The prolonged summer heatwave has been great news for the caravan industry in Shropshire and Mid Wales with sales of touring caravans and motorhomes to first time buyers up 40 per cent on the same period last year.

Salop Leisure, who have just been named large touring caravan dealer of the year by Swift Group, is delighted by the sales boom but believe the real benefit of the hot weather will not be seen 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. 

The new Hot Springs attraction at Love2Stay.

“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. 

“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.

“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.