In a major boost for the UK tourism sector, Newcastle-based holiday park operator Parkdean Resorts has unveiled ambitious plans to inject approximately £50 million into its extensive portfolio next year.
A Nationwide Enhancement for Holidaymakers
Headquartered in Gosforth, the company owns and operates 66 holiday parks situated in some of the UK's most cherished coastal locations and areas of outstanding natural beauty. This significant eight-figure investment is earmarked for a comprehensive upgrade programme aimed at transforming on-park facilities, expanding the number of pitches for static caravans, lodges, and glamping, and enhancing retail developments.
Steve Richards, CEO at Parkdean Resorts, emphasised the company's commitment, stating: "In 2026 we will be investing approximately £50m in our holiday parks to improve facilities, elevate guest experience, and keep families coming back to these fantastic locations throughout the UK."
New Jobs and Innovative Attractions
The financial injection is set to create up to 100 new jobs, comprising a mix of full-time roles and seasonal positions, providing a welcome stimulus to local economies where the parks are located. A key feature of the new development will be the expansion of its 'competitive socialising' offerings.
Specific parks, including Highfield Grange Holiday Park in Essex and Vauxhall Holiday Park in Great Yarmouth, are each set to receive a £5 million share of the investment. This will fund brand-new attractions for the group, such as indoor adventure golf, upgraded high and low ropes courses, and immersive Bear Grylls escape rooms.
Furthermore, the company is launching a completely new sports bar concept named Hat-Tricks. This venue will serve a variety of food and drinks and will also house indoor interactive sports like shuffleboard and darts.
Building on a Track Record of Investment
This new £50m commitment follows a substantial £140m investment the company made back in 2022. That previous wave of funding facilitated upgrades across 16 parks, introducing features like high ropes, virtual reality games, and the Bear Grylls Survival Academy, as well as adding 850 new caravans and lodges and a £6m Wi-Fi upgrade.
The announcement comes on the heels of the company's 2024 accounts, which showed a rise in revenues from £507m to £520m and a narrowing of operating losses to £15.9m. The company noted a recovery in key income streams but also highlighted ongoing challenges from inflationary pressures and increases in the National Living Wage.
