Cumbria holiday park woos staff with fitness and sauna sessions

Following a record year for visitors, south Cumbria’s Silverdale Holiday Park says it’s now putting staff recruitment plans into overdrive in readiness for an even more full-on 2019.

And to help attract new team members, the business is offering a list of perks including free saunas, spa baths and pool sessions, plus access to the latest keep-fit technology in its gym.

The family-owned park currently has 20 full-time positions to fill after end-season figures showed this summer to have been the busiest by far in its 60-year history.

But business owner Michael Holgate says is keen to give priority to applicants from south Cumbria, and will only be announcing the posts locally and on his website.

At present, he states, around 95% of the 160-strong workforce have been drawn from the immediate area – and that in his experience, recruiting locally works best for everyone.

Staff receive free membership of exclusive leisure club

In order to help woo applicants, the park is offering free membership of its exclusive leisure club which includes a 17m swimming pool, sauna, steam rooms and a spa pool.

Staff will also be given use of the park’s gymnasium, re-fitted this year with the latest exercise technology to help everyone keep in tip-top condition.

But Michael Holgate believes local people will benefit most from the career opportunities:

“This fabulous summer has been a real boon for tourism in Cumbria, and our county’s visitor and hospitality industry has never been in better shape,” he said.

“We offer training opportunities to all staff to equip them for progressing in this sector, and we also have a policy of promoting from within our ranks whenever possible.

“In addition, recruiting from the local area gives many younger people a reason not to move away from Cumbria to seek long-term careers, and helps keep communities together.

“We need to recruit now in order to get everyone ready for next year which, with repeat visits and recommendations, is likely to be even busier than this,” added Michael.

Silverdale is the flagship park of the Holgates group and was founded by Michael’s grandfather in 1956, and has since grown to six multi-award winning park businesses.

Holiday Park Job opportunities

The new job opportunities are available both across the parks, and at The Royal gastro-pub in the village of Silverdale which was bought by Holgates almost three years ago.

Positions include roles in operations such as food and beverage, housekeeping, customer services, technical support and groundwork.

There is more information about the parks and details of current vacancies at www.holgates.co.uk