Shrewsbury firm's portfolio expands

Shropshire dealership Salop Leisure is responding to the booming popularity of staycationing this summer by adding premium glamping pods, beach huts and forest lodges to its range of accommodation products.

The company, which has sales centres in Shrewsbury, Machynlleth and Stourport-on-Severn, has secured the Willerby Innovations franchise for Mid Wales, South Wales and the Midlands.

Paul Shoebridge has joined the company as sales manager of its special projects division, with the aim of selling these new products and took his first orders this spring.

He recently sold two Willerby Bluebell premium glamping pods to Noble Court Holiday Park, near Narberth, Pembrokeshire, part of the Celtic Holiday Parks group, last month.

Huw Pendleton, Celtic Holiday Parks’ managing director and former chairman of the British Holiday and Home Park Association, is in the process of putting the final touches to a new development that will offer a premium glamping experience.

The new £250,000 development, which includes three additional luxury two storey safari tents all with hot tubs and large decking areas, the pair of Willerby Bluebell 22 feet by 12 feet glamping pods with decking, glazed areas and hot tubs, are added to self-catering holiday homes at Noble Court Holiday Park.

Set in 40 acres of the rolling Pembrokeshire countryside, the park has achieved a Gold David Bellamy Award for conservation and is ideally located for exploring the surrounding attractions, which include Oakwood Theme Park.

Mr Pendleton explained that he hadn’t originally planned to start work on the development this year but a fantastic social media response to a photo he posted of the Willerby Bluebell persuaded him to bring forward the project.

Praising the customer service provided by Salop Leisure, he said: “I have known the team there for many years and they are the Willerby Innovations dealership for our area. I would certainly recommend them because they do everything they can to ensure that the sales process runs smoothly.”

Mr Shoebridge said Salop Leisure’s Special Projects Division aims to help businesses make the most of the booming popularity of staycation by providing a range of accommodation products.

“With more than 50 years in the leisure and holiday park industry, we are well placed to advise clients on a number of areas such as finance, planning, marketing and much more,” he added.