Family run Kimberley Caravans & Motorhomes said yesterday that it had bought the former Barrons site at Burtree Gate in Darlington. The site will reopen next month as planned with over 100 new members of staff.

Discover Leisure – the previous owners of the site, went into administration in October 2011, and sold the site to Mr. Chris Lowe, the co-owner and M.D. of Kimberley Caravans & Motorhomes, who runs the company with his father Michael. Their Nottinghamshire based firm was set up in the 1970s with a high turnover and sparkling reputation.

Chris Lowe explained that the reputation of the Darlington site had been the tipping point for the pair, an opportunity they would hate to miss: “We have been looking to expand for a couple of years and this is the best opportunity. We were aware of its history. Before it was Discover Leisure it was Barrons and when it was Barrons it had a brilliant reputation and it was very busy. We are looking to recover that atmosphere and level of customer service. We know that the branch has many loyal customers, going back to when it was part of Barons, who will appreciate the care and attention of a family-run business.”

When considering the employment levels on the site, Chris was determined to improve the previous figure: “It has been difficult to know how many to start with. When we open in February we will be employing 25 people, but as the business becomes established again we hope to build that number up quite quickly. In terms of looking after customers you need more staff rather than fewer staff. The site employed 100 in its heyday, but is a matter of seeing how long it takes to get to that level of success.

“Our experience is that the industry as a whole is very strong and I think the North-East is a very strong area for caravans and motor homes. The economy is tough at the moment but from our experience, both through our existing site and our attendance at national exhibitions, we know caravanning is booming.”

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