A brand new convenience store and a coffee shop serving residents and visitors have opened their doors at Ulwell Holiday Park in Swanage, Dorset.
Swanage deputy town mayor Chris Tomes officially opened the new shops on Friday 27th March 2026, by cutting a ribbon, before enjoying a cup of coffee in The Pantry.
Groceries, essentials, drinks and snacks are all on the shelves at the new Spar store
General store has been greatly missed
The new additions to Ulwell Holiday Park offer everything from groceries, a pint of milk and sweets to fresh coffee and pastries and are open to both holidaymakers and the wider Swanage community.
Since the Ballard Down store in Redcliffe Road closed in summer 2023, there has been no alternative convenience shop to the north of the town, something which has been greatly missed.
And with the expansion of the Compass Point estate in the area, Ulwell Holiday Park reception manager Steve Norman said there was a growing need for a general store to be reintroduced.
Now a new well-stocked Spar store, situated next to the reception area at Ulwell Holiday Park, is looking to help fill the gap.
A warm welcome awaits at The Pantry, Ulwell Holiday Park’s new coffee shop which is open to all
A tempting range of cakes and pastries are on sale at The Pantry
New reception built last year
Ulwell Holiday Park reception manager Steve Norman said:
“We are trying to improve the offering we have here, both for people staying on the site and locals as well, especially with there being more families on this side of town now with the new estate.
“We built a new reception and offices last year, which included provision to move the existing shop there, with more space.
“That allowed our old shop to have a fresh new refit and become our new coffee shop, The Pantry, which we thought would be a really good addition for our guests on site and locals as well.
“At the same time we have been able to extend the kitchen for the Village Inn, as that has been getting busier and busier – last year we welcomed approximately 2,000 locals through its doors in addition to our site guests.”
Steve Norman, left, with Swanage town deputy mayor Chris Tomes opening the new Spar convenience store
The Pantry is open for business at Ulwell Holiday Park
“Always looking to improve”
Steve added:
“I am the fourth generation of our family to work here, after my great grandad set it up as a caravan park and campsite. It has been a campsite for at least 75 years – the first site licences were given in 1950, but I think there was camping of some sort before that.
“It was later taken on by my gran and her brother, and just under 40 years ago my family built the Village Inn as it is now and the swimming pool.
“We are always looking to improve and develop the site, we have done lots of work on the caravan site recently, refurbishing shower blocks, and putting in some hardstanding pitches and glamping pods which have proved really popular.
“Although some people are sometimes unsure, we are always open to locals here, we do swimming lessons and children’s swimming parties at our pool and it made a lot of sense to have a convenience store as well for those living locally.”
Glamping pods were a popular new addition to the site in 2025
New holiday homes have also been put into place at the park over winter
Very busy tourist season
Ulwell Holiday Park reopened for 2026 on Sunday 1st March after a short winter break, and the season is expected to start in earnest over the Easter weekend at the beginning of April, when there is generally a big jump in visitor numbers.
Last year the park welcomed around 9,000 guests to the caravan park, and although the scorching summer meant a very busy tourist season, Ulwell has a large number of repeat customers who come back year after year no matter what the weather holds.
With the addition of The Pantry and the new Spar shop, managers hope that even more locals will visit, and that new glamping pods, which include their own kitchenette and bathrooms, will attract tourists looking for new adventures.
Swanage town deputy mayor Chris Tomes enjoys a cup of coffee at The Pantry
“So important to Swanage’s identity”
Deputy Mayor Chris Tomes said:
“It is great to see the holiday park thriving and bringing more visitors into Swanage to enjoy everything we have to offer, and fantastic that it still has the local family history element, which is so important to Swanage’s identity.
“With Ballard Down shop closing in 2023, the loss of a general store was sadly missed at this end of town, so it is wonderful to have this new Spar shop for local residents to use rather than having to go all the way into town.
“What they have done up here over the last few years is amazing, it still has the feel of a family run business while managing to expand and add more amenities for Swanage residents to use.
“I was delighted to open the new shop and hope that the holiday park continues to go from strength to strength and attract more tourists to enjoy our wonderful town.”
The Pantry is ready to welcome local residents and tourists for coffee and cake
Further information
- Find out more about Ulwell Holiday Park on its website
