Cosgrove Leisure Parks UK, which owns a number of holiday and residential parks in South East England, has acquired Stonham Barns Park in Ipswich for an undisclosed sum.
The purchase by the Kent-based leisure group marks the beginning of a new era for the Stowmarket-based leisure park, promising enhanced experiences for guests and visitors.
Originally a mid-Suffolk agricultural farm complex and birds of prey sanctuary, Stonham Barns Park now features a retail village with over 40 shops, and a host of activities such as a 9-hole golf course, an adventure putting course, two indoor golf simulators, fishing lakes, a traditional funfair, playgrounds and walks. Accommodation is provided in a range of park homes and lodges, while there are pitches for tents, camper vans and motorhomes.
The park also hosts around 30 large-scale public events a year, ranging from car shows to country music festivals, at its Mid-Suffolk Showground.
Patrick Cosgrove, managing director of Cosgrove Leisure Parks UK, said: “We have enjoyed much success growing the Cosgrove Leisure Parks UK business over recent years and we are delighted to confirm that, as new owners of Stonham Barns Park, we are looking to introduce fresh ideas and improvements.
“Planned upgrades include modernising accommodation, expanding activity programmes, and enhancing the retail experience. The vision is to build on the park’s existing strengths and create even more unforgettable moments for visitors.”
FRP Advisory were appointed as Joint Administrators of Stonham Barns Park in February this year, maintaining trading operations before arranging the sale to Cosgrove Leisure Parks UK.
David Hinrichsen, partner at FRP Advisory, said: “Stonham Barns Park is a well-established site with a strong history, and that underlying quality was reflected in the level of interest we received once it was brought to market. Cosgrove Leisure Parks UK is an experienced, family-run operator with a track record of investing in the parks it acquires, and it is well placed to take Stonham Barns Park forward. We’re pleased to have completed a sale that keeps the site trading and secures its future.”