Harrogate Motor Homes Ltd

Harrogate voted one of the top three most dog-friendly places in Britain

Harrogate Motor Homes — Tue, 04 Sep 2012 14:37:40 +0000

Harrogate has today been announced as a finalist in Cesar’s hunt for Britain’s Most Dog-Friendly Place. Following a nationwide search which asked people to nominate their favourite place to visit with their pet pooch, the best fivewere put forward to a public vote. Harrogate, along with Padstow and Brighton has come out on top and is in the running to be crowned Britain’s Most Dog-Friendly Place.

Now, it’s down to a panel of judges to decide the overall winner. Jodie Kidd, model and dog-lover, is leading the judgingpanel. She will be paying a special visit to some of Harrogate’s paw-fect dog places over the next few days to help her make the big decision.

Jodie said:

“I’m looking forward to seeing what the establishments of Harrogate have to offer me and my dog, Dooby. We’ve received some great suggestions throughout the nomination campaign, but Harrogate came out as one of the three favourites when the nomination list opened to the public vote. Now, it’s time for me to check it out for myself – I’m looking forward to it!”

Jodie will be accompanied by the rest of the judging panel, including Cesar’s resident dog expert, Abi Stevenson, plus one lucky Facebook fan. The winner will be announced by Jodie Kidd on 12^th September.

Here at Harrogate Motorhomes we are very proud to be dog-friendly, in fact it is one of the reasons we started the company. At least 50% of customers are dog owners and we tend to find that the motorhomes are returned to us cleaner than by the non-dog owners! We are happy to provide doggy treats, toys, blankets and ball flingers at no extra cost.

Afternoon picnic at HMH HQ with Theo & the dogs

Related posts:

Dog-friendly motorhome hire holidays

More information:

For further information about Cesar’s hunt for Britain’s Most Dog Friendly Place contact the Cesar press office at Freud Communications:

Dan Lambden 020 3003 6356 / Dan.lambden@freud.com

Newsletter August 2012

Harrogate Motor Homes — Fri, 17 Aug 2012 07:42:55 +0000

2013 holidays at 2012 prices – BOOK BY 31st OF AUGUST

This year we have had to turn away dozens if not hundreds of people wanting to book a motorhome hire holiday of a week or longer due to lack of availability. As we are one of the only motorhome hire companies who offer short breaks during high season is it often difficult to find a 1, 2 or 3 week gap in the availability calendars due to weekend bookings, particularly during the festival season in July and August.

Book early to avoid disappointment

If you are considering a motorhome hire holiday for 2013 you are strongly advised to book early to avoid disappointment.

Book before the end of August to get 2012 prices

If you BOOK NOW you will not only avoid the possibility of disappointment next year but you will also only pay 2012 prices.

**CHECK AVAILABILITY AND BOOK YOUR 2013 MOTORHOME HIRE HOLIDAY NOW**

In September we will be increasing our prices for 2013 so this offer is strictly time limited. YOU MUST BOOK BEFORE THE END OF AUGUST 2012 TO BENEFIT FROM THIS OFFER.

LATE DEALS: 10% off few remaining dates in September

Last minute deals in September (minimum 3 night hire)
First come first served!

2 berth Bessacarr E410: Thu 13th – Mon 17th @ £76.50 per night (4 nights)
4 berth Burstner Levanto: Mon 17th – Thu 20th @ £103.50 per night (3 nights)
Fri 28th – Sun 30th @ £103.50 per night (3 nights)
4 berth Swift Escape 624: Mon 10th – Fri 14th @ £94.50 per night (4 nights)
Sun 23 – Fri 28th @ £94.50 per night (5 nights)
6 berth Swift Escape 696: Sat 1st – Fri 6th @ £103.50 per night (5 nights)
6 berth Elddis 180: Sat 22nd – Sun 30th @ £84 per night (9 nights)
Family Rollerteam 707: Mon 10th – Fri 14th @ £108 per night (4 nights)

Hover over dates on our availability calendars to see discounted rates.

MOTORHOMES FOR SALE

Our 2011 4 berth Elddis Sunquest 145 and 2011 6 berth Elddis Sunquest 180 motorhomes will be for sale at the end of this season (October 2012). Please contact us for further details or to express an interest. Viewings welcome.

MOTORHOME HIRE SKI HOLIDAYS

‘Chase the snow’ with ski season motorhome hire.

With extra-thick insulation, double glazing, thermal windscreen covers, insulated and heated water tanks and dual-fuel central heating systems our motorhomes will keep you toasty warm, whatever the weather.

Prices are lowest during winter and with 8 nights for the price of 7 hiring a motorhome can be a very cost effective way of hitting the slopes for your ski or snowboard holiday.

Connect with Harrogate Motorhomes:

Harrogate Motorhomes Ltd, 7 The Grove, Harrogate, HG1 5NN

2013 holidays at 2012 prices – BOOK BY 31st OF AUGUST

Harrogate Motor Homes — Fri, 17 Aug 2012 04:59:01 +0000

This year we have had to turn away dozens if not hundreds of disappointed people wanting to book a motorhome hire holiday of a week or longer due to lack of availability. We have already taken lots of bookings for festival and motorsport weekends and longer summer holidays in 2013.

As we are one of the only motorhome hire companies who offer short breaks during high season is it often difficult to find a 2 or 3 week gap in the availability calendars due to weekend bookings, particularly during the festival season in July and August.

Book early to avoid disappointment

If you are considering a motorhome hire holiday for 2013 you are strongly advised to book early to avoid disappointment.

