£4m leisure move keeps erosion at bay for park

A Yorkshire-based holiday resort has faced the threat from coastal erosion head on, and managers believe it will make a long-term contribution to the region’s economic development, whatever the weather.

Sand Le Mere Holiday Village, near Withernsea on the East Yorkshire Coast, is creating jobs and attracting visitors after securing a major investment.

The park has undergone major changes in time for the 2012 summer season, which begins later this month.

Erosion along the coast has threatened the park’s existing facilities, but a new £4m leisure complex, which launched on Saturday, has moved the main pool and entertainments facilities to a south-facing spot.

The development, which has created 20 jobs and took more than seven months to complete, includes a new indoor pool with water slide, steam and sauna room, a show lounge, restaurant, bar and takeaway, and a soft play area with slides and climbing frames.

Sand Le Mere owner Bridge Leisure has spent more than £5m developing the destination since it acquired it two years ago.

It has added holiday accommodation, built new pitches for touring customers and landscaped the 100-acre park.

Andrew Howe, the chief executive at Bridge Leisure, said yesterday: “We have made a major investment to introduce state-of- the-art facilities at Sand Le Mere and the result is a holiday village that sets the standard on the East Yorkshire Coast.

“By attracting new customers to Sand Le Mere we’re bringing extra tourist spending into the region, which is great news for local businesses.

“Until today, our coastal location has been a cause for concern – now it’s simply a brilliant bonus for customers who want direct beach access.”

By moving inland, the holiday resort has escaped the fate of dozens of East Coast villages which have been lost to the sea since records began.

There was once a village called Sand-Le-Mere, but it vanished into the sea many years ago.

Other settlements that have disappeared over the years include Ravenser Odd, which was once a bustling sea port.

Bridge Leisure, which was formed in 2008, runs a number of caravan and holiday parks in the UK.

Its other parks include Sherwood Hideaway on the Thoresby Estate.

The company can provide full management of parks for owners who want to stay in control, but don’t want to be involved in day-to-day management.

According to Bridge Leisure, it can be a useful service for investors in the industry and families who are struggling with succession issues.