I Lost My Life Savings: The Shocking Truth Behind a Holiday Park Investment Scam

• Did you lose funds on a vacation property? Contact noor.qurashi@mailonline.co.uk for assistance.

A gas installer recounted the "incredibly stressful" ordeal of losing £150,000 in personal savings after putting money into a holiday park venture.

Christopher Lightfoot from Lincoln enlisted with a firm named Liv Lodges – operating under the business title LL Lincoln LTD – who portrayed an enticing outlook for generating extra revenue.

Mr Lightfoot, aged 50, detailed how the firm assured an annual net rental return of eight percent and provided an 'exit strategy' ensuring he would recover his investment along with additional funds.

Following their attraction enhanced by a trip to the park, he along with his companion—who preferred anonymity—opted to purchase a vacation retreat for £149,990 in April 2021.

At first the investment lived up to its promise and they saw a monthly income of £1,000 profit come in.

However, all of a sudden in 2024, the funds ceased coming through, and Mr. Lightfoot mentioned that he kept getting excused with various reasons regarding its whereabouts.

The individual, who is 50 years old, was informed that the administration of his lodge had been handed over to a new entity named 5 Star Park Developments Limited.

In an interview with MailOnline, Mr Lightfoot stated: "Initially, we believed it would be temporary and that they were just experiencing some tough times. We found ourselves in a state of uncertainty, trying to figure out what was happening."

It was explained to him that he needed to agree to a far stricter agreement, making the rental earnings insignificant compared to the management expenses.

Even though the agreement appeared to be strongly biased towards 5 Stars, Mr Lightfoot stated that he was informed site fees were included within the management fee.

He mentioned that during a telephone conversation, he was informed that if the rental income from 5 Stars wasn’t sufficient, LL Lincoln Ltd would cover the shortfall. Concerned about potentially losing his entire investment, he agreed to sign the agreement on January 22, 2025.

However, tragedy occurred on April 7, 2025, when LL Lincoln Ltd ceased operations prior to the activation of the enticing 'exit strategy,' resulting in his contract with 5 Stars becoming irrevocable.

The debt began accumulating, and he now owes the firm approximately £6,600 in ground rent, with this sum expected to keep growing.

In the first quarter he received £1,394 of the £8,708 lodge income which then came to -£256 following the subtraction of rent and site fees.

He claims he is now unable to sell the lodge: 'It can't be moved from the site, and is an unattractive proposition for any potential buyer. We have basically lost the full £150,000. We are not making money from rental and instead have these ongoing costs.'

Mr Lightfood added: 'It is not an investment anymore - who would buy a lodge losing money?

'I only know the facts: they promised us guarantees, but before we had a chance to initiate the buyback, the firm went bankrupt.'

This is an extremely stressful circumstance we're experiencing right now—it’s our hard-earned life savings at stake.

'Ever since the payments ceased, it has impacted us tremendously. We had a strategy in place, but now that plan has been entirely derailed.'

Mr Lightfoot mentioned that he had encountered 'a few other groups facing similar circumstances'.

He mentioned that he is presently pursuing legal action against the firms with assistance from the European Consumer Claims (ECC).

Greg Wilson, who co-directs the ECC, stated that the organization has fielded more than 10,000 inquiries concerning matters related to holiday park proprietors.

He said: 'Pretty much all the enquiries have had similar issues. These holiday park lodges seem to have developed into some form of quick and fast money making machines.

'It's quite dreadful how some of the larger brands in particular don't consider how much damage it can do to individuals.'

LL Lincoln Ltd and 5 Star Park Developments Limited have been contacted for comment.

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