'Extraordinary year' for Yorkshire's caravan industry as holidaymakers shun trips abroad

East Yorkshire is the UK's centre of caravan manufacturing, employing 10,000 people, with another 10,000 in the supply chain and is home to some of the biggest names, Willerby Holiday Homes, Swift and ABI.

In June local MPs expressed fears thousands of jobs were at risk because of the pandemic disrupting much of the seasonal trade.

But as soon as dealerships reopened, forecourts were "instantly busy" says Director General of the National Caravan Council John Lally, with caravans proving to be "socially distanced by design.

Demand, he says, has stayed strong, with "just a slight cooling" as temperatures have dipped and amid the increasing number of local lockdowns.

Mr Lally said manufacturers’ order books are largely full through to spring/summer 2021.

He said: “It has been an extraordinary year for the caravan industry – for both holiday parks and leisure vehicle manufacturers."

In the three months to August, touring caravan sales were up 24 per cent compared to the same period in 2019, while motorhome registrations were up a "staggering" 41 per cent in August, compared to August last year. Holiday caravan sales are "fast following suit", Mr Lally said.

The UK's largest caravan manufacturer, Hull-based Willerby Holiday Homes saw the highest number of orders in 75 years in the three months from July to September.

Camping and caravan sites were the most popular accommodation choice over the summer with a 39 per cent share of the market, beating guesthouses, hotels and inns into second place, according to the VisitBritain sentiment tracker.

Mr Lally said: "By law they must be five or six metres apart, they are self-contained with no shared kitchens, bathrooms or air conditioning – we like to say they are ‘socially distanced by design’."

Summer coastal buses which normally run only until the end of October, and which serve some of the biggest holiday parks between Scarborough and Bridlington, have been extended until November 29.

Claire Robinson, Marketing Manager, for bus operator East Yorkshire said a lot of people travelling to holiday parks arrive at Scarborough and then take a Coaster bus for the last leg to Blue Dolphin, Primrose Valley and Cayton Bay. She said: "Since holiday villages reopened we have seen really good demand round the coast - people have been flocking there.

"All the people who would normally go to Spain and Europe have stayed in the country and seen the delights of the East Coast."

Mr Lally said job now was to convince holidaymakers caravanning was an all-year round holiday option.

He said: “Caravanning has also been seen historically as a ‘summer’ holiday, so we have a job of work to explain that heating, insulation and other home comforts in leisure vehicles have improved massively in recent years allowing them to be used all year round. Many parks have invested in their all-weather facilities, too.

“Overall, our industry is doing its best to work together to capitalise upon this unique opportunity to push holidaying here in the UK not only as a viable option for British holidaymakers, but an attractive one – and not just for the remainder of 2020, but for years to come."