Where is the Caravan Club going?

We were at a lovely site in an orchard last summer - not Club or CL. There were few caravans, tents or campervans there, but a wooden tent (a pod I suppose) , a tree house with access up a ladder, and a Romany type wooden caravan were all booked up. Obviously all were popular. 

I have only seen the pods at Strathclyde Park where they are on two of the underutilised tent pitches. As long as they are used in areas where a pitch is not posdible or in areas underutilised then I do not see it as a problem. They may be copying the C&CC who also have statics and ready pitched tents available on some sites.

Does anyone know if the addition of pods and tent pitches has led to a reduction in pitch numbers on any site?  If it has, then I would tend to agree with the OP, that it isn't a good thing.  However, if the tent and pod pitches are in addition to existing pitches then more people are being accommodated  and that it a good thing.

I think its all a question of proportion. If the Club were to introduce dozens of pods on sites taking up valueable hardstanding pitches I would be as equally concerned as the next person. If, as the Club seems to be doing, sites have two or three pods and a tent area I can't see there is much to complain about. One major positive is that families with mixed units can stay on the same site.

David

We have been members for around 30 years, on and off. In that time we have camped, in a tent, on a variety of the Club's sites, including Wincanton, Leyburn and a few others. They have allowed tents on some sites for years, they do not take up pitch spaces, the charges as I recall were not particularly cheap, compared with other camp sites. It isn't something new, but like the pods, it is the Club extending it's range and moving forwards with other leisure providers and trying to offer something to keep and capture new members. 

Does anyone know if the addition of pods and tent pitches has led to a reduction in pitch numbers on any site?  If it has, then I would tend to agree with the OP, that it isn't a good thing.  However, if the tent and pod pitches are in addition to existing pitches then more people are being accommodated  and that it a good thing.

the two pods at Brighton are on prime vanning pitches, just past the entrance on the left, close to the new/refurbed shower block.....however, as i said earlier, we have been there three times recently and not one night occupied in either....whereas the site will be virtually full at half term (apart from the huts) thus losing two plum pitches to those who tour.

folk who glamp and not camp, wont visit a beach hut in the off season at £40/50 a night to 'ruff it' ....too flaming cold, they want lovely sunny warm weather to sit outside with their gin & tonics.....this isnt the south of France, where this sort of facility works well with the sitting outside culture, its chilly england.... 

they might somehow generate a good overall annual income (as they are nearly two to three times the price) but might still be underused facility, especially this early in the year.....whereas two more touring pitches might be used far more, yet generate less income per night.....

if the 'model' works, would we want the whole site covered with pods?......if they make money?

the two pods at Brighton are on prime vanning pitches, just past the entrance on the left, close to the new/refurbed shower block.....however, as i said earlier, we have been there three times recently and not one night occupied in either....whereas the site will be virtually full at half term (apart from the huts) thus losing two plum pitches to those who tour.

 

That would seem a little odd. Could it be they are up to the planning permission limit for vans but pods are permitted? When we were at Brecon, a year and a bit ago, they had 10 or so pitches that could not be occupied, because there was no planning permission for that number of vans.

The CC have explained this before, the pods are put on under used areas I believe? The tent pitches are often in areas not suitable for vans. At Hillhead the nice camping area was used for more van pitches and the tent pitches were moved to the lower, frequently wet area., less pitches too. There are so few of these pitches I can't see a problem.

I've just looked up pods in the UK holidays section, only three sites have them.

IMHO

The CC has evolved; and should continue to trial and consider new ideas for revenue growth.

Consider how the requirements and size of outfits has grown over the years. More site space has been used for facilities that some members require and pitch size to permit some of them to enter, pitch and exit.

All this is typically basd on meeting the requirements of how members choose their style of camping - EHU, shower blocks and large or small units.

Therefore, pods; are they really a big concern - or is this just another string to CC's bow to ensure they accomodate a new style of choice?