NORTH CORNWALL MP Scott Mann took time out during English Tourism Week in March to visit a Padstow holiday park which has become a leading light in the Living Hours movement.
Mr Mann was at Mother Ivey’s Bay Holiday Park (on 17 March) where he met with owner of the family business Patrick Langmaid and members of the park team
The MP congratulated Mr Langmaid on his park recently becoming the first business in the UK hospitality sector to be accredited as a Living Hours Employer with the Living Wage Foundation.
The Living Hours standard is awarded to employers who have implemented changes to improve job and financial security for their staff teams.
Mr Mann’s visit coincided with this year’s English Tourism Week which shines a spotlight on England’s tourism sector, and the huge annual contribution that visitors make to the UK economy.
“Working in the tourism industry, and hospitality in particular, can be a very insecure existence for some staff, as hours and shifts are not always predictable or guaranteed,” said Mr Langmaid.
“This can be worrying for workers who may not know the amount of money coming in at the end of the week, meaning they are unable to plan or budget their finances.
“As an accredited Living Hours Employer, we aim to provide our park team with even more job security and better working conditions alongside our continuing commitment to paying a decent wage.
“We recognise that it is the right decision for our workers and for our business,” he added.
Mr Mann said: “I am delighted Mother Ivey’s Bay Holiday Park is joining with other businesses across the UK which share their values.
“Living Hours accreditation will not only give their staff further job and financial security, it will enable employees to plan any care requirements required for when they are working, and also plan their family and leisure time too.”
Mr Langmaid added that looking after his team is key to his running a successful business. “Our staff are our greatest assets, and there will be many long-term benefits of being Living Hours accredited
“These include motivating staff and retaining a loyal and committed workforce which will in turn provide a quality service to our customers.”
In 2015, Mother Ivey’s became the first holiday park in the UK to be accredited by the Living Wage Foundation by paying their staff the real Living Wage, a higher figure designed to meet everyday needs.
Over the past eight years, Mr Langmaid has been championing the real Living Wage across Cornwall, and especially to businesses engaged in tourism and hospitality.
Mr Mann heard that he will now continue his awareness campaign by becoming an advocate for the Living Hours standard alongside the Living Wage.
Mother Ivey’s Bay Holiday Park provides caravan holiday homes, both privately owned and for hire, plus touring pitches.
There is more information about the park at www.motheriveysbay.com