In this Leisure Insight, Jon Patrick, Director and Head of Leisure & Development at Christie & Co discusses how the leisure property market in the UK has continued to show remarkable resilience and adaptability so far in 2025, navigating a shifting economic and political landscape with confidence.
Following a solid performance in 2024, the sector continues to attract investor interest, particularly in high-quality, well-operated assets across key segments such as holiday parks, marinas and visitor attractions.
Our recently published Leisure Market Review 2025 highlights a sector that is not only surviving but evolving. Our annual sentiment survey at the start of the year revealed that 73 per cent of respondents in the industry were planning to either buy or sell assets in 2025, which is a clear indicator of an active and confident transactional environment. This optimism is echoed in the data: in the first half of the year, the number of offers made on leisure businesses currently on the market with us more than doubled, compared to the same period in 2024, while the number of deals agreed tripled. Viewings also surged, further evidencing the sector’s buoyancy and attractiveness to potential purchasers.
Investor Appetite and Market Dynamics
Investor appetite for leisure businesses remains strong, driven by the fall in interest rates to four per cent in August and improving financing conditions. Private equity firms and corporate buyers are actively pursuing mergers and acquisitions, particularly in the holiday park and marina markets. These segments offer scale, diversification potential and opportunities for operational efficiencies.
The range of businesses we’ve engaged with this year, from dinosaur-themed amusement parks and World War II visitor attractions to eco-lodge retreats and gaming centres, reflects the sector’s breadth and the vast array of lucrative opportunities available to owners and investors.
Holiday Parks: Signs of Recovery and Opportunity
The holiday and residential park markets have shown cautious early signs of recovery with a surge in both searches and actual bookings, driven by cost-effective getaways, a desire for authentic local experiences and a trend towards spontaneous, shorter breaks within the UK this year. Enquiries from both buyers and sellers are rising steadily and niche operators offering premium accommodation and facilities continue to perform well. Demand continues for larger static-led parks, with proven occupancy and associated cash flows delivering economies of scale.
However, challenges persist in the holiday home sales market, reflecting broader macro-economic uncertainty. The government’s proposed planning reforms aimed at streamlining applications and prioritising development could be a game-changer, reducing red tape and accelerating growth.
Looking ahead, we expect to see more corporate M&A activity in the holiday and residential park sectors, given subdued activity in 2024 and an even more robust caravan and lodge sales market, given the current sentiment and the cost-of-living challenges slowly subsiding.
Marinas: A Buoyant Market
The UK marina market is comparatively modest in scale when compared to other leisure sectors, such as holiday parks, which incorporate several thousand businesses. The industry is fragmented, with the majority of marinas in private ownership and only a relatively small number of transactions taking place each year, while sales are often driven by a lack of succession in long-held family-owned marinas.
High development costs and limited suitable locations remain major barriers to entry. As a result, the market is seeing increased consolidation and opportunistic acquisitions.
At the corporate level, interest from private equity real estate has been rising steadily fuelled by multi-site operators seeking capital restructuring options.
Marinas in excess of 200 berths and with opportunities to expand or diversify the business offering, for example through additional berths or secondary revenue streams such as floating lodges or holiday accommodation, are in high demand, appealing to both marine and broader leisure investors. We expect to see further cross-sector acquisition activity from the holiday and residential park markets as well as high-net-worth individuals making selective acquisitions.
Visitor Attractions: A Change in Consumer Preferences
The UK visitor attraction market is currently navigating shifting consumer expectations, economic pressures and technological innovation. Despite the ongoing cost-of-living concerns, the sector has shown resilience in recent years, with attractions adapting to meet the demand for value, sustainability and immersive experiences.
Many of the UK’s visitor attractions have been in the same hands for many years, or even generations and succession planning is a regular feature of many sale consideration discussions, with retirement being one of the key reasons behind these businesses becoming available to acquire.
The buyer pool is diverse, ranging from lifestyle purchasers and high-net-worth individuals to multi-site corporate operators and charitable organisations.
Sustainability remains a central focus. Attractions are adopting eco-friendly practices, from reducing waste and energy use to sourcing local and ethical products. Community engagement is also gaining traction, with many sites working closely with local stakeholders to enhance authenticity and economic impact in the community. Inclusivity is another priority, with many attractions investing in accessibility features such as audio guides, tactile exhibits and step-free access to ensure experiences are welcoming to all.
Digital innovation is also revolutionising the visitor experience. Augmented and virtual reality, personalised content and contactless technologies are now standard features, enhancing both engagement and convenience. Attractions are leveraging data analytics to tailor experiences and improve visitor satisfaction.
Looking to the Future
Despite macroeconomic headwinds, the UK leisure property market remains cautiously optimistic. Success will hinge on operators’ ability to innovate, manage costs and deliver compelling experiences that resonate with a value-conscious public.
At Christie & Co, we remain committed to supporting our clients through this dynamic landscape, from expanding portfolios or restructuring assets to succession and exit planning.
