Glasgow residents will soon have new holiday options this festive season with the opening of two additional Haven caravan parks.
The sites, located at Craig Tara in Ayr and Seton Sands in Prestonpans near Edinburgh, will begin welcoming visitors from Christmas through Hogmanay. Both parks feature pools and will host seasonal programming.
The openings coincide with Haven’s effort to extend its offering during the winter holiday period, traditionally a quieter season for caravan parks.
According to Secret Glasgow, guests can expect festive decorations, family activities, the opportunity to meet Santa, and a New Year’s Eve show to mark Hogmanay.
Simon Palethorpe, CEO of Haven, said: “This August, we’re welcoming record numbers of visitors to our parks, and we’re delighted Father Christmas is amongst them – though we had to remind him to swap his sleigh for a sunhat and to slap on the sunscreen. Christmas and Hogmanay at Haven is truly magical.
“Whichever Park you choose, I’m confident you’ll experience an unforgettable festive feeling.”
”Whether it’s waking up in your cosy caravan on Christmas morning, singing Auld Lang Syne in the show bar on Hogmanay, the live festive entertainment, eating lunch in one of our restaurants, or simply spending quality time together in a wonderful coastal setting. I can’t think of anywhere better to be first-footing.”
From a planning perspective, additional capacity is also being added. Planning consultant Laister noted in a document that:
“The addition of 20 caravans in the context of the overall permitted number of units across the park is so insignificant that it would not result in an on-site change to the definable character of the use of the land.”
”The total number of permitted caravans across the site would rise to 1494, an increase of 1.4 per cent on the existing limits, which falls well within the percentage change parameters of a number of recent appeal decisions.”
For professionals in the caravan and outdoor hospitality industry, Haven’s expansion during the Christmas and Hogmanay period highlights how operators are increasingly leveraging the winter season to generate revenue and diversify guest offerings.
By introducing themed entertainment and extending traditional holiday services to off-peak times, operators may be able to attract new demographics, extend stays, and boost site utilization beyond the summer months.