A major Leicestershire caravan dealership has put its £1.7 million site up for sale amid financial struggles. PKF Smith Cooper, which specialises in business recovery, said Ryedale Caravan & Leisure's difficulties came amid what experts have called a "period of decline" in the caravan and leisure industry.

PKF Smith Cooper said the Shepshed-based enterprise, which had 15 staff on its books according to the latest accounts available publicly, had not managed to sell a sufficient number of caravans to meet its running costs. The property, situated on A512 Ashby Road, is on the market for £1.7 million.The 1.83-acre freehold site includes showroom and warehouse facilities previously used for caravan sales and servicing, according to the particulars.

Brett Barton, business restructuring and recovery partner at PKF Smith Cooper, said rising ownership costs and changes in the car market had contributed to industry-wide challenges. PKF Smith Cooper said manufacturers had taken "unprecedented" steps to boost sales, including extending discounts offered at the October 2024 show at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham.

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Mr Barton said: "Whilst the industry enjoyed increased levels of success in the pandemic with the staycation boom, recent issues with rising ownership costs – including new caravans, running costs and site fee costs – have resulted in a period of contraction." He added: “Other external factors have also had an impact, such as the rise in electric car ownership and the limitation on towing capacity for this vehicle type. Electric cars are on average 1250kg gross weight compared with a VW Passat Estate that can tow 2000kg."

When approached by LeicestershireLive with questions about potential job losses, workforce changes and employee support, PKF Smith Cooper declined to comment further.

If you or someone you know has been impacted by the recent developments at Ryedale Caravan & Leisure, we want to hear from you. Contact us in complete confidence at dylan.hayward@reachplc.com

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