It’s definitely been a stop-start year as far as caravanning is concerned. As we enter another closed season, the sombre news spells the end to chances of a weekend getaway in your caravan.
As the following highlights suggest, however, the news is by no means all doom and gloom.
What lockdown means for camping and caravanning breaks
So, let’s address the seasonal damper right off the bat.
The Prime Minister announced the start of a new national lockdown with effect from the 5th of November and a story in the Express newspaper on the 3rd of November spelt out just what this meant for camping and caravanning breaks.
Unfortunately, the message is pretty straight forward and clear. Except in very exceptional circumstances, travel during the current lockdown is banned, as are holidays in the UK or abroad, wherever you decide to stay – including your tent or caravan.
The Prime Minister has further indicated that the present lockdown rules will be lifted in one month’s time, on the 3rd of December.
‘Extraordinary year’ for Yorkshire’s caravan industry as holidaymakers enjoy staycations
Every cloud has its silver lining. With foreign holidays effectively out of the question for many people, staycations have seen a surge this year. And the preferred accommodation for many of those staycationers is a holiday caravan, touring caravan or motorhome, according to a story in the Yorkshire Post recently.
The UK’s biggest manufacturer of holiday homes, Willerby Holiday Homes in Hull, reported the fullest order books for 75 years during the months of July, August, and September. Touring caravan sales were 24% higher than at the same time in 2019 and the sale of motorhomes had grown by an incredible 41% this August compared with the same month last year.
The figures make it an extraordinary year for East Yorkshire, said the newspaper since the local industry directly employs 10,000 people and an additional 10,000 in various parts of the supply chain.
Leisure complex opening marks £3.5m investment in Fife caravan park
A massive £3.5 million investment in a caravan park and leisure complex in Fife has added a new swimming pool, gymnasium, spa sauna, and café to one of the largest such resorts in the UK reported the Courier on the 5th of November.
Development of the 110-acre Clayton Caravan Park near St Andrews has added 91 extra sites and brings the total of holiday and residential pitches at the resort to 650. Ten additional full-time jobs have been created as a result – bringing the total workforce there to 40 local employees.
The complex has 550 holiday homes and 50 residential park homes for sale, 30 pitches for touring caravans and the company also rents out a fleet of homes for rent.
Nine outlets added to Bailey Retailer Network
Caravan manufacturer Bailey of Bristol has announced the expansion of its network of franchised retailers, reported Out and About Live on the 5th of November.
The new dealers to be introduced to Bailey’s existing network include three caravan retailers and six motorhome outlets, all eager to stock and display the 2021 range of new models – featuring the Phoenix+ and Pegasus Grande SE caravans and the all-new stable of Adamo motorhomes.
The new outlets will also offer pre-owned Bailey motorhomes and caravans and are fully approved to carry out warranty work and servicing on behalf of Bailey.