By Joe McCann
RESIDENTS of two holiday parks in Groomsport are one step closer to certainty following confirmation that buyers have been found for both sites.
Windsor Holiday Park and Seahaven Park Homes are set to change hands in the coming weeks after terms were agreed with new owners.
The identities of the buyers have not yet been disclosed, but correspondence from BDO NI, the administrators handling the sale, confirmed that completion of the transaction is being pursued as soon as possible and will be published in the coming weeks.
The two sites were part of a group of five holiday parks placed on the market following the parent company’s collapse in December when the company entered administration.
The firm entered administration with reported debts of £11.6m to HSBC bank, prompting the sale of the portfolio for £15m.
While Windsor and Seahaven have secured prospective owners, no buyers have yet emerged for Ballyhalbert Park Homes, Ballyhalbert Holiday Park or Cloughey Holiday Village, leaving residents there in limbo.
The Alliance MLA for North Down, Andrew Muir, welcomed the development in Groomsport, calling it ‘a positive step’.
“I am glad that residents have been informed that a buyer has been found by BDO, it is a positive step to see the two Groomsport sites being sold,” he said.
“I have engaged with residents of the sites during these proceedings, and I understand their frustrations,” he added. “It is beneficial to know that the parks are being sold as a going concern, which will hopefully help to alleviate any concerns of similar events recurring.
“I also want to thank the residents of both parks for being so patient during the administration. I look forward to seeing what the new owners will do to improve the sites and provide opportunities for both residents and visitors.”
For the other sites further down the peninsula, concern remained with a buyer still waiting to be found.
Strangford MP Jim Shannon commented: “Whilst it is great news for residents in Groomsport, this heightens the concerns for Ballyhalbert and Cloughey residents and I will be writing to the administrators to seek an update and to attempt to give these residents peace in their homes.”