Book before the end of August to get 2012 prices

If you BOOK NOW you will not only avoid the possibility of disappointment next year but you will also only pay 2012 prices.

**CHECK AVAILABILITY AND BOOK YOUR 2013 MOTORHOME HIRE HOLIDAY NOW**

In September we will be increasing our prices for 2013 so this offer is strictly time limited. YOU MUST BOOK BEFORE THE END OF AUGUST 2012 TO BENEFIT FROM THIS OFFER.

Pay only £250 deposit

All you need to pay to secure your chosen motorhome and dates is a £250 booking deposit. Please see our terms and conditions for more details. We would be happy to make any amendments to your booking at any time at no extra charge (subject to availability of course).

Where would you go?

“Not a bad first pitch” (Photo taken by Jim Calvert in Scotland)

In the news: Exploring Scotland in a Motorhome

Harrogate Motor Homes — Fri, 27 Jul 2012 18:59:39 +0000

Exploring Scotland in a motorhome

Scotland has always been the most popular location for our motorhome hire customers to visit. The following article was featured in the Telegraph on 27th July 2012:

Simon Hart finds a motorhome the perfect way for two dads and their sons to embark on a fishing trip amid the mountains and lochs of north-west Scotland.

Returning to the simple comfort of the Swift Escape 686 after a hard day’s fishing was just the ticket for Simon Hart (left) his son Adam and friends Tom and Tim Photo: CHRIS WATT

By Simon Hart

There are few places as special as the mountains of Assynt and mid-Sutherland, and few better ways of exploring them than in a motorhome. North-west Scotland is one of the few true wildernesses in Britain, and by definition is not, therefore, the easiest place to find room and board. With a motorhome, however, you are perfectly placed to investigate every mountain, loch and river in whatever weather Scotland has to throw at you. So it was that the school holidays found me, my son Adam, aged 12, and our friends Tim and his son Tom, aged 11, travelling to the far north of Scotland in pursuit of trout and mountains.

The challenge was getting there from south-east England, which consisted of many miles of motorways and some of the most extreme roads Scotland has to offer. Our poor vehicle, a Swift Escape 686 built on a Fiat frame, was in the hands of relative motorhome novices, but coped well with the hundreds of miles we covered. The 2.2-litre diesel engine did not seem underpowered despite 128bhp on paper, and pushed along comfortably at 65-70mph on the motorway. When we reached the Highlands it happily climbed into the mountains on the A9 before negotiating the narrower and windier roads into the West Highlands.

Forget the stereotype of motorhomes and caravans, parked cheek by jowl, recreating a comfortable suburbia wherever two or three meet. The great joy of the modern motorhome is complete independence and, where it is allowed, the ability to park up any time and anywhere.

We filled the fridge and store cupboards in Inverness and were stocked up to feed an army for weeks. Bottled gas runs the fridge and cooker, as well as providing heat and hot water where necessary. There is no need, either, to plug into campsite electrics, as the leisure battery charges as you drive – in fact, the greatest asset is that you don’t have to be connected to anything. But when the mood takes, the Caravan Club has some spectacular sites in the north-west of Scotland, if only for what the Army used to call a “running replen”: rubbish out and food in, without even turning the engine off.

We started in Assynt on the road to Inchnadamph, walking the unseasonably dry hills baked by weeks of warm weather (this was just before the summer monsoon commenced), catching beautiful trout from the seemingly endless lochs that are scattered across the landscape and climbing famous mountains such as Canisp which tower above them. As we returned weary to the motorhome on the first evening, a cuckoo serenaded us from the telephone wires by the road and a cock wigeon whistled from the nearby loch where his mate must have been nesting.

You quickly become divorced from conventional times and habits on the road and it never seemed odd to be cooking supper in the gas oven and on the three-ring hob at half past nine in the evening, while the sun set behind a nearby mountain. Nor was there any guilt in resting weary limbs for an hour or two longer than usual in the morning.

Our Swift 686 had a double bed in the sculpted bodywork above the front seats and another at the rear, which could easily be converted to a seating area. In between were a small bathroom with loo, sink and shower, the kitchen area and a table with seating for four. This can also be converted to a double bed, but two adults, two boys and a lot of walking and fishing kit did not leave much free space inside.

We moved north through Assynt, tackling the spectacular peaks of Quinag and fishing the corrie loch that hides between them, before pushing on to Scourie where we topped up with diesel, always mindful of the limited supply of filling stations in the Highlands. Turning east at Laxford Bridge, we headed up the River Laxford to Loch Stack and then on to the watershed, where the generous rains of Sutherland start to flow east to the Dornoch Firth and the North Sea, rather than west to the Atlantic. Here the scenery might not be quite as spectacular as Assynt, but the fishing is even better and the bird life abundant.

We fished in rain and wind, accompanied by golden eagles and great northern divers before returning to the motorhome to dry out, refuel and plan our next campaign. When the weather relented, we climbed into the mountains, following old stalkers’ paths to fish remote, rarely visited lochs accompanied by the drumming of the snipe, whose Gaelic name, meaning “goat of the air”, is the best way of trying to explain that strange bleating sound.

Our trip was an unashamedly male escape and might not be seen as an ideal holiday by every wife and daughter, but that was more about an obsession with fish and a diet which threatened scurvy than the location or the motorhome. With a bit more focus on the fantastic beaches of the north-west of Scotland and a bit less on trout, the Swift would be a perfect vehicle for a family holiday in the Highlands. In fact, a motorhome is the perfect getaway vehicle for anyone who loves exploring the remote corners of our isle via the freedom of the open road.

