Phoenix Equity Partners (“Phoenix”) today announces that it has agreed, subject to regulatory approval, to sell Bridge Leisure to Park Holidays.

Bridge Leisure is a leading holiday park operator in the UK. Since investing in Bridge Leisure, Phoenix has worked closely with founding CEO Andrew Howe and Commercial Director Simon Williams to expand the group through a combination of organic and acquisitive growth. With Phoenix’s support Bridge Leisure has acquired, and successfully integrated, a further six parks, taking the group to nine-holiday parks located across England and Scotland today. In addition, Phoenix has facilitated significant organic growth through capital investment across the estate – to expand the parks’ footprint as well as improve the customer experience – along with improvements to sales and marketing and the company’s digital offering.

As a result of these growth initiatives park profits more than doubled during Phoenix’s investment period.

Andrew Howe, CEO of Bridge Leisure, said: “We are grateful to Phoenix for their help and support over the last six years. Their experience in the leisure sector, coupled with their buy-and-build expertise, has enabled us to treble in size and significantly enhance the experience for holidaymakers at our wonderful parks. I’m hugely proud of everything we as a team have achieved in the twelve years since we founded Bridge Leisure, and in particular the people and culture who make the business what it is today.”

Will Skinner, Partner at Phoenix, said: “We are pleased to have been able to support Andrew and his team with the growth and development of Bridge Leisure, in the process establishing it as one of the leading holiday park operators in the UK. Everyone at Bridge Leisure has worked incredibly hard over the past few years to deliver on the company’s growth plans and we are grateful for their hard work and commitment. We wish them all well for the future.”