Image reproduced courtesy of Loudoun Castle
As some development projects are struggling to realise completion in an economic downturn, more funding is being injected into the tourism industry, to boost the UK economy by attracting more people to holiday at home.
The value of leisure contracts awarded to the top ten firms in the sector (figures at March 2009) has increased by 17.5%. £1bn worth of contracts were awarded in the last financial year, with £175m worth of leisure contracts awarded in March 2009 alone. This is on top of the industry’s steady growth over the last few years, buoyed by an increasing awareness of carbon footprints, and a more focussed marketing of UK holidays in the national press.
RPS is the top firm in the sector according to figures by monitoring body Glenigan, having worked on £350m worth of contracts last financial year. The Group is well placed to advise the leisure market, offering a comprehensive range of planning, design and environmental services, and is recognised by the British Association of Leisure Parks, Piers and Attractions Ltd (BALPPA).
Leisure facility operators are generally very confident about the next few years – particularly with the current economic climate and exchange rate forcing people to look closer to home for their holidays, and they are planning their investments accordingly – introducing brand new attractions, and developing new high quality accommodation. With its strong contacts across the industry, RPS has been able to benefit from this upturn.
Having recently secured permissions for holiday lodge accommodation at Crealy’s Adventure Parks in Devon and Cornwall, and currently preparing applications for a new pirate ship ride and adventure playground at Crealy’s Devon park, RPS is currently working on a resort project at Yorkshire’s Lightwater Valley, and a holiday and retail development at Loudoun Castle in Scotland. Angela Wright, Managing Director of Crealy says, “RPS’ experience of the leisure and tourism industry combined with their expert knowledge of strategic planning has proved invaluable…RPS has helped us to drive our business forward..[whilst] delivering our famous guarantee of maximum family fun.”
Contact: Nick Laister
T: + 44 (0) 1235 838 200
E: laisterN@rpsgroup.com
Note:
Figures quoted are taken from Architects' Journal: Growing leisure sector bucks downturn' - May 2009 issue