LDC backs Forest Holidays MBO

The acquisition will see the Camping and Caravanning Club exit the business, while the Forestry Commission will retain a "significant" share.

The investment will be used to support a new site roll-out for Forest Holidays, which will involve building new holiday cabins across key UK locations.

LDC says it invested because the business has enjoyed significant growth in recent years, driven by growing demand for UK domestic breaks in eco-friendly up-market locations.

The deal was intermediated by SRP Risk & Finance on behalf of Forest Holidays and the vendors.

Debt
Bank facilities, which include future financing provision, were provided by Lloyds Bank Wholesale Banking & Markets, led by Richard Smith.

Company
Forest Holidays is a holiday accommodation provider, owning and managing eco-friendly cabins at a number of rural UK locations. Its sites include the Forest of Dean, Sherwood Forest and Keldy in North Yorkshire.

The business, which was established in 2006, is headquartered in Moira, Derbyshire, and has more than 100 employees.

People
Martin Draper, new business managing director, led the deal for LDC alongside investment directors Andy Grove and Matthew Norrington. Grove and Draper joined the Forest Holidays board.

Advisers
Equity – Wragge & Co (Legal); Freeth Cartwright (Legal); Deloitte (Tax, property due diligence).
Vendors – SRP Risk & Finance (Corporate finance); Pinsent Masons (Legal); Eversheds (Legal); SENN Consulting (Corporate finance).
Debt – SGH Martineau (Legal).

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• Topics
• UK / Ireland
• Buyouts
• Consumer
• LDC