Ongoing investment in new facilities is paying off for an East Devon holiday park, with bosses reporting a high level of bookings for this summer.
Ladram Bay, near Otterton, unveiled its revamped swimming pool changing rooms and showers, including a new steam room and Jacuzzi, earlier this year.
A second phase of the development will see a new swimming pool ready for next year's tourism season.
General manager Claire Williams explained that major works like these had to be carried out between mid November and the start of March, when the park is closed.
The latest projects bring the total invested in new facilities and refurbishment since 2007 to more than £10m.
"It's definitely an ongoing process," said Claire. "Every time we think we are slowing up it just doesn't happen.
"We are so conscious of making what we offer down here the best it can be, and to do that we need to keep investing in both our facilities and staff training. People's expectations are becoming higher and higher, without a doubt."![]()
The park was a finalist in the Best Tourism & Hospitality Business category at this year's Express & Echo Business Awards after impressing judges with recent developments, including a new shower block for touring holiday makers and new instructor-led activities to enhance the entertainments programme.
Claire said feedback about the latest changes from returning visitors so far this summer had been very positive.
"A high percentage of our business is repeat visitors and they love the updated facilities," she said.
"Our occupancy has risen steadily since 2007, and this year alone we are at least eight per cent up on last year. We are already practically full for the school holidays this year, which is quite unusual. Normally people leave it until the last minute to book."
Ladram Bay currently employs around 160 people, with that number set to rise further during the peak summer season, when more than 3,000 guests are expected to be staying at any one time.
The development of the park over the past seven years has been spearheaded by Ladram Bay directors Zoe House and Robin Carter, whose late father Frank Carter started the business.
"We take a lot of pride in working in conjunction with and supporting local businesses in order to promote East Devon and its surroundings as the ideal destination for a family holiday," added Claire.
The park was a finalist in the Best Tourism & Hospitality Business category at this year's Express & Echo Business Awards after impressing judges with recent developments, including a new shower block for touring holiday makers and new instructor-led activities to enhance the entertainments programme.
Claire said feedback about the latest changes from returning visitors so far this summer had been very positive.
"A high percentage of our business is repeat visitors and they love the updated facilities," she said.
"Our occupancy has risen steadily since 2007, and this year alone we are at least eight per cent up on last year. We are already practically full for the school holidays this year, which is quite unusual. Normally people leave it until the last minute to book."
Ladram Bay currently employs around 160 people, with that number set to rise further during the peak summer season, when more than 3,000 guests are expected to be staying at any one time.
The development of the park over the past seven years has been spearheaded by Ladram Bay directors Zoe House and Robin Carter, whose late father Frank Carter started the business.
"We take a lot of pride in working in conjunction with and supporting local businesses in order to promote East Devon and its surroundings as the ideal destination for a family holiday," added Claire.