UK: Holiday park operator Park Holidays UK has announced it is to acquire one of its competitors, Bridge Leisure, which operates nine holiday parks in the West Country, Peak District, Yorkshire and Scotland.
Offering caravan and lodge holidays, touring and camping, and holiday home ownership, the deal will cement Park Holidays UK’s position as the largest holiday park operator on the South Coast, taking its portfolio from 33 to 42 holiday parks, and provide the group with a strong platform to serve the ever-growing staycation market.
A statement released by the company said that contracts for the sale were exchanged last week and are now only subject to regulatory approval.
Park Holidays UK director Tony Clish said: “Both companies have invested substantially in their parks over recent years, and created a range of high quality holiday products which people clearly enjoy. Whether customers are looking for holiday stays or to buy a holiday home, these parks have everything in place to deliver a first-class experience at an affordable cost.
“We will now be committing even more investment to ensuring that park facilities and services meet the highest possible standards, and in further upgrading accommodation and infrastructure. But it is important to both customers and staff that our investment plans are sensitive to the individual park identities and character, which each has established over the years,” he added.
Park Holidays was founded more than 35 years ago, building a portfolio of parks predominantly located on the South Coast of England, while Bridge Leisure has built up its presence by acquiring and developing select holiday parks since its founding in 2008.
Clish said: “Make no mistake, the quality bar is being raised ever higher all the time on Britain’s holiday parks – and this union between our groups will accelerate the process even faster. With our industry now poised to re-open, and holiday bookings and holiday home sales continuing to gather pace, everyone is feeling very upbeat at this announcement!”