As we packed up after a last day on the hill and contemplated the long drive south, there was a moment when all four of us admitted to the same thought: “why not just keep going?” Certainly life on the Highland roads in the comfort of a motorhome answers a question deep within some of us.

Latest addition to the fleet – 4 berth ‘winterised’ Burstner Levanto motorhome

Harrogate Motor Homes — Sun, 08 Jul 2012 07:34:07 +0000

The latest motorhome to join the Harrogate Motorhomes fleet is this fully ‘winterised’ 4 berth Burstner Levanto.

It offers comfortable touring for four people with the German build quality you would expect from Burstner. At only 6.6 m long it is compact and easy to drive but at 4T you will need class C1 or C1E on your licence. The central living area is incredibly spacious and light due to the great use of space and huge skylights. The luxury bathroom has a full-sized shower cubicle. It is fully equipped and has 4 travelling seatbelts, kingsize overcab bed, bunk beds, central living and dining area (also converts to double bed), swivel cab seats, digital TV with Freeview + DVD, sun canopy, bike rack for for 4 bikes, ski storage, heating and insulation guaranteed to keep you warm at temps as low as -18 deg C, cab air-con to keep you cool in summer and much more.

Please check the calendar below for availability of our luxury 4 (6) berth Burstner Levanto A560





		See Facebook gallery for more photos
Basics . Seatbelts: 4 Berths: 6 . Canopy, bike rack, large fridge freezer. TV-DVD. Winterized, ski storage.	Layout . Kingsized overcab bed. Central living area (converts to double bed). Rear bunk beds. Luxury bathroom.	Technical data . Fiat Ducato 2.3 Maxi MPG: Up to 32 Length: 6.6 m Width: 2.3 m Height: 3.1 m Weight: 4.0 T

Fully Inclusive Rates:

Low Season:
Mid Season:
High Season:

(Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb)
(Mar, Apr, May, Oct)
(Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep)

£105 per night
£115 per night
£135 per night

£735 per week
£805 per week
£945 per week…

Minimum Hire Period 3 nights.
10% discount for 3 + weeks.

To get an instant quote or book please click on EACH of the OVERNIGHT dates you require on the calendar below, complete all required fields then submit your request. If you wish to proceed to book you can either follow the onscreen payment instructions to pay via PayPal (you don’t need a PayPal account to pay by credit or debit card) or contact us if you would prefer to pay by credit or debit card over the phone.

- Available

- Booked

- Pending

- Partially booked

First Name (required):

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Email (required):

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Phone (required) :

Mobile:

Where would you go? :

HOW MANY?

Adults: Children: Dogs @ £20 per dog:

WOULD YOU LIKE ANY OPTIONAL EXTRAS?

Bedding for No of people (sheets, duvets and pillows with covers @ £10 per person)
No of weeks European motorhome Sat-Nav hire (@ £25 per week)
No of weeks European insurance (@ £50 per week)
No of weeks mountain bike hire (@ £50 per week for 2 bikes)

Please use the box below to state whether this a quotation request or a firm booking? Please add any general comments of special requests.

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Once the form is submitted the total price will be displayed and the dates will be provisionally reserved and show as ‘pending’ on the online calendar. You will receive an automated email straight away and a “real” person will be in touch as soon as possible, usually within 24 hours.

To confirm a booking and secure your chosen dates a minimum deposit of £250 is required within 48 hours. The balance of the hire fee must be paid no later than 28 days prior to commencement of hire, or as soon as practicable for bookings made at short notice. A £500 damage/security deposit must be paid on or before collection and will be returned to you in full at when you return the motorhome. Please see our Terms and Conditions for further details.

Please get in touch if you have any queries, experience problems with the online reservation system, would like to book a longer term hire of 3 weeks or more, or would simply prefer to book over the phone.

Harrogate Motorhomes in the news – Company races to give F1 legend some home comforts

Harrogate Motor Homes — Mon, 25 Jun 2012 19:17:58 +0000

Harrogate Advertiser Published on Monday 25 June 2012 11:56

Company races to give F1 legend some home comforts

Formula One legend Nigel Mansell has had a Harrogate company to thank for a few home comforts while he’s been taking on a gruelling charity cycle marathon.

The 1992 world champion is aiming to raise £15,000 for the leading national youth work charity UK Youth, pedalling for 11 days all the way from John O’Groats to Paris via Blackpool – recovering from the broken collarbone he sustained while training for the epic ride.

But in the rare moments he has had to rest, one of the UK’s most enduring motorsport stars has been able to put his feet up in a luxury vehicle provided by Harrogate Motorhomes, which is supporting the ride.

The company’s owner, Annette Wingate, said: “UK Youth is a fantastic cause which has helped 750,000 young people play an active and rewarding part in projects all over the country.

“We’re delighted to have been asked to be involved and, of course, we‘re very excited to know an F1 world champion has been using one of our vehicles.”

The Mansell marathon ride began at John O’Groats on Tuesday, June 12, and is making its way south from Blackpool after joining the Tower to Tower ride from the west coast seaside resort all the way across the Channel to the heart of Paris.

Nigel said: “We haven’t had the best weather for the first section of the ride but it’s been great knowing we have some pasta and soup to look forward to in the motorhome at the end of the day. The vehicle has given us that little bit of luxury and we’re very grateful to Annette and her team for helping us out.”

More:

Read this article online at the Yorkshire Times: yorkshiretimes.co.uk/article/HARROGATE-MOTORHOMES-RACES-TO-HELP-F1-LEGEND

PRESS RELEASE: Harrogate Motorhomes Races to Help F1 Legend

Connect with us and see more photos of the Tower to Tower cycle launch on our Harrogate Motorhomes Facebook page – please hit the ‘like’ button!

