Alistair Houghton meets ROD TUCKER, chief executive of Haulfryn Group

“These days we pay more attention to the environment and landscaping so parks aren’t blots on the landscape. We work very hard to make sure they fit in.”

Equally, in the residential industry, Haulfryn is continuing to move away from the traditional caravan and holiday home image.

“On the residential side they’re known as park homes these days,” said Tucker.

“In the 1970s they were used by youngsters to get their first step on the housing ladder.

“But with the advent of 100% mortgages for houses, they tended to drift away. Park homes have developed more towards a lifestyle environment for people looking to release equity from their family homes.

“They’re very popular with those looking to live with like-minded retired people.

“Park homes have had a bad image over the years. Many people would know them as trailer homes. We’ve moved on by targeting the retirement age group.

“So many people when they see the parks are amazed by the lifestyle.”

Haulfryn was founded by Frank Minoprio in 1935 and five of his direct descendants are now on its board. The group employs around 260 full-time staff, with casual staff lifting that figure to 400 every summer.

Tucker says that since 2002, when investors started snapping up residential parks and pushing up their prices, Haulfryn has focused on expanding its holiday park business.

Last year the company bought five more in an £18m acquisition spree – including two in North Wales, marking the company’s first expansion on its “home turf” for several years.

The company prefers to buy parks in need of renovation and focus on redeveloping them to its standards. Its current investments include a £1m project to build a new pool at its Gimblet Rock park in Pwllheli.