05 Jul
Uncategorised

New Products Update

As you know, we are always looking to bring new and innovative products to our loyal customer base. So we have been busy behind the scenes sourcing some new products and services to assist your hot tub and your home.

ECOVO 

This is a new innovative product that can help your home and hot tub reduce its Voltage consumption and in term your energy bills by up to 19%. Our home appliances and hot tubs are designed to work between 220V and 240V. So if your home voltage is on the high side 240 or above we can reduce your voltage down and that means paying a smaller bill but also less wear and tear on your hot tub and other home appliances. Prices start from only £995 + VAT and you could get a pay back in around 4 years. And the product id guaranteed for 10 years! That really is peace of mind. For more information email admin@ukleisureliving.co.uk

Smart Pod

We looked at these types products year ago and they were bulky and hard to set up. Smart Pod is a newer smaller and smarter way of testing your water. Simply download the app and connect the smart pod to your app and wifi. And it automatically tests your PH, Chlorine or Bromine and temperature every hour. It also notifies you if there is an issue or if you need to add some chemicals. This is perfect for holiday let owners to keep eyes on the spa water at all times. Also perfect for park owners who have to manage multiple tubs a day. Imagine the time saved having to check all those tubs. For more information email admin@ukleisureliving.co.uk

Heat Pumps

You may have come across these units for homes and your hot tub. We have solutions for all types of hot tubs and swim spas. Prices range from £1495 to 3000 depending on the brand and type you want. These can make big savings on your hot tub by up to 50%. However, there are some down sides so its important you speak to us to get honest advice. We have a range of energy saving products and heat pumps are one.  For more information email admin@ukleisureliving.co.uk

Solar and Battery Storage

You may or may not know but we started our life as energy savings experts and nearly 15 years later our sister company Carbon Zero Renewables is going strong. Carbon Zero are solar specialists and unlike other companies, we solely specialise in this tech. We only install products from manufacturers, that have been in business longer than their warranties. There are so many sharks and poor quality equipment in this area. So getting the right advice is crucial! Carbon Zero are approved by Which? Trusted Trader  and the Federation of Master Builders.  They have seen it all! they know all the tricks the big companies use to close deals and sell you something that could be over priced and not right for you. They design bespoke systems to suit your exact needs and not simply off the shelf products. For more information email info@carbonzerorenewables.co.uk or complete the form here for a free quotation.

21 Feb
Uncategorised

Energy Efficiency is in our blood

Did you know our sister company has helped thousands of customers on a journey to Net Zero. We are part of the Carbon Zero Group with a wealth of knowledge when it comes to energy efficiency. So when you are looking to purchase a hot tub with energy costs in mind. Its important to speak to experts about this. Carbon Zero fitted its first heat pump in 2010! Many hot tub companies didn’t know what a heat pump was until last year.

Gareth Jones the MD is an industry expert when it comes to energy saving and has won a cabinet full of awards in this area. He is also recently asked to be a Net Zero Ambassador for North Wales. This role is to help homes and businesses get clear advice on saving energy and reducing our carbon footprint.

We have a range of solutions to help you save money and provide real home benefits. Hot Tubs are not cheap to run but we are making hot tubs affordable with some of the best insulated hot tubs in the World. If you are looking to purchase a hot tub, give us a call and speak to the experts on hot tubs and energy efficiency

12 Dec
Uncategorised

Company Update 12th December 2022

Thank you to all our customers new and old during these tough times. Just an update on some companies news and important information.

Christmas Opening Times

We close on Wed 21st December at the Mochdre Store at 5pm. This is due to staff training on the following days.  We will open back on Tuesday 4th Jan 2023.  Please ensure you have collected and visited for any supplies you may need over the festive period.

New Llandudno Store 

You may have seen the news all over the Daily Post a few weeks back, about us occupying the former M&S building in Llandudno. This true and we open the doors January the 16th. We are branding this as an outlet store. All the top products you are use to but at discount prices. However due to costs and resources, we are temporarily closing the Mochdre store whilst we occupy the Llandudno store. The new store will have a large stock and display of all accessories like Mochdre had. We will have new staff, so please bear with us. The Llandudno store is a temporary store and we will be there for approx 6 months. The store will be open 7 days a week. We will also have some display of solar and robotics from our sister companies to make the store interesting for all visitors.  Its likely we will grow the offering in the new year at the store. We have 1 week to flip the store after Calender club move out. So we will be very busy!

