Carry on Camper: The North East company driving staycation growth

“Not many people can imagine their summer holidays when it’s hail stoning sideways.”

It’s hard to argue with Alex Banks, part owner of Mini Campers North East. However, on the back of their most successful summer since opening in 2012, the business isn’t having to worry too much about the much quieter (not to mention colder and wetter) winter period.

“Summer has been exceptional,” says Banks. “Not only was the website performing well, but we had a lot of concrete interest that we can’t always bank on.” Summer is a better time to sell such a product, and the trend is likely to continue into 2020.

Mini Campers North East occupies a pretty niche market. Camper vans can be any vehicle up to the size of a bus which you can park up and sleep in, but Banks’ business deals with selling and converting vans that can also be used every day.

Think Renault Traffics, Ford Transits, that sort of thing. It’s an excellent spot in the market. In the first six months of 2019, the UK van market grew by 5.4 per cent. Those under two tonnes did particularly well – that market grew by 14 per cent.

“Camper vans can be parked in the driveway or taken to the supermarket. And it’s a lot easier when they’re smaller and cheaper to run,” says Banks. Downsizing has driven many people to the business in more ways than one, with some people who have two or three vehicles on their driveway swapping at least one for a camper van.

Cost is another key factor in their popularity. Larger vehicles have seen road tax hikes and rising petrol prices, so these more compact vehicles are kinder on the pocket – not to mention the environment too.

And it’s not just the on-the-road cost. In a year where the news has been dominated by Brexit, 31 per cent of UK holiday makers are choosing staycations over holidaying abroad. Inexplicably linked to that is the falling value of the Euro, while the climate emergency is ever persistent at the back (and front) of many people’s minds. It’s difficult to find many positives here, but the domestic tourism sector has at least seen growth.

In the North East, the rate of staycations is even higher than the national average (43 per cent said that they’d be spending their holidays in the UK before summer), and as a result Mini Campers North East is thriving.

“There are a lot of places near us. We’ve got the Lake District, Scottish Borders, access to ferries, and we’re near Newcastle airport. We’re in a really good location.” And he hasn’t even mentioned the Northumberland Coast!

All of these factors have meant that Mini Campers is expanding their business into the rentals market in 2020. “We’ve bought our first van and we’re hoping to have three by the end of winter,” explains Banks.

According to Banks, people use their camper vans all year round, but very rarely buy them at this time of year. Expanding into the rental market means that the business will have a stable income throughout the year.

At the moment, winter consists of the business making conversions on its own stock, as well as working on other people’s vans. The rental market will make it easier to maintain profit throughout the year.

2020 is going to be a big year for Banks and his co-owner, Andy Wilson. They have recently moved to a bigger premises in Brunswick which will have space for more vans, hopefully meaning mean more sales. With this exciting move, they expect to do more conversions, and potentially employ more people.

Their website will be another key factor too. According to the 2018 Global Automotive Consumer Study, customers are spending more time researching their cars on the internet than ever before. That means less time in showrooms. Due to Mini Campers NE offering conversions, they have a little more leeway in that respect.

Although he’s excited about a foray into new territory, it’s clear that selling camper vans is more than just a job for Banks. “It’s cool to finally hand over the keys to someone, see the look on their face, and know it’s going to be used for so many things, and to go so many places. It’s going to bring a lot of joy to people and they’ll create memories.”

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