The chairman of award-winning Shrewsbury-based caravan dealership Salop Leisure is predicting an exciting 2015 for the business after enjoying the best year for a decade.

Tony Bywater is very optimistic about what 2015 has in store for both Salop Leisure and sister business, Love Plants, a specialist plants centre that opened in 2013.

The new year will see further expansion of the company’s workshops, with two extra service bays set to be added to cope with the seven days a week demand. Servicing and repairs business has increased by 25 per cent during 2014.

“2014 has been the most successful year in the last decade, as sales of touring caravans, motorhomes and caravan holiday homes have been exceptional,” said Mr Bywater, whose company is set to celebrate 50 years in business in 2016.

“The excellent weather and improving economy this year certainly helped. Signs of economic recovery were felt right across the caravan industry and the amazing drop in fuel costs is going to making caravanning even more appealing.

“We are looking forward to a fantastic 2015 and feel confident that it’s going to be an even better year for our business. This year has proved that people value the freedom to take a break anytime they wish without having to plan a long time ahead.

“We are finding that caravan holiday homes are now being shared by families. Grandparents buy a home and share it with their children and grandchildren. It’s a second home to be used anytime they wish without maintenance worries, as the park owner or manager takes care of that.”

He said the continued success of the company’s service department had prompted further expansion plans. “The service department is under immense pressure despite being open seven days a week,” he added. “We are having to add another two service bays on to the existing 12 bays and we are now employing 25 staff in the workshops, including four apprentices.”

Love Plants has also enjoyed a successful year, with Mr Bywater expecting to see the business grow in 2015. “We specialise in high quality plants and individual customer service and expert advice from qualified staff, which appeals to customers.

“We are proud that Salop Leisure has become a destination for people to visit. They can come and have lunch in our Love Coffee restaurant and there’s lots of interesting things for them to see.”