The chairman of an award-winning Shrewsbury-based leisure company is predicting that the UK staycationing boom will continue in 2023.

Tony Bywater from Salop Leisure, which also has sales centres in Machynlleth and Stourport-on-Severn, believes that more people will holiday in the UK in the new year, resulting in greater demand for touring caravans, motorhomes, campervans and caravan holiday homes. 

In addition to running one of the UK’s most successful caravan and motorhome dealerships, Salop Leisure also owns the Love2Stay glamping and touring resort and operates Love Plants, a specialist plant centre based at the company’s Shrewsbury headquarters. 

Having devoted more than 50 years of his life to the caravan and motorhome industry, Mr Bywater has experienced many economic highs and lows and is well placed to offer an opinion on future business prospects.

“I don’t subscribe to all the talk of doom and gloom; I think we are set for another very busy year,” said Mr Bywater. “I think the business opportunities in 2023 are going to be fantastic for our industry. 

“More people are going to want to stay in the UK next year and have the freedom to go on holiday or for a short break when they wish. This will result in high demand for touring caravans, motorhomes, campervans and caravan holiday homes which offer excellent value for money. 

“Rather than spending on an overseas holiday and coming home with a few photos and a suntan that doesn’t last for long, people can buy one of our products and holiday anytime they wish all year round.

“We are offering products that will give happiness to their owners and their families for many years to come. We look forward to offering help and advice to anyone wishing to buy our one of products in the new year.”

Highlights of 2022 for Salop Leisure included finishing the year by adding another award to its collection. The company was named the UK’s top supplying dealer of pre-owned touring caravans in the Owner Satisfaction Awards 2023, based on surveys undertaken by Camping and Caravanning Club members and Practical Caravan magazine readers. 

In addition, the company was runner-up in the UK’s best new caravan supplying dealers award, which it won last year. 

“Being recognised in these awards makes the company very proud,” added Mr Bywater who reported that every part of the business had been busier in 2022.