A WREXHAM holiday park spoke of its anticipation to welcome back guests from outside the border once they get given the green light.
Plassey Holiday Park was one of many self-contained accommodation facilities there were permitted to reopen after months of closure.
John Brookshaw, managing director at The Plassey Leisure Park, told the Leader how they’d had several people book in for a holiday already.
Speaking ahead of the Welsh Government announcement, he said: “We’ve had lots of enquires but unfortunately lots of our business comes from England. We’re very hopeful that come April 12 we’ll be able to welcome back and be
“I anticipate we’ll be just as busy once we aren’t restricted to just Welsh guests. I think everyone is looking forward to a holiday after being locked down again.”
John said that he believes the weeks’ notice that could come from the Government on April 1 to get everything prepared for an increase of tourists isn’t enough, adding they’d “ideally have a few weeks” but understands that the data can change so rapidly in that time it would be a minefield to cast predictions.
The managing director adds that lots of measures are in place for holiday-makers to relax in the knowledge they can relax whilst keeping COVID-safe including social distancing measures being enforced where needed.
Some parts of the site remain closed under Welsh Government guidance – such as their café and ice cream shop.
Looking to the future, he believes more people will consider a staycation.
He said: “I really think the staycation market will boom now over the next few years. These past few months have been difficult for the industry with the closing down and opening up but I think in the long run we’ll start to attract new people who never considered a holiday in Wales before now.
“Honestly, I don’t see what’s not to enjoy – North Wales has something for everyone. From beautiful beaches to rolling countryside’s. When they’re open again – hopefully on April 12 – we have lots of amazing shops for people to come and visit too.”
The First Minster Mark Drakeford allowed for holiday parks to open up and accept booking from Saturday, March 27, but they must only be for residents of Wales.
Wales recently dropped its ‘stay local’ guidance and permits travel across the country for essential reasons – but people have been told to remain within the Welsh borders.
Allowing cross border travel is one of the topics that was addressed by Welsh Government as part of the latest review of the lockdown measures on April 1.
From April 12, the rules will also be changed to allow travel into and out of Wales from the rest of the UK and Common Travel Area.
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