The chairman and chief executive of an award-winning Shrewsbury-based leisure company is predicting greater demand for UK staycationing in 2025, following a challenging year for the UK caravan industry.

Chairman Tony Bywater and managing director Mark Bebb from Salop Leisure, which also has sales centres in Machynlleth and Stourport-on-Severn, believe that more people will seek “escapism” by investing in a caravan holiday home, touring caravan or motorhome in the new year

Last year proved a difficult one for the caravan industry due to the cost of living crisis, political uncertainty leading up to and following the General Election and ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East.

“It was a challenging year for a combination of reasons, not helped by the doom and gloom that has spread across the media,” said Mr Bywater. “People consequently lost confidence in buying homes and making business decisions, which affected sales of caravans. 

“We also had one of the coldest summers in living memory, but nevertheless our parks were very busy.” 

Having experienced many economic highs and lows during his 55b years in the industry, Tony is well placed to offer an opinion on future business prospects. 

“The industry has remained strong throughout this difficult period and we are confident that 2025 is going to be one of the best in our company’s history,” he added. “Since the General Election, people have settled down and now have more confidence to make big decisions.

“I believe that we will have record caravan sales in January and the industry can look forward to a happy and prosperous new year. We offer products that give many years of happiness to the owners and their families.” 

Mr Bebb agrees that the caravan industry will bounce back strongly in 2025. “I believe there will be greater demand for caravan holiday home ownership as people are driven to escape the pressures of everyday life,” he said.

“New research is showing that the younger generation has higher expectations of short breaks which our products – from glamping and caravan holiday homes to touring caravans and motorhomes – can meet. 

“Our industry represents escapism from technology and stress, which are increasingly impacting mental health and anxiety. Our products provide an antidote like no other for individuals and families.” 

In addition to running one of the UK’s most successful caravan and motorhome dealerships, Salop Leisure also owns the Love2Stay glamping and touring resort and operates Love Plants, a specialist plant centre based at the company’s Emstrey headquarters. 

Last year’s highlights for Salop Leisure included winning the UK’s top supplying dealer of both new and pre-owned touring caravans in The Owner Satisfaction Awards 2024 organised by Camping and Caravanning Club members and Practical Caravan magazine readers and being named Swift Group’s Best Overall Dealership of the Year. 

Closer to home, the company won the Outstanding Customer Service Award at the Shropshire Chamber Business Awards this summer.