A holiday park in Wem is bucking the economic trend with plans to expand its site to help build on the success of the town’s annual real ale festival.
Lower Lacon Caravan Park, on Soulton Road, hosts the ale festival, which gives visitors the chance to sample Shropshire beers, on its land every October. Last year they invited local food producers along too.
The event went so well that this June organisers are inviting them back for another produce fair.
Caravan site owner Clive Shingler has also applied to increase the number of static caravans at the site by 21, meaning even more people can stay over for the food and drink festivals.
Mr Shingler said increasing the site would create at least one permanent job and should benefit other businesses in Wem as guests shop locally during their stay.
He said: “We’ve been fully booked during all of our busy times for a number of years. People want to come here, but lack of space has meant we’ve been turning people away.
“At the moment we’re licensed for 270 caravans. We’re developing steadily – we built a new function room a couple of years ago.”
Mr Shingler has run the site since 1974, he employs four permanent staff and around 20 temporary workers seasonally.
“As we expand it will be better for Wem’s local businesses as the guests are weekend residents who will use local shops and facilities. It will benefit the real ale and food festival which is extremely successful.”
Mr Shingler added that despite the credit crunch business was going well. He said that with the rising cost of going abroad and the strength of the Euro, caravan holidays at home could become increasingly popular.
“We’re getting caravan bookings for later this year already. It could be a good holiday season in England although it is weather dependent.”
Consultation for the application runs until Monday, January 12. A decision is expected by February 11.