Connect with Harrogate Motorhomes on Twitter: @RentaMotorhome

More information about UK Youth is available online at http://www.ukyouth.org/

Make a donation to UK Youth via Nigel Mansell’s Just Giving Page: http://www.justgiving.com/Nigel-Mansell-CBE

PRESS RELEASE: Harrogate Motorhomes races to help F1 legend

Harrogate Motor Homes — Fri, 22 Jun 2012 17:25:45 +0000

Harrogate Motorhomes races to help F1 legend Nigel Mansell

Annette Wingate joins former F1 world champion Nigel Mansell and Eric and Greg Craig at the start of the Tower to Tower ride from Blackpool to Paris in aid of UK Youth

F1 legend Nigel Mansell has had Harrogate Motorhomes to thank for a few home comforts while he’s been taking on a gruelling charity cycle marathon.

“UK Youth is a fantastic cause which has helped 750,000 young people play an active and rewarding part in projects all over the country,” said business owner Annette Wingate.

“We’re delighted to have been asked to be involved and, of course, we’re very excited to know an F1 world champion has been using one of our vehicles.

Annette Wingate of Harrogate Motorhomes with Nigel Mansell

“We always offer discounts for charity events and have already supported several John O’Groats to Lands End and Coast-to-Coast charity events this year. We understand that, after a gruelling day in the saddle, comfortable seats, home comforts and room for some physio are important.”

Nigel has been supported from the start by fellow riders Eric and Greg Craig before joining Andy Crinson, Paul McCathy, Dave Hyland and Dane Hyland for the ride from Blackpool.

He said: “UK Youth is about giving young people the chance to learn from positive experiences – just as I have from my work for the charity. It never ceases to amaze me how just one good thing can inspire young people to think and dream and UK Youth is about giving them that opportunity.

“We haven’t had to best weather for the first section of the ride but it’s been great knowing we have some pasta and soup to look forward to in the motorhome at the end of the day. The vehicle has given us that little bit of luxury and we’re very grateful to Annette and her team for helping us out.”

More:

Read this article online at the Yorkshire Times: yorkshiretimes.co.uk/article/HARROGATE-MOTORHOMES-RACES-TO-HELP-F1-LEGEND

Harrogate Advertiser: harrogateadvertiser.co.uk/news/business/company-races-to-give-f1-legend-some-home-comforts-1-4678200

Connect with us and see more photos of the Tower to Tower cycle launch on our Harrogate Motorhomes Facebook page.

Connect with Harrogate Motorhomes on Twitter: @RentaMotorhome

More information about UK Youth is available online at http://www.ukyouth.org/

Make a donation to UK Youth via Nigel Mansell’s Just Giving Page: http://www.justgiving.com/Nigel-Mansell-CBE

Just arrived – 2012 mid-sized Swift Escape 624

Harrogate Motor Homes — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 06:38:17 +0000

Our 8th motorhome, a brand new 2012 Swift Escape 624 has just arrived! This mid-sized 4/5 berth motorhome (5 berths 4 seatbelts) is the smaller brother of our 6 berth Swift Escape 696. It has a great layout which is perfect for smaller families and couples with a double bed over the cab, a 4 seat dinette which converts to either a 3/4 or double bed and a side sofa which can also be used as a single bed. It is fitted with an external canopy and bike rack for 4 bikes.

The full webpage is coming soon, but you can still book online by checking the availability calendar below and completing the online booking form. Alternatively please contact us with your preferred dates to request a quote.

Actual photos will be added to the new webpage just as soon as we’ve taken them – in the meantime here are a few manufacturer’s pictures and technical details (click on any image to enlarge):

Technical Specifications:
Length:	6.3 m
Height	2.95 m
Width:	2.24 m
Engine:	Fiat 2.3 V5 130 bhp
Fuel:	Diesel
Tranmission:	Manual 6 speed
Weight:	3300 Kg

Features:
Seatbelts:	5
Flyscreens:	Yes
Fridge:	80 l
Bike rack:	4 bikes
Canopy:	Yes
Water tank:	65 l

See Swift website for
further technical details

Read reviews of Swift
Escape Range

Fully Inclusive Rates:

Low Season:
Mid Season:
High Season:

(Nov, DEc, Jan, Feb)
(Mar, Apr, May, Oct)
(Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep)

£105 per night
£115 per night
£135 per night

£735 per week
£805 per week
£945 per week…

Minimum Hire Period 3 nights.
10% discount for 3 + weeks.

To get an instant quote or book please click on EACH of the OVERNIGHT dates you require on the calendar below, complete all required fields then submit your request. If you wish to proceed and book please follow the onscreen payment instructions to pay by credit or debit card via Paypal (you don’t need a Paypal account) or contact us if you would prefer to pay by card over the phone.

- Available

- Booked

- Pending

- Partially booked

First Name (required):

Last Name (required):

Email (required):

Address (required):

City (required):

Post code (required):

Country (required):

Phone (required) :

Mobile:

Where would you go? :

HOW MANY?

Adults: Children: Dogs @ £20 per dog:

WOULD YOU LIKE ANY OPTIONAL EXTRAS?

Please use the box below to state whether this a quotation request or a firm booking? Please add any general comments of special requests.

Enter your promotional code here:

Would you like to receive our monthly newsletter with special offers?

How did you hear of Harrogate Motorhomes?

