The owners of Pettycur Bay Holiday Park in Kinghorn have celebrated a special anniversary this month, four decades after buying the business.
Thomas and Magdalene Wallace, together with sons Alan and Tommy, each bought an equal share of the 47-acre site in 1984, which was at the time a simple caravan and camping park.
Over the years they have built up the park, notable for its sweeping views across the Firth of Forth, to become a multi-million-pound, award winning concern. It’s still very much the location for caravan holiday homes – albeit far more sophisticated luxury models than were seen in 1984 – from some of the UK’s top manufacturers, including Atlas and Carnaby.
There are now more than 600 situated on the hills and inclines of the park, either owned by a community of owners, or as part of the park’s holiday rental fleet. The Holiday rental caravans are never more than four years old. Constant upgrades keep the park and its facilities – which include an area for tents and motorhomes – at the very forefront of the independent holiday park sector in Scotland.
The well-equipped Leisure Centre, with its Swimming Pool with Sauna and Steam room, Gym, kids soft Play Area, Snooker and Pool room, Amusement Arcade and shop, is open to everyone, not just those staying on the park, making Pettycur Bay a real destination for all. Centrepieces are the popular and stunning 100-seater Horizons Restaurant with all day dining, and the Waterfront Bar, once again open to everyone.
The state-of-the-art Images Function Suite is where many professional live entertainment shows take place throughout the year, most of which are free to attend.
The four-star Bay Hotel shares these facilities with stunning views across the Firth of Forth. This was added in 2008, The Hotel has 28 bedrooms and many of the family suites can accommodate up to 6 people, which, along with looking after guests from all over the UK and abroad, hosts weddings, conferences and events.
Alan’s son, Steven has been around the business since he was a young boy and is now heavily involved in helping to run Pettycur Bay Holiday Park. He is the third generation of the Wallace family to work in the business.
Over the past three years, the park has been the subject of the popular and engaging “fly on the wall” programme, “Life on the Bay” which has brought the park’s charms to a whole new audience, coining the phrase “Fife’s Sunshine Coast”.
“We are very grateful to be celebrating 40 successful years of ownership here on the park. Our family have got together and had a lovely meal to celebrate, and there was a fair bit of reminiscing too.
“I think that since we were fortunate enough to be approached by Red Sky Productions, the company behind “Life on the Bay”, it has really brought it home to everyone just how special and unique we are, it’s a community here which far extends outside the park itself.
“It’s been a great deal of hard work, not to mention steady investment over the years, and are currently in the middle of building eleven luxury holiday apartments which will be able to accommodate groups of up to eight people. My parents, along with my brother and I, have put a lot into the park to create the business you see today,” Tommy added.
“Clearly, a lot has changed in 40 years – customers are far more sophisticated, they take far more holidays abroad, their spending power and expectations have all increased. We still have a core of people who like to holiday in the UK, and we have seen that even those going abroad regularly want to have top up UK short breaks, so owning a holiday home in a beautiful setting like this really appeals.
“We’d like to think there will always be a market for a park like Pettycur Bay. We’ve kept our holiday home product at the forefront of the sector, using the UK’s top manufacturers. So, whether guests want to own one, or rent one of our hire fleet, standards are always high.”
Steven Wallace said: “I’d like to pay tribute to my Grandad, Gran, Dad & Uncle, as they made it an easy decision for me to get involved in the business a few years ago. They have created an incredible family business, together with a lasting legacy in the area, through being a significant local employer, and through being a destination which attracts visitors from all over the world.
“Yes, our park has a truly fantastic location, but that is not enough on its own. They took a gamble, for example, in adding The Bay Hotel to the portfolio back in 2008. Now we do more than 60 weddings a year, along with other events, so it really helped take things to the next level.
“My Dad always stressed to me that he, and his Parents and brother, were all equal partners over the years, each bringing their own strengths and interests to the table. I like to think that I have brought a new perspective to the business since I came on board. Since “Life on the Bay” started, I suppose you could that I am very much the face of Pettycur Bay.
“I would be very privileged indeed to oversee Pettycur Bay Holiday Park for another 40 years, so watch this space.”
