Holiday Park refurbishment: The essential guide

Holiday parks in Cornwall, Devon, and Dorset attract many visitors, and as such, have exciting potential for generating income. Upgrading and refurbishing your holiday park is one sure way of improving profitability, increasing revenue, and boosting business results.  

Explore the guide

  1. Holiday Park Refurbishment: The Essential Guide
  2. Prioritising what matters most  
  3. Look at Revenue-Generating Departments
  4. Creating spaces that earn a return on investment
  5. Work with a holiday park refurbishment professional
  6. Benefits of commissioning a professional designer
  7. Your stakeholders are brought on the journey
  8. Enhance the Guest Experience
  9. Refresh your brand to attract new customers
  10. A planned programme of refurbishment is essential
  11. Interested to learn more?  

Prioritising what matters most

If you’re a holiday park owner in Cornwall, Devon, or Dorset, it’s essential that your site is frequently refreshed and updated to meet the growing expectations of your visitors. However, trying to decide which aspects of your park need refurbishing first can be overwhelming. After all, there are always more jobs to do than there are available resources. This is why we’ve put together this comprehensive guide on how to: 

  • Prioritise the most important refurbishment activities for your park 
  • Consider the factors that generate the most revenue 
  • Commission an architectural designer that will deliver for your business. 
New restaurant and cafe interior design at holiday park near Cornwall

Look at Revenue-Generating Departments 

One of the most important factors to consider when prioritising your design and refurbishment activities, as well as holiday park guest experience, is revenue generation. Which holiday park facilities or departments bring in the most money? These are the areas where holiday park guests are most likely to notice if they appear outdated or run-down. Examples include accommodation, food and beverage facilities, and entertainment venues. 

Creating spaces that earn a return on investment 

Our team of hospitality architectural designers will draw on their years of experience to create beautiful and functional spaces that delight customers and your team, too. We take a holistic approach to holiday park design, to make certain that every element of the project is cohesive and seamlessly integrated. 

When you know which areas generate the most revenue, you can prioritise holiday park refurbishment projects for those departments. This will help to ensure that your investments provide the greatest return and keep your guests coming back to your holiday park year after year. 

Shows the interior of a  holiday park gym near Cornwall that interior designer gutxi designed and fitted out

Plan for the future – and avoid waiting until the last minute 

Waiting until the last minute to engage in holiday park refurbishments can be costly, time-consuming, and detrimental to your holiday park business. As always, planning is key, so, once you have identified the refurbishments you need to carry out, you’ll need to establish an appropriate schedule and budget.  

Work with a holiday park refurbishment professional 

One way to ensure investment in the right areas is to seek the advice of a holiday park refurbishment and interior design specialist. We can help you identify the most critical areas to update and provide insight into current trends and emerging technologies that can enhance the holiday park guest experience. An expert will also help you decide on the best use of your budget, taking into account the size of your holiday park and your specific business requirements.  

Insist on professional project management 

It is crucial to have oversight of the project to have visibility of timescales, budgets, and risk assessments. Your holiday park refurbishment project manager will arrange regular site meetings with key personnel to discuss the project and raise any issues that crop up. 

Benefits of commissioning a professional holiday park designer 

Holiday park architects and interior designers bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to your holiday park refurbishment project. We can help you achieve your vision while ensuring that your refurbishment is functional, sustainable, and compliant. Our expertise can save you money, time, and headaches in the long run. 

A great holiday park designer will listen and ask questions 

Before beginning your holiday park refurbishment project, we listen to help you identify the goals and objectives for the space. We want to understand your business and how a refurbishment will help you achieve your aims. What changes will help you increase your revenue, and how would that work in practice? 

We will ask you questions about your customers and what they want and expect from your holiday park. What changes will help to enhance their experience? You should also think about your staff and their needs in the space. By understanding how your holiday park is currently used and how it could be improved, you can ensure that your holiday park refurbishment project will meet the needs of both your customers and employees. We also pay a great deal of attention to location and a holiday park’s relationship to specific parts of Devon, Cornwall, and Dorset – which can play an important part in the guest experience.