Yes, I have read and understood Harrogate Motorhomes Ltd Terms and Conditions

Please type these (anti-spam) characters

As detailed in our Terms and Conditions, to make a reservation and secure your chosen dates a minimum deposit of £250 is required. The balance of the hire fee must be paid no later than 28 days prior to commencement of hire, or as soon as practicable for bookings made at short notice. A £500 damage/security deposit must be paid 7 days in advance and will be returned to you in full at when you return the motorhome.

Once the form is submitted the dates will be provisionally reserved on the online calendar. You will receive an automated email and a “real” person will be in touch as soon as possible, usually within 24 hours.

Please get in touch if you have any queries, experience problems with the online reservation system, would like to book a longer term hire or would simply prefer to book over the phone.

Harrogate Motorhomes in the News – Inspirational day with a Dragon

Harrogate Motor Homes — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 18:39:17 +0000

Harrogate Advertiser Published on Wednesday 11 April 2012 11:48

Inspirational day with a ‘dragon’

Two local businesses were given the chance to meet retail magnate Theo Paphitis at an exclusive event.

Harrogate Motorhomes’ owner Annette Wingate and Angela Russell, founder and director of Northallerton-based It’s Nut Free, met the Dragons’ Den star at a seminar he had organised for entrepreneurs given a leg-up via his weekly Twitter initiative, Small Business Sunday.

Annette and Angela were among around 400 delegates from over 200 small firms at the exclusive, invitation-only gathering in Edgbaston on March 30. They enjoyed a champagne reception and lunch before hearing a two-hour presentation by the business guru, investor and philanthropist who recalled the pain of his early days in business.

The Small Business Sunday initiative sees Mr Paphitis inviting small business owners to send him messages via Twitter to promote their business every Sunday between 5pm and 7.30pm.

He then looks through them and chooses six to re-tweet to his 234,000 followers.

Annette had been so grateful for her inclusion in January that she named the newest micro-camper in her company Theo.

And when she found out she’d been invited to meet the businessman himself, there was just one obvious mode of transport to the event – the motorised Theo.

“I wasn’t sure if there was going to be time for the two Theos to get together but the real one had already heard about us naming our latest addition after him and I was thrilled when he agreed to be introduced,” she said.

Annette said that the inclusion in Small Business Sunday of Harrogate Motorhomes, which she founded in 2010, had helped win her £15,000 worth of business in a matter of days, putting the firm 30 per cent ahead of its 2012 forecast after just three months.

“We’re enormously grateful for Theo’s help and support. Naming our newest vehicle after him just seemed a great way to express it – although we can’t claim all the credit,” she added.

“The idea came from an online competition we ran which was won by Harrogate’s Anna Glazier, who suggested Theo first. It seemed the natural choice after all the help we received from the real one.”

It’s Nut Free was included in Mr Paphitis’s Small Business Sunday in August last year, and Angela, who lives in Harrogate, said it had helped raise awareness of her specialised food company, which she founded a decade ago.

She said: “Our tweet described It’s Nut Free and the nut free products we make. As soon as it was re-tweeted, I started getting messages through on my phone. That lasted for days! Our Twitter followers increased dramatically.

“It has certainly helped to raise awareness of It’s Nut Free and we saw a big spike in the number of hits on our website, www.itsnutfree.com.”

And how did the two businesswomen find their experience of meeting Mr Paphitis?

“His advice was to have passion and belief in your business – and to do something else if you don’t love what you’re doing,” said Annette.

“It was an inspirational day and a fantastic opportunity to meet other small businesses, some of whom are now making millions.”

Angela, who attended the event with her daughter Melissa, said: “I felt very proud to be there. Theo gave us a lot of his time, with details of a new website he’s set up for winners (www.theopaphitissbs.com) and a lengthy question and answer session. He was very inspirational.”

Related posts:

Harrogate Motorhomes in the Yorkshire Evening Post – Businessman meets his namesake

Harrogate Motorhomes in the News – Theo Paphitis helps Harrogate firm Harrogate Motorhomes chosen by Theo Paphitis to win Small Business Sunday Award

Harrogate Motorhomes in the Yorkshire Evening Post: Tweet from Dragon helps firm

Harrogate Motorhomes in the York Press: £10,000 boost for motorhome company

When Theo met Theo

Have you seen Theo yet?

More:

Theo Paphitis Small Business Sunday – What’s it all about? http://theopaphitissbs.com/

Harrogate Motorhomes’ SBS profile: http://theopaphitissbs.com/profile/Rentamotorhome/

Connect:

Follow Harrogate Motorhomes on Twitter: @RentaMotorhome

Find us and more photos of When Theo met Theo on our Harrogate Motorhomes Facebook page. Please hit the ‘Like’ button!

Harrogate Motorhomes in the Yorkshire Evening Post – Businessman meets his namesake

Harrogate Motor Homes — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 18:57:02 +0000

Yorkshire Evening Post Published on Tuesday 3 April 2012 10:38

Businessman meets his namesake

IT was all smiles when Theo met Theo!

Business ace Theo Paphitis met a micro-camper named in his honour after inviting its owner to a special seminar.

Harrogate Motorhomes owner Annette Wingate was so grateful when her business was featured on Mr Paphitis’s Small Business Sunday offering on Twitter that she named the vehicle after him.

Appearing on Small Business Sunday gave her business a big boost – and she was also invited to a seminar where she met the man himself.

Ms Wingate said: “I wasn’t sure if there was going to be time for the two Theos to get together but the real one had already heard about us naming our latest addition after him and I was thrilled when he agreed to be introduced.

“We’re enormously grateful for Theo’s help and support. Naming our newest vehicle after him just seemed a great way to express it, although we can’t claim all the credit.

“The idea came from on online competition we ran which was won by Harrogate’s Anna Glazier, who suggested Theo first.

