Harrison Drury advises on major caravan park deal

Harrison Drury has advised on a major leisure sector deal that has seen a Lancashire holiday park, set in the grounds of an historic hall, sold to new owners.

Our corporate, commercial property and employment teams all worked with the owners of Rawcliffe Hall Country Club and Caravan Park, based in rural Wyre, to support its sale to Harrison Leisure UK Ltd for an undisclosed sum.

Covering almost 43 acres and with 233 pitches, the park has been in the ownership of the Bagot family since 1993, while Rawcliffe Hall itself has been in the family’s ownership since 1937. The property came onto the confidential market to allow the partners to retire.

The well-established site is developed with caravan and lodge pitches and sits in a beautiful rural local location at Out Rawcliffe, near Garstang. The sale also includes six cottages, additional agricultural land and the 12th century Rawcliffe Hall in which various leisure facilities and bars are located.

Buyer Harrison Leisure already operates seven holiday parks across the North West, Cumbria, North Yorkshire and Northumberland.

Billy Harrison, Harrison Leisure UK, said: “We are delighted to take over such a well-established business and look forward to operating the park to the highest of standards for decades to come. We have some exciting plans for the property but the ethos of operating a successful family business and high levels of customer satisfaction always remain at the core.”

David Bagot said: “As a family we are delighted to be handing over the business, which has meant so much to us, to another family who we believe have a similar ethos; it is good to know we are leaving it and the people within it in safe hands. This has been a complex transaction and we are very grateful for the support we have received from our advisors at Harrison Drury, Colliers and Azets.”

Our advisory team included Jack Stephenson from the corporate team, Naomi Fell and George Wilson in our commercial property team, and Sarah Astley in our employment team.

Jack Stephenson, senior associate solicitor in our corporate team, commented: “We’re proud to have supported this significant transaction in the North West leisure sector, helping the long-term owners of Rawcliffe Hall Country Club and Caravan Park to successfully hand the baton to the new owners and realise value from a business built up over many years.”

The deal was arranged by commercial real estate firm Colliers who acted as agent and ran a competitive marketing process resulting in substantial levels of interest and numerous offers for the park and business.

Richard Moss, Head of UK Parks Agency at Colliers, said: “We’re thrilled to have arranged this sale on behalf of the retiring partners. Rawcliffe Hall has built a strong reputation with its customers and the extreme level of market popularity we experienced is largely down to the tranquil rural setting combined with consumer demand and market scarcity.”

The vendors were also advised by Kirsty Giddins, office managing partner, of accountancy and advisory firm Azets.

Kirsty commented: “Having acted for the Rawcliffe Hall owners for many years it has been a pleasure assisting them with the sale and working alongside the professional teams at Harrison Drury and Colliers.  I wish the family all the best in their retirement and future endeavours.”

Main image: Adobe Stock