A family-run Perthshire holiday park business has recorded a £3 million sales rise despite a “challenging and anxious” year.
Family owned and operated company Wood Leisure was founded by Colin and Margaret Wood, and has its head office in Blairgowrie.
They opened Blairgowrie Holiday Park more than four decades ago.
Wood Leisure remains a family affair with the couple’s three daughters currently running the business.
Newly filed accounts show turnover increased to £8.8m for the year to January 2022, up from £5.8m the year before.
Its operating profit also rose to just north of £2m for the reporting period, up from £1.1m.
Trading ‘hugely impacted’ by Covid-19
In his strategic report, published alongside the accounts, Colin Wood said the firm had faced “huge challenges” because of Covid-19.
He said: “2021 has been a challenging and anxious year due to the pandemic.
“The lockdown initiated in December 2020 hugely impacted on trading in the first quarter of 2021.
“Government interventions with business rates support, furlough and VAT reduction were welcome but business recovery was still uncertain.”
From its beginnings at Blairgowrie, the family firm expanded over the years.
Wood Leisure now runs six parks and has almost 500 holiday homeowners, 130 self-catering lodges, caravan holiday homes, ensuite glamping and camping pods.
Mr Wood’s report added: “On a very positive note, the peak summer months were exceptional once we were allowed to open.
“A boom in staycations, bookings transferred (rather than cancelled) from 2020 and a demand for holiday home ownership all contributed to a successful year overall.”
Mr Wood said while the parks were shut, the firm worked to update its systems – including a new ANPR security system that allowed for contactless check-ins.
The business also developed its own app and upgraded its website.
The accounts show Wood Leisure has almost 100 members of staff.
Its wage bill for the reporting period was £2.3m, up from £1.6m the year before.
Challenges for Perthshire holiday park firm
Looking to the future, Mr Wood said risks include the shortage of caravans and lodges available to buy.
He expects to see a dip in holiday home purchases this year.
“This will inevitably impact sales across the holiday parks,” Mr Wood added.
“With shortages come price increases and combined with rising inflation and the impending cost of living crisis will undoubtedly reduce the customer demand for new holiday homes in 2022.”
He said rising energy costs would also affect the firm across its parks.
Mr Wood added: “Concerns over Russia’s expansionism continue to create uncertainties and concerns globally.”
Conversation