Owned by brothers David and Henry West, the fourth generation family-run Norfolk business specialises in the sale and servicing of new and pre-owned caravans and motorhomes. It is also the main dealer for Adria Caravans and Swift Motorhomes.
With the UK’s caravanning industry thriving - 47% of UK adults have taken a camping or caravanning holiday in the last three years - Downtide has seen increasing demand for its premium motorhomes. To meet this growing interest, the business recently acquired several local dealerships, secured new supplier contracts and planned the expansion and refurbishment of its workshop and customer spaces.
Thanks to the help from Allica Bank in 2025, Downtide are now the main authorized dealer for Elddis, Buccaneer, Xplor and Bailey Caravans together with Bailey Motorhomes for East Anglia.
The new six-figure funding deal from Allica will provide Downtide with the capital it needs to continue its ambitious plans for expansion, including a refurbishment of its workshop. The provision of an overdraft as part of the deal will also give it greater cashflow headroom to support the growing number of high-value vehicle trade-ins from its customers.
“Henry and I are really excited about the future for Downtide,” said David West, co-owner of Downtide. “We’ve had a really strong few months and this extra funding means we can continue to expand our operations and improve our service for customers ahead of the busy Spring and Summer season. With the overdraft secured, too, we’ve got the confidence to crack on with our growth plans and the capacity to respond quickly to opportunities if they arise.”
“We’re really grateful to Allica Bank for their support. We could barely get a look in from the high-street banks, who have all but given up on the hospitality sector. But Allica and their Relationship Manager Emily listened to us and saw there was a real opportunity here. We’ve even decided to move our bank account to them now."
Emily Hopkins, Allica Bank’s Relationship Manager for Norfolk, who worked directly with Downtide to secure this funding, said:
"Norfolk has long been a beloved destination for caravan and motorhome holidays, and Downtide Caravans play a vital role in keeping this tradition alive. Their commitment to quality service and their deep roots in the local community make them exactly the kind of business Allica Bank is proud to support.
“I only live down the road, which makes me all the more delighted to help Downtide secure the financial flexibility they need to grow and continue serving both local customers and holidaymakers exploring the East of England."
