37-41 REFURB:SPN Master pages 19/5/09 10:14 Page 1
spnfeature
Refurbishments
keep the
world turning
With new swimming pools taking a record hit, all sectors of the specialist
pool and spa industry are putting the emphasis of restyling, smartening
up and refurbishing old pools. And while the whole UK market remains
cautious, it’s clear that refurbishment work is keeping businesses alive.
We look at the refurbishment market and how important it is for the
specialist trade to encourage pool owners to spend on existing pools
A
struggling economy doesn’t often One estimate suggests 65% of the customer said to us – I’ve £2,000 to spend
evoke images of a children’s party swimming pool industry is now and I want the pool to look less like it’s 10
game. composed of maintenance, repair and years old.”
But in some areas of the country, the refurbishment jobs. The refurbishment business is clearly big
swimming pool trade can be a lot like Those segments have also become a business. The London Swimming Pool
musical chairs. prime target for pool builders working Company has built a strong base on pool
Almost six months into 2009, with new hard to find turnover during the worst renovations – by offering pool and spa
pool prospects increasingly scarce, the downturn in industry history. While some updates to get a new look again.
market for renovations, refurbishments and suggest that service and renovation can To them, refurbishment includes
general smartening up of existing support everyone, others think their everything from repairing concrete,
swimming pools continues to flourish. The prospects are being squeezed. And all external and internal finishes or upgrading
key words for the summer of 2009 seem to agree that the current situation has invited and replacing anything from the heating
be automatic pool covers, liners, lighting more unlicensed and unqualified system to the underwater lights, if
and landscaping – all ingredients of the companies to join the fray. required. Or just improving the water
pool refurbishment process. The renovation market remains far filtration and circulation.
While the top end of the market is stronger than new pool construction. As a The refurbishment market is wide and
reported as having genuine opportunities, result, builders who previously targeted they offer complete refurbishment
the more basic medium sized pools market new pools are entering the renovation packages for large facilities such as schools
is struggling. But the good news is the market. Smaller-scale contractors and and colleges, health clubs, hospitals and
specialist trade is busier than ever at the service firms are joining in as well. hotels. In the SPATA awards for 2009, the
moment focusing on the ability to persuade One pool builder told us: “In our area company dominated the refurbishment
existing pool owners to spend money on there are four or five pool builders general category by winning gold and silver awards
investing and upgrading their pools. contractors who have moved in and are in the commercial pool sector.
“Refurbishments are keeping us going at pitching for business. It’s a bit like musical It is a market opportunity – but if it is to
the moment,” said one Dorset pool builder. chairs – we are all moving around and keep the trade ticking over for the next 18
“There’s no real consistent business for around and waiting for the job to fall – months there are criticisms the pool
newer pools but there’s a lot of pool owners then we pounce on it. There’s a lot of industry should be more aggressive.
out there who are looking to spent £2,000 repair work needed. We’ve also seen that Midhurst pool architect and designer
to £8,000 to make more and better use of pool owners are willing to spend within Owen Rhodes says there are more people
their pools. They know they are going to reason, on seeing if they can modernise who he believes need educating about
stay put and want better pool facilities.” and get a new look for their pool. One improving their existing pools.
Visit our website at www.swimmingpoolnews.co.uk
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JUNE 09 swimming pool news 37
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