MLAs Fly Flag for Northern Ireland Tourism at Cranfield park

MLAs Philip Brett and Diane Forsythe marked Northern Ireland Tourism Week this month with a visit to a family owned holiday park in Cranfield near Newry. The two Assembly members visited Chestnutt Holiday Park at the mouth of Carlingford Lough where they saw how the business is supporting many other small enterprises in the region.

Mr Brett is the economy spokesperson for the DUP and chairs the Committee for the Economy at the NI Assembly. Ms Forsythe serves as the MLA for South Down. They were welcomed by Geoff Chestnutt and his brother Richard who are directors of the company which owns four parks in the Kingdom of Mourne.

The business was founded in the late 1960s by their parents Freddy and Rosemary and is now one of the largest providers of holiday caravans for private owners in Northern Ireland.

Across all four locations the group provides around 700 pitches. The parks also offer holiday homes and cottages to rent along with facilities for touring caravans, motorhomes and tents.

The MLAs were given a tour of Chestnutt Holiday Park’s 25 acre grounds which Geoff explained have long appealed to lovers of natural beauty and tranquil surroundings where the mountains sweep down to the sea.

Opening of Major Development Project

They also took part in the official opening of a major development project that will introduce a new five star washroom building for touring guests.

In keeping with the park group’s buy local policy contractors from the region will deliver the project which is expected to be completed ahead of next year’s holiday season.

Geoff noted that many local businesses benefit from visitor spending at the parks which also helps sustain employment opportunities across the Mourne area.

The four parks in the Chestnutt group are active members of the British Holiday and Home Parks Association. Together they support around 40 jobs and offer training opportunities for those seeking a career in tourism and hospitality.

During the visit the MLAs also saw how the business is helping to protect the natural world through habitat creation to support wildlife. The park further reduces its carbon footprint with solar panel energy generation and the use of a biomass boiler for heating.

“We were delighted that Philip Brett and Diane Forsythe were able to visit our park and learn more about what we are achieving here” said Geoff.

“We were able to outline our hopes and ambitions for the future and share some of the challenges facing the parks sector.

“It is clear that both guests recognise the importance of tourism to Northern Ireland and the economic and employment benefits it brings to regions such as this.”

Philip Brett MLA, Chair of the Economy Committee, said:

“Holiday parks play a vital role in sustaining and growing the tourism economy here in Northern Ireland by providing high quality experiences that keep visitors returning year after year.
They support local jobs, boost rural communities and showcase the very best of what our country has to offer. I am delighted to see Chestnutt Holiday Park’s continued investment in the sector.”

Tourism and Hospitality Week aims to highlight an industry that generates £1.1 billion for Northern Ireland’s economy and supports more than 70,000 jobs.

More information about the Chestnutt group’s four parks and their staying options is available at www.chestnuttholidayparks.com

Key Facts

• Location: Chestnutt Holiday Park, Cranfield near Newry
• Founded: Late 1960s by Freddy and Rosemary Chestnutt
• Ownership: Now run by the second generation Geoff and Richard Chestnutt
• Group: Four holiday parks in the Kingdom of Mourne
• Pitches: Around 700 across all parks
• Accommodation: Touring pitches, motorhome spaces, tents, holiday caravans, cottages

Highlights

• Regional MLAs visited as part of Northern Ireland Tourism Week.
• Official launch of a new five star washroom facility for touring visitors.
• Strong commitment to buying local and supporting regional contractors.
• Long standing family business serving guests for more than five decades.
• High levels of environmental stewardship across all parks.
• Chestnutt group recognised as a major contributor to local tourism and employment.

FAQs About Chestnutt Holiday Parks

Where is Chestnutt Holiday Park located?
It is located in Cranfield near Newry at the mouth of Carlingford Lough.

How many parks are in the Chestnutt group?
There are four parks in total all situated in the Kingdom of Mourne region.

What types of accommodation are available?
The group provides around 700 pitches along with holiday homes, cottages, touring caravan facilities, motorhome spaces and tent pitches.

Who owns the holiday parks?
They are owned and operated by brothers Geoff and Richard Chestnutt whose parents founded the business in the late 1960s.

What sustainability measures does the park use?
The parks use high efficiency solar panels, a biomass boiler and habitat creation projects to support wildlife.

What was the purpose of the MLAs visit?
MLAs Philip Brett and Diane Forsythe visited during Northern Ireland Tourism Week to see the park’s impact on local tourism and business.

How does the park support the local economy?
Visitor spending supports local shops, services and contractors and the park directly provides around 40 jobs.