The caravan industry is reaping the benefits of a weak pound which is making foreign holidays much more expensive, says an award-winning Shropshire-based business.
Tony Bywater, chairman of caravan and motorhome dealership Salop Leisure, which has sales centres in Shrewsbury, Machynlleth and Stourport-on-Severn, reported record sales across the business during August.
The company’s headquarters at Emstrey, Shrewsbury saw a 26 per cent increase in customers during the month, which increasing takings in all divisions of the business, including caravan, motorhome and campervan sales, the accessory sales, the Love Plants specialist plants centre and Love Coffee restaurant.
Mr Bywater believes the weak pound against the Euro and other currencies, long delays at airports due passport checks and the continual threat of international terrorism have convinced many British people, especially those with young families, to spend their holidays in the UK this year.
“They are definitely factors in the staycationing boom this year,” he said. “Many people are looking for better value for money and more flexibility with their holiday requirements for the future.
“A caravan holiday home, touring caravan or motorhome is available all year round whenever it is required and gives people absolute freedom to come and go as they please, whereas all that’s left after a holiday abroad is a suntan that fades and a few photographs.
“The beauty of owning a caravan holiday home, in particular, is that you can share it with other members of your family and you are assured of a high standard of comfortable accommodation every time you need a holiday of short break.
“Today’s holiday homes offer home from home luxury and the quality of parks in Mid Wales and the Heart of England is comparable if not better than other parts of the UK.”
He revealed that sales of caravans, motorhome and VW campervan conversions have been almost equally divided between existing customers and first-time buyers, but the business has welcome mote young families this year.
