Holidaymakers at the largest caravan park operator in the UK have consumed over one million meals from Wetherspoons. Haven recently celebrated this achievement, which occurred just two years after the inaugural Wetherspoons establishment opened at its Primrose Valley location near Filey in North Yorkshire. The success of this partnership has prompted Haven’s CEO, Simon Palethorpe, to express interest in expanding Wetherspoons to most of their 39 parks.
Palethorpe reflected on the initial stages of the collaboration, highlighting the unforeseen success it has achieved with guests. He anticipates that the number of meals served will continue to grow significantly in the coming years. The plan is to introduce Wetherspoons to a majority of their parks, building on the positive response received thus far.
Founder of JD Wetherspoon, Tim Martin, expressed his delight at the successful partnership. Haven’s Wetherspoons operate on a franchise model, offering the same menu found in other Wetherspoons pubs. This model has been replicated in various locations, including the first Wetherspoons outside the UK and Ireland at Spain’s Alicante airport.
Since the first Wetherspoons opened at a Haven park in spring 2024, customers have enjoyed a variety of meals, with the big breakfast being the most popular choice. The overall customer favorite remains the classic fish and chips. Refreshments such as Pepsi and Stella Artois are among the best-selling drinks at most locations.
The one millionth meal was recently served to Matthew Deang, his wife Dawn, and their children Leo and Jaxon. Haven has benefited from the surge in staycations and cost-conscious customers, offering affordable prices starting from £49 for a short-term caravan stay.
Celebrities like Stacey Solomon and Joe Swash have endorsed caravan holidays, with Stacey Solomon having a pitch at Haven’s Kent park. Palethorpe emphasizes the improvement in caravan accommodations over the years, dispelling any negative perceptions associated with the term “caravan.”
Haven, under the ownership of US private equity firm Blackstone, has made substantial investments in its parks, including a significant renovation of Kent Coast. The company experienced a 10% increase in customers in the previous year, reaching 3.9 million visitors. With an anticipated record-breaking summer, Haven expects to surpass the four million customer mark this year.
Despite rising costs, Haven has managed to keep prices stable for the upcoming summer season. However, the company has had to make adjustments to staff numbers due to cost pressures, with plans to recruit around 14,000 seasonal workers, albeit fewer than in previous years.
