Signs of recovery for caravan industry

By [rstevenson]

A SURGE in bookings at East Yorkshire's holiday parks and a boost in sales for retailers and manufacturers are helping the region's caravan industry.

Businesses in the sector have been dealt a series of blows over the past six months, with job losses totalling more than 1,500.

But as the Whitsun holiday approaches, the National Caravan Council has reported an increase in bookings at caravan parks in the area.

This is said to have begun to have a positive effect on manufacturers in Hull and the East Riding, who have also seen growth in production as sales of touring caravans begin to rise again ahead of the summer.

It is hoped it means the recovery which many had hoped for is already hitting the production lines.

Jim Hibbs, managing director of east Hull firm Coachman Caravans Ltd, said: "I'm really quite excited about the future and have faith in this company, the industry and Hull.

"From the end of the show period, which runs throughout January and February to the beginning of March, to now we are seeing retail sales through retailers and dealerships increase by 12 per cent compared with the same period last year."

Mr Hibbs said the rising Euro had dented German marques' competitiveness, as well as prompting more people to opt for a holiday in the UK as opposed to travelling abroad.

He added: "As a result, used caravan sales in the £3,000 to £6,000 band are now manic – dealers can't get enough of them – which is fuelling sales of new vans."

Richard White, marketing director of Cottingham-based Swift Caravans said demand for touring vans had been "particularly strong" since February.

He said: "Our sales last month of touring vans were up 15 per cent ahead of the same month last year, which is encouraging.

"We have already decided to produce more of our 2009 tourers before moving into 2010 production."