Fife holiday parks set to welcome visitors back

Caravan sites across Fife are preparing to welcome holiday home owners back later this week.

The region’s holiday parks were forced to close in March as the lockdown came into place seeing them miss out on three months at the start of Scotland’s tourist season.

However following Scottish Government guidance, the sites will be able to re-open their self contained holiday accommodation from Friday, July 3.

That means visitors will soon be permitted to return to static caravans, and take their self contained motor homes and tourers to holiday parks, however shared toilet and shower blocks remain closed.

Among those set to re-open across the Kingdom are Pettycur Bay Holiday Park in Kinghorn and Abbeyford Leisure’s holiday parks in St Andrews, Elie and St Monans.

Speaking about the easing of restrictions, the owners of Pettycur Bay Holiday Park said the changes mean their fleet of self contained holiday home hires are able to open up for bookings again and they are looking forward to welcoming back their holiday home owners.

All leisure facilities and the Horizons Restaurant and Waterfront Bar will remain closed for now, but owners the Wallace family are confident Scotland’s hospitality sector is well on its way to recovery.

And they have revealed plans to open a new outdoor area for food and drink from Monday, July 6, assuming the Scottish Government regulations allow.

Tommy Wallace, director, said: “Many of our holiday home owners will be delighted to be able to visit their holiday properties here after what has been a tumultuous few months for the country.

“Along with many other holiday parks in the country, we can now start the climb back, and hopefully obtain some all important summer trade.

“Clearly the staycation is going to be to the fore this summer, so we are pleased to be partially re-opening for the traditional Scottish school summer holiday period, it’s a start for sure.

“We can welcome self contained motor homes and tourers too at Pettycur, but we can’t as yet take tents, as our toilet & shower block is still closed.”

Mr Wallace said staff have been working to ensure the holiday park adheres to the safety measures.

He added: “Customers can have absolute peace of mind here. We look forward to seeing many regular customers, but hope to also attract some new staycation guests.”

Although the park has been closed during lockdown, its restaurant has been offering a takeaway menu locally for the past few weeks.

“Some of our chefs were brought back to the kitchens to work on a new takeout menu,” he said.

“So far it has gone down very well locally, as there has been a huge demand for different providers of carry out food.

“Now those staying on the park can also take advantage, and have food delivered straight to their holiday homes.

“We will re-open Horizons & The Waterfront Bar in the middle of July when restaurants in Scotland, able to provide social distancing, can fully re-open.

“In the meantime, if we get the go ahead for the outdoor dining area - which we had actually planned to introduce to the park’s portfolio anyway - it will provide an attractive outdoor space where customers can sit down and eat.

“We are very fortunate here to have so much room on the estate with a number of viewpoints where you can take advantage of the vistas over the beach and Firth of Forth.

“Our great strength here is our fresh air and wonderful setting.”

At Abbeyford Lesiure’s three Fife sites the re-opening is being staggered for users.

It plans to re-open to accommodation owners from Friday, July 3 before welcoming seasonal tourers, lodge, holiday home and cottage guests from Friday, July 10.

It is anticipated tourer and tent guests can return from July 17.

With the exception of the Papa John's Pizza takeaway at St Andrews Holiday Park, the bars, restaurants, cafe, takeaways, games rooms and laundries at these sites will be closed for now, however the play parks will be open.

Message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news on this free-to-read site, I am asking you to also please purchase a copy of our newspapers - the Fife Free Press, Fife Herald, St Andrews Citizen and East Fife Mail.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the highest standards in the world. The dramatic events of 2020 are having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers and consequently the advertising that we receive. We are now more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news by buying a copy of our newspaper.

Thank you

Allan Crow, Editor, Fife Free Press