Discover Leisure confirms 240 job losses as caravans are withheld

Posted by

by Chris Jefferies

Defunct caravan dealership Discover Leisure has announced that 240 of its 260 staff have been laid off, after the company entered administration last week.

Meanwhile, caravan owners are facing a frustrating wait to get their tourers back from Discover’s workshops across the North of England.

Mark Firmin, Northern head of restructuring at administrators KPMG, said: “Discover has faced a difficult market over an extended period of time, with persistently depressed consumer demand for high value discretionary items in particular.”

In response to the number of calls received from worried caravanners, the administrators have set up a dedicated hotline to help settle all outstanding issues. Discover customers are now advised to call 0845 617 1490.

Caravan Times readers have been getting in touch to express their frustration at the experience, with many raising fears that their upcoming holidays may be ruined by this sorry turn of events.

Nick Blakemore from Cheshire said: “My ‘van is at the Delamere site, it went in last Sunday for a warranty quote, the gates are shut and I can’t get it out. I am absolutely disgusted with the treatment!”

Meanwhile, Wayjac Stevens added: “My caravan is stuck at Darlington after having a service and some repairs under warranty and I’m not sure what to do? I’m going to Spain for winter on Sunday.”

Have you been affected by the collapse of Discover Leisure? Have you dealt with them in the past? Share your thoughts in our free community forum

Drayton Manor theme park to get its own Friendly Club caravan site

Posted by

by Tom Lowenstein

A new caravan park and campsite that is sure to be a big hit with the kids is set to open in Staffordshire next year.

In partnership with Drayton Manor Theme Park near Tamworth, the Camping and Caravanning Club have announced the opening of a new 90-pitch site from March 29th 2012.

Within easy walking distance of the popular theme park, the full-facility site will be ideal for families looking for activities to keep them entertained during a caravan holiday.

Bound to have the kids bouncing with excitement, Drayton Manor has several thrilling rides and attractions including a Ben 10 rollercoaster, Thomas the Tank Engine Land and a 15-acre zoo.

Announcing the new partnership, Bob Hill, club sites director at the Friendly Club, said: “Drayton Manor Theme Park is one of the UK’s most popular family attractions and I am sure this new site will be a great addition to the network and for tourism within the area.”

The Club Site at Drayton Manor follows the success of two sites next to equally popular theme parks – Gulliver’s Milton Keynes at Gulliver’s and Alton, The Star adjacent to Alton Towers.

Caravanners finding Autumn blooming marvellous

Posted by

by Tom Lowenstein

The Caravan Club has seen a bloom in autumn holidays as caravanners flock to see the beautifully seasonal shades taking over the UK’s national parks and arboretums.

Forests up and down the country are witnessing an autumnal spectacle as colours change and fruits and berries come into season.

Holidaymakers can see autumn at its best in arboretums, with the National Arboretum at Westonbirt a great example.

The Japanese maples have started to change colour early this year, bucking the trend of transforming in late-October to shower visitors with flaming golds and oranges.

Batsford Arboretum is glowing much the same, with maples and cherries adorned with gorgeous golds.

The Forestry Commission’s Westonbirt Arboretum director Simon Toomer explained: “There are many reasons why this is happening.

“The over-riding reason is day length but a number of other climatic factors such as a dry spring make a big difference.”

Bolderwood in the New Forest is another striking example and visitors can enjoy a seasonal picnic during this unusually mild autumn while walking or cycling around the purpose-built routes and trying to spot the famous Fallow deer that inhabit the area.

Caravan thief jailed after motorway crash halts getaway

Posted by

by Tom Lowenstein

A man who stole a caravan and then towed it so fast down the motorway that it toppled over, has been sentenced to jail.

Preston Crown Court heard how Anthony Robert Clarke, 27, stole a Land Rover and caravan from a farm in Longridge, before speeding off down the M6.

The thief was spotted by witnesses driving in the second and third lanes of the motorway, overtaking other vehicles at such a speed that the caravan was wobbling around, the Lancashire Evening Post reported.

Prosecutor Robert Baldwin said: “The caravan started to shake and wobble from side to side to the extent each wheel was bouncing off the ground,” the newspaper quoted.

Witnesses had described the caravan appearing to ‘hop’ down the motorway, it was going so fast.

The court heard that the caravan then became detached from the car before hitting a barrier, whereupon the vehicle veered to the side and toppled over.

The witnesses went to give assistance, only to see Mr Clarke running off down the motorway embankment.