We appreciate closing Mochdre may cause some issues for some customers but to assist, we will provide a basic stock of chemicals at our new Group Head office in Old Colwyn. This location will be stocked from Jan 16th so please don’t use this address in the short term. This will be open 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday.

Group Head Office

Unit 1, Plas Gwilym Trading Estate, 78 Llysfaen Road, Old Colwyn, LL29 9HE

Energy Saving 

You may or may not be aware but our sister company has been installing solar panels on homes and businesses for over 13 years. We are one of the longest standing installers in Wales and the Biggest in North Wales. If you are considering solar panels, please get in touch. We only install the safest technology in the Industry and not cheap components. We are Approved Tesla Installers and have access to batteries, that supply power to your home even if there is a power cut.

Heat Pumps and Insulation 

We have been aware of companies offering this service to our customers. Please be aware that any alteration to the pipework will void your warranty. Any un-authorized/approved insulation will also likely deem your warranty void. This has been a warning from the manufacturer, due to a number of situations arising. If you wish to have a heat pump or extra insulation fitted then please get in touch. As it is a service we offer. Heat pumps start from £2500 and extra insulation from £395

Awards 

It is awards season ! We are delighted to be awarded the following;

  • WINNER – Supplier of the Year at the North Wales Tourism Awards (all our work supplying to the holiday market)
  • GOLD – Gold Award Winners at the Pool and Spa Awards for Spa Retailer of the Year
  • Runner Up – Top UK sales for Aspen Spas, missing out narrowly

Words from our owner

“2022 has been a challenging year in the leisure sector. We saw sales drop month by month as the energy crisis took grip in the UK. Industry experts are expecting to see a mass exodus of hot tub companies. With some saying up to 50% could close in 2023. We have made some major changes to the business quite quickly, to ensure we are here for the long run. This means we have had to scale back on our operations and this means Unit 9 will go in the new year and so will the Deeside store that is currently closed. We have moved some staff over to our energy company and unfortunately had to make some staff redundant. These are all difficult decisions but all staff who were made redundant, went on to new employment immediately. I believe, I acted quickly in the best interests of the company and our loyal customers. The aim of the game is to allow us to weather this storm that could hit this industry for a number of years. Your support more than ever is appreciated but we are confident with our sister company being extremely busy, we are in a positive position to do so. I just want to thank everyone for believing in me and my team. We aren’t perfect but we try our best to deliver on our promise. My guarantee to you is to always bring the best quality and value to the local area”

Gareth Jones – Managing Director of the Carbon Zero Group

29 Sep
Uncategorised

Company Update

Just a quick update from the team. Its no secret, hot tub sales have been hit hard by the cost of rising energy. As a company we recognised this very early on and made a positive step to helping new and existing customers with a variety of solutions. So if you have a hot tub and want help reducing your running costs then please get in touch. However due to the state of the industry, we are downsizing the business operation. This allows us to continue operating for the future. During these tough times we have to make some tough decisions. We still have engineering and repair expertise so nothing changes for our customers too.

The changes are as follows;

  • Unit 9 Mochdre showroom will close (where the swim spas are) on 30th November.
  • Unit 8 Mochdre showroom will close on a weekend from 16th October but remain open in the week 9am to 5pm.
  • Unit 8 Opening hours will be reviewed weekly depending on how many people come in. So if you want us to stay open then please visit. Otherwise we will have to open by appointment.
  • We are looking to take our chemical and accessories sales mobile via a Van. Visiting a set area each week, every week. We will carry pretty much everything you need however some filters may need ordering if its not one of our tubs. This service will be great for holiday properties who regularly buy chemicals as they are a high user. This will save you money on shipping and hopefully be easier for you.
  • Deeside showroom will permanently close as of 14th October 2022 until.