“There were plenty of other great ideas too but Theo seemed the natural choice after all the help we received from the real one.”

Related posts:

Harrogate Motorhomes in the News – Inspirational day with a ‘Dragon’

Harrogate Motorhomes in the News – Theo Paphitis helps Harrogate firm Harrogate Motorhomes chosen by Theo Paphitis to win Small Business Sunday Award

Harrogate Motorhomes in the Yorkshire Evening Post: Tweet from Dragon helps firm

Harrogate Motorhomes in the York Press: £10,000 boost for motorhome company

When Theo met Theo

Have you seen Theo yet?

More:

Theo Paphitis Small Business Sunday – What’s it all about? http://theopaphitissbs.com/

Harrogate Motorhomes’ SBS profile: http://theopaphitissbs.com/profile/Rentamotorhome/

Connect:

Follow Harrogate Motorhomes on Twitter: @RentaMotorhome

Find us and more photos of When Theo met Theo on our Harrogate Motorhomes Facebook page. Please hit the ‘Like’ button!

BLOG: When Theo met Theo

Harrogate Motor Homes — Sat, 31 Mar 2012 13:36:24 +0000

Theo Paphitis meets “Little Theo” the micro-campervan

What an exciting day we had at the SBS winners event; not only did little Theo the micro-campervan meet his namesake Theo Paphitis, but Theo even made time for a cosy chat sitting in the back of Theo. The star of BBC’s Dragons Den is passionate about supporting small businesses and, as you can see he is also a dog lover. Apparently Mrs P really wants a Cocker Spaniel!

We met the Dragons’ Den star at an exclusive event for winners of his Small Business Sunday #SBS competition on Twitter, which was held at Edgebaston Cricket Ground on 30^th March 2012.

“Little Theo” joined the Harrogate Motorhomes fleet of seven “grown up” motorhomes in the same week we won the Small Business Sunday award and naming our newest vehicle after him just seemed a great way to express our enormous gratitude – although we can’t claim all the credit. The idea came from on online competition we ran which was won by Harrogate’s Anna Glazier, who suggested Theo first. There were plenty of other great ideas too but Theo seemed the natural choice after all the help we received from the real one.

We arrived at Edgebaston Cricket Ground in little Theo just a few minutes before Theo arrived in his huge “Chromamobile” Maybach and out popped Mr P looking dandy in a very smart suit with pink shirt. We met his executive chauffeur Michael Brown (Twitter alias @KatoChauffeur) and asked if we could take a photo of Mr P’ car. His response was, “Yes of course, as long as I can take a photo of your campervan”.

Here’s the great photo he took and Tweeted:

Around 400 people from over 200 small firms attended the exclusive, invitation-only SBS Winners Event which began with a champagne reception and networking lunch. Mr P briefly mingled with the crowd and when I was lucky enough to introduce myself I was delighted with his reply,

“Ah, you’re the one who’s travelled down in Little Theo!”

After lunch there was a two-hour seminar and Q&A session by Theo who recalled the pain and 80 hour weeks when he first started out in business with just one other person called Jo in a small office. Sounds familiar!

He also introduced the new SBS website – I’ve just updated the Harrogate Motorhomes SBS Winners Profile and would love to hear your feedback.

Theo’s enthusiasm and passion was infectious and he explained the rationale behind the SBS competition was to use his business reputation and Dragons Den celebrity status to recognise and support hard working small businesses and “Give them the opportunity to shine”

After the seminar he even took the time to have his photo taken individually with every single one of the 250 or so winners who attended the event:

The cherry on the cake was when Theo came out into the car park and headed straight for Little Theo. I don’t know who’s smile was wider – his or mine!

After what must have been a long and tiring day I was absolutely thrilled that he took the time to have a 10 minute chat with me.

It was a fantastic day and his advice has truly inspired me to continue to work as hard as I can to turn my ambitious vision for Harrogate Motorhomes into a reality:

“If you’re not passionate about what you’re doing, stop doing it. If you love what you’re doing, have belief in your business and offer personal customer service then the hard work and long hours will all be worth it. There is always an element of luck in success, but the harder you work the luckier you get; there is a direct correlation”.

We’ve come so far from having just one motorhome 18 months ago working from our kitchen table in Follifoot. Our exciting journey so far has taken us first to a small office in Kirk Deighton and now to our new depot near the centre of Harrogate.

We now have 7 motorhomes for hire, including our brand new 6 and 7 berth motorhomes which arrived last week.

It still seems like a dream. Not for one moment did I expect to be where we are now quite so soon.

It’s been hard work at times and I’ve made mistakes and learned a lot along the way but I still see myself as very, very fortunate simply because I go to bed on Sundays looking forward to the week ahead – just like Theo!

*** DOWNLOAD PRESS RELEASE HERE ***

Related posts:

Harrogate News: When Theo met Theo

Harrogate Motorhomes in the News – Inspirational day with a ‘Dragon’

Harrogate Motorhomes in the Yorkshire Evening Post – Businessman meets his namesake

The Arrival of Theo Have you seen Theo yet?

Harrogate Motorhomes chosen by Theo Paphitis to win Small Business Sunday Award

Harrogate Motorhomes in the Yorkshire Evening Post: Tweet from Dragon helps firm

Harrogate Motorhomes in the York Press: £10,000 boost for motorhome company

Read harrogatenews.co.uk article: Theo Paphitis helps Harrogate firm

Related harrogatenews.co.uk article: Former firefighter blazing a trail in motor homes business

Connect:

Follow Harrogate Motorhomes on Twitter: @RentaMotorhome

Find us and more photos of When Theo met Theo on our Harrogate Motorhomes Facebook page. Please hit the ‘Like’ button!

