We've been writing blogs for the website for a couple of months now, so it feels like a good time to take you behind the scenes and share some of the history of Stewart Longton Caravans with you. In this blog we're covering everything from the awards we've won and how long we've been in business, plus the family history behind the brand and what's changed in the world of caravans since we started out. Plus, we'll share some of the top British campsite recommendations from our staff - and reading them has certainly got us in the mood for a road trip and camping holiday!
A family business through and through...
William Hall purchased Stewart Longton Caravans in 1975, and the business has remained in the family ever since - that's 48 years. During that time there have always been members of the Hall family active on the board of directors, and today that's Gary Hall, Daryl Hall, Jake Hall and Peter Hall. Over the years the business expanded to have depots in Manchester, Lancaster, Blackpool and Standish, as well as two head office sites in Chorley. Over the years, as the business has adapted to current conditions and to ensure we can offer the widest range of caravans and campers to our customers, we've slimmed down our footprint and now employ 47 members of staff over the two sites in Chorley and one in Standish.
…with a customer-first approach to caravan sales
Our ethos is to put the customer first throughout the process, including the after sales care. A lot of competitors will sell a dream but don't want to help iron out any niggles that might arise afterwards. We pride ourselves on being one of the most competitively priced dealers in the UK for both new and used caravans and campers, but we don't let that compromise the level of the after sales service we offered. Due to the nature of leisure vehicles and how they are used, it is important you have a good relationship with your supplying dealer. Our customers know that they can come to us with any questions or issues, however small they seem, and we'll get them sorted. Our award wins over the years - that include 12x Abbey Dealer of the Year, 3 x Bessacar Dealer of the Year, 3 x Adria Dealer of the Year, 2 x Swift Dealer of the Year and 1 x Camperking Dealer of the year - are testament to our excellent reputation in the industry!
And a finger on the pulse of industry changes
With a 48-year history of selling caravans, we've seen plenty of changes over the years. Some of the biggest strides forward have been advances in the construction methods to combat water ingress and the associated issues, such as damp. Swift have replaced the timber frames in their caravans, which were susceptible to water ingress, with a polyurethane plastic and GRP frame. That makes them impervious to water ingress damage meaning we see fewer issues with their caravans than we do with the competition.
We know people love the freedom that caravans and campers give them, and it's been great to see the industry dial up the comfort that people experience when they're on the open road. That includes superior appliances such as underfloor heating and rapid hot water tanks - perfect for that all-important hot shower at the end of a busy day exploring! There are also towing aids such as ATC, that make holidaying far easier and less stressful, so people can kick back and enjoy the scenery rather than worrying about towing.
Then there's the introduction of eight feet-wide ranges, a little more room that really amps up the comfort level when people are away in their vehicles. Finally, the popularity of compact camper vans over motorhomes, largely due to the ease of parking them, has been interesting to see. We have customers use them as their everyday vehicles as they can easily take them into car parks and down narrow roads, and then they can just pack up and take off when they fancy a holiday!
Top campsite recommendations from our staff
We've asked three members of staff here at Stewart Longton Caravans to share their favourite caravan or camper holiday destination with you, and here are the results! Jake Hall - My choice is Skelwith Fold in Ambleside, in the glorious Lake District. This is a beautiful campsite in the heart of the lakes with stunning walks right from the bottom of the caravan steps. Plus, it's only a 20-minute walk into Ambleside itself for provisions, a pint in a Lakeland pub or a meal if you fancy letting someone else do the cooking. Paul Smith - My pick is Claylands Caravan Park near Garstang in Lancashire. This is a fantastic park on the eastern fringes of the Forest of Bowland AONB and within easy reach of the coast, so there's lots of great countryside nearby to explore. Plus, it's just a short drive to access local amenities and hotspots - ideal if you've been on the road for a while to get there in the first place. Steve Howard - I've chosen Wild Rose near Appleby-in-Westmorland south of Penrith which has stunning countryside views in every direction. It's also perfectly located for exploring the Lake District, the Yorkshire Dales and the Northern Pennines, and it's right next to Centre Parcs which is ideal for the kids!
If all this has inspired you to upgrade your current caravan or think about buying your first ever home on wheels, make sure you take a look at our spring and summer offers. Our summer 2023 discounts on all the Swift ranges have just gone live and can give you up to £2500 off! Perfect if you're watching the pennies this year or you'd like a little extra spending money.