One of the UK's largest holiday park operator has given a significant boost for tourism in the Lake District, with the announcement of substantial investment for its parks in the region ahead of 2021 season.

The spend of £700,000 to install and upgrade accommodation, and refurbish dining areas, at Parkdean Resorts, is part of a £70 million investment in its business nationwide.

The company is also now hiring for seasonal and full-time roles in the region.

Parkdean Resorts operates four parks in the Lake District, Fallbarrow, Limefitt and White Cross Bay at Windermere, and Gatebeck, near Kendal, which welcomed more than 30,000 visitors in 2020.

As part of the investment, White Cross Bay has added two high quality new caravans, and introduced seven replacement caravans to upgrade existing accommodation. This is all while the Fallbarrow gastropub has undergone a complete renovation, including a refreshed outdoor seating area, to provide new and improved dining experiences for families.

Parkdean Resorts employs more than 140 staff in season across the Lake District, and the parks are currently hiring for a number of seasonal roles across sales, food and beverages and housekeeping.

The company expects to hire 6,500 seasonal staff for summer 2021, and anyone interested in applying should visit Parkdean's job website.

Parkdean Resorts is the UK’s largest operator of caravan, lodge, cabin, glamping and camping holiday resorts, and was named Best UK Family Holiday Company, and Best UK Holiday Parks and Lodges Company at the British Travel Awards 2020, the UK’s biggest opinion poll for travel and tourism in the country.

During a challenging 2020 – particularly for areas like the Lake District whose local economy is heavily reliant on tourism – Parkdean topped all furlough payments up to 100 per cent during lockdowns, donated tens of thousands of pounds worth of provisions to local food banks, and provided free accommodation for more than 100 NHS key workers at four holiday parks.

In response to increased demand for staycations last summer, once lockdown lifted, the company hired record numbers of seasonal staff, and will recruit more seasonal workers this year as it prepares to bounce back again for the holiday season.

Steve Richards, Chief Executive of Parkdean Resorts, said: “Despite the most challenging of years, we’re continuing to invest in our parks, creating an even better experience for holidaymakers and holiday home owners in 2021. With industry-leading COVID-safe standards, we’re looking forward to welcoming people back safely, to enjoy everything our parks, and the surrounding areas, have to offer. We know how reliant the local economy is on tourism, and we’re confident that we can help the region recover by welcoming holidaymakers to enjoy a well-deserved staycation in the Lake District.”