FREE membership of the Camping and Caravanning Club

Harrogate Motor Homes — Tue, 20 Mar 2012 03:58:15 +0000

Camping and Caravanning Club Privilege Scheme

Harrogate Motorhomes is delighted to offer all hire customers complimentary membership of the The Friendly Club for the duration of their hire period via the Club’s Privilege Scheme.

If you see the Camping and Caravanning Club badge, then you can be pretty sure the site will offer facilities of a certain standard and will be ready with a friendly welcome. The Privilege Scheme gives you access to over 100 award-winning Club Sites and 20 stunning Camping in the Forest sites, all in superb locations.

From March 2012, as a Harrogate Motorhomes customer you will automatically receive FREE temporary membership of the Camping and Caravanning Club for the duration of your hire from us.

FAQ’s:

How much will I save?

As temporary members you are entitled to the Club Site discount of £7.10 per pitch per night or £3.50 per pitch per night at any Camping in the Forest Site.

How does the temporary membership scheme work?

A Camping and Caravanning Club Privilege Pack will be included in your motorhome, including a book of all of the Club sites.

A special key fob is issued with each of our motorhomes; all you need to do is show it to the site warden when you arrive in order to claim you membership discount.

Is there a temporary membership number? How do I book a site in advance?

There isn’t a temporary membership number, only the key fob, but you can still book sites in advance. You can use the “Find a Campsite” section of the Camping and Caravanning Club website to search and choose sites by location and/or facilities available. Rather than book through the site you can then contact the sites directly (or phone the Camping and Caravanning Club site contact centre on 024 7647 5426, or for Camping in the Forest sites 024 7642 3008) and explain that you will have temporary membership as part of the hire company’s Privilege Scheme. (The campsite staff can check that Harrogate Motorhomes are part of the scheme on their intranet database.)

A deposit of 25% is needed at the time of booking.

Which Camping and Caravanning Club sites does the Privilege Scheme apply to?

All Camping and Caravanning UK Club sites other than Damage Barton and Trewan Hall Club Sites and all Camping in the Forest sites.

The Camping and Caravanning Club, also known as “The Friendly Club”, will need no introduction to those already familiar with touring and camping holidays.

For the uninitiated, the brand has been carefully cultivated over many years to represent friendliness and quality and owners of sites have to work hard to ensure they meet the standards it represents. The organisation is the oldest in the world of its type and one of the biggest in the business, with over half a million members on its books.

Of course you don’t have to stay at Camping and Caravanning Club sites every night. There are a huge number of sites which are not members but still boast spectacular locations and excellent facilities.

We hope to be adding a directory of sites which have been recommended by our customers to our website soon, including dog-friendly sites, sites with larger pitches, sites with sea views, sites within walking distance of a pub…. the possibilities are endless. If you have any site recommendations you would like to add to the list then please do let us know.

Just arrived – 2012 Swift Escape 696 with bunk beds

Harrogate Motor Homes — Sun, 18 Mar 2012 23:36:44 +0000

Our 7th motorhome, a brand new 2012 Swift Escape 696 has just arrived. This compact 6 berth motorhome is incredibly versatile and has the perfect layout for families, groups of friends or couples who prefer the additional space and storage. The flexibility of the layout with bunk beds at the rear and a useful external garage makes this motorhome a very popular choice for hire. It is fitted with an external canopy and bike rack for 4 bikes.

No wonder the new Swift Escape 696 has been picking up awards left, right and centre. Among others it has won “Practical Motorhomes Overall Motorhome of the year 2012”.

Actual photos will be added to the new webpage just as soon as we’ve taken them – in the meantime here are a few manufacturer’s pictures and technical details (click on any image to enlarge):

Technical Specifications:
Length:	6.92 m
Height	2.95 m
Width:	2.33 m
Engine:	Fiat 2.3 V5 130 bhp
Fuel:	Diesel
Tranmission:	Manual 6 speed
Weight:	3500 Kg

Features:
Seatbelts:	6
Flyscreens:	Yes
Fridge:	80 l
Bike rack:	4 bikes
Canopy:	Yes
Water tank:	65 l

VIEW FACEBOOK GALLERY
OF ACTUAL PHOTOGRAPHS

See Swift website for
further technical details.

Read reviews of Swift
Escape 696

Fully Inclusive Rates:

Low Season:
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(Oct to Mar)
(Apr, May, Sept)
(Jun to Aug)

£105 per night
£115 per night
£140 per night

£735 per week
£805 per week
£980 per week…

Minimum Hire Period 3 nights.
10% discount for 3-4 weeks.
20% discount for > 4 weeks.

To get an instant quote or book please click on EACH of the OVERNIGHT dates you require on the calendar below, complete all required fields then submit your request. If you wish to proceed and book please follow the onscreen payment instructions to pay by credit or debit card via Paypal (you don’t need a Paypal account) or contact us if you would prefer to pay by card over the phone.

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Please get in touch if you have any queries, experience problems with the online reservation system, would like to book a longer term hire or would simply prefer to book over the phone.

BLOG: Have you seen Theo yet?

Harrogate Motor Homes — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 21:11:34 +0000

Theo the microcamper joins the Harrogate Motorhomes fleet

Annette Wingate, the proud new owner of “Theo”

Have you seen Theo yet?

He’s compact, tidy for his age and we think he’s really rather cute.

