By William Coleman
So it seems as though the heat wave that the UK has been enjoying for the past month or so is not set to continue despite the blip we have seen over the weekend. As the heat continues to rise so do the sales of motorhomes, caravans and holiday bookings.
It really is no surprise that the heatwaves we have been experiencing has had a positive effect on the UK tourism and touring home sector. Why would you need to travel abroad when you can have a 5 star mediterranean temperature holiday right at home here in the UK? No need to pick one location with one hotel when you can travel in total freedom with a motorhome or caravan.
The caravan industry in Shropshire and Mid Wales has experienced a 40% rise in first time buyers of motorhomes and caravan, and it has just happened to coincide with the soaring temperatures hitting the UK.
Another company who is enjoying the weather and success it brings is Salop Leisure in Shrewsbury. The company has recently been named “Large Dealer of the Year” by Swift Group. Salop are over the mood with the recent success but they believe they will not see the real benefit of the hot weather until next year.
“Based on previous experience, we believe the heatwave will have the most positive effect next year when couples and families are booking their holidays,” said managing director Mark Bebb.
“Because they have enjoyed themselves so much this year by taking a staycation during the heatwave, they are more likely to want to spend their holiday here again next summer.
“The last time we had a heatwave like this was 1976 and there’s nowhere better than the UK to spend your holiday when the sun is shining and it’s great value for money., continued Mark.
Having spoke to people both in and out of the industry there seems to be a lot of foreshadowing or issues and drama travelling abroad post Brexit: “More people are opting to invest in touring caravans, motorhomes, caravan holiday homes and luxury lodges, which give them the chance to get away for a break any time they wish.
“We are expecting staycations to become increasingly popular due to Brexit, which is causing great uncertainty in the country and is likely to cause even longer delays at airports and ports due to customs checks.
“If you’re living in the Midlands or North West England, you can jump in your car and be at your holiday destination in Wales within a couple of hours without all the hassle of waiting for hours in an airport or at port.”
Salop Leisure, which has sales centres in Shrewsbury, Machynlleth and Stourport-on-Severn, has been delighted to see so many new customers and first time buyers this summer.
“We are seeing huge demand for touring caravans and motorhomes aided by the hot weather and the fact that staycationing is fashionable and affordable by using the range of financial products now available,” added Mr Bebb.
Touring caravan parks across Mid Wales have been enjoying a very busy summer and Mr Bebb reported that Salop Leisure’s glamping and caravanning resort, Love2Stay in Shrewsbury is fully booked throughout the school holidays and every weekend until the end of September. Having visited the site on several occasions it really is easy to see why so many people keep coming back.
“This week, there are 650 people staying at Love2Stay and we have a huge waiting list, which shows the demand for staycationing and the concept of the resort,” said Mr Bebb. “We are passionate about camping and caravanning and we believe it should be peaceful, restorative and enjoyable.”
The resort recently opened Hot Springs, 240 square metres of heated rock pools, a real sandy play beach, waterfall, boardwalk and deck chairs, which is proving a big hit with visitors.
The £6 million resort aims to raise the bar for quality UK holidays. It has 122 touring caravan pitches and a village of 11 luxury glamping lodges on a 22-acre site offering panoramic views across to Wales and the Shropshire Hills.
