Top Norfolk holiday park set to go the distance for EV travellers

Norfolk holiday park's bid to allay "range anxiety"

Electric car owners staying at a major north west Norfolk holiday park, Searles Leisure Resort in Hunstanton, can now leave their vehicle's "range anxiety" at home.

That's because the multi-award-winning park, and its neighbouring Heacham Manor Hotel, have just installed 12 high-speed charging plug-ins for EVs (electric vehicles).

And local residents have also been told that they are welcome to come and give their vehicles a top-up at the hotel if their batteries are running low.

Andrew Searle, a director of the 60-year-old family business, said that a growing number of park customers are now moving away from diesel and petrol and embracing electric vehicles.

"The only thing holding some families back is concern about the availability of charging points when they make longer journeys, such as going on holiday," he said.

"That is why we decided it was the right time to invest in a network of chargers at both Searles Leisure Resort and Heacham Manor Hotel.

"I hope our initiative will help increase even further the appeal of north west Norfolk as a holiday destination and boost the benefits which tourism brings to all types of businesses.

"We fully recognise the importance of encouraging more drivers to make the switch to electric, and believe that this move this will help provide the extra confidence they need.

"We also understand how important it is to do our part in reducing the environmental impact caused by CO2 emissions.

"Whilst we are offering the benefit of charging to those guests holidaying on park, we welcome local visitors and owners to plug in their electric vehicles at any time at the hotel, if they wish," added Andrew.

The chargers at the holiday park and hotel are part of the Pod Point network which provides over 6,000 charging bays across the UK.

Searles was founded in the late 1920’s by Andrew's grandfather, Geoffrey, and began life as a modest touring park where a pitch could be exchanged in return for a bag of potatoes.

Successive generations of the Searle family have put their own stamp on the park's character, and added to the range of facilities, attractions and accommodation options.

Today, Searles provides more than 500 privately owned and rented caravan holiday homes and lodges, as well as 300-plus touring pitches plus luxury timber camping pods.

The park employs around 200 people, plus an addition 50 staff at its Heacham Manor hotel which was converted by Searles from a listed Elizabethan building.

A winner of many national and regional quality awards, Searles is managed today by Andrew in partnership with his brother Paul and sister Joanna.

There is more information about Searles Leisure Resort at www.searles.co.uk