Clarke pleaded guilty to aggravated vehicle taking and theft of a caravan and was jailed for 69 weeks. He also received a two-year driving ban.

British Airstream pioneer talks of caravan obsession

Posted by

by Chris Jefferies

With its iconic silver bullet shape and long list of celebrity admirers, there’s no denying that the Airstream is the coolest caravan on the UK’s roads.

However, if it weren’t for one determined Brit, the retro tourer may never have reached our shores at all, the Yorkshire Post reports.

Michael Hold was the first man to bring the much-loved marque to our shores after convincing the American parent company to sell him the rights to create a version that would be legal on European roads.

It was eighty years ago that the original Airstream caravan captured the imagination of Stateside holidaymakers, but it wasn’t until 2004 that Mr Hold set about bringing them to the UK.

“It all started when I went to a caravan show in Kentucky and saw them there. I fell in love with them. They have that affect on you,” he told the local paper.

“I was so convinced, I gave up a comfortable corporate job to devote everything to my dream of getting them here,” he added.
After three years’ work, Airstream Europe completed its original mission and the company now sells a wide range of luxury Airstream caravans, starting at £33,000 for the two-berth Bambi 422.

These tourers are truly international, with a European chassis, British electrics, Swedish central heating and contemporary German furniture.

As well as having a lightweight aluminium bodyshell, Airstream caravans are up to 20 per cent more aerodynamic than a traditional ‘van due to their curved front end, which is based on an airplane’s fuselage.

What’s more, the trend is clearly catching on, as Mr Hold says he has sold 200 of the luxury tourers over the past five years.

Famous Airstream fans include Robert Downey Jr. and Chris Evans, while Neil Armstrong and the rest of the crew of Apollo 11 stayed in one for a week in 1969 as part of their re-acclimatisation process after returning from the moon.

Discover Leisure enters administration leaving caravanners out of pocket

Posted by

by Chris Jefferies and Marcus Dubois

One of the UK’s biggest caravan retailers has entered administration, resulting in an uncertain financial future for many owners and recent buyers across the UK.

Discover Leisure, which has five retail centres across the North of England, appointed KPMG as its administrator late on Friday night (October 14th), the Press Association reports.

In an official statement the company said: “The directors and management will be working with the administrators to try and ensure that the business is saved in part or as a whole and as many of its employees as possible maintain their jobs within the business.”

This sorry turn of events will leave many recent caravan buyers, and indeed existing owners with outstanding Discover Leisure warranties, exposed to losing hundreds of pounds.

On Friday, a spokeswoman from the National Caravan Council advised worried customers to contact the company directly and confirmed that Discover had pulled their stand from the NCC Motorhome & Caravan Show.

This morning, a spokesperson for Discover Leisure said: “Customers are advised to contact the company on 01430 801562 if they have any outstanding issues. Discover Leisure is not able to fulfil any warranties due to being in administration.

“Any extended warranties bought direct from Discover Leisure are being passed to the administrator, where they will be processed. Discover Leisure is providing customers who hold manufacturer warranties a list of dealers in their area who can fulfil these.”

Have you been affected by the collapse of Discover Leisure? Have you dealt with them in the past? Share your thoughts in our free community forum

Sibling rivals recognised for top Yorkshire caravan parks

Posted by

by Aditi Charanji

A brother and sister are turning up the sibling rivalry as they aim to give caravan owners the best pitches in the whole of Yorkshire.

Both Rebecca Palmer-Bunting and her brother Nick Palmer made the shortlist for the annual White Rose Awards, a scheme aimed at celebrating the best accommodation and attractions in the county.

And, while both just missed out on the top spot, just being nominated is testament to their attention to detail and love of fine caravan accommodation, something that was highlighted by the fact Rebecca was also in the running for the prize for Outstanding Customer Service.

Welcoming the news, father Ian, who himself owns three caravan parks in Yorkshire, told the Yorkshire Post: “To have our efforts recognised by the industry as well as the guests is great.”

Rebecca runs the Robin Hood Caravan Park, close to the historic city of York, while Nick runs Jasmine Park, close to the popular seaside town of Scarborough.

Top ten things to see at the NCC Motorhome and Caravan Show 2011

Posted by

by Marcus Dubois

Entering the vast halls of Birmingham’s NEC during the Motorhome and Caravan Show can be quite a daunting experience. A sea of stands extends in each direction as far as the eye can see, with hundreds of exhibitors forming a visual feast. Whether a complete newcomer or a seasoned regular, the sheer range of things to see can be overwhelming.

