The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
Caravan park operators’ plea to help save business
● Site’s owners say social distancing would be simple to enforce
Anorth caravan park operator has called for greater support to give accommodation facilities the best chance of coming out of the coronavirus pandemic.
Darren Redfern, coowner of Dornoch Caravan and Camping Park, has made the plea to ensure his family-run business will survive once restrictions are lifted.
Mr Redfern runs the 120-pitch facility alongside his wife Lynn on the outskirts of the Sutherland town from the end of March to October.
They took over the running of the caravan park in 2019 and invested heavily during the off-season.
The duo fear no trade over the traditional summer months might have serious implications.
Mr Redfern said: “We sat down at the start of the year and figured out what money we had left from year one and what money we could spend on the promise of getting the money for this year.
“Had we known what was coming at us, the money that was spent wouldn’t have been spent.
“We understand the health crisis and of course the health of people comes first but at the same time the industry as a whole needs some clarity.”
Mr Redfern has said caravan parks like his exist because of others along the North Coast 500 route and that each play an important part in the local economy.
He added: “If we don’t get to open for the peak summer months then we have to decide if it is worth opening at all.
“We would just about manage if we manage to open at the start of the school holidays.
“If we opened up at the start or in the middle of August, we would open up and take what we can, but whether it would be good enough, we can’t tell.”
An experienced Skye hotelier – who has had to overcome personal tragedy to make her business a success – fears the emergence of the hospitality business from the pandemic may prove the biggest challenge yet.
Anne Gracie Gunn, owner of the Sonas Collection of hotels, has
Mr Redfern has said caravan parks already adhere to privacy and fire regulations that mean social distancing would be relatively simple to enforce.
A Scottish Government spokesman said plans to allow for the “restart and long-term recovery of Scotland’s hospitality said she is determined to survive the Covid-19 crisis and emerge as a “modified but ultimately successful business”.
The experienced operator, who oversees operations at the Duisdale, Torvaig and Skeabost hotels, has overcome personal tragedy in the form of the deaths of her son and husband.
Mrs Gunn now runs the business with her daughter, Jen. They had just completed the industry” are being considered carefully.
He stressed the industry is “so important economically and socially” for the Highlands, adding that a gradual phased approach will be used but “only when safe to do so”.
He continued: “We need to ensure that safety of the public – whether residents renovation of Skeabost and the creation of a spa facility, with 2020 set to be a bumper year.
“Just after Christmas I started to get this vibe that things were not right,” she said.
“Then in came the cancellations like a thunderbolt – and then we heard there was going to be lockdown. It was frightening.”
Two of Mrs Gunn’s hotels do not qualify for government support as or visitors – needs to be protected in relation to the Covid social distancing.
“We are currently working with stakeholders, including the British Homes and Holiday Parks Association, to explore options and develop guidance on safe reopening of the caravan and camping sector.” they exceed the rateable value threshold of £51,000.
Despite the challenge of receiving no grant support, ongoing costs and zero income, Mrs Gunn has been successful in placing 43 members of staff on the furlough scheme in anticipation of the season’s resumption.
“I’m still hopeful,” she said.
“We were hoping to catch August but this looks unlikely now. We have to just hang on in there.”