“The key here is understanding what will draw people in: tone, colour schemes, lighting levels – all these things need careful consideration during your design process if you’re aiming for success with your holiday park refurbishment.” — Mark Green, director gutxi 

Innovation and experience 

After understanding your strategic direction, we create a business case that outlines feasible options that meet your requirements. We conduct a thorough review of project risks and budgets to identify the best option that delivers your desired outcome. We believe in transparency, and we provide you with clear and concise information to enable you to make informed decisions. 

Our holiday park interior designers draw on their experience and industry knowledge to come up with innovative holiday park refurbishment ideas. We review feedback from previous projects to identify areas that need improving and to ensure that each project satisfies our clients. Our approach combines tried and tested solutions with new ideas to create unique and memorable holiday park designs that stand out from the crowd. 

Establishing your brief 

Creating a unique and unforgettable holiday park guest experience starts with understanding what your project goals and objectives are. That’s why we work with you to establish a clear project brief that outlines your desired project outcomes, your quality aspirations, and your spatial requirements. It specifies the size, customer flow, operational requirements, interior layout, furniture, lighting, colours, and any other design elements that you want to include in your space. Our team of holiday park refurbishment experts will collaborate with you to ensure that every aspect of the project is tailored to meet your individual needs. This project brief will act as a guide for the design team, so all your requirements are met. 

We work with you to get the plan right 

The next step in the process is to conduct feasibility studies and agree upon a project budget. This stage will involve sourcing site information, conducting site surveys, and analysing the viability of your project. We’ll work closely with you to ensure that your budget is realistic and achievable, without compromising on quality. Our fit out project managers will develop a project program and a project execution plan that outlines timelines, milestones, and delivery schedules. This plan will act as a roadmap for the entire holiday park refurbishment project, ensuring that everything runs smoothly throughout the entire process. 

Construction that is closely managed 

Our team will manage every aspect of the build, from removing the first piece of furniture to putting on the final coat of paint. We work with a carefully chosen selection of local contractors who understand the high standards that we expect, ensuring that every aspect of the construction is carried out to the highest level of proficiency. 

At each stage in a project, there are specific tasks that must be completed before moving onto the next one – such as gathering data or drawing up contracts. We quickly identify any areas where additional resources might be required, or changes made to stay on schedule. — Mark Green, director gutxi 

Your aim is our objective 

We help you define what you want to achieve from your holiday park. This enables you to achieve an efficient design that optimises space, energy, and operational costs. For instance, if your goal is to reduce power consumption in your holiday park you can consider installing energy-efficient lighting, HVAC, and kitchen equipment. Or if you need more space, you can explore the possibility of implementing mezzanines or retractable walls that can be adjusted to adapt to your park’s customer flow. 

Engineering analysis is crucial in identifying the technical requirements and constraints of your holiday park refurbishment project. It involves analysing the mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems, as well as the structural elements of your design. Through this process, potential issues such as ventilation, lighting, and noise can be identified and addressed in advance, preventing costly repairs and changes during the construction phase. 

Shows interior designer near Cornwall at work

Your stakeholders are brought on the journey 

Collaborating with our clients and stakeholders ensures that your design meets  expectations and aligns with your project’s objectives. Reviewing and sharing design plans with stakeholders will also help identify potential issues early on which may impact the project timeline and budget.  

Holiday park design experience saves time 

Design studies are essential in the conceptual and preliminary design stages of your holiday park refurbishment project. This allows us to explore different design options, evaluate potential risks and challenges, and provide effective design solutions. This phase considers both the aesthetic and functional aspects of your park facilities design, making sure that everything is not only appealing but also safe, practical, and operational in terms of space, access, and equipment. 

