South Lakeland Loses The Caravans And Gains The Parks

Since the management buyout of South Lakeland Caravans Limited in June 2006, the new management team, led by Graham Hodgson, Chief Executive, has changed the name, the company logo and even the location of the Head Office. Agreeing major investments and improvements to the parks, the team has positively shaken up the company within 3 short months!

The company is now known as “South Lakeland Parks”, reflecting the increasing numbers of lodges being purchased and rented on the parks, in addition to caravan holiday homes. It owns nine parks in and around the Lake District and Morecambe Bay.

A fresh input to the branding and corporate identity of the business has been developed with the introduction of new logos. Each park is now categorised by location, using a different variation of the group logo to reflect the parks location.

The four Coastal Parks (Ocean Edge, Regent, Marina & Hawthorne) are represented by shells, Woodland Parks (Gatebeck, Limefitt & Todber) by a leaf, and the two Lakeside Parks (Whitecross Bay & Fallbarrow) are represented by water and reeds.

The company is also relocating its head office from Carnforth to Helme Bank, Natland near Kendal. The newly-refurbished building will house over 30 staff. The company is a major employer in the area, currently employing over 200 staff across the group and with its new expansion plans, this figure looks set to increase. Already a new Marketing Manager, a new Sales Manager, and a new HR Manager have been recruited, and a non-executive Chairman, Martin Leppard, appointed.

Under the new management, the group has already initiated a number of projects to enhance the quality and standards on the parks. These programmes will focus on improving the customer experience for both holiday home owners and holiday visitors.

The improvements affecting all 9 parks include 3 more children’s playgrounds, better accessibility for disabled visitors and upgrades to hire fleet as well as changes to the online booking system. At South Lakeland’s flagship park, White Cross Bay, a new lodge development is being built as well as new tennis courts. There’s also a brand new indoor swimming pool and fully equipped leisure facilities planned at Regent.

Set in picturesque surroundings and offering high quality accommodation in caravans or luxury lodges, South Lakeland Parks’ future looks bright. With the fresh amenities and additional attractions at each park, the company’s management are confident that they can offer the perfect, relaxing holiday to their guests, whilst creating exciting opportunities for local staff, boosting the local economy and the region’s job market.

Graham Hodgson (Chief Executive) said, “This is a real step forward for the business. We are going to be operating out of offices that fit the quality and standards expected of this business. Our parks are in the best locations and deserve the best facilities. With the progress we have already made, our customers can see how committed we are to providing the perfect holiday retreat. Strong sales and rentals during recent weeks have given us great confidence already that we are heading in the right direction”.

Written in: September 2006