About Ropers Leisure

Ropers Caravan World is a family business born in 1981.

That was the year Roland and Margaret Roper set up their caravan dealership in an available single acre site on the Scorton Road at Catterick Bridge.

Roland and Margaret worked almost every day for the first five years - and during that time they were present every single weekend selling new Sprites, Eccles plus the occasional used caravan they were able to buy or trade in. They were eventually joined by sons Roger and Richard who first completed their academic studies before lending a hand in the flourishing family business. As the business grew and loyal customers returned, more help was needed and jobs were created so that customers could still enjoy the high levels of customer care that had always been so important. The team here at Ropers have over 250 years of combined industry experience! The business is now in the safe hands of James Roper continuing the family run dealership into the 3rd generation. Still with the same emphasis on providing a great customer experience yet developing the company as market trends change.

In the late 1980s there came an opportunity to buy an undeveloped site of over 3 acres just around the corner on the Gatherley Road at Catterick Bridge. It was an easy decision to move and create a purpose built caravan dealership because the original site was becoming too small to provide all the facilities that were needed.

The new Ropers Caravan World opened its doors at Catterick Bridge in March 1990 welcoming hundreds of customers old and new to a Grand Opening Party featuring a host of new products, special promotions and of course many guided tours of the new, state of the art facilities.

Although there was over an acre of car parking space available, they can recall being so busy the police were putting out traffic cones to allow for extra parking for several hundred yards all along the length of the Gatherley Road!

During the 1990s the strategic expansion included opening satellite branches in Darlington and Washington and offering static holiday homes and motorhomes, but moving with the times and consolidating everything into a single site has allowed the consistent provision of the best and most efficient customer experience.

The dealership at Catterick Bridge has undergone many extensions, expansions and refurbishments over the years and new buildings are always being planned and created in line with customer needs. Today, the car park and display areas are fully covered in tarmac and the indoor areas are now almost twice their original size. The workshop and service centre can now accommodate over 10 units at any one time!

Customers can view all the new caravans from the market leader, Bailey of Bristol, together with the most comprehensive stock of carefully prepared used caravans - it all helps to make Ropers the place where customers are most likely to find what they are looking for.

The current displays of used motorhomes reflect the increasing demand for these products and Bailey are the fastest growing and most sought after brand in this marketplace. Several years ago, the need to provide a relaxing area in the showroom for hungry and thirsty customers was fulfilled - now there's a friendly café serving great value wholesome meals, snacks and drinks. Inside the heated showroom you can also find ever changing displays of the latest products alongside the comprehensive spare parts department and the recently redesigned service reception. This is linked to the outstanding new service centre buildings where the acclaimed Approved Workshop is housed.

So why do Ropers believe that they are the region's favourite caravan dealership?

Their family values are just the same today as ever - to provide a fair deal together with exceptional personal service and Ropers Caravan World has been doing just that since 1981.

We maintain a huge emphasis on consistent staffing, rare in the industry, allowing our returning customers to always see a familiar face.

You will now see us out and about in the Community a lot more with sponsorship of local events, keeping our focus on local business and society growth.