We keep control of all costs 

Project costs are monitored via detailed Scope of Works document and take into account all financial aspects of your holiday park refurbishment project. This process analyses project costs, determines the budget required, and identifies ways to reduce costs without compromising on quality and design. A regularly updated Scope of Works schedule puts you in control of project costs and the opportunity make informed financial decisions.  

Change is fully managed, so you are protected 

Change control procedures are vital to managing any changes that may be required during the project. This process involves documenting any changes, analysing the impact of these changes on the design and cost, and implementing necessary measures to address the changes. By initiating change control procedures, any potential risks and challenges can be effectively managed to maintain the timely completion of your project. 

Our local contractors make a cohesive, cooperative team 

Any commercial construction project is a race against time, to meet your deadlines to deliver your refurbishment plan and get the business trading. We have worked with our contractors on sites across the South West (Devon, Cornwall, Somerset, and Dorset) for years, and we carefully vet any subcontractors, suppliers, and other service providers to protect your project from risk. Our project management expertise makes certain every aspect of the construction process is on schedule. 

“We work tirelessly on your holiday park refurbishment plans; from researching materials and designing layouts and preparing cost estimates. Our team is inspired by one another and take pride in creating lasting value for our clients.” — Mark Green, director gutxi.  

Your project handover comes complete with a manual 

After the construction process is complete, we will assist you undertake commissioning of the building to make sure that all the systems including, fire alarm systems, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning are fully operational, ensuring no system failure could delay your grand opening. On completion operation and maintenance manuals, including warranties, repair manuals, and documentation for every system installed throughout the refurbishment project will be collated into files for handover to your maintenance team.  

Great communication throughout and post-project 

During the holiday park refurbishment project, it’s important to constantly monitor progress and adjust as needed. This includes regular check-ins with the project team, tracking progress against timelines, and monitoring the budget.  

Once the holiday park refurbishment project is complete, we carry out a project performance review to make certain the building meets all the required standards. The review will assess the quality of the workmanship and ensure that the building meets all the regulatory requirements. Additionally, it will assess whether the completed work meets the original design specifications. 

We check in to see how you are getting on 

This process involves evaluating the performance of the building works and its facilities after occupancy. By undertaking this process, we work with you to identify any issues that need to be addressed so your holiday park refurbishment is delivering for your business.  

“With the responsibility of the refurbishing process managed by a professional designer, you can free up your time and focus on managing your holiday park. You can manage amenities, customer satisfaction, and other aspects of your business while your refurbishment the journey is in progress.” — Mark Green, director gutxi 

Enhance the Guest Experience 

One of the most critical factors that can impact your success as a holiday park owner is the holiday park guest experience. Guests are looking for memorable and immersive experiences that go beyond the basics. To enhance the guest experience, you can offer unique and well-designed spaces and amenities.  

Holiday Parks often have a unique sense of community, hosting social events, workshops, or competitions. There are also great opportunities for technology and digital solutions to streamline your operations, improve your communication, and provide seamless services. By focusing on the guest experience, you can create a loyal following and differentiate yourself from the competition. Think about how different spaces can be used to attract different types of guests, such as families or couples, and create a design that can cater to a broad demographic.  

Shows the interior of a  holiday park restaurant near Paignton Devon that interior designer gutxi designed and fitted out

Think ahead: Plan for ongoing maintenance 

Your holiday park refurbishment project should not be a one-time event. Plan for ongoing maintenance and upgrades to ensure your holiday park continues to be a high-performing business asset.  

Don’t overlook the landscaping and signage 

Landscaping architecture and signage are essential for your holiday park, playing a vital role in enhancing the guest experience. Maintaining an attractive and welcoming appearance for your park by paying attention to the landscape architecture will create a relaxed and pleasant environment for your guests. Helpful signage and wayfinding will help your guests get around your park, so they can find what they are looking for, making their stay more enjoyable. 

