The Charlotte Mews interview

Justin Allitt chats with Charlotte Mews, Marketing Manager at Atlas Leisure Homes, to discuss the park industry, her role in it, and what she likes to do when not working.

Hi Charlotte, how did you end up working for Atlas Leisure Homes?

Hi Justin, thanks for featuring me on one of your industry interviews!
Unlike most people from the leisure home industry, I’m a newbie. My background is predominantly food manufacturing, and I’ve worked in various marketing functions over the past 15 years.
Being a Marketing Manager has always been my goal. I believe getting this dream role at Atlas was a case of being at the right place at the right time. I had been considering returning to work full time after having my son, so when I saw the role advertised, I instantly applied, and the rest is history!

What is your role at Atlas and what is your favourite things to do there?

My role is Marketing Manager, and I love every aspect of the job! I look after the long-term strategy of the Atlas brand and marketing both internally and externally, as well as the everyday running of all marketing functions such as social media content, design and scheduling, market research, assisting sales, updating the website, internal communications, organising events, reviewing and reporting all digital activity, and I organise content and creation of the brochure; some people may think marketing is just ‘doing the brochure’ (and I do love a brochure), but marketing is so much more than just a brochure. It’s a wonderful career, I feel very lucky to genuinely love what I do for a living.

You are relatively new to the park industry, which is good, as you can bring in fresh ideas, what has the experience been like for you?

It’s been a positive experience from the off, all my new colleagues are very helpful. The majority of staff at Atlas have worked within the industry for so long they talk in industry term language which is second nature to them. I think the best way to learn anything is to get stuck in, so I’ve been picking up the lingo and learning as much about the industry as possible. My initial thoughts are it’s very fast paced and very exciting! As well as being new to working in the industry, the first time I’d actually been in a leisure home was when I started at Atlas. Whilst growing up, summer holidays would be a kids club in Gran Canaria, but my brother and I always preferred holidaying in the UK as we’d spend more time doing things as a family. I think that’s the key really, we aren’t just selling a holiday home. We’re selling a feeling, precious family time, the place where memories are made.

We’ve just had a turbulent 24 months – What’s going to happen in the next 24 months?

I think the staycation trend is here to stay. During the pandemic people realised they could easily ‘get away’ in the UK, and also take their furry friends with them (seeing as many families got a new pet during the pandemic). Record temperatures this summer were loved by some and feared by others. I think the more people learn about the environment and how our behaviour impacts the planet, the more people will opt for greener ways of living, which will benefit the leisure home industry.

If you weren’t in the park industry, what would you do?

Every year I watch Master Chef, and every year I believe I’ve missed my calling as a chef and wish I had my own café/bar/restaurant. It would be a kooky building with home cooked food, bring your own booze and play board games kind of vibe, and the special would be my famous cauliflower cheese risotto (which you can put 6lb on just looking at).

I’ve recently started an Instagram page sharing my favourite recipes @gourm3t.girl if anyone wants to follow me (make sure you follow Atlas too!)

What do you like to do when not working?

Spending time with my family is my top priority, especially my delicious toddler who is hilarious.

I also enjoy cooking and getting stuck into a good book! And top of my Christmas list is a dog, as I love a good countryside ramble.

Which clients would you love to help?

I’m not sure what individual client there would be, but I’d love for Atlas to be a part of a sustainable holiday park model and work towards future proofing happy holidays for Britons for many years to come.

To read the Chris Tyler from Morso interview, click here.