A CARAVAN park in Tenbury will now be able to open all the year round.

It is hoped that the decision will not only benefit the caravan park but other businesses in and around the town.

The decision means that there is the potential to attract visitors to the area in January and February that are traditionally the quietest time of the year for shops and traders.

Whilst spring, summer and autumn remain the time when most people come to the area, there is an increasing trend for people to take a break throughout the year, enjoying the many attractions such as walking and exploring the countryside.

Planners have given the go-ahead for a family’s Tenbury Wells caravan park to take advantage of the staycation boom by remaining open 12 months of the year.

St Michaels Caravan Park, set in an ancient apple orchard, says the decision by Malvern Hills District Council will bear fruit for many other small businesses in the area.

Park owner Brian Griffiths and his wife Sandra can now welcome visitors throughout the four seasons, instead of having to close their gates in January and February.

Money spent in the local economy by his holiday guests, says Brian, will in future be spread more evenly throughout the year, benefitting other nearby enterprises.

“Since taking over St Michaels Caravan Park in 2007, we have seen this beautiful area grow and grow in popularity – and especially in recent times,” he said.

“Our visitors greatly enjoy visiting shops, pubs, cafes, visitor attractions and other businesses in the region, many of which are family owned, like ours.

“An extra eight weeks on our holiday year will boost tourism spending overall and means that the tap isn’t suddenly turned off during the winter months.

“Twelve months’ opening also complements the trend today for families to take more shorter breaks throughout the year instead of limiting themselves to one main holiday.”

He said that modern holiday caravans are very different from those in use in the early 1960s when caravan holidays began to grow in popularity.

Central heating, double glazing, high levels of insulation and a host of mod-cons mean that it is no longer necessary to limit stays to the warmer months of the year. Although holiday caravans can’t be used for permanent residential purposes, said Brian, owners – many of whom live in the West Midlands - can visit their hideaways.