North Berwick campervan firm flush with success of on-board toilets

Campervans with built-in toilets have surged in demand due to the coronavirus pandemic - as customers are 'hesitant' about going abroad.

Flush with orders, Jerba's Simon Poole

Staycations boomed in 2020 and Jerba Campervans in North Berwick East Lothian, experienced a 100 per cent rise in orders for Volkswagen Transporters complete with their own integrated toilets.

Between 2016 and 2020 they received an average seven orders per year for two models but reluctance to share bathrooms at campsites is thought to have fuelled demand.

Since September, the employee-owned business received 14 orders for its Sanna and Jura vans, which come equipped with private toilets.

Comfort and style during your staycation

The firm customises and converts vans into mini homes and received enough orders last year to guarantee work until February 2022 - and said there was demand from people not usually keen on camping.

Co-founder Simon Poole, 53, said: "There's still a lot of uncertainty about foreign holidays, people are nervous about committing money and possibly not getting refunds from airlines.

"I think we have seen more people who I wouldn't describe as being regular tenters take an interest in caravans.

"They'd maybe prefer to spend money on overseas travel but as that's still uncertain, this is something they can look forward to.

Ideal for your perfect staycation, the Sanna Campervan

"They maybe wouldn't enjoy camping in a sleeping bag in a tent but this is more comfortable."

"We've witnessed not only a huge rise in demand for our campervans, but also for integrated toilets too.

"Having an inbuilt toilet removes the need for campervanners to access public restrooms and reduces potential exposure to germs.

"It is part of our mission to achieve bespoke solutions to campervan conversions and current trends which can fit around the customer's lifestyle, whatever it may be.

Have loo, will travel: Jerba installed on-board toilets in campers

"We're happy to deliver the perfect staycation escape vessel for a post-Covid world."

He hopes that by May people may be able to travel further afield.

Dad-of-three Simon added: "With the uncertainty of the pandemic, it's understandable that people are more hesitant about making plans for going abroad.

"We aim to provide a solution to that through our unique campervans, tailored to individual needs so that our customers can experience the ideal holiday, without having to catch a flight.

"I'd encourage anyone interested in campervan holidays to be respectful while travelling."

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