Gwel an Mor

Adviser to Gwel an Mor, a luxury resort on the Cornish coast, on their sale to Cove Communities.

The deal

Our Corporate Finance team has advised the shareholders of luxury resort Gwel an Mor on the disposal of the business to US-based acquirer Cove Communities.

Located on the Cornish coast, Gwel an Mor is a luxury holiday lodge resort which extends over 100 acres of land and is a short walk from Portreath on the north coast. Gwel an Mor (meaning ‘view of the sea’ in Cornish) has been privately owned by Bill Haslam since 2008, and under his ownership went through significant development and expansion to transform the holiday park into a multi award-winning luxury lodge resort.

Our Corporate Finance team were appointed to advise on the sale of the business, which involved finding the right strategic buyer to build on Bill’s legacy and ensure that Gwel an Mor remained both a leading Cornish holiday destination and a contributor to the local economy.

Headquartered in Phoenix, Cove Communities is one of the most active buyers of manufactured home and RV resort communities in North America, with more than 190 communities under its ownership. In January 2020 Cove Communities expanded into the UK with the acquisition of Bunn Leisure, a 116 acre site in West Sussex, followed by the acquisition of residential home park Kings Park Village near Canvey Island. The acquisition of Gwel and Mor further broadens their footprint in the UK along the south coast with a “flagship” site.

Commenting on the recent sale Bill Haslam said: “Having developed Gwel an Mor into what we believe to be the best holiday park in the South West we have often received approaches from potential acquirors. When we met Cove we felt comfortable that they understood us, our ethos, ways and standards as theirs aligned with our own. Once we felt comfortable that their stewardship would continue what we had started it became much easier to sell a business that we had put heart and soul into for 20 years.”

“The team provided support throughout the transaction and were always available for advice throughout the negotiations and closing process.” Bill Haslam, Owner, Gwel an Mor.

“Bill has invested a huge amount of time and effort in developing Gwel an Mor into an exceptional luxury lodge resort and we are delighted to have been able to assist him and his fellow shareholders through this transaction. Cove Communities was the ideal buyer and we are confident that under their ownership the resort will continue to be a superb venue for staycations in Cornwall.” Darren Miller, FRP.

“It is always a pleasure to help clients realise the value in businesses they’ve put so much time and effort into, and in Gwel an Mor this is no different. Under its new ownership we will no doubt see one of the top holiday parks in the UK continue to grow and provide holidaymakers with a brilliant experience, in a market that has even greater focus and awareness to the public at this time that ever before.” Alex Patey, FRP.

Deal summary

Date:

March 2021

Sector:

Consumer, Retail and Leisure

Deal type:

Selling a business

Deal size:

Undisclosed

The team provided support throughout the transaction and were always available for advice throughout the negotiations and closing process. Bill Haslam Owner of Gwen an Mor

Related team

Darren Miller

Darren Miller

  • Partner
  • Corporate Finance
  • Reading

Alex Patey

Alex Patey

  • Director
  • Corporate Finance
  • London West End