North East based holiday company Parkdean Resorts has launched a drive to take on 650 new staff members in the region as part of a recruitment drive for the 2023 season.
The holiday park operator, which has its head office in Gosforth, Newcastle, is the largest firm of its kind in the UK with 66 parks, all of which are on the hunt for new workers. The move comes as the company is hoping for record levels of bookings, as customers seek out value holidays as inflation hits new highs.
Parkdean Resorts – which has Church Point, in Newbiggin-by-the-Sea, Cresswell Towers at Druridge Bay and Sandy Bay in Ashington, Crimdon Dene, near Hartlepool, and Whitley Bay in the region – is hiring cleaners, bar staff, chefs, kitchen team members, waiting staff, receptionists, lifeguards and security officers. Across its UK-wide parks, Parkdean Resorts is recruiting 11,000 people in total, with more than 10,000 seasonal and 750 permanent roles on offer.
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Lisa Charles-Jones, HR director at Parkdean Resorts, said: “A career in hospitality is truly rewarding and we’re delighted to be hiring so many new recruits in the North East this year. We have a range of positions available and each plays a crucial role in our business, so we’re really looking forward to welcoming some new faces to the team, as well as familiar faces who’ve worked with us before, and encourage anyone who’s interested to apply.
“Working at Parkdean Resorts means making a real difference to our holidaymakers and home owners and helping them to create lasting memories with their families, so this is a fantastic opportunity to get involved and develop some new skills.”
Last year Parkdean Resorts invested £140m – its largest annual investment – to improve the guest experience at its parks with new accommodation, new and upgraded activities and facilities, and the installation of park-wide wi-fi.
CEO Steve Richards said that, with the UK gripped by economic uncertainty, Parkdean Resorts should see bookings hold firm in 2023, saying consumers will prioritise trusted operators who can deliver value for money experiences.
He said: “The sector as a whole is facing huge challenges at the moment, in terms of recruitment and inflation. Given the current economic climate, we expect consumers to begin planning holidays for the new year sooner than ever before, prioritising ‘value for money’ and cost-effective deals to make their money go further without compromising on quality. We expect the UK will likely remain a popular holiday choice and we’re therefore hopeful the demand for staycations will remain high into the new year.”
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