Resort town holiday parks change hands for first time in 60 years
Green Wood Parks Ltd has added Northcliffe and Seaview Holiday Parks to its growing family business, which now owns and operate 10 parks across the UK.
On the back of its recent acquisition of Littondale Park in the Yorkshire Dales and its existing ownership of Thirkleby Hall and Tollerton Park, Northcliffe & Seaview represents the company’s most significant move so far in the North of England holiday park market.
The deal, for an undisclosed sum, was arranged by commercial real estate firm Colliers, which ran a competitive process resulting in the buyer achieving preferred bidder status.
Northcliffe and neighbouring Seaview, in Whitby, have been in the same family ownership since the 1960s.
Extending to approximately 46 acres, the parks are licenced for 352 pitches (271 static, 72 touring and nine glamping pods).
The sale also includes a café, a holiday cottage and various leisure facilities, along with two residences.
Richard Moss, head of UK Parks Agency at Colliers, said: “The market has had its ups and downs in recent times, but the demand for well-located, high-quality property remains extremely strong.
“This business ticked every box for the buyer – an established business, in a top location with the ability to further grow under their mantra of enjoying the great outdoors.
“A sale is always a wrench for private family owners who have owned businesses for many decades which makes applicant selection and discretion absolutely key.
“It’s been a pleasure to bring together two parties who share a very similar ethos with minimal business disturbance and in the knowledge of complete continuity for the customer.”
A spokesman for Green Woods Parks said: “We feel privileged to have the chance to buy these two fantastic parks.
“We look forward to maintaining the same family-run-feel and high standards that the Martin family have maintained for last 60 years.”
Sue Martin, whose parents bought Northcliffe in 1967, added: “It was very important that we were able to ensure our family parks were sold to a similar family operator to ourselves.
“We feel that Colliers found that fit for us with Green Wood Parks. We wish them all the very best for the future.”
The vendors were advised by Harrowells, York Office (Legal), Lloyd Dowson (Financial) and Colliers. The buyers were advised by Wilkin Chapman (Legal).