We are continuing to monitor things very closely and business continuity is critical. However please note access to support maybe a little bit more limited or we maybe slower getting back to you. We are trying our best under difficult circumstances.

On a brighter note we are holding our Closed Auction which starts on Monday 3rd. More details can be found on our Facebook page. In a nutshell we are clearing stock at amazing deals via an auction setup. This is to condense down into the one showroom and then we can look at re-designing unit 8 in the new year before the season starts. So if you have thought of an upgrade or a new tub. This could be the event for you. Our New Canadian Models, Aspens, Rotospas and Leisure range spas are all in the event alongside BBQs and Outdoor kitchens. We are expecting some models to be sold at a 50% reduction during this auction. All you need to do is attend the showroom and take a look and place your bids in store.

This is a difficult time for the hot tub industry and we have to shrink in size, to allow us to move forward and allow us to grow once again when the industry comes back. We would really appreciate your support right now in these difficult trading conditions. To clarify, this isn’t us closing but re-structing, to allow us to be here for the long term future. Thank you for your ongoing love and support. We have some amazing customers and developed lots of friendships over the years. We sincerely thank you for believing in us and buying from us.

Thank you

Gareth Jones, Managing Director.

18 May
Company News

Electric Hard Shell Hot Tubs Vs Wood Fired Hot Tubs

By Gareth Jones CEO UK Leisure Living Group

Hot Tubs have become a popular addition to homes and holiday lets in the UK. Wood Fired hot tubs have become an interesting option to those looking to save some cash. However what are the pros and cons of each one?

Pros to a Wood Fired Hot Tub

  • Cheaper to run potentially if you have free wood to burn
  • To some they look very natural
  • You can get some with liner options now that function like an electric hot tub but are extra costs
  • Some now have lights and jets on more expensive models but these also need electric to run them
  •  They can heat up quickly beneficial for holiday lets

Cons to a Wood Fired Hot Tub

  • If you don’t have free wood it can be costly and you need somewhere close to the tub to store dry wood. So you may need to invest in a wood store
  • Without a liner you need to drain the tub after every use!
  • Without a liner you can’t use chemicals so they are like an outdoor bath
  • You need to stir the water with a giant paddle to circulate or you will get hot spots in the body of the water. Some have small pumps on the more expensive models but then these then need a power supply.
  • If you have fresh washed clothes on the washing line, expect smoke smelling clothes
  • if you are a holiday let, wood fired tubs can ruin the holiday experience as not everyone knows how to build and manage a fire. Plus this is also a fire risk and you need to manage the risk through a Risk Assessment and provide adequate fire extinguishers.
  • In a Holiday let, BISHTA do not recommend such products to be used.
  • Many come with a wooden lid as standard which aren’t very energy efficient
  • No real moulded seats just a bench style basic setup
  • Health and safety issue to hot items to touch needs factoring into risk assessments

Cons to a Hard Shell Electric Hot Tub

  • Can be costly to run
  • In some situations can look out of place but this depends on your colour options.

Pros to a Hard Shell Electric Hot Tub

  • Provide Hydrotherapy Massage to soothe aches and pains using specifically designed jets
  • They can befitted with various measures to reduce the running costs of the hot tub to almost nothing in some cases.
  • Many models have high levels of mood lighting providing a chromotherapy experience
  • They will maintain temperature as required
  • They have a proper filtration systems
  • You can add chemicals so it manages the bacteria in your water.
  • Some hot tubs even have auto dosing systems to avoid you having to add chemicals.
  • All hot tubs come with a thermal cover as standard
  • Heat Pumps allow hot tubs to heat up very quickly and also offer savings of up to 70% in running costs
  • Huge choice in colours and styles with unique seating positions

In conclusion they both function but you need to really look at what you want from the product. We have heard many negative stories around wood fired tubs in holiday settings. Including that it ruined their holiday! So they may seem like a perfect product for you but what about your customer.  Electric hot tubs are deemed safer due to their chemicals and filtering abilities but we appreciate electricity costs have soared too. The good news is that you can generate electricity and we can reduce those costs massively.

