A new board of directors has been confirmed for the region’s most famous caravan dealership.

Following the sudden death in June last year of Managing Director, Tony Weavers, Leisure Kingdom of Hilton has announced the appointment of three new board members. The new officials are made up of long serving personnel from the company’s current management team who will join existing Financial Director, Paul Coxon, to head the company.

Principal shareholder, Don Amott, said: “We needed a strong team to build on the achievements of Tony Weavers and to take the company forward in what is proving to be a very positive period for the caravan industry.”

The new board members who have each been with the company for well over 20 years are Richard Mortimer from Hilton who becomes Sales Director, John Broderick from Oakwood who take on the role of Managing Director and Brian Winfield of Draycott-in-the Clay, Staffordshire, who has been appointed Workshop Director.

The company was formed in 1963 as Don Amott Caravans operating from the old Egginton Junction station buildings. It’s rapid expansion in the late 60s took the firm along the road to a 48 acre showground in Hilton which it developed with heated showrooms, an accessory superstore and custom-built workshop facilities. The company quickly established itself as one of the Midland’s leading retailers of touring caravans and motorhomes. Sister company, Don Amott Parks, operates five holiday and residential caravan parks on the East Coast and one in Burton-on-Trent.

Caption: Picture shows: Leisure Kingdom’s, Financial Director, Paul Coxon (left), welcomes new board members (from left to right), John Broderick, Brian Winfield and Richard Mortimer.

The appointment of Leisure Kingdom as authorised dealer for Bailey Caravans coincides with the launch of the Bailey Pegasus which is tipped to be ‘the caravan of the future’.

Richard Mortimer, Leisure Kingdom’s Sales Manager said: “We are proud to have been appointed as an authorised dealer for Bailey and are thrilled to be able to offer our customers the revolutionary new Pegasus”.

Bailey Pegasus models have already galloped away with Which Caravan Magazine’s ‘Caravan of the Year’ and Practical Caravan Magazine's ‘Tourer of the Year’ titles.

It features state of the art vehicle construction technology which manifests itself in the all new Bailey patented Alu-Tech body shell. This offers numerous benefits in terms of performance but without a weight penalty. Most notably these include a market leading ten year body shell integrity guarantee and Grade III Classification of Thermal Insulation (EN1645-I) allowing owners to caravan all year round.

Commenting on the new range, Which Caravan Chief Caravan Analyst, Phil Stephens said, “The Pegasus is an eye-catcher in every sense. If you fancy possessing the very latest in caravan build technology and something that looks as cool as its structure would suggest, the Pegasus is for you”

To find out more about the Pegasus visit the Pegasus Road Show during Leisure Kingdom’s Winter Wonderland Event starting 2nd January 2010.

The credit crunch and poor exchange rate have put UK holiday destinations back in fashion for 2009. Moreover, leisure industry analysis are predicting a sharp increase in caravanning and motorhome holidays which provide the freedom to explore Britain’s hidden gem location.

Caravan dealer Leisure Kingdom of Hilton have set their stall out to meet an increase in interest with a special Spring event which offers pre-owned models at sale prices.

Managing Director, Tony Weavers, explained: “In the current climate customers are looking closer to home for holidays and leisure breaks this year.

“We see this as an opportunity to promote the advantages of modern day caravanning with state-of-the-art touring and motorhome models”. He added.

Leisure Kingdom is also helping customers with destination information by courtesy of the Motorhome Information Service (MIS).

Let’s say you decided on the East of England as one of your target destinations. You could visit any of 154 heritage sites from Grimes Graves, a Neolithic flint mine, to Framlingham Castle, home to Mary Tudor before she became queen. You might like to see where the award winning films ‘Atonement’ or ‘Shakespeare in Love’ were made. Did you know that much of ‘Dad’s Army’ was filmed near Thetford in Norfolk?

Then of course, there are dozens of remarkable churches and if those don’t appeal, there are miles of coastline with beach or bird sanctuary, not to mention the inland waterways of the Broads. And to cap it all, enjoy the local fare; hams, jams and seafood in particular. But from a motorhome tour point of view, there are dozens of things to see, it is not necessary to travel miles and miles but there will always be something new round the corner.

Or may be head for Wales? They have it all; mountains, coasts and countryside. But it is not a big country and you can do a lot without travelling too far. It’s a great place for outdoor pursuits – walking or biking, canoeing or climbing while Wales is very proud of its blue class beaches. They reckon, too, that they are establishing something of a reputation for their food – lamb, cheese or lava bread are some of the native delicacies.
Site prices for this year have been held steady by the two main travelling organisations, The Caravan Club and the Camping and Caravanning Club. Because they are membership organisations, they will be working very hard to keep cost increases to a minimum.

“Despite the renewed interest, customers are looking for much better value for money.” says Tony Weavers.

