LATEST NEWS
Swimming Pool News reports from the UK Pool & Spa Conference at Oxford
Wet weather "just as impactful" as economy on UK pool market
The high end luxury residential pool market has been weather and credit crunch proof with interest in the top end market more than holding its own – that was the conference message from SPATA National Council Chairman Richard Carrington.
"The wealthy end of the market appears to be insatiable" he said. "With a passion for the latest technology innovative design and sumptuous style… with budgets that reflect the sky's the limit!
"While demand for swimming pools as the ultimate symbol of success is as high as it has ever been... It is fair to say that middle to lower end residential pools have experienced a slow down."
Swimming Pool News reports from the UK Pool & Spa Conference at Oxford
Wet weather "just as impactful" as economy on UK pool market
The high end luxury residential pool market has been weather and credit crunch proof with interest in the top end market more than holding its own – that was the conference message from SPATA National Council Chairman Richard Carrington.
"The wealthy end of the market appears to be insatiable" he said. "With a passion for the latest technology innovative design and sumptuous style… with budgets that reflect the sky's the limit!
"While demand for swimming pools as the ultimate symbol of success is as high as it has ever been... It is fair to say that middle to lower end residential pools have experienced a slow down."
KEY POINTS
• Top end of the pool market resistant to weather and credit crunch
• Strong business in the
holiday home pool market
• UK pool business
guesstimated to be worth £1billion
• Makeovers from 40 year old pools flourishing
• Middle to lower end
residential pools have experienced a slow down
• Wet weather just as impactful on UK pool market as the economic
slow down
• Top end of the pool market resistant to weather and credit crunch
• Strong business in the
holiday home pool market
• UK pool business
guesstimated to be worth £1billion
• Makeovers from 40 year old pools flourishing
• Middle to lower end
residential pools have experienced a slow down
• Wet weather just as impactful on UK pool market as the economic
slow down
He said that the wet weather throughout the UK was
perhaps just as impactful on the core UK pool
market as the economic slow down.
"A disappointing Spring and Summer traditionally slows down requests for quotes with rather worryingly the true impact probably not being felt until 2009 and beyond.
"Including both member and non-member companies SPATA estimates that 6,000 new pools are being supplied in the UK annually which together with the refurbishment market and the allied tradeputs the British market at an estimated annual value of approaching £1 billion."
SPATA represents about 120 pool building companies.
"There is still a lot of interest in home pool ownership but a reluctance to take the plunge and particularly to make a commitment by handing over that contract deposit.
"Internet sales continue to impact with consumers sacrificing the comfort factor… of local service and support by surfing the Net to save up to 30% on both product and chemical sales.
"One growth area has been the refurbishment and renovation market. The residential side of this business is benefiting from an 'improve rather than move' windfall."
He said pools were now getting a makeover which dated back to the boom in home pool ownership in the Sixties. With significant emphasis on residential outdoor pools – the slow down in new builds has been offset by valuable contracts to upgrade:
• Filtration
• Liners
• Copings
• Pipework
• Interior finishes
"Another major trend, fanned by the huge increase in fuel costs as well as the desire to reduce carbon emissions, is the demand for more energy efficiency with increased demand for heat pumps, solar and condensing boilers.
"Commercially, the Olympic effect is seeing a growth in multi-purpose 50m pools but with contracts dominated by huge corporations and little overspill for the specialist installers. Health club sectors generally are down but many members are reporting valuable contracts in the home holiday market – both hotels and holiday parks as customers continue to demand the highest standards of pools, spas and other wellness facilities.
"Representations were made on the Defra proposals for new regulations on drought orders and hosepipe bans and we will continue to watch for any developments over the next year.
"There is also ongoing discussion about the carbon footprint of residential swimming pools and it is likely that these will fall under the scope of Part L. due for change in 2010.
"Initially the pool shell insulation is being looked at and then other aspects such as energy efficiency standards for heating will also be addressed.
"Be warned… the pool industry will become more involved with legislation as the government approaches its target for zero carbon housing by 2016.
"There will undoubtedly be further amendments in 2013 and along the way standards will almost certainly change to bring swimming pools in line with the zero carbon philosophy."
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"A disappointing Spring and Summer traditionally slows down requests for quotes with rather worryingly the true impact probably not being felt until 2009 and beyond.
"Including both member and non-member companies SPATA estimates that 6,000 new pools are being supplied in the UK annually which together with the refurbishment market and the allied tradeputs the British market at an estimated annual value of approaching £1 billion."
SPATA represents about 120 pool building companies.
"There is still a lot of interest in home pool ownership but a reluctance to take the plunge and particularly to make a commitment by handing over that contract deposit.
"Internet sales continue to impact with consumers sacrificing the comfort factor… of local service and support by surfing the Net to save up to 30% on both product and chemical sales.
"One growth area has been the refurbishment and renovation market. The residential side of this business is benefiting from an 'improve rather than move' windfall."
He said pools were now getting a makeover which dated back to the boom in home pool ownership in the Sixties. With significant emphasis on residential outdoor pools – the slow down in new builds has been offset by valuable contracts to upgrade:
• Filtration
• Liners
• Copings
• Pipework
• Interior finishes
"Another major trend, fanned by the huge increase in fuel costs as well as the desire to reduce carbon emissions, is the demand for more energy efficiency with increased demand for heat pumps, solar and condensing boilers.
"Commercially, the Olympic effect is seeing a growth in multi-purpose 50m pools but with contracts dominated by huge corporations and little overspill for the specialist installers. Health club sectors generally are down but many members are reporting valuable contracts in the home holiday market – both hotels and holiday parks as customers continue to demand the highest standards of pools, spas and other wellness facilities.
"Representations were made on the Defra proposals for new regulations on drought orders and hosepipe bans and we will continue to watch for any developments over the next year.
"There is also ongoing discussion about the carbon footprint of residential swimming pools and it is likely that these will fall under the scope of Part L. due for change in 2010.
"Initially the pool shell insulation is being looked at and then other aspects such as energy efficiency standards for heating will also be addressed.
"Be warned… the pool industry will become more involved with legislation as the government approaches its target for zero carbon housing by 2016.
"There will undoubtedly be further amendments in 2013 and along the way standards will almost certainly change to bring swimming pools in line with the zero carbon philosophy."
<< Back to conference index