Camperlands Succeeds At This Year’s Boat Caravan and Outdoor Show
(News archive - February 28th 2009)
Camping equipment specialists, Camperlands appear to be thriving despite the doom and gloom of the current economy. The team, who set up display at the Boat Caravan and Outdoor Show last week at the Birmingham NEC, reported sales to be 25 per-cent higher than at last year’s show.
Dominic Ryder, Managing Director of Camperlands, the Manchester based firm who offer trailer tents, tents, motorhome equipment and caravan accessories said, “I was pleased to see trailer tents doing so well, our top seller was the Camp-Let Concorde, which was a strong product especially as it came in 2nd place in the Lightweight Leisure Trailer Awards, which is run by the Caravan Club.”
Simon Greenbury, a spokesperson for the Boat Caravan and Outdoor Show said, “The exhibition went extremely well. Both the visitors and exhibitors were extremely happy with the event. The traditional “Great British Holiday” is an emerging trend and looking at the visitors, we can see that there is more of an interest for these camping and motorhome holidays now, especially now that there are such luxurious options available.”
Around 85,000 visitors were in attendance at the exhibition, which took place from 17-22 February making this year’s show was one of the biggest to date with over 100 pitched tents, Spring model launches from all of the leading caravan and motor home manufacturers, and more bargains than you can shake a stick at. Offers were available on everything from the latest camping accessories and gadgets, sleeping bags to heaters, cleaning products to porches and awnings.
There was plenty to do for all of the family and was a great day out as the exhibition featured free canoeing and kayaking lessons, mini golf and climbing included in the price of the ticket. A wealth of celebrities also helped to keep the crowds entertained – Eastenders star Shaun Williamson, athlete Sally Gunnell and Birds of a Feather’s Linda Robson were just a few of those who made special appearances.
Mr Ryder added, “We were so busy every day. We were literally mobbed! Other stalls had mixed responses, but we did very well. As a result of this, we’ll definitely be back at the exhibition next year.”
About Camperlands
Camperlands Ltd was founded by the late and much missed Mike and Peggy Ryder in 1968. The original concept was to hire frame tents out in the summer season to generate some extra income for their growing family. Their first season lasted 6 weeks during the summer school holidays and was run from the back garden of the family home. It was a resounding success, which gave the Ryder's the confidence to begin tent sales along with camping equipment and caravan accessories. The business grew and the following year relocated onto a garage forecourt, where all the tent displays had to be erected and dismantled every day. So in 1970 the company moved to its present premises, this gave Mike and Peggy Ryder the space and security required to begin creating the purpose built open-air camping and leisure exhibition that exists today.
Today there are quite literally thousands of caravan, camping and motorhome accessories in stock, with several covered display areas dedicated to trailer tents, tents and folding campers.