PLANNERS have given the go-ahead for a family’s Tenbury Wells caravan park to take advantage of the staycation boom by remaining open 12 months of the year.
St Michaels Caravan Park, set in an ancient apple orchard, says the decision by Malvern Hills District Council will bear fruit for many other small businesses in the area.
Park owner Brian Griffiths and his wife Sandra can now welcome visito close their gates in January and February.
Money spent in the local economy by his holiday guests, says Brian, will in future be spread more evenly throughout the year, benefitting other nearby enterprises:
“Since taking over St Michaels Caravan Park in 2007, we have seen this beautiful area grow and grow in popularity – and especially in recent times,” he said.
“Our visitor attractions and other businesses in the region, many of which are family owned, like ours.
“An extra eight weeks on our holiday year will boost tourism spending overall, and means that the tap isn’t suddenly turned off during the winter months.
“Twelve months’ opening also complements the trend to one main holiday,” added Brian.
He said that modern holiday caravans are very different from those in use in the early 1960s when caravan holidays began to grow in popularity.
Central heating, double glazing, high levels of insulation and a host of mod-cons mean that it is no longer necessary to the warmer months of the year.
Although holiday caravans can’t be used for permanent residential purposes, said Brian, owners – many of whom live in the West Midlands – can visit their hideaways whenever they choose.
Prices range between £40,000 and £80,000, and the park also provides holiday accommodation to rent for short breaks and longer holidays.
Brian and Sandra, who have two grown-up sons, also own nearby Wigley Orchard Holiday Park in Stoke Bliss which they bought in 1985
There is more information about St Michaels Caravan Park at www.stmichaelscaravans.co.uk