’s expanding your menu to offer regional dishes and drinks, or offering discounted rates for returning customers, having a strategy in place to draw customers in is key. The rise of technology We will undoubtedly see more technology woven into the leisure and hospitality sector in 2026, including the use of AI. An increasing number of travellers are already using generative AI for planning and booking their trips, and major leisure and tourism brands like Expedia and Booking.com are integrating tools like ChatGPT – so it’s never been easier for a robot to plan your holiday for you. In addition to this, the likes of online booking systems, digital check-in systems and apps that personalise guest experiences will only become more sophisticated in 2026, so leisure and hospitality businesses need to be on top of the latest tech to remain profitable. But the rise of technology and AI doesn’t come without its complications and challenges. It has been behind a growing number of travel scams in recent times, so businesses need to ensure these tools are being used securely and that cybersecurity is a priority. Some of the best ways to protect yourself are: set yourself a cybersecurity budget and invest in coverage that includes support for breach recovery; use multi-factor authentication wherever possible; update your software regularly; and train your team to spot scams. The more you can do to safeguard your business, the better. Changing fiscal policies The 2025 Autumn Budget saw the Chancellor announce a number of changes that will directly affect the leisure and hospitality sector this year. One of the more positive outcomes is the reform to business rates, which are set to fall for smaller, customer-facing businesses from April. A new banded multiplier system will replace the current approach, meaning that leisure and hospitality businesses with physical premises open to the public are likely to see some relief. But whilst businesses may be making cost savings when it comes to business rates, these newfound reserves are likely to be quickly spent elsewhere as a result of other Budget announcements. For example, the NMW and National Living Wage (NLW) will both be increasing in April, putting additional pressure on leisure and hospitality businesses – especially those that employ young people. Those that sell alcohol and milk-based drinks are also set to be hit by increased alcohol duty and sugar tax. Alcohol duty rates will increase to 3.66% in line with inflation, while sugar tax is being extended to milk-based drinks, including pre-packaged coffees and milkshakes. Businesses affected by this will need to consider how they fund this increased tax bill – either taking the hit themselves or passing the burden onto customers by increasing the cost of these items. With so many variables to consider for the year ahead, it’s never been more important for leisure and hospitality businesses to review their finances and ensure they’re well equipped for the year ahead. Duncan & Toplis provides accounting and business services specifically designed to support businesses in this sector, including budgeting, forecasting, payroll and tax planning. To find out more, visit www.duncantoplis.co.uk.
Glamping businesses invited to apply for The Secret Garden Franchise
The Secret Garden Glamping founder Derry Green is offering to sprinkle some of his magic dust on fellow glamping industry businesses. The award winning businessman, who made a success of the Secret Garden Glamping after a successful pitch on BBC show Dragon’s Den, has launched The Secret Garden Franchise, an opportunity for park owners to gain access to the winning formula for glamping success. Derry has launched The Secret Garden Franchise to provide opportunities to both existing glamping site operators and aspiring ones. Derry, who was recently re-elected as Chairman of the Glamping Industry Trade Association (GITA), said: “This is a first. What we’re trying to do by creating the franchises is to get people away from the OTA (Online Travel Agency) booking sites. “Rather than having to set up a site and then instantly give away 15 to 20% of revenue to Airbnb or Booking.com while getting no support from them, I think there’s a better way. “Right now if you don’t use OTAs there’s almost no way to get visibility. “We know how to get bookings – we turn away thousands of bookings a year. “But it’s not just that, I believe we can help the site owners with all the other things. “I know what the pitfalls are, what owners struggle with on a daily basis because I struggled with it too.” What do franchisees get? How many franchises are available? It is planned to accept up to 15 sites as franchises by the end of 2026 with continued future expansion into 2027/28. There are also ambitions to expand overseas. What does it cost? The costs will be based on the number of units on the site with Derry willing to offer franchises to both small, medium and larger operators. What criteria are there to be accepted? The types of accommodation are very flexible, from simple yurts, lodges and huts up to more quirky or unique options such as domes or bespoke tree houses. The Secret Garden Glamping is looking for a range of sites to partner with across the UK and is willing to look at any location so long as it has the feasibility to offer certain key facilities. What are the timescales? With permissions and regulations varying depending on the part of the UK it’s very hard to give set timescales, however, some existing sites could benefit from a Secret Garden makeover and rebrand within 6-8 weeks. Escaping the grind of running a business Derry believes the franchise scheme will give participants the dual benefit of boosting their revenue and freeing up their time to enjoy being a site owner. He added: “A lot of people get into this as a lifestyle business but they end up getting trapped in the day-to-day operations, because you are every part of the business. “One minute you’re changing some beds, the next minute you’re fixing a toilet, then you’ve got to send some emails, do some Facebook posts and so on and so on. “The question that comes up over and over again is; how do you go on holiday? “How do you get a holiday if you’re a site owner, because you’re stuck within the business. What I quickly realized from setting up The Secret Garden is that 90% of the work is actually all the back end. “It’s all the emails and the phone calls and the booking system and the marketing and social media and the content creation. “The remaining 10% is actually the bit we all get into it for, which is the forward facing customer stuff. “That’s what I love doing, and it’s what most site owners love doing. “None of us get into owning a glamping site so we can send more emails. “So this franchise scheme is the result of me trying to find a way out of all the problem points that I’ve had over the past five years. “How can I get rid of them for either new site owners or existing site owners? “And that’s what we do, everything, and I do mean everything, up until the customer turns up at their door before them. “Airbnb will get you a booking, and then it’s your problem to speak to them and find out why they’re coming and what time they’re arriving, and do they need any extras? “All these sorts of things are down to you to resolve. “But for our franchisees, we do all that. So by the time the customer gets to your gate or your door or your bridge or whatever it might be, they’ve got everything they could possibly need.”To find out more call Derry on 07732 812409 email him directly via info@thesecretgardenglamping.uk or visit www.thesecretgardenglamping.uk/franchise READ MORE https://caravanindustryandparkoperator.co.uk/news/glamping-breaks-canvas-ceiling/
How do I make my glampsite stand out after lockdown?