His namesake and our newest addition to the Harrogate Motorhomes fleet is pretty impressive too…

Our Subaru microcamper is named after the Dragon who gave us a massive lift at the beginning of the year by choosing us from more than a thousand for a mention on his Small Business Sunday initiative on Twitter.

And, what’s more, it looks like I’m going to be able to say thank you to Mr Paphitis in person as I’ve been invited to a gathering for Small Business Sunday winners next month.

Obviously, it would be great to introduce the two Theo’s to each other but the most important thing will be saying a huge thank you to Dragons’ Den Theo whose support helped us to win over £15,000 worth of new business in a few days, which means we’re now well ahead on forecast and looking forward to a fantastic year.

There is another person to thank so please step forward Anna Glazier who won our competition to name our latest vehicle.

There were plenty of other creative entries too and we’re grateful to all of you who took the time and trouble to come up with ideas.

But, if I’m honest, as soon as Anna came up with Theo, it was always going to be a tough one to beat. It’s a great way to recognise the difference having a Dragon on your side can make and the debt we owe to an entrepreneur who is prepared to put something back by helping small businesses.

I love spreading smiles as I toot around Harrogate in Theo. Please give us a cheery wave if you see us!

Related posts:

Harrogate Motorhomes in the News – Inspirational day with a ‘Dragon’

Harrogate Motorhomes in the Yorkshire Evening Post – Businessman meets his namesake

Harrogate Motorhomes in the News – Theo Paphitis helps Harrogate firm

Harrogate Motorhomes chosen by Theo Paphitis to win Small Business Sunday Award

Harrogate Motorhomes in the Yorkshire Evening Post: Tweet from Dragon helps firm

Harrogate Motorhomes in the York Press: £10,000 boost for motorhome company

When Theo met Theo

Have you seen Theo yet?

More:

Theo Paphitis Small Business Sunday – What’s it all about? http://theopaphitissbs.com/

Harrogate Motorhomes’ SBS profile: http://theopaphitissbs.com/profile/Rentamotorhome/

Connect:

Follow Harrogate Motorhomes on Twitter: @RentaMotorhome

Find us and more photos of When Theo met Theo on our Harrogate Motorhomes Facebook page. Please hit the ‘Like’ button!

Harrogate Motorhomes move into new premises at The Grove, Harrogate

Harrogate Motor Homes — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 21:36:47 +0000

In February 2012 Harrogate Motorhomes Ltd moved to new premises near the centre of Harrogate at 7 The Grove, Harrogate, HG1 5NW.

The heavy-duty cleaning and furniture shifting is done and – now we have a little time to reflect – it seems incredible that, less than 18 months ago, Harrogate Motorhomes was run from a kitchen table in Follifoot with just one motorhome.

But here we are. In central Harrogate. With six (soon to be seven) motorhomes for hire, including the latest arrival, a brand new 7 berth Rollerteam 707. It’s been an exciting journey which has taken us first to a small office in Kirk Deighton and now to our new depot on The Grove, near the Mowbray Square Health Centre off Westmoreland Street. The office at 7 The Grove is part of the historic Albert Hymas yard and was previously occupied by Arrow Selfdrive (formely known as Readydrive).

We are looking forward to a new chapter in our story – which now also includes a proper reception desk, office-come-meeting room, kitchen and customer waiting area. With a huge secure car park we also have plenty of room for expansion and are already looking forward to the arrival of our 7th motorhome next month, a brand new 6 berth Swift Escape 696.

We also hope to be able to offer secure caravan and motorhome storage very soon – watch this space!

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Harrogate Motor Homes Ltd

Harrogate voted one of the top three most dog-friendly places in Britain

Newsletter August 2012

2013 holidays at 2012 prices – BOOK BY 31st OF AUGUST

Book early to avoid disappointment

Book before the end of August to get 2012 prices

***LATE DEALS: 10% off few remaining dates in September***

MOTORHOMES FOR SALE

MOTORHOME HIRE SKI HOLIDAYS

Connect with Harrogate Motorhomes:

2013 holidays at 2012 prices – BOOK BY 31st OF AUGUST

Book early to avoid disappointment

Book before the end of August to get 2012 prices

Pay only £250 deposit

Where would you go?

In the news: Exploring Scotland in a Motorhome

Exploring Scotland in a motorhome

Simon Hart finds a motorhome the perfect way for two dads and their sons to embark on a fishing trip amid the mountains and lochs of north-west Scotland.

Latest addition to the fleet – 4 berth ‘winterised’ Burstner Levanto motorhome

The latest motorhome to join the Harrogate Motorhomes fleet is this fully ‘winterised’ 4 berth Burstner Levanto.

Harrogate Motorhomes in the news – Company races to give F1 legend some home comforts

Company races to give F1 legend some home comforts

PRESS RELEASE: Harrogate Motorhomes races to help F1 legend

Harrogate Motorhomes races to help F1 legend Nigel Mansell

Just arrived – 2012 mid-sized Swift Escape 624

Harrogate Motorhomes in the News – Inspirational day with a Dragon

Inspirational day with a ‘dragon’

Harrogate Motorhomes in the Yorkshire Evening Post – Businessman meets his namesake

Businessman meets his namesake

BLOG: When Theo met Theo

Theo Paphitis meets “Little Theo” the micro-campervan

FREE membership of the Camping and Caravanning Club

Camping and Caravanning Club Privilege Scheme

Just arrived – 2012 Swift Escape 696 with bunk beds

BLOG: Have you seen Theo yet?

Theo the microcamper joins the Harrogate Motorhomes fleet

Harrogate Motorhomes move into new premises at The Grove, Harrogate

LATE DEALS: 10% off few remaining dates in September