Over the years we have sold both types and we are happy to provide honest advice applicable to your specific needs. In some situations it maybe best but we want our customers to have all the facts so they can make an informed decision on ownership.

Happy Hot Tubbing !

07 Jan
Company News

Rising Energy Costs and How To Save Money with your Hot Tub

Energy prices in the UK are at an all time high! from an average price of 12.10p per kwh in 2011 and now standing at 25.9p kWh. That is a staggering 114% increase and as it stands the price cap is due to be removed in April. Where bills are expected to soar another 40% on top of the price now !

This article isn’t to scare anyone off ownership but to help you ensure you keep the costs down as low as possible. Here are some tips below on keeping costs to a minimum

  1. Ensure you filtering cycles are correct and they can be reduced to a minimum 2 x 1 hr cycles. This can be set to coincide with cheaper electric at night on some tariffs. Excessive filtering will cost more to run your spa. However to low filtering and heavy usage can cause water clarity issues so its a balance.
  2. Ensure the lid is in good condition and fitted firmly closed. If you cover is heavy and full of water it will cost you more to run. You may need to invest in a new cover. Remember heavy covers also put added pressure on lifter arms and can bend them, rendering them unusable.
  3. Depending on your usage, it maybe be cheaper to drop the temperature when not in use. However this method is not proven and there is a difference of opinions across the industry. Some swear it works and others claim it costs more.
  4. Invest in a spa jacket for your spa. Something like this will stop wind blowing into your cabinet and under your lid that may cause a cooling affect, that will mean the heater kicks in and costs you more money. This is even more important in exposed or windy locations https://uk-leisure-living.aquawebshop.co.uk/products/spa-bag-padded-universal-size
  5. Some hot tubs have two + Pumps only turn on the pump you need to turn on. Having all the jets on unnecessarily will cost you more money to run.
  6. Some Cheap Acrylic hot tubs (Not made in the USA) have no insulation in them at all inc the floor ! we are hearing some crazy stories of peoples electric going up £600 a month ! Our American Spas have levels of insulation as standard and 2022 models are looking to have more again fitted. Once the manufacturers have established a firm design and product, we are looking to offer a retro fit upgrade kit to help our customers. This will not invalidate any warranties.
  7. Don’t forget your hot tub will naturally cost more to run in the winter than in the summer. So takes this into consideration.
  8. If you have a Gecko control pad (fitted on all aspens spas 2017 onwards) consider the wifi kit upgrade. You can lower and increase the temp from anywhere in the World. This flexibility allows you to take control of you costs. Its also perfect for holiday lets when the screen is locked and customers want the temp higher or lower.
  9. Heat pumps are a new way of reducing energy costs. They have a significant investment circa £2500 – £3000 but they can reduce your costs by up to 75% according to the manufacturer. If you are interested in this approach please get in touch https://www.ukleisureliving.co.uk/contact-us/
  10. Another option to heat your spa is through a heat exchanger and use your Gas Boiler or possibly biomass or existing heat pump. This would need to be done in conjunction with a qualified heating engineer. to ensure it all works as it should from the hot tub side and the existing heat source side. This option can be cost effective however consideration needs to be made on how we run pipes from your boiler etc to the spa and these may need to be dug down and insulated etc if you are interested in this aspect get in touch here https://www.ukleisureliving.co.uk/contact-us/

Hot Tubs by their very nature are heavy users of electric and its impossible for us to predict your running costs. Once installed every homes has different usage patterns. The key is follow our guidance and this will help you. We could say minimize the usage but that is not the idea of a hot tub. Its an expensive item and you need to use it whether for relaxation or pain relief.

The very last option open to you, is to consider solar panels. Solar panels have come along way since their inception some 30 years ago. They now provide day time power even on cloudy days. Obviously sunnier the better but free electric is better than buying from the grid. We work alongside leading Solar Specialists Carbon Zero Renewables. They are part of the UK Leisure Living Group and have stood as leaders in this field globally for over 10 years. So whether you have a flat roof, sloping, metal roof or slate. They can design a system to best suit your needs of the property. As anything there is a cost but solar is now at a level, where we can see paybacks of 6-8 years on domestic level installations. That payback estimate doesn’t include the potential rise in costs in April either. So we could see paybacks being even quicker! Solar has become a no brainer for anyone with an electric car or with a hot tub. For more information of solar energy check out http://www.carbonzerorenewables.co.uk/

They were recently featured in a BBC news Article and Gareth the CEO, was featured recently on ITV and BBC News talking about the benefits of solar energy at home. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-59668836

We hope this article gives you some help and support at this strange time of rising energy costs.

