Increase size of CLs?

Part two

Roll down the years, add on lots of extras at some of the older CLs, such as eggs for sale, a nice dog walk, a bit of grassed area for children to play on, maybe some sort of hard standing and it keeps regular and happy visitors like us returning year after year and spreading the word to friends and family.

Now comes the rub. We long time caravanners are getting old and a tad creaky, we love our massive vans with fixed beds, we love all the gadgets and electrically dependent kit that comes with a modern van. Alongside this is the new wave of vanners, younger, seldom gone without EHU or wifi or all the other things that make life easy. Don't perhaps want to take the care required on grass when a HS is easier. So the older CL doesn't get used as much, people look for more.

Then you have the new CL owners, possibly the site is ultimately going to be the main income, once the ropes have been learned and more pitches can be applied for. They will need a quicker return on the money invested. So the prices are higher or the venture fails.

This is two reasons why CLs are opening and closing at such a rate, and how they are changing in nature so much.

There is a major problem with closures and few new openings. The majority of users want EHU and prefrably hard standing, particularly when the season is extended at both ends. I fully understand that putting these in  are expensive even for DIY. There is sureley a debate to reconsider the 50 year old rule of 5 vans in certain circumstances, the biggest being space availability. If we Keep burying our heads in the sand the situation will only get worse, Loss/Loss for everyone.

There are hundreds of small private sites catering for the EHU and HS requirement, many of them ex CL. We know, we have used four in this last year. Why don't people who are saying extend the 5 van rule use these? We found some lovely places with 10, 15, 20, 30 pitches (so not big commercial site), but we also value the 5 pitch only sites as well. It is really nice to have these tiny, unspoilt little gems. 

As Supertractorman made the statement and already has a successful CL, Stu, I guess he has a fair idea of what's involved.

I also have a succesful CL, I know whats involved and despite all the electrical work being done by a friend the materials costs alone (event at trade price) was significant given the return - I dont do it to make money but implying the CL owners are exadgerating the costs is quite frankly a bit offensive!

The cost of installing these facilities will vary hugely depending on how big the CL is, where the nearest services are located and if the connection is suitable under current regulations....  enough said about it now anyway. 

Stuh, bit confused about your CL. It isn't showing EHU available on the CL search? Just thought I would mention, perhaps need to contact Club to amend your entry? If someone puts in EHU required, then it will not bring yours up and you will be losing potential customers and income, not good after spending on having EHU installed.

takethedog along- Isthere a list of tyese sites or how do youfind them?

As Supertractorman made the statement and already has a successful CL, Stu, I guess he has a fair idea of what's involved.

I also have a succesful CL, I know whats involved and despite all the electrical work being done by a friend the materials costs alone (event at trade price) was significant given the return - I dont do it to make money but implying the CL owners are exadgerating the costs is quite frankly a bit offensive!

The cost of installing these facilities will vary hugely depending on how big the CL is, where the nearest services are located and if the connection is suitable under current regulations....  enough said about it now anyway. 

 

I don't see anything offensive, Stu. Most farmers have equipment, such as tractors and diggers, and materials, such as hard core, already to hand and may not have had to incur the expense that you have if you don't have these items. STM will have been speaking from his own experience as you spoke from yours.

takethedog along- Isthere a list of tyese sites or how do youfind them?

Hi Fisherman. You can narrow down your CL search to a certain extent using CL search. Click on Quick Links (top of page) Click CL. Brings up CL page. Click on Find a Site. This should bring up CL search page, where you can enter your preferred location, by site name, County or Town. On this same page, if you scroll down, it gives you a list of options to tick to narrow down your search. For example, Adult Only, Dogs Accepted, Electrical Hook Up etc..... I think there are even a couple of icons for course and game fishing! It isn't fool proof, for example you cannot choose a site that is dog free, but it does help a bit. It certainly shows up those with EHU, if (and it is a big if!) owners have kept Club up to date with additional services. Relies on owners providing correct information, and Club updating website accurately and promptly!

We always phone a CL direct to talk to owners and ask questions, as not all information can be put on website. Some CLs have really good information, others, particularly if it has been a long established CL, before the days of emails and Internet might not have as much. These are often the real gems, quiet, cheap and off the beaten track!

I have just realised that you might be talking about the small private sites I mentioned Fish, if so apologies for the above!

In that case, we use UKcampsites to search, ignoring big commercials , but looking at smaller ones. Then we Google Earth them, read reviews, if in area might even take a peek!  Two we found last year: West Kyloe Farm up near Beal, Northumberland. We voted it our place of the year. Stunning location and views, shower and loos, great for dogs. We paid £15 per night in August. Then there is Walkmill Farm near Warkworth. 10 caravan pitches, 10 tent pitches in a separate area, loos and showers, huge static caravan that doubles as an information point, comfy lounge area and basic kitchen all spotlessly clean. You can even hire a private loo for exclusive use! That was £19 per night, again gorgeous location in loop of River Coquet. 

Part two

Roll down the years, add on lots of extras at some of the older CLs, such as eggs for sale, a nice dog walk, a bit of grassed area for children to play on, maybe some sort of hard standing and it keeps regular and happy visitors like us returning year after year and spreading the word to friends and family.

Now comes the rub. We long time caravanners are getting old and a tad creaky, we love our massive vans with fixed beds, we love all the gadgets and electrically dependent kit that comes with a modern van. Alongside this is the new wave of vanners, younger, seldom gone without EHU or wifi or all the other things that make life easy. Don't perhaps want to take the care required on grass when a HS is easier. So the older CL doesn't get used as much, people look for more.

Then you have the new CL owners, possibly the site is ultimately going to be the main income, once the ropes have been learned and more pitches can be applied for. They will need a quicker return on the money invested. So the prices are higher or the venture fails.

This is two reasons why CLs are opening and closing at such a rate, and how they are changing in nature so much.

...Fabulous parts one and two puts it all into perspective