MANOR PARK HOLIDAY VILLAGE

Business Description

Park Resorts was created in March 2001 when CBPE (Close Brothers Private Equity), in partnership with a management buy-out team of three led by David Vaughan, decided to purchase twelve Haven freehold caravan parks from Bourne Leisure Ltd. The deal was finalised in May 2001 at a reported cost of £46m.[2]

In December 2004 Park Resorts was sold to ABN AMRO Capital for £165 million, and its activities were merged with the GB Holiday Parks business (itself bought by ABN Amro for £105m just one month previously) to form the second-largest caravan park operator. The name 'Park Resorts' was retained as the company name and brand title. CBPE continued to hold a residual investment representing a 9% stake in the enlarged group. The management team led by Mr Vaughan was retained and held a 23% stake.[3]

In March 2007, the business was acquired in a highly-leveraged buy-out backed by GI Partners for £440m. Whilst this was financially very beneficial to the three founders and ABN Amro it was reported that this deal left the ongoing business with close to £350m debt.[4] Six months later the three founding directors left to be replaced by a team headed by Martin Grant from Roadchef. Under Grant's leadership a further three sites were acquired and a number of the older GB Holiday Parks sites were upgraded.

In April 2008, GI injected £15m capital into the Parks Resorts business.[5] In December 2008, in increasingly difficult trading conditions, GI ousted the Grant management team and reinstated the original three directors, with David Vaughan resuming as chief executive.[6] Since then the financial position was reported to have begun to improve.[7]

During the 2009 season Andy Edge, the Marketing Director at Park Resorts, went 'undercover' at Breydon Water, Great Yarmouth and Lower Hyde, Isle of Wight as part of the Channel 4 television series The Undercover Boss.[8] In an interview after the show Mr Edge told how the show has generated a very positive response from both customers and staff.

In September 2009, Martin Grant, the former chief executive and his colleagues Colin Bramhall and Richard Hunt, won a case of unfair dismissal against GI Partners on the grounds of a "flagrant breach of dismissal procedures" and were awarded £45,000 in compensation.[9]

In October 2009 a restructuring of the group's £325m debt facilities was agreed with the main creditor banks which also included a new £25m senior debt facility to allow a five year investment programme to proceed.[10]

Two further parks were brought under the operation and branding of the group as from the 2010 season, the Bryanston Kenmore sites at Southview, Skegness and at Manor Park, Hunstanton, bringing the total to 39.

The director's report for the year ended 31 March 2011 details a 6% increase in turnover for the year to £158.8m and an operating loss of £9.6m but forecasts the company should return to profit in future years. In the meantime the company is dependant on the parent, Dome Holdings Ltd, to keep it a going concern.[1]

As from the start of 2011 the company introduced the strapline, Creating Amazing Memories, to appear below the logo of Park Resorts on all publicity material, letterheads and signages. During the week of 9 May 2011, the ITV1 programme This Morning featured Park Resorts to show "the real caravan experience to viewers". This also marked the 10th anniversary of the company.

On 16 October 2011 Park Resorts was ranked 244 (2010 = 215) in the annual Sunday Times HSBC Top Track 250 league table based on Britain's biggest mid-market private companies by latest sales.[11]

On 5 February 2012 Park Resorts was ranked 48 in The Sunday Times Deloitte Buyout Track 100 league table based on Britain's mid-market private-equity-backed companies with the fastest-growing profits over the last two years.[12] (note: profits used by Fast Track for this ranking are based on the parent, Dome Holdings Ltd)

Business Services
Park Resorts offer holiday accommodation, holiday or seasonal touring pitches or holiday home ownership. Static caravans for holiday let and ownership are available at all 39 Parks. Touring and/or camping pitches are available at 24 of the Parks. Chalets and holiday lodges are also available for hire and to buy at selected Parks. Most Parks are open from around 21 March to 31 October, and slightly longer for their owners. Manor Park opens for 11 Month for Private caravans owners.

Business Products
Park Resorts produces Lifestyles for anyone looking to buy and holiday home and experience first class service.

