What Next ?

Yet three popular sites were promoted to local authorities for housing development last year by the club's consultants 

The club is becoming a travel agent. Overseas tours - some of which are by plane and coach, ASs advertised as if they were club sites. We'll get to a point where the membership fee buys a brochure of approved sites and discount vouchers and little else. 

Also discounts offered on cruises. What is the payback for this? Does the club receive commission on these sales?

 If a member goes on a cruise it means thay are not occupying a pitch and someone else can use it. Look out for discounts from funeral undertakers soon.

I don't remember all the details about that 'sites controversy' now, Jayess, as I was away at the time.  From what I can remember the error was dealt with.

As regards the Club diversifying, personally, I have no problem with this.  In doing this the Club are providing an additional service for members and ploughing the profits back into the Club for the benefit of the members - especially in updating facilities on sites etc.  In my opinion, 'Sites' are still the most important provision that the Club provides for its members, and personally I can't see this changing in our lifetime.  Who knows what will happen in another age - we might not even have caravans or motorhomes - then the Club will need to change its name and logo once more.  

David

A letter was sent to the relevant authority to say that the site was not necessarily available for development but the information was not placed before the inspector who dealt with the hearing. I thought it was probably an 'oversight' so I copied the letter and links to the relevant discussions to the inspector. As I have some knowledge in this field I would say that the error was not corrected at all as this would involve withdrawing the proposal and this did not happen. 

I also have no problem with diversification of the business if it leads to improvements. We are seeing too many closures with no replacements. We aren't even seeing a rapid timetable for improvement to motorhome points. 

I'm afraid that the club is coming across as if they are preparing for a sale or merger.  They aren't are they?

...as far as I know, the answer to your last statement is No.  

David

As Jayess quoted my last post before I finished editing, I'll add the edit again as it's relevant to Jayess' final paragraph.......

In my opinion, 'Sites' are still the most important provision that the Club provides for its members, and personally I can't see this changing in our lifetime. Who knows what will happen in another age - we might not even have caravans or motorhomes - then the Club will need to change its name and logo once more. 

Probably what would be interesting is to know how many sites are freehold and how many are leasehold. I am sure that 20 odd years ago the Club got quite good terms for running a leasehold site and investment was worthwhile given the length of the lease. I expect as leaseholds come up for renewal the owners of the lease are increasing less likely to offer a long term option which brings into question whether investment is worthwhile. The pressure on local authorities to build houses will make the provision of campsites near to towns a very low priority. The reverse of that is that building them in the countryside will become less welcome as a perceived protection of the countryside against further urbanisation! We seem to be entering a period where we are losing a lot of sites 

As for the Club organising discount on cruises, why not. Surely none of us are complete slaves to the camping tradition. Nice to have an extra bit of luxury now and them Mind you it's such a competitive business that there might be better bargains out there without the Club discount.

David

On the leading Club page the introduction titles are

1 holidays abroad

2 Insurance

3 Book a site

!

Surely none of us are complete slaves to the camping tradition.Wrong again, David. We have only ever gone away in our caravan during the 15 yrs or so since retirement, (for over 250 nights each year), and are not interested whatsoever in doing other wise. Perhaps we are unique, but I doubt it.

Since I retired 9 years ago all holidays have been in caravan. We have had a few weekends in hotel with friends though. Sadly a few of those are no longer alive!