15 Dec
Company News

UK Leisure Living Crowned with Top Award at the Industry Oscars

Business is bubbling for a leading hot tub and leisure business.

UK Leisure Living Group scooped 2 prizes at the prestigious UK Pool and Spa Awards this week.

The St Asaph, Deeside and Mochdre based firm received accolades for

  • WINNER for Spa Retailer of the Year
  • Silver Award for Showroom of the Year

This is off the back of a Triple Gold Award win last year, that included Gareth Jones MD being awarded a special achievement award for services to the community.

Managing Director Gareth Jones was “thrilled” to emerge victorious in such competitive categories and said the awards will act as a springboard for further growth in the next 12 months.

UK Leisure Living Group has gone from strength to strength, taking on new staff and garnering customers nationwide.

Gareth says “Being crowned Spa Retailer of the UK is an honor. There are so many good companies and to be listed at the top is the ultimate in recognition” said Gareth.

“The whole team is thrilled and after being a Gold award winner in the Spa Retailer category for the last 3 years to become victorious this year. It shows we are doing something consistently right. All of our hard work is paying off, as we push sales and build the business with one eye on the future. Its not about volume, there are many hot tub companies bigger than us. However anyone can sell a hot tub but takes a special company that doesn’t cash in on selling cheaper spas for a quick buck. We stand by our approach to only sell brands with a proven history and only the best warranty packages in the business. Post covid many companies will disappear and leave customers with no warranty. We are there to support these people even though they didn’t buy from us.”

Gareth’s driving ambition is to provide the ultimate outdoor leisure experience for peoples homes, Holiday parks and Holiday accommodation.

“We are still in the early stages as a company but we are delivering on our promise to be the Best and offer the widest choice around when it comes to outdoor leisure. With our new addition of outdoor kitchens, Tylo Saunas, Verandas and so much more. We now have a fantastic huge array of products to show our customers.

“But for now, we are going to celebrate these fabulous award wins and continue to add value to the tourism industry and have a positive impact on the economy in North Wales and beyond.”

For more information, visit www.ukleisureliving.co.uk and follow @NWalesHotTubs on social media.

14 Oct
Company News

New Deeside Showroom Proves a Big Splash !

Leading Leisure Firm’s latest acquisition is proving to be a big Splash! with sales exceeding predictions. UK Leisure Living with already sites in Mochdre and St Asaph recently opened a new showroom on Deeside industrial estate just off the Welsh Road. In store they offer a range of products from Hot Tubs, Swim Spas, BBQ’s, Outdoor Kitchens, Saunas, Verandas as well as a new and exciting range of garden furniture.

The store has proven popular with locals in the Wirral, Chester and Cheshire as locals want a quality hot tub that won’t break the bank. Gareth Jones CEO commented ” Since inception, we have only provided quality products from long standing manufacturers. We are only 6/7 years into this journey but our suppliers have been doing it between 20 and 55 years! This give our customers confidence that the products they buy from us are from years of design, engineering and not fly by night companies in it for a quick buck. We pride ourselves on bringing high quality products to our valued customers”

UK Leisure Living are approved by many bodies inc the Federation of Master Builders, BISHTA and Which? Trusted Traders. This is further credentials for consumers to support who we are and what we believe in as a business. That is honest and ethical business and selling products with great warranties and some of which are industry leading !

If you are in the market for outdoor leisure products please visit the store open 7 days a week

Unit B14,

Flexspace, Deeside Industrial Estate

Welsh Road

Queensferry

CH5 2JZ

Or call 01244 737370

No appointment is needed and we are open 7 days a week

Weekdays 9am to 5pm

Weekends 10am to 4pm

Or drop them an email for a quote on your dream leisure products deeside@ukleisureliving.co.uk

 

26 Aug
Company News

Veranda Applause

A MULTI-AWARD-WINNING leisure group has left competitors/challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic in the shade by unveiling a new range of products and plans for further growth.

