SUN COMMUNITIES takes majority stake in PARK HOLIDAYS
Context
Sun Communities has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Park Holidays UK, the second-largest operator of holiday parks in the UK, marking the company's entry into the British market for leisure and vacation homes. The US-based group is acquiring a portfolio of holiday communities primarily located in popular coastal areas in southern England. The acquisition represents a natural extension of Sun Communities' business and is in line with its international expansion strategy. It provides a premier growth platform in a still-fragmented UK market, while further diversifying the company's geographic footprint. Following the acquisition, Park Holidays will retain its existing management team, led by CEO Jeff Sills, who will continue to oversee the company's operational management after the transaction is completed. This managerial continuity is expected to enable the company to build on its organic and external growth strategy, which has been in place in recent years. The deal is based on the complementary business models of the two companies, both of which specialize in operating residential and leisure communities. Sun Communities plans to leverage its experience in the North American market to accelerate the development of the UK platform and strengthen its presence in a sector that is experiencing sustained demand for staycations and vacation homes.
In the past, the company had already been the subject of several LBOs, notably led by Caledonia Investments in 2013 and Icg in 2016. This succession of buyouts highlights the strong attractiveness of the company's business model.
PARK HOLIDAYS, which reported an EBITDA margin of in 2021, is valued in this transaction at an EV/EBITDA multiple of , representing a to the average currently observed in the Retail & Consumer sector (10.6x).
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Target
Park Holidays UK, headquartered in Hastings, operates a portfolio of holiday parks across the United Kingdom, providing a range of caravan and lodge stays, glamping options, camping facilities, and pitches for caravans and lodges, as well as the opportunity to purchase a secondary residence. Established in the 1980s, the organization underwent significant expansion in 2001 with the acquisition of ten parks from Haven Holidays, enabling it to extend its presence into Dorset, Hampshire, Essex, and Suffolk. The parks offer a variety of amenities, including leisure facilities, clubs, swimming pools, sports facilities, and luxury holiday accommodations. In recent years, the organization has undertaken substantial renovation work, focusing on enhancing its infrastructure, clubs, and accommodations to bolster its service offerings. The company's economic model generates revenue from three primary streams: the sale of static caravans to private owners, site fees paid by these owners, and the rental of holiday stays to vacationers.
Ent. Value
Equity Value
Multiples
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EV / EBITDA
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Historical Financials (GBP)
Other operations with PARK HOLIDAYS
| Date | Acquirer | Target | Country | Sector |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 05/2026 | AERMONT | PARK HOLIDAYS | UNITED KINGDOM | Hospitality |
| 12/2016 | ICG | PARK HOLIDAYS | UNITED KINGDOM | Hospitality |
| 11/2013 | CALEDONIA INVESTMENTS | PARK HOLIDAYS | UNITED KINGDOM | Hospitality |
REFERENCES
Valuation range: EV 500M - 1.5b GBP
EBITDA range: 50M - 100M GBP
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Authors: This transaction was contributed by a verified mynth contributor and cross-checked against available transaction documents and official company communications.