Clearwater International advises LDC-backed UK holiday park operator Away Resorts, on raising a significant debt facility and supporting its acquisition of Sandy Balls Holiday Village

Clearwater International has advised LDC-backed UK holiday park operator Away Resorts, raising a significant debt facility to support its acquisition of Sandy Balls Holiday Village in the New Forest, forming a group with 6 sites valued in excess of €100m.

Sandy Balls is a five-star holiday village in the New Forest National Park and offers accommodation including luxury woodland lodges, static holiday homes, camping pods and safari tents as well as fully serviced touring pitches.

The purchase of Sandy Balls is the second acquisition Away Resorts has made since mid-market private equity firm LDC backed the secondary buyout of the business in April 2015.

The deal was funded by additional capital from LDC and acquisition loans provided by Permira Debt Managers; it marks a significant step in the strategy of identifying and delivering high quality sites to complement Away Resorts’ existing portfolio and increase its share of the UK holiday market.

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Financement d'acquisition

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Equipe Clearwater
Conseil de Away Resorts dans la levée de financement auprès de Permira Debt Managers pour soutenir l'acquisition de Sandy Balls Holiday Village
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Over the last eight years, we have built up a strong brand that has really hit the right note with UK holidaymakers. The demand for affordable UK holidays, particularly short breaks, is strong, and growing, as our record bookings for 2016 have shown."Thanks to our partnership with LDC, we have been able to steadily build our portfolio of parks over the past few years, as well as improving, renovating and re-energising existing parks, where needed. We still have plans to invest in the right opportunities, and are always on the lookout for new parks to acquire and to bring into the Away Resorts family.

Carl Castledine, Chief Executive Officer, Away Resorts

We’ve been working closely with Carl and his team over the last two years, supporting the business’ ambitious plans to grow both organically and through a targeted buy and build approach, which has already seen it successfully integrate Mersea Island into the portfolio. The business is now well placed to offer a holiday experience for all tastes and budgets across its group of parks, and we look forward to helping the business further develop the Sandy Balls proposition.

Richard Whitwell, Investment Director, LDC

Away Resorts is a well-established business led by a very strong management team. Having originally advised on the sale of Away Resorts to LDC and management, we are delighted to continue assisting the company in this transaction. With the support from LDC, Away Resorts has made an exciting acquisition of Sandy Balls - a high quality and successful holiday park with significant organic growth potential. This transaction offers the group a step change in its continued growth and acquisition strategy.

Chris Smith, Partner, Clearwater International

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Chris Smith
Chris Smith Partner

+44 845 052 0308 Email
Gareth Iley
Gareth Iley COO, UK

+44 845 052 0367 Email
Joe Dyke
Joe Dyke Partner

+44 845 034 4772 Email
Louise Hooper
Louise Hooper Senior Associate

+44 845 034 4771 Email

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Clearwater International advises LDC-backed UK holiday park operator Away Resorts, on raising a significant debt facility and supporting its acquisition of Sandy Balls Holiday Village

Equipe Clearwater

Chris Smith

Gareth Iley

Joe Dyke

Louise Hooper