UK Leisure Living, which employs 15 staff across sites in Mochdre, St Asaph and Deeside, is receiving positive feedback and sales for the latest line in its quality outdoor selection – roofed and retractable roofed verandas.

Managing Director Gareth Jones has also secured a partnership with Swedish manufacturer Tylo, a pioneer in the production and global distribution of saunas, steam rooms and steam showers and is remodelling their showrooms to complement existing lines including hot tubs, outdoor kitchens, and the swim-spa centre.

Having achieved record turnover this year following a post-pandemic boom he says diversifying their offer gives UK Leisure Living Group an even more sustainable, long-term model for success.

“There has already been a real buzz and interest in the verandas because it is quite a unique product to this region and works perfectly alongside our current offering and really well priced,” said Gareth.

“We’ve had particular interest from homeowners and people who are investing in properties because like last year they will be remaining in the UK this summer and spending more time in the garden.

“The verandas we offer are more functional, contemporary conservatories with a modern twist; there has been a lot of demand and we look forward to seeing how that develops over the coming weeks.”

UK Leisure Living can supply and deliver to any part of the UK and are also able to install the products with its own installation teams. The Verandas are also available to the trade and Professional DIY at reduced rates.

The verandas are available to view online and at the Mochdre and Deeside showrooms; the latter opened earlier this year and is already proving a hit with customers in north east Wales and over the border into Cheshire, Shropshire and Wirral.

“Overall sales are up 134% on last year, and last year was our best ever,” said Gareth.

“We will continue to invest and grow wisely as there are challenges for all businesses in the wake of the Coronavirus pandemic and other factors, particularly a blockage and slowdown in supply from overseas.

“We are in a good place as we anticipated this could happen – particularly with the hot tubs as ours come from the USA and the UK – but there will be limits for many companies in this and other sectors importing goods from the far east and China.

“For now, we will continue to expand and diversify with a focus on the verandas in the months ahead into autumn and winter – we anticipate interest will continue to accelerate as the wet weather draws in. Verandas offer that extra outdoor space when the British weather decides to strike.

“We’re very excited and have an experienced and skilled sales and service team in place to help meet the demand and help the business emerge from Covid-19 in a stronger position than ever before. Anyone looking to view our new range of Verandas can visit our Super Showroom in Mochdre”

The UK Leisure Living Group includes Carbon Zero, The Swim Spa Centre, The Holiday Let Advice Centre and Stop Digging! North Wales and North West.

18 Aug
Company News

Top Leisure Retailer expands with New Products Offer

Leading Outdoor Leisure Retailer is expanding its range of products and creating jobs in the process. UK Leisure Living recently crowned the Best Outdoor Leisure Retailer in the UK at the UK Enterprise Awards. With showrooms in Mochdre and Deeside, have added a range of products, that fit in with the companies outdoor theme. The company now boasts a whole suite of products for the garden.

Gareth Jones CEO commented ” We are now making our transition to encompass the whole outdoor leisure and not just hot tubs. We will still specialise in hot tubs and continue to bring the latest technology but ultimately we will be a one stop shop for anyone looking to improve their outdoor space. We have more exciting products to bring to the area! Just watch this space.”

UK Leisure Living has a range of products that include

  • Hot Tubs
  • Swim Spas
  • Verandas
  • Saunas
  • Outdoor Kitchens
  • Grills
  • Garden Furniture
  • Pergolas
  • Parasols
  • Outdoor Heating
  • Swedish Saunas from Tylo
  • Steam Rooms

The Showrooms are open 7 days a week in either location, with Mochdre being the biggest showroom. The company specialises in selling High Quality products with great warranties and aftercare with a designated Service and Repair team. The company boasts 1000’s of customers nationwide. In a recent survey of 200 people, 100% of the customers would recommend them to friends and family. The website will be updated as soon as we can with new products. If you are interested in any of the products please visit one of the stores.

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