Center Parcs announces major shake-up to booking activities and restaurants - here's what the change means for YOUR holiday

Center Parcs has announced a major shake-up to its rules on booking activities and restaurants - and it will mean guests will have to plan their trips more carefully.

The short-break holiday firm has reintroduced a policy whereby guests must cancel activities and bookings for restaurants and spas up to 12 hours before the start time in order to get a full refund.

Currently, holidaymakers can cancel right up until the start time and still get all their money back.

But under the new terms and conditions, those cancelling their bookings less than 12-hours before the slot begins will incur a 50 per cent charge of the original fee.

The 12-hour rule had already been in place previously, but was suspended during the pandemic so that guests could cancel without charge at short notice.

Center Parcs said the new policy - which comes into effect from September 9 - will provide guests with greater flexibility and allow time for any cancelled spaces to be re-sold.

It means holidaymakers will need to think further ahead when booking their trips to ensure they can attend their slots, and be mindful of the weather.

Center Parcs is famous for its wide array of family activities, like electric boat hire, which might cost around £34, adventure golf - £34 for a family of four, and mini jet skis, £13.50 per child.

Some outdoor activities go ahead even in bad weather, and where they do go ahead, guests will not be entitled to a refund unless they cancel at least 12 hours in advance.

But if Center Parcs itself cancels an activity for any reason guests would get a full refund, regardless of timing.

Susannah Streeter, of investment firm Hargreaves Lansdown, said Center Parcs didn’t appear to be worried about a backlash to the change.

She said: 'Center parcs is continuing to grow revenues, but it’s clearly being more cautious and wants to keep a tight rein on costs.

'Attempts by its owners, the private equity group Brookfield, to sell the business were put on hold due to a lack of interest in this era of high interest rates.

'Maintaining and expanding sales at its park is an expensive endeavour. It’s upgraded more than three thousand lodges to summer standard this summer, with refurbs to restaurant provision and construction of new accommodation also underway.

'93 per cent of capacity for the current financial year had already been sold by early February – around the same levels of last year.

'However, in the third quarter of the year accommodation rates came in slightly below 2023 levels.

'Given that guests are posting high levels of satisfaction in post-stay surveys, it’s clear the company believes tightening up its refund systems for experiences and treatments won’t adversely affect customer confidence or have an impact on rebooking rates.'

Beverley Boden, Head of Department for Aviation, Tourism, Finance and Marketing at Teesside University International Business School, predicted the change wouldn’t be a problem for the company’s loyal customers.

She added: 'Center Parcs offers a unique product and appeals to a bespoke demographic of customers, often with a high disposable income and frequent repeat customers.

'These customers know what to expect and, with this, expect to pay a higher price for a certain level of service and comfort.

'With this comes the expectation that if a deposit/booking is made in good conscience, the likelihood of attending the appointment/experience will be followed through. As Center Parcs has an intuitive booking platform, guests can plan their trip well in advance by creating an itinerary unique to their needs.'

Center Parcs operates five UK sites, including Sherwood Forest in Nottinghamshire - the first to open in 1987 - Elveden Forest in Suffolk, Longleat Forest in Wiltshire, Whinfell Forest in Cumbria and Woburn Forest in Bedfordshire. 

Each boasts a range of lodges, apartments and activities, a beach with a watersports lake, a spa and Subtropical Swimming Paradise, heated to 29.5°C all year round.