“Our Spring event offers exceptional deals on new models and immaculately prepared pre-owned stock.

“Demand for motorhomes is still strong, for both new and used vehicles, but it may be that right now, with the credit crunch nibbling at us all, the value of caravan and motorhome leisure can be added to its independence and flexibility. “

The 24-acre showground at Leisure Kingdom, Hilton, is open every day and features a large indoor, heated showroom.

1/06/08
Tour Ireland in Style

A Derby firm has supplied a fleet of thirty Motorhomes to an Irish Leisure company. Don Amott Leisure, the UK importer and main dealer for Italian motorhome manufacture, McLouis, has supplied the fleet of vehicles to Celtic Campervans of Limerick.

The Irish company has been renting motorhomes for over 30 years and offers customers the opportunity to tour Ireland in style. Celtic Campervans will collect customers from Dublin airport and then deliver a comprehensive demonstration of all the facilities available in their motorhome. Depending on the length of their holiday or short-break they will also discuss suggested routes to ensure that visitors get the most out of their Irish holiday experience.

Stephen Bradshaw, general manager of family firm, Celtic Campervans, explained: “We have customers from all over the world including Australia, the USA and the rest of Europe.

“The Australians in particular know that this is the best way to get around. Basically, a motorhome is a hotel on wheels with everything you need for a fraction of the price.” S

Speaking about his choice of vehicle for the new fleet, Stephen added: “We chose McLouis models because of the quality of the exterior and interior finish and the manufacturers willingness to adapt the vehicles to our needs.

“Our company has had a long association with Don Amott Leisure and its managing director Tony Weavers, who dealt with everything at the Italian end with absolute precision.”

The McLouis Tandy 636G SE was voted ‘Family Motorhome of the Year’ by Which Motorhome magazine earlier this year.

Celtic Campervans rental costs start at 90 Euros (approximately £72) for the minimum 4-days hire period. More information is available from www.celticcampervans.com.



Celtic Campervans family team, Stephen Bradshaw, right, with son Stephen Richard Bradshaw and their new McLouis fleet supplied by Don Amott Leisure.

14/04/08
Don Amott and McLouis Scoops Award

An Italian Motorhome has been voted ‘Family Motorhome of the Year’ just two months after the manufacturers locally based UK distributor won a major national award.

McLouis Motorhomes won the award for its Tandy 636G at a ceremony hosted by Which Motorhome magazine last month.

And in December last year it’s UK distributor and main dealer, Hilton-based Don Amott Leisure Kingdom, won the title ‘Midlands Dealer of the Year’ at the MMM 2008 national awards ceremony. The event was organised by the publishers of Motorcaravan and Motorhome Monthly which asked its readers about their dealer experiences. Their comments were assessed by a panel of judges which culminated in the MMM awards Ceremony.

Mike Jago, editor of Motorcaravan and Motorhome Monthly, said: “This caravan king certainly understands his realm, with realistic prices, staff which really know their stuff and a great approach to service.”

Tony Weavers, Managing Director of Don Amott Leisure Kingdom, added: “The award really goes to our loyal and dedicated staff who have worked tirelessly this year to enhance our customer service levels ”

The company also won Bronze in the National Dealer of the Year category.

Speaking about the award for the Tandy 636G, McLouis UK Sales Manager, Steve Cant said: “We have one of the most impressive ranges to come out of Italy for years and this award is evidence that McLouis is emerging as one of the most popular marques with UK motorcaravanners.”

The 2008 McLouis line-up features eleven different coach-built and low profile models within the Lagan, Steel and Tandy ranges.

Don Amott Leisure specialises in Motorhomes from throughout Europe and its line-up for 2008 includes some of the best known names including McLouis, Eura Mobil, Autotrail, Autosleeper, Lunar and Autocruise. Customers can view the latest models in the comfort of an extensive, heated showroom. Other products and services offered by the company include an impressive display of pre-owned motorhomes, new and pre-owned touring caravans, a leisure superstore and a custom-built service centre.

30/03/08
Win a week at Lakeside Park

Visitors to Don Amott Leisure’s Hilton showground have the opportunity to enter a free prize draw to win a week stay at Lakeside Park in Lincolnshire. The Prize Draw is open to existing motorhome or touring caravan owners.

Lakeside Park at North Somercotes is famous for its secluded woodlands setting, seven acre freshwater fishing lake and facilities unmatched on the East Coast. The centerpiece of the park is a lively, yet exclusive, leisure complex complete with its Tropicana indoor heated pool. The adjacent Waterfront Club provides fun and entertainment for all tastes. Sporting facilities include a nine-hole executive golf course, an all-weather bowling green, football pitch, tennis and, of course, a spot of fishing by the famous seven acre lake.

Touring Caravan and Motorhome owners can enjoy a truly wonderful setting complete with every modern facility and ‘superpitches’ which provide hard standing and all mains services.