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Center Parcs Europe

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Center Parcs is a UK based company which runs holiday villages in numerous locations in Europe. It is lised on the London Stock Exchange under Center Parcs (UK) Group plc (LSE: CPK).

Background

Center Parcs started out in a forest in The Netherlands as a new type of holiday resort, founded by Dutch businessman Piet Derksen. The idea was to combine relaxation in a natural setting with sporting and leisure activities. Over the years, Center Parcs has expanded greatly, and now has 19 resorts in The Netherlands, France, Belgium, Germany and England.

Accommodation in Center Parcs is traditionally provided in the form of villas. These are outwardly compact, spacious buildings, clustered together in such a way that no other villas are visible if looking from within any given villa. This, combined with positioning in the heart of a local forest, is designed to create a relatively tranquil atmosphere. An exception to this is Park Zandvoort, which has a more open feel, being set amongst sand dunes. More recently, certain resorts provide hotel rooms, apartments and VIP and executive villas.

The facilities available at Center Parcs vary depending on resort. All locations offer the trademark Subtropical Swimming Paradise, a swimming complex maintained at a constant temperature. A wide range of sporting activities is available for guests, along with restaurants serving food from around the world. Other activities include spas, saunas, massages and many other relaxation facilities.

Focal Points

  • Subtropical Swimming Paradise - in some Parcs this features an outdoor pool, wild water rapids, slides and flumes, a wonderful childrens pool area, as well as a poolside food venue.
  • Village Square / Centre - Usually contains hub of restaurants and facilities such as a launderette. At Longleat Forest in the UK the ParcMarket, Information Centre and many of its restaurants are in the Plaza, about 300metres away.
  • Jardin Des Sports / Sports Plaza - for all the sports nuts on a CP break. Typically includes squash courts, badminton courts, pool and snooker tables, a Sports Cafe / themed restaurant, gymnasium, aerobics studio, outside and covered tennis courts and a space for 5-a-side football.
  • Lakeside - for all water-based activities such as canoeing, fishing or pedalos.
  • Aqua Sana - for pampering, relaxation, massage and therapy.
  • Time Out Clubhouse - dedicated creche and activity centres for children.

Restaurants and Bars

Typical facilities are:

  • Rajinda Pradesh - Indian cuisine
  • Lucianos - Italian
  • Hugos - Seafood
  • Huckleberry's - American
  • Crispin's (and Lagoon Bar in Swimming Paradise) - Fast food
  • Coffee Shop - self explanatory
  • La Sapiniere - Fine dining
  • Le Grand Cafe - French
  • Pancake House - Pancakes
  • Sports Cafe - Pub lunches and breakfasts (located within Jardin Des Sports)

Rajinda Pradesh and Lucianos also provide an early evening delivery service, with an Indian take-away or a pizza delivered to your villa.

Activities

Falconry, Archery, Pool and Snooker Tournaments, Aerobics, Pilates, Yoga, Tai Chi, Badminton, Tennis, Diving, Paintball, Laser Clay Shooting, Sports Quiz, Art Class, Creative Writing, Woodland Walks, Paint Pots for your Patio, Cycling, Ten Pin Bowling, Lawn Bowls and Boules, GoKarting, plus more / less depending on Parc.

Locations

Center Parcs resorts are currently situated in the following locations:

United Kingdom

Another resort is currently being planned in the UK at Warren Wood, Woburn.

France

Belgium

The Netherlands

Germany

UK Ownership

In 2001 during a move to concentrate on their core brewing business, Scottish and Newcastle sold the UK side of Center Parcs to venture capitalists. It was announced on 4 December 2003 that the then owners, Mid Ocean, would sell the UK resorts to Arbor for £285 million. Arbor was a company set up specifically to purchase Center Parcs, and float it on the London Stock Exchange's Alternative Investment Market. It has since moved to the London Stock Exchange's main market.

During the sale, future growth of Center Parcs was hinted at by the Chief Executive, Martin Dalby. He said that the company might add a fifth village at some time in the future, but was also looking towards organic growth through investment in new facilities at the existing villages. Late in 2004 it was announced that the fifth village would be built near Woburn in Bedfordshire.

New UK Site

In December 2004, Center Parcs announced that it had identified a location for a fifth UK site, at Warren Wood near Woburn, Bedfordshire. It would be seeking planning permission and had already completed the signing of a lease on the land from its owner, the Duke of Bedford. The project was expected to cost approximately £160 million, including the construction of accommodation, indoor and outdoor facilities, sub-tropical swimming complex, restaurants and a spa. It is anticipated that, given planning permission, the project would take between three and four years to complete.

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