Which Cove Communities holiday parks are in administration and what does it mean for guests?
A major shake-up has hit the UK’s holiday park sector as several Cove Communities resorts have entered administration. The news affects multiple sites across England and Scotland, with administrators from Alvarez & Marsal Europe stepping in to manage the transition and ensure operations continue smoothly.
On November 17, joint administrators Adam Paxton, Rob Croxen, and Ben Cairns were appointed to oversee Cove Communities Holiday Park UK Holdco Limited (HPUK) and several of its subsidiaries, including Cove Communities Venture 2 Gwel an Mor OpCo Ltd, Solway OpCo Ltd, Springwood OpCo Ltd, and Argyll OpCo Ltd. These subsidiaries operate a total of eleven holiday resorts, including Cornwall’s Gwel an Mor Resort, Solway Holiday Park in Cumbria, Springwood Holiday Park in Kelso, and eight locations across Argyll in Scotland, such as Loch Awe Holiday Park, Drimsynie Holiday Village, and Hunters Quay Holiday Village.
Adam Paxton, managing director at Alvarez & Marsal Europe, stressed that the priority of the administration is maintaining stability. “Our focus is on ensuring day-to-day operations continue without interruption. Owners, residents, and holidaymakers should see minimal impact, and site managers remain available for queries,” he stated.
Despite the administration, other companies within the wider Cove Communities group remain unaffected and continue trading as usual. White Horse Caravans Ltd, trading as Seal Bay, clarified that it is not connected to the Cove administration and is operating normally. “We are committed to serving our customers and executing our long-term strategy. All stakeholders can be reassured about the stability of our operations,” the company said in a statement.
Gwel an Mor Resort, a family-friendly destination in Portreath, Cornwall, offers a mix of lodges, indoor and outdoor activities, and easy access to local attractions like the Eden Project, Newquay, and St Ives. Similarly, the Scottish parks provide a mix of caravan, lodge, and rental accommodations, complemented by recreational facilities such as climbing walls, archery, craft workshops, and indoor pools.
The administration affects hundreds of holiday home owners and staff. The Argyll group alone employs over 250 people during peak season, supporting both privately owned holiday homes and rental accommodation. Administrators have indicated that they are exploring options to sell the businesses while keeping operations active.
The Cove Communities acquisition strategy has been aggressive in recent years. Gwel an Mor was added to the portfolio in 2021 after being purchased from the Landish Group. Cove Communities has also acquired Medmerry Park in Chichester, Kings Park in Essex, and Bunn Leisure Family Resort in Selsey. The acquisition of Argyll Holidays marked Cove’s fifth UK purchase, reflecting its commitment to expanding high-quality holiday destinations.
Keith Campbell, former director of Argyll Holidays, said the family had invested heavily in sustainability and service quality. “Cove was the first buyer that we felt understood our vision and could continue what we started,” he explained. Under Cove’s ownership, Argyll Holidays was expected to build on its strong reputation and maintain investment in both the local community and environment.
Administrators have urged all holiday park residents and owners to direct site fee payments to new accounts as advised, rather than previous accounts, as they work to stabilise the business and explore potential sales.
FAQ
Q1: Which Cove Communities holiday parks are affected?
A1: Eleven parks are affected, including Gwel an Mor Resort, Solway Holiday Park, Springwood Holiday Park, and eight sites across Argyll, Scotland.
Q2: Will holidaymakers’ bookings be affected?
A2: Administrators have assured that day-to-day operations will continue, and bookings should not be impacted.
Q3: Are all Cove Communities businesses in administration?
A3: No. Other subsidiaries outside HPUK are unaffected and continue normal operations.
Q4: What about staff employment?
A4: Administrators are managing operations and exploring sale options; the impact on staff is not yet fully known.
Q5: How should owners make payments?
A5: Owners should follow administrator instructions for new payment accounts rather than using previous bank accounts.