Plan for future growth 

The final aspect of planning a successful holiday park refurbishment is to plan for future growth. Make sure to consider the long-term return on investment for any new facilities that may be added to your holiday park. Ensure that any new activities or spaces added to the park fit in with your business strategy and goals and create added value for your guests. 

Refresh your brand to attract new holiday park customers 

Your logo is the face of your business. It’s the first thing people see when they encounter your brand. A well-designed logo instantly conveys your brand’s values, personality, and vibe. Refreshing your logo gives your refurbished holiday park a new identity that can communicate your new vision for the business. Your refreshed logo can be modern, sophisticated, or even playful, depending on the kind of experience you want to offer your guests. 

“Our belief is that branding is truly more than just visuals or words; it’s all about crafting an emotional connection with consumers through creativity and strategy.” — Mark Green, director gutxi 

Reinforces credibility and professionalism 

A refreshed logo is a sign of growth and progress in the business. A well-designed logo can make your refurbished holiday park look more professional and credible. A refreshed logo tells potential customers that your business is current and relevant in the market. Customers are more likely to trust a business that looks polished and professional. 

Boosts marketing efforts 

Your new logo can make your marketing materials, such as your website, brochures, and promotional videos, more engaging and memorable. It can also inspire new marketing campaigns, such as social media campaigns, email marketing, or even press and PR. 

Update your website 

Your website is the face of your business and should reflect the changes made to your holiday park. Make sure you showcase high-quality images of the refurbished amenities, accommodation, and the surrounding area. Highlight any new services, activities, or entertainment on offer, and provide clear information about pricing and booking. Ensure your website is user-friendly and optimised for mobile devices, as most people use their phones to book holiday park accommodation. 

Promote on social media 

Use the power of social media to drive traffic to your website and stay top of mind with your target audience. Create or update your social media profiles and post about the holiday park refurbishment and any new services or facilities on offer. Use engaging visuals, such as videos and drone footage, and add engaging captions. Respond promptly to comments and messages to show customers you value their contributions. 

Hold an event 

Consider a grand reopening event or other promotional activities that give your guests an opportunity to visit your holiday park in the South West, and experience the new additions and attractions. Effective communication and promotion of your South West holiday park renovation can help turn one-time visitors into loyal, repeat customers, to ultimately help you maintain and increase profitability with a positive return on investment. 

Shows the interior of a  holiday park bar near Cornwall that interior designer gutxi designed and fitted out

Create a video tour 

A video tour of your refurbished holiday park is an excellent way of showcasing the changes made to potential customers. Hire a professional videographer to take stunning, high-definition footage of the park and its amenities. You can also include interviews with staff, guests, or testimonials to add a personal touch. Post the video on your website, social media channels and use it for online advertising. 

Use email marketing 

Send regular newsletters to your subscribers, highlighting the new upgrades and facilities that your holiday park now offers. Include attractive images and information on packages, discounts, and promotions that you are running to encourage bookings. Personalise your emails by using the name of the recipient and segmenting your email list according to their interests and preferences. Make it easy for them to book by including clear calls-to-action and links to your website, booking pages, and social media profiles. 

Print marketing 

Print media can still be effective in attracting local customers, businesses, and retailers. Print brochures or flyers that showcase the refurbishment and the new facilities, and distribute them to local businesses, tourist information centres, or at trade shows and events. Ensure your print materials contain up-to-date information and high-quality images. 

A planned programme of refurbishment is essential 

Refurbishing and redesigning a holiday park can seem like a challenging task. By following this guide, you can create a successful renovation plan addressing your specific business needs. Planning, executing, and marketing your refurbishment will help your holiday park increase guest satisfaction and revenue generation, ensuring long-term success. 

Interested to learn more?

We cover the South West, from Bristol down through Somerset, Dorset, Devon, and Cornwall, and we’re always happy to look at small individual projects as well as estate-wide strategies. Contact the holiday park refurbishment experts at gutxi and learn more about their holiday park refurbishment success stories. Contact hello@gutxi.co.uk or ring 01803 295959.