The Alex Melvin Interview

Justin Allitt sits down with Alex Melvin, Editor of Park Home and Holiday Living, about his thoughts on the industry and what he likes to do when he isn’t working.

Hi Alex, you’ve been the editor of Park Home and Holiday Living magazine for a while now – how did you get the role?

I still find it hard to credit that I’ve been in this industry since 2006, editing PH&HL since 2008. When I first started out as nothing more than a callow youth, I remember thinking of park home residents as ‘old’ people; now I’m old enough to live on plenty of residential parks myself! I started professional life as reporter on various local and regional newspapers before gravitating to magazines. After two years as assistant editor, the opportunity came up to take on the editor’s job and I grabbed it with both hands. The rest, as they say… ha ha!

Of all the things in the industry, what is your favourite thing to do?

It has to be meeting happy residents on parks. I’m a people person so I also love talking to different businesses and learning more about what they have to offer, but seeing park home residents fulfilling their dreams and living happier lives because they’ve taken the plunge and plumped for this unique way of life is hard to beat. After all, that’s why most of us are in this industry, and definitely what motivates me to do my job – helping people.

We’ve just had a turbulent 24 months – what’s going to happen in the next 24 months?

You can say that again – just when we’re all finally coming to terms with coronavirus, a mad Russian invades Ukraine! Considering the pressures that have been put on the economy, our sector has done remarkably well – a true British success story. In a way, some of the industry have now become victims of their own success though, as we can see with some of the supply chain issues currently at play. Inflation will be a huge factor in the next few years too – I don’t see a property market crash happening though, as I don’t foresee interest rates being cranked up by all that much. I do foresee inflation rearing its head in relation to pitch fee increases on the residential wing of our sector though – with RPI currently at 11.1 per cent many older residents on fixed incomes will start to feel the pinch if all of this is passed on via their pitch fee charges.

If you weren’t in the park industry, what would you do?

In the words of legendary Spinal Tap frontman David St Hubbins: ‘Full-time dreamer.’ Only joking! I enjoy being creative and, when I was younger, I always wanted to be a novelist – writing a book may well be something I turn my attentions to at some point in the future.

What do you like to do when not working?

As a father of two young boys, nearly all of my free time is taken up with Arthur and George these days. Whether it’s doing the school run, taking them to football or swimming, or giving Minecraft or Animal Crossing a bash on the Nintendo Switch, they certainly keep me honest (out of the pub)! If I get any time to myself, I enjoy reading – I’ve just finished Jonathan Franzen’s Crossroads which is excellent and very much my kind of thing – long walks in the countryside (ideally punctuated by a few pints of real ale in a decent boozer and a spot of ornithology), a bit of home cooking and watching sports like football, cricket, snooker and boxing. I’m married to a Northampton lass and live there now but am originally from east London and am a lifelong West Ham fan (for my sins!).

You’ve been in the industry now a long time, any words of advice to those starting out?

I’m very aware that, as editor of the UK’s biggest, best and longest established mobile homes magazine, I occupy a fairly unique position in what is undoubtedly a unique sector. This allows me to see things from a myriad of different perspectives, which is absolutely invaluable. My advice to any park home newbie would be to talk to as many different people as possible – both trade and residents – it’s the best way to learn.

Which clients would you love to help?

I’ve always believed that a key part of my job is to shine a light on best practice within our sector, wherever that’s found. With that firmly in mind, I can honestly say I love helping to promote any park operator, manufacturer, supplier or service provider that strives for excellence and looks to innovate.

Who in our series would you like to be see interviewed?

There are so many fascinating characters in our industry with amazing back stories that it would probably be churlish of me to single one out! All of the successful people I meet and interview leave me in awe of their hard work, dedication and ingenuity and that really comes across in this series too.

To read our interview with Jack Lazenby from Towergate Insurance, click here.