Salute to staff as Cumbria park cracks Easter deadline

Michael Holgate (left) with new trainees Michael Finch (20) and Steven Sharpe (19), both Silverdale residents
Michael Holgate (left) with new trainees Michael Finch (20) and Steven Sharpe (19), both Silverdale residents

Ground staff at Silverdale Holiday Park in Cumbria were praised this week after crossing the finishing line on a half-million pound makeover of guest facilities.

The starting pisto arrive.

But despite setbacks caused by March’s devastating snow sto go before the target date,

Guests at Silverdale park's leisure club enjoy a large heated pool
Guests at Silverdale park’s leisure club enjoy a large heated pool

They include a complete refitting of its bar and restaurant, the building of a new luxury amenities for touring guests, and the equipping of the gymnasium with the latest exercise technology.

New wildlife habitats were also created as part of a major landscaping and conservation initiative.

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The ground workers, said Michael, included extra new employees taken on this year at Silverdale and the five other nearby parks belonging to the Holgates Group.

They have brought the to over 150, and all the new recruits came from nearby communities and have been offered training opportunities.

The additional ground staff, said Michael, were needed to action:

“It was a very time-critical exercise as we had only a few months when the park was less busy to complete all of the work before welcoming thousands of guests over Easter,” he said.

“We are anticipating another record year for visitor numbers and holiday home buyers, and we wanted all the new facilities in place for the new season.

"Luxury

“There was a lot of construction, maintenance and re-equipping work to do – but despite some very challenging weather at times, the April deadline was met.

“We are very fortunate to recruit such excellent staff from the local area, and this winter has provided them with a great crash course in holiday park management!” said Michael.

Among those joining the Holgates team were Michael Finch (aged 20) and Steven Sharpe (aged 19) who both live in Silverdale, and who are now enrolled on the group’s training scheme.

The park provides around 500 caravan holiday homes torhomes and camping guests.

It also provides a leisure club with a strong local membership, and its facilities include the now re-equipped gymnasium together with a swimming pool and sauna and spa.

Far Arnside caravan park near Silverdale in Cumbria is one of the six parks in membership of the Holgates group
Far Arnside caravan park near Silverdale in Cumbria is one of the six parks in membership of the Holgates group