Do you think there is a different skill set required for being a residential operator or a holiday operator or is it similar?
We have had touring parks before, when I bought Organford Manor in 2014 and we had a touring park there and we managed it for around 7 years. We had another site as well and I think we had around 250 pitches there and could end up with around 1000 people there, so we are used to dealing with people. I would say we have experience in both aspects of the industry.
What is your definition of success? What makes you successful?
I believe that it is hard work and perseverance I really do, and I think if you put your heart and soul into it. It will make it work and to just get on with it.
Your parks are of exceptional both the quality and the way you run it.You have been regarded as professional and caring by your residents. Did you start out with the intention of having your parks operate in the way they do
now?
I put my heart and soul in the parks and there is an old saying “if a job is worth doing, do it properly” and I follow this and try to do as good of a job as I can for my customers. You do not always do the right job at the beginning; I have made plenty of mistakes, but I have always learnt from it.
I try to make sure that the parks are up to my standards and that I would be happy to live there. So, we try to do a nice proper job, we use great materials like granite curbs, we use bigger water pipes so they can connect fire hydrants to them and use bigger drains to limit the amount of flooding.
There are learning curves that you learn along the way, but I always ask myself would I be happy to live in the park as it is? How would I like it done? I am a bit OCD with the parks and developments, and I try to personally get involved to make sure I am happy with the decisions made. You definitely learn a lot in life that is for sure.
Your creative design and flare of your parks are incredible and stunning. As soon as you pull up at the gate it is clear that the park is under the Henry Simmons family brand. As you travel round the site you can feel the quality but also the community. You can always tell if a park’s energyis good, and your parks have a beautiful energy. Why is that?
When I take a park over or develop it the first thing I do is contact the residents. It is especially important to build a
relationship with them. I always tell them to contact me directly or go into the office if they have any issues no matter how small.
Did you ever think that you were going to ‘muck’ it up? Was there ever a moment where you thought ‘I’ve had enough’? Are you driven by success?
No, not at all, never give up. I am driven by success. Always driven and up the next morning even earlier.
Final question, what is the future of Henry Simmons and the park?
The future. No, we will just go along and do the best we can. If we can afford to expand, we will just go along and
expand in the right locations. It is as simple as that. The Park Home and Holiday Park Association was extremely excited to be able to travel down and explore Henry’s residential park homes. It was an incredible experience to come along and follow Henry for a workday in his life. On behalf of Bradley and the PHHPA we would like to thank you for your time and for showing us around your parks. And also, a huge congratulations on receiving a well deserved PHHPA regional award.
