Member of Parliament for Clwyd South, Simon Baynes MP, visited The Plassey Holiday Park near Eyton on Friday 19th May as part of Tourism Week 2023, a nationwide initiative to celebrate the vital contribution of tourism to the local economy, community and cultural fabric.
During his visit, Simon Baynes MP had the pleasure of meeting the owners of The Plassey Holiday Park, John and Sarah Brookshaw, and Glenn Carney, General Manager. Mr Baynes was able to see first-hand the five-star leisure facilities that contribute to the local economy, job creation and overall wellbeing of the local community.
Established in the 1970s by Tony and Della Brookshaw, The Plassey Holiday Park began as a caravan park on a 250-acre farm. Over the years, it has evolved into a retail village with over 20 independent businesses including a wide range of units including a brewery, hair & beauty salon and goldsmith too. The Holiday Park also features a swimming pool and a 9-hole golf course established in 1992. In 2018, the park expanded to include glamping accommodation, consisting of 10 lodges and 4 safari tents. The park currently employs 42 people, with a workforce of up to 50 during the peak season. It caters to camping and caravan enthusiasts, with approximately 5,500 bookings per year.
Tourism Week 2023 seeks to highlight the importance of domestic tourism, particularly in light of the challenges posed by COVID-19. The 'staycation' trend has underscored the value of tourism to both the economy and wellbeing of individuals. As part of this initiative, politicians across the country were invited to visit tourism businesses in their constituencies, demonstrating their support for the industry.
The Plassey Holiday Park is a prime example of the economic and social benefits generated by tourism. According to the 'Pitching the Value' 2019 report published by the UK Camping & Caravan Alliance, holiday parks and campsites contribute £9.3 billion in visitor expenditure, resulting in a Gross Value Added (GVA) of £5.3 billion to the UK economy. The sector's GVA accounts for 8% of the tourism sector's total GVA of £64.7 billion. Additionally, holiday parks and campsites provide employment for 171,448 full-time equivalent jobs in the UK.
John Brookshaw, owner of The Plassey Holiday Park, said:
“We were delighted to have Mr Simon Baynes MP visit our Holiday Park to view how our business has developed over the years with a strong emphasis on sustainable tourism and utilising the latest eco-friendly technology, whilst ensuring a local employment to a dedicated team of staff that ensure all our guests receive a 5 star service at all times.”
Speaking about his visit, Simon Baynes MP commented:
“It was very good to see The Plassey Holiday Park’s outstanding accommodation and facilities, which is set in beautiful park and woodland in Clwyd South, and to meet owners John and Sarah Brookshaw and the General Manager, Glenn Carney.
“Tourism plays a vital role in our local area, creating jobs, supporting local businesses and contributing to the overall vibrancy of our community. I am proud to support Tourism Week 2023 and I commend The Plassey Leisure Park for their contribution to the local economy and their commitment to providing exceptional experiences for visitors."
