"Gramping" is on the increase -as more Grandparents take kids camping

Grandparents are taking over childcare duties through the summer holidays as cash strapped parents cut back on family holidays and work longer to help meet their household budgets. This has sparked a trend called "gramping" as Grandparents choose a UK holiday under canvas with grandchildren, to keep the kids amused and give parents a break.

A new survey by Halfords has found that a third of British families (34%) depend on grandparents to look after youngsters during school breaks and more than one in four (28%) say they take grandchildren away with them.

The results are supported by evidence from the Camping and Caravanning Club which reports an 8% increase in bookings by people over the age of 55 this summer, many of these taking youngsters with them. Holiday camps, camp sites and caravan parks all report seeing older people spending quality time with young relatives.

According to Mintel one in five over 65 year olds has taken a camping or caravanning holiday in the past three years while spending by older people on camping rose by 20%, according to figures from the annual UK Tourism survey.

Halfords’ survey of 1000 families with young children shows that a few days in a caravan or at a campsite was the most popular getaway activity after a trip to the seaside.

Paul McClenaghan, Halfords Commercial Director said, "We know that many people have nostalgic memories of camping trips when they were growing up so it's natural that Grandparents want to pass on the enjoyment of a holiday under canvas to their grandchildren.

"At Halfords we have worked hard to keep prices down, so camping is also great value and an ideal way to occupy children and give them an active break."

Halfords featured the nostalgia for family camping holidays in its advertising this summer under the strapline ‘The best trips last a lifetime.’ It showed a family holiday in the 70s being repeated today by the same children - now grown up and parents with children of their own.

ENDS

For more information contact:

Simmie Korotane
Halfords
t:01527 513419
f:01527 504780
e: [email protected]

The Group is the UK’s leading retailer of automotive, leisure and cycling products and through Halfords Autocentres is also the UK’s leading independent car servicing and repair operator.

Halfords employs approximately 11,000 staff and sells over 12,000 different product lines with significant ranges in car parts, cycles, in-car technology, child seats, roof boxes, outdoor leisure and camping equipment. Halfords own brands include the in-store Bikehut department, for cycles and cycling accessorie, cycling clothing, Apollo and Carrera cycles and exclusive UK distribution rights of the premium ranged Boardman cycles and accessories. In outdoor leisure, we sell a premium range of camping equipment from sleeping bags to lanterns, branded URBAN Escape. Halfords offers customers expert advice and a fitting service called "wefit" for car parts, child seats, satellite navigation and in-car entertainment systems, and a “werepair” service for cycles

Halfords customers shop at 466 stores in the UK and ROI and at Halfords.com for direct home delivery or pick-up at their local store. Halfords Autocentres operates from 227 sites nationally and offers motorists dealership quality MOTs, repairs and car servicing at more affordable prices.