Glampsites have increased in popularity since their inception in the mid-noughties. The staycation boom had already started pre-Covid but this year, foreign travel options are still looking decidedly shaky. Glampsite operators say this uncertainty has led to bookings going through the roof, with some already turning down summer bookings while off-peak slots are filling fast. However, even in the midst of a market boom, there’s no place for complacency – 2020 profits were hit hard thanks to the spring lockdown, and it’s important for glampsite managers to keep in mind the long-game to ensure they see a healthy ROI in future. So how can you improve your glamping facilities this year, so your site remains a must-visit destination in 2022 and even beyond? Here, we take a look at two fantastic businesses – a glamping site and a pod manufacturer – that are ready to hit the 2021 season with a bang – and have no intention of slowing down thanks to some creative thinking and clever investment… A glampsite that’s truly glamourous! Marking its 7th year in the glamping arena, Mrs Mills’ Yurts continues to add to its customer offering, with the most recent addition being a glampervan that can be taken off-site. Mrs Mills’ Yurts is the brainchild of husband-and-wife duo, Nicola and Gary Mills, which launched in 2015 on National Trust Landmark May Hill, Gloucestershire. Wanting to escape London and the suffocation of being in a great, grey city of busyness – and having watched too many home improvement programmes – the duo fell in love with a tired farmhouse on a hill overlooking the Cotswolds. Following a period of serious restoration, which involved the couple and their children staying in a kitsch caravan themselves, Mrs Mills’ Yurts was born. While glamping was still relatively new and a novel offering, Nicola was adamant that she wanted to put her style and taste into the business. And it was her love for novels, especially those by F. Scott Fitzgerald, which inspired the flamboyant designs and the names of the yurts too: Zelda, Hildegarde, Tanaduke and Gatsby. Each yurt offers the ultimate indulgent glamping. Sleeping up to four people, each has its own private bathroom with luxury sandalwood toiletries and flowers, luxury linen and soft cotton towels and bathrobes, and extravagant sheepskin throws to keep glampers warm around the campfire. Cream teas are offered on arrival and a mouth-watering breakfast hamper is also delivered, filled to the brim with local produce. The hosts also arrange for daily tea and buns served in the “home from home” kitchen, and offer an extensive and delightful range of home-cooked meals from the campfire menu. For that added indulgence and to further relax glampers, three of the yurts also have a private wood-fired hot tub. The start of 2020 saw Amory added to the family collection; a glampervan that can be driven off-site and to any destination where the heart desires. Amory is the ultimate glampervan for wild camping; featuring a solar panel on the roof and the interior decked out just as the yurts themselves are – no corners are cut, that’s for sure. While many campervans come bare, Amory comes with everything from beautiful bedding and linen, through to champagne glasses, cloth napkins and even a cheese hamper to be enjoyed while on an adventure. Restrictions permitting, people are now booking Amory for trips abroad as well as touring the UK. It offers the full glamping experience wherever the glamper wishes to experience it. Nicola and Gary have no end of secret gems to suggest, and Amory allows you to choose a difference location every day. Nicola Mills, co-founder of Mayhill Glamping, said: “We pride ourselves on offering something totally luxurious, indulgent and extremely stylish at our rural retreat. Everything at Mrs Mills’ Yurts comes with a nod to the jazz age, from the sheepskin rugs and the garish gold beds, through to the wood-fired hot tubs. “Our Yurts are indulgent hotel rooms under the stars – they’re to my style and taste and it’s always lovely to get such positive and warm feedback when people come to stay with us. “We’re especially excited to launch our glampervan; we’ve had it just over a year now, but this year is when it’ll really get its chance to shine.” As well as being within a short distance from many great local pubs, attractions and stunning walking routes, Mrs Mills’ Yurts is also a short distance from the Cotswolds, Cheltenham and the Wye Valley, situated between Gloucester and Ross-on-Wye. Check out the glampsite at mayhillglamping.co.uk. Boxing clever with Maverick glamping pods Park operators are now looking at how every inch of property can be used to its full revenue potential, especially with increased demand for 2021 bookings. With attention predominantly turning towards lucrative accommodation options, now is the time to test the viability of expanding sites before having to heavily invest in complex infrastructure and committing to a large-scale public offering. Luxury temporary accommodation provider Caboose & Co. has produced a revolutionary travel pod, The Maverick, that will be the wingman of many a park operator this summer season. Caboose & Co’s managing director Tom Critchley says: “Having managed temporary accommodation sites for over 15 years, I’ve a wealth of valuable expertise when it comes to guest hospitality and assisting pop-up hotels, resorts and festivals diversify their offering. We work with landowners seeking to transform their sites into sought-after holiday destinations – whether that be for caravans, glamping or camping.” Born from wanting to solve the challenges faced when sourcing sleeping spots, Tom and his team supply shipping containers converted to the highest of industry standards, the cosy rooms can be simply and quickly deployed anywhere. Joining its impressive 54-strong converted container fleet, the first-of-its-kind product named The Maverick has been brought to the UK staycation and glamping markets as a direct response to increased staycations following COVID-19 international travel restrictions. With The Maverick also available with a hard deck atop the structure, it enables outdoor hospitality and event organisers the flexibility to
