Press Release – Sykes Grows its Support of National Parks

PRESS RELEASE

SYKES GROWS ITS SUPPORT OF NATIONAL PARKS

Chester-based Sykes Holiday Cottages has extended its partnership with National Parks.

Over the next three years, funding from Sykes will help National Parks deliver a series of new projects across the country to restore and create habitats and connect more people with nature.

The first initiatives include contributing to tree planting efforts within the South Downs National Park and the installation of a nursery irrigation system for the Exmoor National Park project. The latter aims to produce 10,000 trees annually for its temperate rainforest, nature recovery and community projects across the area.

Sykes’ funding will also be used to create a digital nature map which will show where each project is within the UK and when it has been delivered, as well as supporting the launch of this year’s National Parks Photography Competition to raise awareness of locations which need protection.

The holiday cottage rental agency first partnered with National Parks UK in 2017 and has since supported multiple projects throughout the country, including planting a new orchard with the Platt’s Wood Community Project, as well as working with the Cheshire Wildlife Trust to plant wildflowers.

James Shaw, Managing Director of Sykes Holiday Cottages said: “Signing this new partnership with National Parks UK will allow us to continue to be a part of the extraordinary work they do in preserving and protecting our country’s unique landscapes.

“For over 70 years, National Parks UK have inspired the public to enjoy the great outdoors and we look forward to seeing what we can achieve together over the next three years.”

Nick Heasman, Countryside and Policy Manager at the South Downs National Parks Authority, said: “Our treescape supports a wealth of wildlife, from rare insects to nesting birds and complex fungi, and a single mature tree provides enough oxygen to sustain 10 people annually. However, our trees face many threats from pests, diseases, and climate change.

“Increasing the number and diversity of native trees and carefully introducing new species is crucial, which is why we’ve planted over 60,000 trees with the support of local communities and businesses, including our latest supporter, Sykes.”

Graeme McVittie, Senior Woodland Officer at Exmoor National Park Authority said: “As we work to restore and grow the temperate rainforest on Exmoor, it’s crucial that we have control over where our seeds come from and how we grow healthy trees.

“That’s why creating our own tree nursery, which will drive the rainforest recovery, is so important. The automatic watering system Sykes is supporting, which uses collected rainwater, helps us minimise our energy use while ensuring our plants stay healthy and strong.”

Sykes achieved B Corp certification last year, marking a major milestone in the holiday let agency’s ambition to make a positive contribution to its people, the planet, and communities it serves.

It now employs more than a thousand people throughout the UK and has operated its headquarters in Chester for the past 28 years.

For more information about Sykes Holiday Cottages visit www.sykescottages.co.uk.

ENDS

For more information, please contact Citypress:

Helen Barnes

helen.barnes@citypress.co.uk

(0)203 627 4558

About Sykes Holiday Cottages:

Sykes Holiday Cottages is a B Corp certified, holiday cottage rental agency with over 30 years’ experience in the industry.

Owned by parent company Forge Holiday Group, Sykes now has more than 22,500 properties available across the UK and Ireland, taking over three million people on holiday each year.

While the business has grown significantly over the years, Sykes commitment to offering quality accommodation to travellers – and being the best choice for holiday homeowners – remains unchanged. Sykes has been awarded ‘Best Large UK Holiday Cottage Booking Company’ at the British Travel Awards for ten consecutive years.

Headquartered in Chester and with regional offices around the country, its team of over 1,000 employees work with customers and owners to deliver the best British breaks available.

About National Parks:

• There are 15 National Parks in the UK – 10 in England, three in Wales and two in Scotland.
• National Parks cover almost 10 percent of England, 20 percent of Wales and 8 percent of Scotland.
• Each National Park is administered by its own authority, but that authority does not own all of the land within the Park. They are independent bodies funded by central government to:

• • Conserve and enhance the natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage.
  • Promote opportunities for the understanding and enjoyment of the special qualities of National Parks by the public.
  • In carrying out these aims, National Park Authorities are also required to seek to foster the economic and social well-being of local communities within the National Park.
  • National Parks are free to enter and explore and have 104 million visits each year.
  • For more information visit www.nationalparks.uk

National Parks Partnerships (NPP)  

Working across all 15 National Parks in the UK (Peak District, Lake District, Eryri, Dartmoor, Pembrokeshire Coast, North York Moors, Yorkshire Dales, Exmoor, Northumberland, Bannau Brycheiniog, The Broads, Loch Lomond & The Trossachs, Cairngorms, New Forest, South Downs), National Parks Partnerships (NPP) creates purpose-driven partnerships with the private sector and funders to help protect and improve National Parks for people, nature and climate.

Since its inception in 2016, NPP has developed partnerships with some of the world’s biggest brands to support the UK’s National Parks including BMW UK, Santander UK and Estée Lauder Companies UK & Ireland. Working with global impact firm Palladium, NPP launched Revere: Investing in Nature to deploy green finance at an unprecedented scale in National Parks and has an in-house Nature-Based Solutions team that supports National Parks to do more for nature.

Find out more at: www.nationalparks.uk/national-parks-partnerships/ or follow “National Parks Partnerships” on LinkedIn.