Center Parcs Unveils Plans for First Scottish Holiday Village

Holiday village operator Center Parcs has revealed its intentions to establish its inaugural location in Scotland. This proposed new resort, situated close to Hawick within the Scottish Borders region, is projected to involve an investment of £350m and has the potential to generate as many as 1,200 employment opportunities. Annually, Center Parcs draws millions of guests to its existing six locations throughout the United Kingdom and Ireland. The development proposals are reportedly in an “early stage,” with an aim to submit a planning application for approximately 700 lodges during 2025. The facility is planned to feature a variety of indoor and outdoor recreational options, notably an indoor water park. Colin McKinlay, the chief executive, stated: “This is a tremendously exciting project and offers the opportunity to transform leisure and tourism in the Scottish Borders.” He continued: “Center Parcs is an exceptionally popular destination for families in the UK and Ireland and there is robust demand to support a seventh village.” McKinlay added: “Throughout our history, we have demonstrated that a Center Parcs village provides significant economic benefits locally, regionally and nationally.” He further indicated that the chosen area was the “ideal location” for expansion, given that the company’s current sites are operating at full capacity. He remarked: “We already have many guests from Scotland come to our villages in England and this affords the opportunity for more people from Scotland to enjoy a fantastic Center Parcs experience,”. He also mentioned that the company holds a “very positive” outlook regarding collaboration with the local community to realize the project. The proposed location is situated on land owned by the Buccleuch Group, positioned to the east of the A7 highway, between Hawick and Selkirk. Benny Higgins, the executive chairman of the Buccleuch Group, commented that the initiative is expected to have an “outstandingly positive impact” on the region’s tourism and leisure sectors. Euan Jardine, who leads the Scottish Borders Council, characterized the development as an “absolutely phenomenal investment” for the area. Jardine stated: “To have a company with such a nationwide and worldwide name as Center Parcs invest in the Borders – the first in Scotland as well – I think it is fantastic news and great for the area,”. He continued: “We are a great destination so Center Parcs are really invested here – they have seen the natural capital that we have and they wanted a piece of that.” He noted that the region already possesses a strong tourism offering, and the new development would complement it effectively. David Hope-Jones, chief executive of the South of Scotland Destination Alliance, an organization representing numerous tourism businesses, expressed approval of the announcement. Hope-Jones commented: “The scale of the investment and potential is immense; it represents a huge endorsement of our region’s fast-growing reputation as a year-round destination,”. He further elaborated: “With many thousands of visitors each year expected to stay at the proposed Center Parcs village, this is a huge opportunity to see many of them exploring the local area before, during and after their visits, increasing spend in the local tourism economy.” Prof Russel Griggs, who serves as chair of South of Scotland Enterprise (SOSE), indicated that these plans would constitute the most substantial investment in the area since the establishment of the Borders Railway. Griggs stated: “I am delighted Center Parcs have chosen our area to make this commitment and recognised what the south of Scotland has to offer,”. He clarified that SOSE is not offering financial assistance but intends to collaborate with the company to guarantee advantages for local businesses and the community. Center Parcs commenced operations in the UK in 1987, although its origins trace back to a holiday village in the Netherlands during the late 1960s. The company’s initial undertaking in the UK was at Sherwood Forest in Nottinghamshire, succeeded in 1989 by Elveden Forest in Suffolk. Currently, it operates a total of six locations, including Longleat Forest in Wiltshire, Whinfell Forest in Cumbria, Woburn Forest in Bedfordshire, and its inaugural Irish site, Longford Forest, in County Longford. These sites draw over two million guests annually and are especially favored by families, providing a diverse array of on-site activities and amenities. In the previous year, Center Parcs disclosed that it had abandoned proposals for a new village at Oldhouse Warren, West Sussex, having determined the location was unsuitable for the development. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC disclaims responsibility for the content found on external websites. Information regarding our policy on external linking is available.