Argyll holiday parks company goes into administration

Cove acquired family firm Argyll Holidays in February 2022, taking on eight parks across Argyll and Bute

The company behind a string of holiday parks in the west of Scotland has entered administration.

Cove Communities Venture 2 Argyle Opco Limited is one of several subsidiary companies connected to American firm Cove Communities to have appointed administrators. The main company is unaffected.

The Argyle business was set up after Cove acquired family firm Argyll Holidays in February 2022, taking on eight parks across Argyll and Bute. The sites include flagship park Drimsynie Estate in Lochgoilhead, Hunters Quay Holiday Village in Dunoon and Loch Lomond Holiday Park.

Administrators Alvarez & Marsal Europe said day-to-day operations would continue as usual as it sought a buyer.

The other five parks handled by the Argyll firm are Loch Awe Holiday Park, Loch Eck Caravan Park, Loch Eck Country Lodges, St Catherines Caravan Park and Stratheck Holiday Park.

An estimated 250 people are employed across the resorts during peak season.

A further Scottish park, Springwood in Kelso - handled by a different subsidiary company - has also entered adminstration.

Adam Paxton, the managing director of Alvarez & Marsal Europe, said: "As administrators, our priority is to ensure a smooth transition and maintain stability across the parks.

"We are working to ensure day-to-day operations continue with minimal disruption. Owners, residents and holidaymakers should not be impacted, and can contact the site managers with any questions they may have."

Cove Communities UK administration

The other subsidiary companies in administration are Cove Communities Venture 2 Gwel an Mor OpCo Ltd, Cove Communities Venture 2 Solway OpCo Ltd, and Cove Communities Venture 2 Springwood OpCo Ltd.

Parent company Cove Communities Holiday Park UK Holdco Limited has also entered administration.

The Cove business is comprised of about 25 different firms. Some other arms of the business - including its largest resort, Seal Bay in West Sussex - are not affected.

The company acquired Argyll Holidays - one of the largest private employers in Argyll and Bute - at a time it was expanding across the UK.

Cove UK's then managing director Mark Seaton previously said: "Argyll Holidays represents everything that Cove looks for: stunning properties, beautiful and unique locations, and an aspirational lifestyle offering.

"Simply put, they are the best at what they do."

In December 2023 it made some staff at Drimsynie redundant just before Christmas, after moving to a new schedule that meant the resort was closed for winter.

Argyll Holidays was established in 1967 by the Campbell family with the development of Drimsynie Estate.

When the news of the sale was announced, director Keith Campbell said Cove was "the first company that we felt understood what we stand for and could continue what we started."