Business Qualifications
At Park Resorts the comfort and safety of our guests is always paramount. We pride ourselves on providing safe and secure family Holiday Parks, where our guests can be assured of a relaxed and enjoyable holiday experience. Many of our Parks have achieved awards they are really proud of, and we hope you are too. For more information on the awards that your favourite Park has achieved please see Our Parks.

Tourist Board Awards
Our 39 Holiday Parks are each graded by the English, Welsh and Scottish Tourist Boards according to the standard of facilities available there, and we are pleased to say that our Parks are all graded as 3, 4 and 5 Star Parks. Check out the Park page to see how your favourite Park is graded.

SAFE Award
We recognise that the welfare of all children is paramount which is why Park Resorts works with the registered charity S.A.F.E to promote safer activities for everyone whilst on our Holiday Parks.

David Bellamy Conservation Awards
At Park Resorts we appreciate the importance of an active concern for the environment. David Bellamy looks at virtually every aspect of Park management - from the protection of plant and animal habitats to the efficient use of energy and recycling – and awards three levels of excellence: Gold, Silver and Bronze.

Investors In People
Some of our Parks have also achieved the Investors in People award. We're very proud of this as it requires quality & success through people.

Rose Award
Several of our Parks have been granted a Rose Award which recognises high quality Caravan Holiday Parks

At Park Resorts, we know that peace of mind is an essential part of the experience when you buy a Static Caravan or Lodge. It is important to know that you are buying a Holiday Home with a company who are committed to delivering a high standard of customer care.

At Park Resorts we do our very best to always provide you with all the information you could need to make the decision that's right for you. And now, that has been recognised by the National Caravan Council and we are delighted to announce that all 39 Park Resorts' UK Parks are now NCC Approved!



Who are the NCC?

The NCC (National Caravan Council) represents the interests of the caravanning industry (including tourers, motorhomes and static caravans). It works with its members to ensure that all parks within the Caravan industry deliver the highest quality of products and services, and treat their customers fairly.

The National Caravan Council carried out an extensive audit of our 39 UK Caravan Parks during the summer of 2012 and thoroughly assessed the Park's Caravan sales processes. We were over the moon to be assessed close to 100% overall (98% was the minimum score achieved by any Park Resorts Caravan Parks) and this is testament to the hard work of our Owners Elite Teams who follow the guidelines put in place for our Owners protection.



What is NCC approval?

The NCC launched the Approved Holiday Park Award Scheme to champion the rights of Holiday Home Owners and those looking to buy in the future. It establishes important benchmarks for Holiday Parks offering Ownership, whilst raising standards of professionalism and customer service – promoting best practice across the industry. Park Resorts was one of the first national Caravan Park Operators to be assessed last year and are delighted to be part of the scheme.



So what does this mean for YOU?

Quite simply, that you’re in good hands at Park Resorts! By displaying the NCC Approved logo, our Parks are making a commitment to be the best that Holiday Parks that they can be.

We operate to the industry’s best practice, maintaining a high level of customer care and professionalism
We provide a level of consumer protection which is over and above the required protection by law
We deal in an open, honest and fair manner.

Remember – wherever you see the blue tick you can be assured that you’re at a Caravan Park who has promised to take good care of you, right from your first step of buying your own Holiday Home, all the way through to getting your keys and stepping into the wonderful world of ownership. And then, you have your dedicated Owners Elite team to offer dedicated support thereafter.



It's our promise that we'll help you to get the very best from Caravan ownership, so you can enjoy years and years as a happy Owner at Park Resorts, making the absolute most of your quality leisure time!



Our 39 UK Caravan Parks officially open for the holiday season on 22nd March, but Owners Elite teams are already there (and so are many of our Owners, enjoying their extended seasons), so you are welcome to book a visit anytime to experience your favourite Park for the day and see if you can picture yourself there.

Business Staff & Management
Park Resorts currently employs 1,796 people (of which 1,129 are seasonal)[1] including the support team at their administrative office in Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire. Entertainment across the company is managed in house and the entertainments team members are known as 'Teamstars'. The Teamstars organize games and activities for the younger children, as well as being joined on stage by the "Krew Club" which includes "Sparky Rabbit", his best friend "Sparkle" and the antagonistic "Naarky".

Business Clients
We sell Holiday Homes to Private Individuals as a life style choice.