With the continuing staycation boom, UK firm Parkdean Resorts has confirmed it will create more than 7,000 seasonal jobs as part of a bumper investment plan.
The holiday park operator, which owns 8 parks in Scotland and 66 in total across the UK, has stated it will be upgrading its accommodation, adding new and upgraded activities and facilities, and installing park-wide Wi-Fi to further improve customers’ experience.
The team say the £140m is the biggest sum they've ever spent on their parks thanks to record levels of advance bookings.
The firm owns eight sites at Eyemouth in Berwickshire, Grannies Heilan Hame at Dornoch, Nairn Lochloy in Inverness, Auchenharvie Park in Ayrshire, Southerness in Dumfries, Sundrum Castle in Ayrshire, Tummel Valley near Pitlochry and Wemyss Bay, in Scotland.
It is also recruiting for 7,000 seasonal jobs across sales, food and beverage, and housekeeping.
Steve Richards, chief executive of Parkdean Resorts, said the investment comes off the back of a record year of customer feedback scores for the holiday park operator and it demonstrates Parkdean’s commitment to continued improvement.
Mr Richards said: “This investment is great news for our customers, staff and the local economies in which we operate.
"By investing in our parks we’re not only improving the guest experience we’re also ensuring that holidaymakers keep coming back year after year, spending money in local shops, attractions, pubs and restaurants, and supporting the communities which rely so heavily on tourism.
“2021 was a huge year for staycations, and our teams will continue to go above and beyond to deliver phenomenal service for our guests, making sure that 2022 is even better.”
Across the UK the £140m investment includes more than 850 new caravans and lodges, new developments at 16 parks and refreshed and upgraded chalets and lodges.
So far, 13 parks have received new pitches and developments in 2022, giving guests the chance to become holiday homeowners in some of Parkdean Resorts’ settings.
Around £6m has also been spent on connectivity projects, with Wi-Fi being made available to staff while also coming to caravans at 50 parks by the end of the year. More than £13m has been invested in the company’s ‘Parks of the Future’ initiative.
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