North Devon holiday park business acquires new Welsh site with HSBC UK funding

John Fowler Holidays, one of the UK’s largest family-owned holiday park businesses, has purchased Cardigan Bay Holiday Park in Pembrokeshire thanks to a multimillion-pound finance package from HSBC UK.

John Fowler Holidays, a third-generation family business established in 1953 in North Devon, now owns 13 holiday parks. Cardigan Bay Holiday Park, located on the West coast of Wales in Pembrokeshire, is the business’ second purchase in the last two years following the acquisition of Llanrhidian Holiday Park in December 2019.

The addition of this new park is estimated to contribute another 3,000 holidays (6%) per year for the business and sees John Fowler Holidays take on the employment of the existing team.

Ollie Fowler, of John Fowler Holidays, said: “From humble beginnings with a single caravan in a field in Newquay, we have grown to a portfolio of 13 successful parks spanning the South West and Wales.

“John Fowler Holidays has banked with HSBC for over a decade, and the bank has previously supported us with funding for our lodge developments. Our Relationship Director at HSBC UK, Paul Lane, has been attentive and helpful, and understood our needs and ambitions from the start.”

James Shepherd, Area Director for HSBC UK Southwest Corporate Banking, added: “It’s been great to work with John Fowler Holidays on this exciting addition to their portfolio. The boom in staycations since the pandemic began has contributed greatly to their success and, with a total of 48,000 holidays sold in 2021, we look forward to seeing the business flourish in 2022.”

With sites already established in Somerset, Devon, Cornwall and South Wales, the acquisition of the Cardigan Bay site made geographical sense and is in line with the business’ desire for national growth. Cardigan Bay Holiday Park was recently awarded a 5-star rating by Visit Wales.