The Tom Lidgard interview

We chat to Tom Lidgard, from Brackenborough Lakes Resort to discuss the park industry, his role in it and what he likes to do when not working

Hi Tom, I first met you at the Stoneleigh Show last year – How was it for you?

This show was The Brackenborough Lakes Resort first lodge show we attended as an operational lodge park. Invited by OMAR, one of our lodge suppliers, they showed us the ropes and continue to support us in our close relationship. As we are a Resort that has a 365 day license, we received some really positive feedback.

The show gave us the opportunity to do some fantastic market research. We came away generating relationships with potential purchasers who fell in love with the development like we all have!
Meeting some fantastic contacts and businesses like yourselves who we now have the pleasure of working with and have developed a close and ongoing relationship.

What is your role at Brackenborogh Lakes Resort?

I am the Development & Sales Director for the Oak Ridge Group which The Brackenborough Lakes Resort is a part of. I am proud to say that I am the third generation in this amazing family business.

Tell me about the development.

The development is split into multiple phases. The first, completed and launched August 2021, this included 9 lodges on the existing land owned by The Brackenborough Hotel.
Upon completion of acquiring additional land consisting of 29 acres, work began on 31st October 2022, on the second phase of development. This will see additional 30 plots with beautiful landscaping and features of interest, for example architectural & water features.

During this time the hotel also went through a rebrand, formally known as The Brackenborough Hotel, to what we are now known, The Brackenborough Lakes Resort.
Still the same family run business as it has been these last 40 years.
Within the development each lodge will have a high quality composite privacy glassed decking, luxurious hot tub, two parking spaces, EV charging facilities and WI-FI.
Two new lakes are also in the making, one showcasing a natural wildlife lake and the other a high quality fishing lake.

At the heart of the development is sustainability, while we previously made our own small steps, we now work with green accreditors to analyse the business and ensure we are leaving no stone unturned to sustain the area which is acclaimed “An Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty” that we find ourselves nestled in, the Lincolnshire Wolds.

What I find is truly different about our development compared to others is we are building upon the success of our already established local business, The Brackenborough Hotel.
We are diversifying into a different type of accommodation because we have the know-how, experience and team around us to be able to grow into different areas of the market.
With us you are not just buying a Lodge, you are buying into an established family business, not a chain. With onsite facilities like our Boutique Hotel, restaurant and an award winning Salon of the year in Salon Carina within the hotel, offering all hair, massage and treatment room needs, this is just a small insight to what an owner can benefit from.
When anyone purchases a lodge with us here they are welcomed into our family, owners benefits gives access to large discounts for them and their family along with owners VIP events throughout the calendar year.

What sort of buyer are you looking for?

The buyer to me comes in many forms, I would think most probably someone who enjoys nature and can make the most of the amazing wildlife we see daily around us. With an abundance of walking and cycle routes down farm tracks and twist and turns through the Wolds, the fishing experience we will be able to offer, we see this as being a real attractive prospect to our future Luxury Lodge owners, being at one with nature and true escapism from the pressures that daily life can bring.

We also offer a fantastic ROI (Return on Investment) schemes. An owner can enjoy their lodge when they wish to use it, and in the times the Lodge is not in use it can be handed back to us at The Brackenborough. We use our vast knowledge of the industry to take your lodge and turn it into additional revenue stream for the owner by renting out their lodge on their behalf and taking care of simply everything.
A simple process that allows an owner to benefit anything from just a contribution of costs or full investment scheme returning anything between 6-10% ROI. A full lodge activity and performance report is provided, and the earnings paid directly back to the owner of the Lodge quarterly throughout the year.

We at The Brackenborough Lakes Resort wish to be the number one choice for those seeking out first class affordable luxury living, creating memories worth repeating. Someone who can create a home away from home and know that they will be supported and welcomed long their new and exciting journey.

What are your plans for the park in the next couple of years?

As our Resort becomes increasingly popular, we must grow with it.
I see a gym, spa, farm shop with an extended restaurant and eateries on the horizon adding to the facilities that we can offer.

We are not just a Resort that provides retail Lodges, we also have superb accommodation for those looking for a UK staycation in style.
I am working with some other amazingly creative and passionate companies like ourselves, to also bring additional high end, diverse styles of accommodation to the Resort.
Turning our attention to the new year, with developments underway in our onsite Boutique Luxury Hotel, this will see a refurbishment to our 24 bedrooms and extension to our award winning restaurant.

What do you like about the industry?

No day is ever the same, you never know what challenges you will face and who you will meet along the way. You must be an expert in everything, and if you are not, you must learn fast. Our industry is all about providing times of enjoyment and creating memorable moments that our guests keep with them for a lifetime.

What do you like to do when not working? Any hobbies?

I spend my free time restoring properties, I also enjoy walking through our beautiful Wolds with my dog. My fitness is important to me, the gym keeps me physically and mentally fit.

This doesn’t have to be related to Brackenborough, but what has been your favourite professional moment?

My favourite professional moment is the one I am in right now. The business is progressing at a rapid rate, I enjoy expressing myself in the design of our Luxury Lodges and accommodation whilst still ensuring the designs are in keeping with our vision. The team we have retained over the years and acquired are what makes us what we are and a joy to work alongside. This development is truly unique and I am excited to share what we have to offer with our future Luxury Lodge Owners.

Read our interview with Peter Monk from Willerby, here.