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.
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.
Foot golf – the new way to drive revenue to your park
Highlands End Holiday Park in Dorset has hailed the success of its new foot golf course and recommended other parks to consider creating one. The park, near Bridport, launched Dorset Foot Golf in May 2024 and it was an instant hit with thousands of customers flooding in. Marketing chief, James Loveridge, had the idea after visiting other foot golf facilities and enjoying his experience. He said: “Our pitch and putt was just not very well used so I’ve been pushing for it for a few years. “We converted it into an 18 hole foot golf course and have had more than 15,000 visitors since opening. “It brings in 20 times the revenue of the pitch n putt course and has been attracting people staying at other holiday parks and other accommodations in the area, to the park, as well as lots of local residents such as football clubs and other sports teams or groups.” Family appeal James said he was always confident that the conversion would pay off. The park management has created it with a range of features similar to ‘crazy golf’ to boost the appeal to families and children. Data shows 45% of the users so far have been kids. He said: “I knew it was a growing sport and thought our site would be perfect for it. “I think pitch and putt is much harder to play for most people. “Footgolf has much wider appeal and it’s definitely easier for children to do. “The idea was to get visitors up here to see our facilities and the views, and also keep our customers on site. Hopefully this has an impact on future bookings too. “We have been getting a lot of players from other holiday parks and a decent amount from the local community as we leafletted the area, which did help get the word out. “We’ve also got listings out on Visit Dorset website and some paid for Facebook posts advertising it.” The stats The design and build process Dorset Foot Golf, as the course is named, did not require a huge investment. It has been designed in a more playful way than most foot golf courses, which are more akin to traditional golf. James explained: “There’s not been a huge amount to do to convert the pitch n putt. “I designed the course myself and came up with the idea for obstacles and we’ve used our own maintenance team and a range of local tradespeople to design and manufacture the various features on the course, such as ramps, tunnels, hoops, loops, nets and local landmark themed signs. “The only thing that’s come from a national footgolf supplier is the holes and the flagpoles. “The capital cost was fairly low, just a few thousand pounds, and the labour. “The running costs are also minimal as we manage it from our on-site shop. Customers book online and collect their score card and football from the store. “We might staff it next summer to improve customer service but there’s not been any issues at all running it this way.” Advice to other parks “It’s definitely something parks can do quite easily if they’ve got the land,” said James. “My main advice, or if I was to do ours again, is that I would make it a bit smaller. “Ours is on seven acres and I think I could have done it on half that. A lot of our holes are 100 yards long, so if I was doing it again I’d make a lot of them shorter so it’s a bit easier for children. “The other issue to consider is how flat the site is – if it’s too slopey the ball can run away if the grass is short or there’s not enough grass.” http://www.wdlh.co.uk/ All images courtesy Dorset Foot Golf