Which is why the Caravan Times team sat down earlier to pick through our highlights from this week. It’s been a superb year for new caravan launches with fresh designs competing to catch the eye; while there are hidden attractions and experiences for those wanting to try something different. Take a look at our top ten tips for the NEC this weekend.

Get under the skin of Bailey’s first ever motorhome

You might know Bailey for their market-leading caravan ranges, but this year the Bristol-based manufacturer enters the motorhome world for the first time with the Approach SE. For the NEC, Bailey has peeled back the skin of a demonstrator model so visitors can see the secrets behind the Alu-Tech construction. Get up and close to Bailey’s first motorhome on Hall 19, Stand 19-29

Get free cookery demonstrations from celebrity chef Gino D’Acampo

Need some fresh ideas on what to cook during your next holiday? Pop down to the Cookery Theatre for some fantastic recipes and live demonstrations. On Saturday celebrity chef Gino D’Acampo will be showcasing his easy-to-cook Italian meals, while also signing copies of his latest cookbook. Catch him in Hall 9

See the “spaceship on wheels” from a brand new caravan manufacturer

It’s not often you get a new caravan manufacturer, yet alone one as daring and radical as IH Leisure. Known for their motorhomes, the British brand has launched their first caravan, filled with luxury appointments and with the look of a spaceship. Check out the Monopod 660 on Stand 8-33

Try towing with a Towcar of the Year winner

Each year the Caravan Club makes our job of choosing a towcar that much easier with their annual awards. Try one of the Towcars of the Year by towing a Bailey around the Club’s dedicated course with guidance from an expert. Visit Stand 20-79 to book your place.

Witness the return of historic brand Carlight Caravans

It’s been over a decade since one of Britain’s oldest caravan manufacturers ceased production. However the big news for 2012 is that Carlight Caravans are back – and you can see their full new range of tourers on Hall 18 Stand 25

Click here to continue reading 

Financial problems force Discover Leisure into NEC no-show

Posted by

by Chris Jefferies

Caravan dealer Discover Leisure has pulled its staff from the NCC Motorhome & Caravan Show, after admitting that it may not be able to solve its current financial problems.

The retailer, which has five dealerships across the North of England and headquarters in York, made a worrying announcement to the London Stock Exchange this morning at 8am.

“The board now believes that it is increasingly unlikely that an acceptable solution to the funding issues that the group faces can be secured in the necessary timeframe,” the statement read.

Furthermore, the AIM-listed company withdrew its shares, after they had plummeted to a 52-week low of 23 pence, down nearly 48 per cent so far this week.

Earlier this week the company announced poor sales figures for the three months to August 2011 and revealed that it is seeking additional funding.

In reaction to this troubling news, Caravan Times spoke with Louise Wood, spokesperson from the National Caravan Council, who confirmed the situation at the Birmingham NEC.

“At present, no Discover Leisure staff are at the NCC Show. Their stand is not available at the moment; it is very much a ‘wait and see’ situation.

“If anyone has recently paid a deposit to Discover Leisure, we would advise them to contact the company in the first instance,” she continued.

“We are awaiting further clarification of the situation, but at present we have not had confirmation that Discover Leisure has gone into administration.”

At the time of writing, Discover Leisure was not available for comment.

Have you been affected by the collapse of Discover Leisure? Have you dealt with them in the past? Share your thoughts in our free community forum

Vanmaster Darwin 440: Two-berth luxury for discerning couples

Posted by

by Chris Jefferies

For more than 16 years, Vanmaster has been a byword for coachbuilt quality and now the Wigan-based manufacturer has expanded its range with a deluxe two-berth model, the Darwin 440.

Named after the company’s founders John and Cyril Darwin, this new model made its public debut earlier this week at the NCC Motorhome & Caravan Show in Birmingham.

The aim is to deliver spacious, luxury living without compromise and this is certainly reflected in the classy, traditional interiors.

From the Ash wood veneer to the beige soft furnishings and even a wine cabinet, it is clear that the Darwin 440 has been built with mature caravanners in mind.

For a truly cosy year-round touring experience, Vanmaster has also fitted Alde wet heating and under floor heating to a carefully crafted caravan, which takes around 800 man hours to build.

The traditional convertible front double layout means you will need to make up the bed each night, but the slide-out system makes this a breeze and the space created is enormous.

