Holiday parks welcome key workers in fight against virus

BH&HPA chairman Andrew Baragwanath says holiday parks are reaching out within their local communities

BRITAIN’S caravan and camping parks are starting to swap holiday guests for key NHS workers and others in urgent need of accommodation during the coronavirus crisis.

The British Holiday & Home Parks Association reports “a massive industry-wide response” following the closure of all its 2,900 member park businesses this week.

The association’s chairman, Andrew Baragwanath, says that medical staff coming out of retirement and needing to NHS hospitals are among those being welcomed.

Tourism minister Nigel Huddleston this week thanked parks for their role

“We are hearing many examples of parks offering up holiday caravans and holiday lodges, and even glamping units, to local councils and health boards,” he said.

“There are a lot of instances where parks are able to stay for homeless people previously housed by councils in B&B accommodation.

“We’ve also heard of parks working with councils to accommodate people who must stay apart from their families as their partner or relative has contracted the virus.

“Parks would normally now be starting to really busy-up as the holiday season gets underway, but instead there are thousands of holiday caravans across the country lying empty.

“Most parks are smaller family-run businesses where the owners have long been a part of the local community, and now see an opportunity to support it.

“We are very proud of what we are witnessing and the compassion being shown,” said Andrew whose long-established family firm owns Ayr Holiday Park near St Ives in Cornwall.

Andrew added that to combat the virus threat.

Members of BH&HPA form the major part of the caravan and camping parks industry which generates £9.3 billion of visitor spending each year, and supports over 170,000 full-time jobs.

Devon Partnership NHS Trust tweets its gratitude to Park Holidays UK for providing free holiday caravans