32-45 BISHTA & PRESIDENTS:SPN Master pages 20/11/2009 16:30 Page 40
spnfeature BSPF Presidents Weekend
‘We must maximise our promotions when the sun shines’
BSPF’s Chris Hayes urges the trade to make the most of families staying at
home during the recession and any ‘feel good factor’ from the weather
Met Office had forecast an even better any relevant consultation and will draw
summer than we actually had! This forecast attention to any appropriate legislation
may have still encouraged consumers to and any other items that may be of value
consider purchasing a pool or hot tub in to members.’
anticipation of some good weather and I “An example of this is the recent
know that many of you believe we rely on consultation on Parts L and F of the Building
the weather to provide a ‘feel good factor’. Regulations, where feedback was sought and
“With a variety of factors such as sterling then a submission made on the consultation.
having been relatively weak against the “Greater environmental awareness from
euro and the dollar, a reluctance to move consumers and some members of the
house due to a lack of available mortgages, trade has led to an increased demand for
and low interest rates not being attractive products such as the use of renewable
for savers looking to earn interest has led technologies, including heat pumps. Some
people to reassess spending their available of the discussions around these changes
money on home leisure and lifestyle items will influence the rewriting of the BISHTA
such as pools and hot tubs. and SPATA Standards, due to be produced
“Sales have been affected, sometimes by next February.
positively as there was a resurgence in May He said the industry needs to take more
with hot tub sales growing faster than advantage of any successes by British elite
anticipated and sometimes negatively, with level swimmers and divers, especially in the
The desire to stay at home rather than a slow down during July and August.” lead up to the Olympics.
holiday abroad remains an ongoing He said 2009 had seen some major “The most recent successes have been
opportunity for the specialist UK trade. challenges. in the World Swimming and Diving
Chris Hayes, Managing Director of the “Our industry has had to deal with actual Championships. Competitors such as Tom
British Swimming Pool Federation told the and proposed legislation. We get involved Daley and Liam Tancock provide great role
annual meeting in Oxford: ”During the with issues relating to water usage, models for us to increase swimming
past year, our industry has been greatly consumer protection, planning, Building participation figures and therefore we can
affected by the recession and the Regulations Part L (Conservation of Fuel more easily sell a dream about swimming
challenge for some has been how to and Power) and Part F (Means of pool usage to get fit and potentially to
minimise the impact, while for others, they Ventilation), commercial legislation on the train to be an elite level performer.
have found ways of reshaping their Design and Operation of Swimming Pools “If swimming figures can increase, this
business models to move forward. and the proposal to have European-wide should put pressure on the demand for
“The weather has generally been better norms for private, family swimming pools.” new builds and refurbishments for both the
than the previous two years, although the He said SPATA ‘will try and respond to commercial and domestic sector.”
Margins squeezed further in tough trading conditions
The overall picture of the current state of and large companies from our industry and for hot tub purchases especially in the
UK hot tub sales didn’t hold many there is still a lot of pressure on existing crucial area of water treatment.
surprises at the BISHTA annual meeting. companies to maintain profitability. The “While an estimated 10% of portable spas
Leo Reynolds, Committee Chairman, said combined UK sales of portable spas has been are sold via the Internet, the bulk of the hot
that more competition had squeezed margins adversely affected despite the upturn in May. tubs are still sold through specialist
and given more emphasis on quality products “The importance of adding value through showrooms across the UK, where staff can
and customer service. The higher end of the the sale of associated products such as provide vital water treatment advice and they
market included swim spas were prospering – chemicals and accessories means we must are a source for both chemical and accessory
but the bottom end had been badly affected. take every opportunity to raise income.” supplies. There is a greater demand from
“We have seen the demise of various small He reported that sales support was vital holiday parks for hot tubs and the challenge
for BISHTA is to ensure the products are
“WE HAVE SEEN THE DEMISE OF
suitable for commercial use. There is also a
need for staff training on water treatment,
VARIOUS SMALL AND LARGE
especially in light of the increased figures on
legionella cases in the UK.
COMPANIES FROM OUR INDUSTRY
He said membership numbers were at
121 and like SPATA, they are down on last
AND THERE IS STILL A LOT OF
year, but initiatives such as direct mailing
prospective companies had been
PRESSURE ON EXISTING COMPANIES
undertaken to increase membership. He
said BISHTA is developing a long term
TO MAINTAIN PROFITABILITY”
business plan to be revisited by the
committee prior to an annual action plan.
40 Swimming Pool News December 09 >>> Digital edition available at www.swimmingpoolnews.co.uk
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