Lyons Holiday Parks
Lyons Holiday Parks who operate mostly around the Wales area have one of the worst reputations we have come across. We would advise anyone here to visit The Holiday Park Action Group on facebook, join the group and search 'Lyons'.
In the meantime you can listen to our podcast episode below - Jane's Story - This details her harrowing battle with Lyons. We are also available on Youtube - Spotify - Apple Podcasts and others.
Beware of Lyons...
Out of all the companies featured on our site we receive the most stories from people stung by these owners. We are STILL currently sifting through the amount of stories submitted. However, below you will find some of the most unfortunate of the bunch so far. We also have multiple episodes of our podcast dedicated to different Lyons owned sites.
Natasha's Story...
I sadly purchased a caravan in 2021 with no experience on Robin Hood Holiday Park, owned by Lyons. The salesman spent the day showing us round the site and took us to see the rental team for sublet.
We didn’t see any that we felt were suitable and as we were leaving he came after us to show us another one. We agreed to purchase this. I had a voucher from their advert offering £1000 off any van. We picked our plot and laid a deposit. I didn’t want to take their finance so put £8000 deposit down following initial £1000 and took a loan for remaining £25000.
We purchased in July 2021. We were then told we couldn’t have the plot due to arguments with that current owner that sounded like they were trying to kick off site, we picked another plot via video clips. This had a railway running behind that we weren’t told about.
They confirmed they would rent it out from the first week of summer holidays. There were numerous issues with this due to their communication. I expressed to the salesman I was very unhappy with them and felt for the amount of money invested their sales was awful. I asked about the £1000 offer but they refused this stating it was only specific vans but couldn’t tell me which ones these were.
We were never told anything about only being allowed to use their trades people for gas and electric. Only allowed to buy decking from their linked company etc.
After initial issues they had a relatively successful rental period.
The next year I asked them to rent my van for most of the year in between using it ourselves. They had minimal rentals even during their busiest periods. They kept advising no one was booked in yet I arrived to find dirty washing outside and neighbours told me it was rented constantly. I had a family turn up booked in when I was there on one occasion. The site still maintained it wasn’t booked out.
During this period of minimal rentals the kitchen table, cooker and shower were all damaged. I ended up needing new cooker, table and a complete new shower including all the walls etc. I’ve no idea if this was needed as I only had their word. Their workman took longer than advised causing me further issues with rentals in summer and after reportedly fixing one problem there was a leak in the van needing me to have new carpets not long after. I had neighbours tell me of overcrowded booking. The site denied everything.
I couldn’t afford the costs associated with the van and didn’t like how the site handled matters and the stories I heard from other people.
I eventually had to look to sell. The site eventually agreed on £9000 less costs. They claimed it was a trader and although it was a massive loss in a short time I wanted to cut my losses. I signed their paperwork, emptied my van and handed the keys back selling the van on to the site / trader. I was told I would be paid a week later.
I didn’t receive payment so chased them. They initially told me I had been paid. When I advised I hadn’t they claimed the trader had pulled out and they could try and get me another offer. This of course was around £1,500 / £2000 less.
I asked them to put it in writing how they can pull out of a signed deal for me to take legal action and they ignored me.
I did eventually get a solicitor involved and with the threat of their action they paid me immediately.
I suffered a lot of stress and didn’t enjoy owing the van. I believe they commited fraud / deception with the bookings, claiming it was empty and keeping all the money. They probably created jobs to make more money as in the shower etc.
From the purchase to sale and jobs that needed doing I believe I lost over £25000 in just over 2 years.
I am annoyed at myself for buying a van but the salesman are not transparent in anyway about anything involved. They don’t tell you about selling on. The 15% commission they take if you sell privately and how they have to agree to the purchases. My site also didn’t allow treaders on their site making it impossible to sell to anyone but them.
It is criminal and they are bullies making money out of taking peoples lives savings and putting people into financial stress.
I hope this gives you an insight into their behaviours. Many people on site were scared to speak up as the site could kick you ok at anytime.
I hope the government regulates them so they can’t get away with what they do.
I’m still paying off the debt I suffered by investing in a life long dream.