Member Article

Work begins at Center Parcs’ new Bedfordshire site

Center Parcs have started work on a new holiday village in Woburn, Befordshire this is set to create some 1500 permanent jobs.

Investment in the site has totalled £250m, as a further 1200 jobs are created during the construction phase of the project.

The site is expected to open for business in Spring 2014, and will comprise 625 forest lodges, a 75 bed hotel and spa, as well as outdoor sports and leisure facilities.

Prime Minister David Cameron weclomed the news, and said: “Center Parcs is much loved by many and this new site is not only great news for holiday makers but great news for the economy too.

“This expansion and the jobs that it brings will be a real boost to growth and a sign of the increasing investor confidence that there is too.”

Woburn will complement four existing Center Parcs’ sites at Whinfell Forest in Cumbria, Sherwood Forest in Nottinghamshire, Elveden Forest in Suffolk and Longleat Forest in Wiltshire.

John Cridland, CBI Director-General, said: “It is welcome that Center Parcs is building a new site in Bedfordshire.

“With services making up three quarters of our economy, it’s vital that we continue to attract and encourage investment into sectors such as leisure, so this is a significant development.

“I have no doubt that this major investment will prove to be a substantial job creator for the area in the coming years.”

Martin Dalby, Chief Executive of Center Parcs, added: “I am delighted to be moving ahead with the construction of our new site at Woburn, which will bring significant benefits for both our guests and the wider economy.

“This is our 25th year of operation and Center Parcs is trading strongly, with occupancy rates of around 97% throughout 2011 and positive forward booking trends for 2012, as guests continue to respond positively to the high quality holiday experience we offer.

“The addition of a fifth site, made possible by the strong support offered by Blackstone and our four lending banks, further enhances our geographic footprint in the UK.

“As we begin construction at Woburn and continue our investment programme in the existing villages, I am confident we can continue to deliver both a first class experience for our guests and continue our track record of profitable growth.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Tom Keighley .