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The Sun
09-07-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Center Parcs boss reveals what to expect from brand new holiday park in the UK – and future village locations
A NEW Center Parcs will be opening in Scotland in 2029 - with the holiday park boss revealing plans for even more resorts. The site will be located in the Scottish Borders, north of Hawick and will feature 700 lodges, as well as the brand's iconic Subtropical Swimming Paradise and Aqua Sana Forest Spa. 6 6 6 With a planning application submitted this week for the site, Center Parcs CEO Colin McKinlay spoke with The Sun about details of the Scottish village and how it was "staring us in the face as the logical place to put the next Center Parcs". McKinlay shared: "Our plans in the Scottish Borders [are] to build a Center Parcs with all the same facilities that we see in our other villages in England. "It will have the iconic pool, activities, a spa, about 700 lodges ... all of the facilities people are used to seeing at the other villages." Unlike other UK villages that have lakes, the Scottish site will have two lochs. McKinlay added: "We've taken a typical size of one of those lakes and we've almost divided it into two." And these lakes will have "gentle" water sport activities, including things such as pedalos and kayaking. "Nice and gentle but family-oriented activities," said McKinlay. Setting the Scottish village apart from other villages in the UK, there will also be a Heritage Centre. "We're conscious that in the Scottish Borders there's a huge amount of natural heritage and history here," McKinlay shared. "To recognise that, one of the things we'll have on this village is a heritage centre. The new Center Parcs holiday resort that has opened in Europe As for the layout of the village, the CEO added that whilst it will take many attributes from other UK sites, "each time we build a new village, we like to make it a little bit more special". A woodcraft workshop will also allow families to carve models together and a permanent Santa's Grotto will let guests meet Santa each winter. And the CEO shared that the park will have around 100 different activities that people can do, such as Action Challenge and a TAG Challenge Arena. But activities don't stop there - with the plans also revealing that Crazi Bugz, off-road explorers and laser combat could feature. The Scottish Borders village is also likely to have between 10 and 14 different restaurant and bar experiences. Whilst McKinlay expressed this hasn't been finalised yet, he did share that they will have areas "promoting the nuances of Scottish food". 6 Plans show a Pancake House and cafe are already proposed for the village. "We're hoping for a determination of that planning application by the end of the calendar year, hopefully," he stated. "I would be very hopeful to be able to open in spring, summer of 2029 - which means that we would aim to go on sale probably nine months prior to that." In regard to the rest of the UK, the CEO added: "I wouldn't rule out other Center Parcs in other locations in the UK. "I believe there are opportunities beyond that [Scotland], probably elsewhere in England - possibly in the south east." 6 A number of new initiatives are being rolled out across the UK too, from premium restaurants to new leisure activities such as a forest gliding experience. The holiday company is also celebrating the highest ever guest satisfaction scores in the past 12 months, in its 38-year history. The Scottish Borders Center Parcs project is expected to cost between £350 and £400million. In total, it is anticipated the new village will also create 1,200 permanent jobs and attract more than 350,000 visitors each year. CENTER Parcs has opened a new treetop experience at one of their holiday parks in the UK - the first of its kind for the resort. Opening at Longleat on July 1, Adventure Nets allows families to "bounce, balance, leap and climb through the stunning redwood canopy", according to Center Parcs. The attraction features a number of treehouses that are connected by suspended nets, seven metres in the air. Visitors can crawl through tunnels, cross rope bridges and enjoy a trampoline area at the attraction too. Families on the course can also use TAG Active technology which allows guests to 'tag' beacons around the course and play TAG games such as treasure hunts in their hour-session. There is also a new European Center Parcs resort that is quiet in August – and much cheaper than in the UK. Plus, the first look at Center Parcs' plans for new UK resort in Scotland. 6
The Sun
21-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
First pictures of UK's brand new Center Parcs show off overwater lodges, tropical lazy river and ‘sports loch'
THE first images of what the new Center Parcs holiday village will look like in Scotland have been revealed. Center Parcs has unveiled a flythrough video of its proposed new holiday villag e in the Scottish Borders. 12 12 The video takes viewers on a virtual tour of the site, featuring the arrivals road, waterside lodges, apartments, lochs, Aqua Sana Forest Spa, Subtropical Swimming Paradise, Sports Plaza, and the planned Nature and Heritage Centre. Center Parcs plans to submit a planning application this summer to Scottish Borders Council. The proposed site is located three miles north of Hawick and will feature around 700 lodges. The Scottish village will include a wide variety of indoor and outdoor activities, retail outlets, bars, restaurants, and signature swimming and spa attractions. The total investment for the new village is estimated at between £350 million and £400 million. Colin McKinlay, CEO of Center Parcs, said: "[There will be a] two kilometre access road that would take you up to the start of the area where we're looking to develop. "You'll be met with a cycle centre, a spa, you'll be able to walk through a forest to an iconic view of our swimming pool consulate with up to about 700 lodges that'll be interspersed within the trees. "Together with a nature centre, a heritage centre, lots of outdoor activities as well." He added: "It's fantastic to share a visual representation of our proposed Scottish village with the local community. "The flythrough video and 3D model really help bring the plans to life and add to the real sense of anticipation that has been evident at recent consultation events. Center Parcs reveals hugenew holiday resort opening in the UK "It's one thing to describe what we're hoping to build, but seeing it laid out visually captures the ambition of what we're planning. "This is about creating a destination that not only brings joy to families but also respects and enhances the local environment. "This has the potential to be a once-in-a-generation investment for the Scottish Borders." If approved, the village will create over a thousand permanent jobs and provide ongoing opportunities for local businesses. 12 12 12 He continued: "[It is] massively exciting. As a proud Scotsman to be able to bring Center Parcs to the Scottish Borders would be really, really exciting. "It's one where I think there's an opportunity for many people in Scotland to enjoy a Center Parcs resort as well as people from England coming up south of the border to enjoy the fabulous scenery in the Scottish Borders as well." McKinlay noted that the response to the project has been positive, with the reception from the people in the Scottish Borders being "fantastic". He also said that the consultation meetings have been a lot about listening to feedback from people who saw the proposed plans. 12 12 12 As a result of the meetings, some changes have been made including moving the position of some of the lodges and where more trees could be planted. "Fingers crossed if we get the planning permission then we would look to open in late spring, early summer of 2029," he concluded. In January, Center Parcs also revealed a new attraction at a UK park, which both kids and adults love. A mum has also revealed the affordable UK holiday park, which she says is like Center Parcs without the price tag. Plus, one of the world's oldest Center Parcs resorts has new farm experience and water playhouse. 12
