Administrators have been appointed to the companies behind three well-known holiday parks in Co Down, Belfast Telegraph can reveal.
Owners of properties on the sites in Groomsport, Ballyhalbert and Cloughey, many of whom are retirees, were sent letters from administrators at business advisory firm BDO (NI) about the development.
And a cover letter from Encore Parcs, a separate business which operates the parks and is not affected by the administration, says: “We would seek to reassure all residents/owners that the parks will continue to operate business as usual and your rights will remain unchanged.”
The companies which are in administration – a form of insolvency proceedings –are Blackpool Rock, Lifestyle Homes N Ireland, Lifestyle Seeview, Lifestyle Living (NI) and Park Homes (NI).
All five have registered office address at Bury St Edmunds in England.
The affected sites are Windsor Holiday Park and Seahaven Park Homes in Groomsport, as well as Ballyhalbert Park Homes and Ballyhalbert Holiday Park, and Cloughey Holiday Village.
The parks, a mix of residential park homes, coastal lodges and static caravans, had been bought over by Lifestyle Living Group for £5m after a previous administration in 2012.
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Windsor Holiday Park is billed on the website of Encore Parcs as a “hidden gem… the perfect location for a tranquil and relaxing getaway with family and friends”.
Its static homes are advertised for £75,950 to buy outright, with would-be buyers able to ‘try before they buy’ for £99 per night.
The letters to owners from Brian Murphy and Michael Jennings of BDO NI says their aim is to “market and realise the assets within the companies for the benefit of their stakeholders”.
“We would envisage that this will involve the sale of the parks as a whole and should therefore not cause any inconvenience to you.
“Residents’ rights and services provided will remain unchanged and we would ask you to continue to meet your obligations, including paying your site fees.”
They were appointed administrators to the companies by the High Court on Wednesday, the letter says. But no reason for the move was provided.
It said it will now hold meetings for property owners at each park, where people will be able to ask questions.
Mr Murphy added: “I appreciate that this announcement may come as a surprise, but I would assure you that we are committed to managing the process in a transparent and open manner and that our priority is to maintain services and the upkeep of the parks as usual.”
A 78-year-old owner of a holiday home on the Groomsport site, who did not wish to be named, said he was not overly concerned.
“It’s a merry-go-round again but I didn’t worry about it the last time as I knew someone would take it over, and it’s the same now.
“The administrators will sit down and put a value on it and I’ll say there’ll be plenty of people waiting to buy it at the right price.
“We’ve been here before and I’ve no doubt the administrators will find a way through this.”
News Catch Up – Wednesday 3rd September