UK: Cumbria-based holiday park Solway Holiday Village has been acquired by international leisure park operator Cove Communities for an undisclosed sum.
The sale of the 130-acre site in Silloth by Hagans Leisure includes Meadow View and Lido Residential Parks, which will continue to be operated as part of Solway Holiday Village. The deal was conducted off market by Robert Smithson and Richard Moss of Colliers.
The sale includes Meadow View and Lido Residential Parks which were also owned by Hagans Leisure and continue to be operated as part of Solway Holiday Village.
Founded in the 1970s, Solway Holiday Village currently has capacity for 1600 pitches comprised of touring, camping and static caravans, with 50 staff involved in the operation of the park. The site also offers a range of facilities such as an indoor swimming pool, outdoor play park, sports hall, outside dining, an arcade, an entertainment clubhouse, food and beverage outlets, a gym and tennis courts.
Cove is the UK’s fourth largest caravan park operator, having bought more than £450 million of property there in the past three years alone. That includes the acquisitions of one of Europe’s largest leisure parks, Bunn Leisure [now Seal Bay Resort], in 2019, Medmerry Park in 2021, and Argyll Holidays in February of this year.
Cove UK managing director Mark Seaton said: “We’re thrilled to add Solway Holiday Village to the expanding Cove UK group. We have a clear strategy of only adding beautiful and well-maintained sites in great locations to our portfolio and Solway Holiday Village fits that profile.
“Under the leadership of Hagans Leisure it has moved from strength to strength. Our plan is to invest in the site and in our colleagues to ensure we enhance the great offering that is already there at the village,” he added.
Sam Hagan, managing director of Hagans Leisure Group, said: “As a company, and personally, we have thoroughly enjoyed owning and developing Solway Holiday Village over our many years of ownership.
“When deciding to sell, Cove UK was immediately our first choice given their reputation in the industry of outstanding owner and guest services. We wish Cove the best with the park moving forward and feel they are ideally placed to unlock the enormous potential the park offers; whilst continuing to provide the excellent facilities and services the park and staff offer to customers,” he added.
Cove UK also pledges to source at least 20 per cent of produce locally, build local partnerships and actively engage in local community initiatives across all of its resorts.
