Leading Shrewsbury-based caravan and motorhome dealership Salop Leisure is expanding its workshops to cater for the huge demand for servicing and repairs.

The company, which has its headquarters alongside Shrewsbury bypass at Emstrey, reported a 25 per cent increase in work in 2013 compared to the previous year. Weekly touring caravan services have increased by a third on 2012, two extra engineers have been hired this year and the company plans to take on two new apprentices in 2013.

To cater for the increasing workload, Salop Leisure has invested in a state-of-the-art paint spray booth and an extra two preparation bays are to be added to the 12-bay workshop.

Vastly experienced after sales manager Viv Jones has overseen a rapid increase in servicing and insurance repair bodywork since he joined the company seven years ago, growing the team of engineers from five to 14, including three who have completed their apprenticeships this year.

“We now have the largest touring caravan and motorhome accident repair centre in the West Midlands and Wales,” said Mr Jones, who previously worked in the motor trade for 45 years. “The company used to have a relatively quiet November and December but we have been very busy and caravan owners are already booking services for early in the new year

“The key to our success is the highly skilled and experienced team of engineers that we have assembled and our constant focus on providing quality customer service.”

Mr Jones has used his experience to recruit quality engineers from the motor trade and to establish key contacts within the caravan industry and insurance companies.

The well-equipped workshop is open seven days a week to make it easier for customers to have their caravans and motorhomes serviced and repaired.

“Customers appreciate being able to bring in their caravan or motorhome on a Saturday or Sunday because some previously had to take time off work during the week,” explained Mr Jones. “Our customers are mainly from across the West Midlands, Wales and North West England.”

He praised the good teamwork at Salop Leisure from sales through to the service department.

The company is a member of the Approved Workshop scheme, which is a tripartite ownership between The Caravan Club, The Camping and Caravanning Club, the National Caravan Council and all major caravan and motorhome manufacturers.

The scheme is designed to give customers confidence that their caravans and motorhomes are being serviced by professionals, who are independently assessed in the workshop for their work and customer service against an industry wide code of practice.

Salop Leisure, which also has sales centres in Machynlleth and Stourport, prides itself in offering the best after sales service in the caravan industry, supported by a busy accessory shop and restaurant. The company was named Practical Caravan magazine’s caravan dealer of the year for 2012. 

For more information, please contact Mr Tony Bywater, Salop Leisure chairman, on 01743 282400.