Sales hike at leisure firm
People might be returning to work and school today following last week's spring half-term break but the holiday season is now under way in earnest. And it has heralded a boom time for one Shropshire business whose sales have rocketed.
Award-winning caravan sales company Salop Leisure reported a 70 per cent increase in sales on last year at its annual Spring Holiday Home Show in Shrewsbury.
Visitor numbers also rose by 20 per cent compared to 2006, as the show - held at the company's multi-million-pound sales centre alongside Shrewsbury bypass at Emstrey Island - attracted customers from Scotland to London.
"We were delighted with the exhibition and were amazed at where we were welcoming customers from this year," said Salop Leisure's managing director Mark Bebb.
It also proved a successful event for holiday home park owners across Mid Wales and the Heart of England who exhibited at the 10-day show. Even a holiday home in Spain was sold at the event.
Steve Jones, of Derwen Mill Holiday Home Park at Guilsfield, near Welshpool, said: "The show created huge interest from first time buyers which was very encouraging."
Among the most popular holiday homes on display at the show were the new Willerby Vogue and BK Senator.
The show was opened by Welsh Liberal Democrat Leader Lembit Opik and his girlfriend Cheeky Girl Gabriela Irimia who revealed plans to spend a holiday in either a motorhome or caravan this summer.
"I had not thought about the idea of a holiday in a caravan or a motorhome before, but now I have seen both I really want to," said Gabriela.
"It's amazing how luxurious they are inside."
Montgomeryshire MP Mr Opik described the show as "an exceptional one-stop shop for caravanning".
Motorhome sales are clearly booming for the company as more people opt for the freedom of the road and a holiday in the UK.
Salop Leisure sold more motorhomes in January than the combined first three months of last year.
Touring caravan sales have doubled since the company moved to the impressive £5 million sales centre at Emstrey in April 2006.
Tony Bywater, chairman of Salop Leisure, predicted a record year for sales.
"Sales of touring caravans, motorhomes and holiday homes have broken all previous records and we have received a large number of inquiries from people who will be visiting our sales centres over the next few weeks," he said.
"I have been involved in tourism in Mid Wales for 40 years and I can't remember a busier Easter than this year. Car parks were full and everybody in business seemed to do well, which augers well for the year ahead."
The company was at the centre of a multi-million-pound buyout by its senior management team earlier this year. The deal was designed to safeguard jobs and act as a springboard for further expansion.
The team, led by Mr Bywater and joint managing directors Mr Bebb and Dylan Roberts, bought the business from the Betts family, which established the company 41 years ago, for an undisclosed sum.
The company decided to keep on the name in the interests of continuity.
Mr Bywater said: "Although there is a change of ownership, it is business as usual.
"We would also like to place on record our gratitude to the Betts family for the support and confidence they have shown in the management team over the past 40 years."
In a separate deal, Mr Bywater also took over ownership of Salop Leisure's sister operation at Cosford, in a joint buyout with its managing director Mervyn Hughes.
Salop Leisure employs about 100 people at its sales centres in Shrewsbury, Machynlleth and Cosford and at holiday home parks across Mid Wales.
