New future for historic Mundesley holiday park
Tim Hay, the new owner of Mundesley Holiday Park pictured with his wife Mo and their children Millie, Lucas and Otto.Picture: ANTONY KELLY - Credit: Archant
A long-standing north Norfolk holiday park is set for a multi-million pound facelift, after changing hands.
Mundesley holiday camp pavilion pictured with some of its first holidaymakers practising their golf skills in 1934. - Credit: Archant
Mundesley Holiday Village, which marked its 80th anniversary in August, will no longer be a traditional holiday camp providing catering and entertainment on site for bussed-in tourists.
When it reopens after a major revamp, later next year, it will be offering holiday bungalows for sale.
And the site's new bosses say it is good news for the local economy which will benefit from the spending of home owners heading off site to explore.
The village was sold by the Stalham-based Richardson's Group, and bought by Timothy Hay, whose expanding Beeston Group business already runs parks in Beeston Regis, East Runton and Overstrand.
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The 10-acre Mundesley site will remain closed this summer as work begins on upgrading the 200 chalets into luxurious holiday bungalows - with interior designed finishes and free wi-fi.
A phased work programme, which would also see new holiday lodges subject to planning permission, will take place over a decade.
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Mr Hay said he aimed to talk to the parish council and planners about the best way to develop the site.
'It is a really pretty site above one of the best beaches in Norfolk, but needs investment and a re-brand.
'I am really excited. It is a big sleeping giant and I need to awaken it and take it in the right direction.'
North Norfolk was a top destination for short breaks, and he thought buyers of the bungalows - which would range from £50,000 to £100,000 - would visit up to half a dozen times a year.
It was a tourism trend that saw people moving away from heading to resorts for two-week stay, and switching to a series of shorter breaks.
Most would come from a two-hour drive radius - helped by the completed dualling of the A11.
Unlike the previous adult-only site, which catered more for the older visitor market, the revamped village would be family-friendly.
He was not yet sure about future plans for the big dining and entertainment block.
The Mundesley complex would employ 6-10 full time people and improvement work would create new jobs for tradesmen and salesmen.
'I am very optimistic about the future,' added Mr Hay.
Other Beeston group parks include Beeston Regis, Gold Coast and Hazelbury at East Runton and Overstrand Camping Park.
