Coronavirus update – the latest news from Yorkshire businesses
The owner of a North York Moors holiday park hopes to take advantage of a late re-opening, once his business is allowed to get started again on July 4.
Mark Goodson, who owns Wayside Holiday Park, said he was relieved to finally have a confirmed restart date as lockdown restrictions continue to be gradually lifted.
And he hopes the holiday park can benefit from ongoing uncertainty around travelling abroad for holidays.
“To say I am thrilled is an understatement,” he said. “This has been a stressful time for everyone in the UK, as COVID-19 brought the country to a standstill.
“Now, as lockdown eases, there is some light at the end of the tunnel at last.
“This is a very significant year for us, as it’s our 45th anniversary. My father founded the park in 1975, so it’s a time for celebration.
“2019 was our best ever, with a raft of awards and accolades from the AA and the late Prof David Bellamy, together with some healthy sales.
“And, since the season ended in October, we have completed sales worth £450,000. But as the new season starts, albeit late, it’s time to look ahead.
“I feel that, because of COVID-19, foreign travel is out for many people for the foreseeable future.
“Thoughts will be turning to risk-free holidays in this country and I can reassure everyone that we’re ensuring Wayside is incredibly safe. The interests of all our residents are paramount.”
During the extended closed season, he and the rest of the Wayside team have been working to make the park ready for its anniversary year, while continuing to observe social distancing.
Goodson added: “We have been busy, planting new flower beds, creating new streams and upgrading the park’s facilities. We are very proud of what we can offer.
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Multitask Personnel, a recruitment company based in Rotherham, has gained new strategic direction thanks to Sheffield City Region’s “Re-Start to Growth” programme.
The initiative was introduced to help businesses affected by the lockdown, by giving them access to experienced and skilled advisors to help assess, plan and restart.
Managing director of Multitask Personnel, Claire Lee, had been working with the Sheffield City Region Growth Hub on a long-term strategic growth plan – involving skills support and training – and was just about to implement this when the lockdown was announced.
The company’s core business was to provide managerial and qualified tradespeople for the Building services, Facilities management and Mechanical & Electrical industries. Overnight this business reduced by two thirds.
Lee said: “It was a really scary time for us as a business and I wasn’t sure which way to turn.
“I’d been impressed with John Hassall, the Growth Hub Business Growth Specialist , so I contacted him again to see if there was anything he could do to help.
“John let me know straightaway about Re-Start to Growth initiative and it sounded just what the business needed.”
Hassall carried out online consultations with Lee as part of the programme.
He tailored the Re-Start to Growth programme to suit the company structure, then created a strategic plan which included a vision of what the next 18 months in business could look like for Multitask Personnel.
Reallocation of resources was a key criteria so Hassall and Lee worked on restructuring employee roles and creating newly formed teams.
Lee said: “The Re-Start to Growth programme has really motivated us as a business. We now have a clear plan to work to which is focused, precise and directly relevant to getting us through the challenging period ahead of us.
“There’s nothing worse than staff not having enough to do, but now we are starting to pick up again and we’re using our existing experience to extend our services to current and new clients.
“We know it won’t be easy, but already we have our number of temporary contractors up to pre-lockdown levels, albeit working on lower margins and in different sectors.
“We’ve had to put a couple of people on the Government’s Furlough scheme but ultimately we hope to build the business back up again and be in a position to recruit again ourselves.”
Hassall said: “Multitask Personnel were perfect candidates for the Re-Start to Growth initiative. As a business they had been performing well, but the lockdown had an immediate and severe impact.
“By focusing on their strengths and areas of expertise we looked at ways they could maximise their existing client base, whilst refocusing their resources much more specifically on generating sales and filling roles.”
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East Riding of Yorkshire Council has today issued updates on the re-openings of more facilities for residents and visitors.
Councillor Shaun Horton, portfolio holder for tourism, culture and leisure, said: “I am absolutely delighted that we are now able to offer chalet bookings from 4 July, and to reopen South Cliff Holiday Park from the same date.
“It is also great news that we can reopen the house at Sewerby Hall as well.
“These are all big steps towards restarting the local economy in Bridlington and the East Riding coast.
“We now look forward to welcoming visitors back, whilst reminding everybody to continue to observe social distancing and regular hand washing, and adopting a common sense approach.”
The Sewerby Hall and Gardens attraction is continuing with its phased reopening. The next phase will begin on 4 July and will include the house and play area, with the cafe remaining a takeaway service only.
The venue will also be taking bookings for the holiday cottages from 4 July.
For the time being, the putting green, golf course, giant games, and Worklink will remain closed, as will Flamborough Lighthouse.
Marie Gascoigne, general manager of Sewerby Hall and Gardens, said: “This latest phase of reopening is great news, and we would like to thank all our customers for their continued support.
“I would advise all customers to book online at least one day in advance to ensure entry to Sewerby Hall and Gardens on your chosen day.”
South Cliff Holiday Park will be reopening its gates to its holiday home owners and holidaymakers for all forms of accommodation from 9am on 4 July.
This will include the opening of amenity blocks, although the park is encouraging the use of personal facilities (ie in touring caravans) where available, to reduce the number of users within the amenity areas.
Justin Davies, general manager, South Cliff Holiday Park, said: “We are delighted to be able to reopen on 4 July and to welcome customers back.
“We continue to urge all of our customers to continue to contact us via the phone, and to book online where possible.”
