New Scandi-style shop and reception proves a sales hit for holiday park

An award-winning Oxfordshire touring and camping park has seen an increase in sales thanks to a new contemporary reception building from Reading-based Norwegian Log Buildings.

Swiss Farm Touring & Camping Park in Henley-on-Thames now boasts a 21st century reception building and shop built from solid log, guaranteeing visitors a warm and efficient welcome. The site has been a stalwart of the Oxfordshire tourism industry since the 1940s when Londoners would holiday in traditional bell tents on its large site near the River Thames.

Swiss Farm's new shop

Swiss Farm’s new shop

“We just love it,” says Swiss Farm owner Joseph Borlese. “Shop sales have increased and we can display things so much better.”

The smart Scandi-style reception building boasts a spacious front desk area, two staff offices, store room, camping supplies and grocery shop, small kitchen and toilet facilities. Joseph opted to have the building constructed on-site by Norwegian Log, but it could have been delivered in modular parts and then erected at the entrance to the 20-acre, family-run park – flexible solutions for a busy, commercial premises.

A far cry from the old set up which saw some reception staff working in a small conservatory and others in a cabin. “It was fine when the business was small but we’d outgrown it,” he says. The park, a previous AA campsite of the year South East winner, is regularly full over the summer months and does brisk trade throughout the rest of the year.

“I chose Norwegian Log as I love the contemporary design. We have future developments planned over the next few years, so a new log reception building was the logical first step. Having the planning application carried out by Norwegian Log made perfect sense as they didn’t need to communicate with any third parties and I could just let them get on with it. With a busy growing business to run, it was very helpful to be able to delegate this part of the process to Nick and his team,” Joseph said.

The new reception building & shop

The new reception building & shop

Customers can buy freshly baked bread, local produce and essential groceries in the shop area, as well as specialist accessories for tents, caravans and leisure. Two double access doors lead from the 15m x 7m log building onto the surrounding car parking areas. “This new building is just so much more welcoming and easier for everyone,” concludes Joseph.

Nick Forrester of Norwegian Log Buildings, which supplies commercial customers and homeowners, said: “It’s great to see a family business investing in the future and benefitting already from its savvy decision. As our buildings our built from really high quality, solid log, they last a lifetime, require hardly any maintenance and have low running costs. And we can deliver them in modules meaning minimal disruption on site – all a real win-win for businesses.”

Norwegian Log Buildings www.norwegianlog.co.uk Tel: 0118 966 9236

Ends

For further information on Norwegian Log Buildings contact Emma Mason on emma@emmamasonpr.co.uk or 07762 117433 www.emmamasonpr.co.uk.