All this comes in a caravan with an MTPLM of 1,420kg, meaning that most medium-sized family cars, from a Ford Mondeo upwards, should be able to tow a Darwin effortlessly.

At £23,950, the Vanmaster Darwin 440 costs around £5,000 more than the equivalent Swift Conqueror, but is over £10,000 cheaper than the equivalent Carlight and the price includes the option to individually customise your caravan to meet your exact needs.

For the truly discerning caravanner, a Vanmaster badge still holds a lot of clout and the long-lasting quality of these coachbuilt ‘vans may well be enough to tempt a few traditional caravan lovers to part with that extra chunk of cash.

The Vanmaster Darwin 440 is on display at the NCC Motorhome & Caravan Show in Birmingham until Sunday October 16th. To get the latest updates from the show, join our community forum.


Find more photos like this on CaravanTimes

Fifth Wheel Inos promises to take caravan luxury to the next level

Posted by

by Chris Jefferies

When it comes to caravan interiors, bigger is almost always better, and no European manufacturer can claim to offer more space than Fifth Wheel Company.

The Welsh manufacturer showed off the prototype for its first ever tourer at the Boat and Caravan Show in February, but this week caravan enthusiasts can inspect the completed Fifth Wheel Inos for the first time at the NCC Motorhome & Caravan Show.

As the only European caravan with slide-out technology, the Inos offers simply unrivalled levels of spaciousness, from the open-plan living area, through to the lavish bedroom.

This is achieved by having a sliding section that extend out sideways from the offside of the van, resulting in an extra 4.8 square metres of interior space.

In addition to the Inos 1211 model that is on show in Birmingham, Fifth Wheel will offer a further three layouts to suit buyers’ requirements, but the luxury standard is maintained throughout the range.

What’s more, the Inos features the Alde Compact 3010 wet heating system, which makes for a cosy year-round touring experience as well as further increasing the amount of interior space available.

Visitors to the NEC this weekend can look around the transverse island-bed layout, which includes an enormous nearside shelf, complete with a large chest of drawers, to create truly hotel-like decor.

These levels of luxury are normally only seen in American RVs and as such it’s hard to predict whether British buyers will buy into this lavish touring style, or whether it will be judged as simply too flashy.

Adrian Parry- Jones, Operations Director at Fifth Wheel Company, said: “We are confident that the production model has the technical superiority and design flexibility to meet the needs of our customers.”

However, this technical superiority and design flexibility doesn’t come cheap – the Inos carries an elite price tag of £36,000.
Furthermore, with an MTPLM of 2,700kg you will undoubtedly need a seriously powerful 4WD to tow this veritable palace on wheels.

To get the latest updates from the NCC Motorhome & Caravan Show 2011, join our community forum.


Find more photos like this on CaravanTimes

Spaceship on wheels: the Monopod 660 caravan from IH Leisure

Posted by

by Marcus Dubois

It’s not often in the world of caravanning that a new manufacturer comes to the table, let alone a company offering wildly futuristic and unusual designs. Motorhome maker IH Leisure have taken a different approach when launching their first ever caravan, penning a space-age vehicle that breaks new boundaries in design.

The Monopod 660 draws upon twenty years in the leisure industry to create a high-end luxury caravan with an extraordinary striking look. The name derives from the one piece monocoque body shell, a design technique taken from the automotive industry which allows stresses and strains on the vehicle to be carried by the outer skin.

The front section is reminiscent of a helicopter with its slanted separate windows and curved front, while the design allows for a pure shape with few visible joins.

Premium luxury

Inside the Monopod 660 feels like stepping into a boutique hotel from another age, with warm contrasting tones and rich woods. The Truma blown air heating system is used throughout, while the lounge area is large and well appointed with comfortable foam back rests.

An initial selection of three example layouts were shown, though the Monopod will be available with a range of configurations. All are four-berth, with one sporting a rear bathroom and side dinette; another focused around a central galley kitchen; and the last a fixed bed.

Colour match your caravan

If the uniform look of white caravans feels over-familiar to you, then the Monopod may appeal. Although the show model was presented in a silver-green metallic hue, the caravan can be custom-painted to match your towcar.

Meanwhile IH Leisure is offering a tailored service where customers can make bespoke adjustments to suit their requirements. A wide range of additional options are also available.

The catch? Prices for the IH Leisure Monopod 660 start from £41,995.


Find more photos like this on CaravanTimes