Press release -
£180,000 High Court win for ECC holiday park client
ECC client celebrates huge financial high court win as holiday park cases start to reach fruition
Holiday park problems
The UK holiday park industry had a huge boost in the COVID years as Brits sought holidays that did not involve international travel. Potential flight cancellations and opaque rules about different countries' myriad vaccination rules re-ignited interest in the holiday possibilities presented by our own green and pleasant lands.
The early roots of UK holiday parks stretch back to the late 1800s and started to become a viable option for many brits in the mid 1900s as workplaces began offering paid holidays as standard practice. However at this point patrons were mainly renting the caravans/lodges for a short stay. From the 1980s onwards people became interested in buying their own static caravans at established sites.
At the time of writing, in 2026 there are hundreds of sales operations around the country spread across thousands of parks. These range from small family run sites to multi-site national operators.
Sadly, what could be (and probably often is) an ideal solution for many holidaymakers has been tainted by greed and mis-selling over the last few years. Multiple media reports have highlighted shocking consumer abuse. People report being lied to about the likely fee increases, the expected resale value of their units and various other broken promises including issues like faults not being fixed on the caravan, pitch location, repair costs and access to facilities.
Holiday park lodges cost tens or even hundreds of thousands of pounds. Losing such large amounts of money can ruin lives.
People desperately need help.
European Consumer Claims
One well known international company was and is perfectly positioned to provide that help.
Timeshare owners have traditionally been targeted by unscrupulous developers selling a holiday dream, involving a significant advance payment and ongoing annual fees. The industry is well known for shocking resale values and out of control fee increases. Media outlets have been covering timeshare abuse since the 1990s and the industry has an appalling reputation.
European Consumer Claims (ECC) have successfully obtained tens of millions of pounds in compensation awards for mis-sold timeshare clients since 2016. ECC also represent people mis-sold retirement community properties.
Holiday parks sales operations are similar to timeshare resorts and retirement community properties in many ways. There is a hefty upfront payment to buy the lodge (often many times the cost of a timeshare membership), annual costs that quickly spiral to impractical amounts, very poor resale values, and widespread accusations of dishonest and misleading sales presentations.
The similarities in the three sectors make ECC's experience and their existing partnerships with leading litigators the natural firm to seek similar successful redress for holiday park victims. In November 2024 they officially launched their Holiday Park Division.
Holiday park wins
Many of ECC's early holiday park victories have come from out of court settlements. Generally these are bound by NDAs and as such we are unable to publish details. However some clients have been happy to speak out with video testimonials about their experience with ECC.
Recently court proceedings have started finalising, with judgments being handed down.
One overjoyed Norfolk based lodge owner - who wishes to remain anonymous - has just had a welcome high court win of a staggering £180,000 against a smaller, independent park. A life changing amount of money and complete reversal of fortune for the client who had resigned herself to losing everything.
"My favourite part of the job is when I get to make calls to our clients letting them know they have won their case," says Greg Wilson, consumer expert and CEO of ECC. "Sometimes a claim can take well over a year to go through the courts. When we call people to give them this kind of good news, it often takes them completely by surprise. I've had people literally unable to speak for 30 seconds or so when they hear the process has finished and they have been awarded compensation."
Greg advises anyone who has lost money through unfair treatment by a holiday park not to give up hope.
"Seek expert advice on your situation. You may potentially have a legal path to compensation and reimbursement."
Related links
- 'Busiest year on record’: England caravan parks boom as lockdown eases
- Greg Wilson: Consumer expert
- European Consumer Claims (ECC)
- ECC contact page
- History of the static caravan
- Economic Benefit Report: Holiday Parks and Campsites UK
- Holiday Park Advice Centre
- We bought perfect retirement caravan and dreamed of a seaside retreat – but it’s a nightmare cost us £150k out of pocket
- I lost £150,000 of my life savings after investing in a holiday park scheme
- Retirement caravan of our dreams turned into a financial nightmare
- Holiday lodges mysteriously burn to the ground after owners 'complained about traveller site on BBC Panorama'
- Sneaky tricks used by holiday park salesmen
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ECC provides claims services, relinquishments expert advice and help
E: (for media enquiries): mark.jobling@ecc-eu.com
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Relevant websites for this article
www.holidayparkadvicecentre.co.uk
www.americanconsumerclaims.com
www.timeshareadvicecentre.co.uk
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