Loosing More CLs, why?

Eurotraveller.  

I'm sure there are some lovely sites in France and elsewhere on the continent, run by Ex-Pats (or even locals) that offer a warm welcome, I'm always open to learning new ways..

Sadly, I don't have much time to visit them, as I'm here, at Cholsey Grange, mowing the pitches and trying to offer a 5-star welcome and service to CAMC members, running a small farm and working in a full-time job.  I therefore rarely get the chance to leave the farm even for a few days.  But CT is a constant source of inspiration!

We have to face reality.  We are in the UK, where strict planning laws (particularly strict in the AONB's) ensure that our rural landscape is not blighted by uncontrolled development.  Hence we have to make the best of what we've got.  

We all agree that generally Member expectations are rising, and to meet that demand, a number of CL's are investing in hardstanding, EHU, Toilets and WiFi.  On the other hand there's a vocal (minority?) group here on CT asking for CL owners to 'keep it basic' and not charge more than a few quid..  So what do we do? Enhance or Keep Basic?

What I do know, having looked at the websites, facebook pages and the reviews of the hundreds of CL's who are now members of the CL Owners Group, is that the vast majority of CL owners want to provide excellent service and thereby earn 5-star reviews. However, most of them (like myself) can't be on-hand full-time on the CL to offer advice and a welcome, as it is a second or third string to their bow.  

I'm sure that many CL's would welcome the chance to 'expand' to 7 or 10 van sites (it's a frequent request within our group of owners) and develop their enterprise into the type of larger site with more facilities and a full-time warden that you have found in France or elsewhere on your euro-travels.   Indeed some former CL's have taken this route and 'gone commercial', but many (like us) prefer to stay small and stick within the Club and it’s rules.  

The 5 van restriction may well be past it's 'sell by date' but it's not going to change without an Act of Parliament, and I for one have don't wish to venture into politics just now!

I'd also agree that there a number of CL's still that remain on the network that are; rather too basic or unattractive or poorly managed to meet the needs or expectations of members such as yourself (I saw one myself a month or so ago), but in time, they will likely leave the network.

What we are trying to do within the CL Owners Group is help existing CL Owners provide a better 'customer experience'. Arguably this should be led (or at least supported by) the Club itself.

I look forward to exchanging more ideas with you over a coffee or a pint when you visit our CL one day, on your way to or from the continent!  Book now to avoid disappointment, we are often fully booked :)

Best wishes, Ted @ Cholsey Grange

I have to say that CL's  seem the only way to increase the number of pitches available to members. The club close sites rather than openning new ones  😲😔. On this tiny island the opportunity to acquire new large sites for club purposes must be very limited so we need a proactive club!  If we want a choice of pitches and where they are we definitely need to encourage CL's as the club seem to want to increase membership without the infrastructure.  Oh I think I've heard that in another context before 😉. The club need to see CL'S as the asset they are and assist with their webpages and photos reviews promoting etc etc them not hinder them!

I can say hand on heart we've had lovely welcomes from CL's, CS's commercial and both club sites in this country. I'm happy to be told by an owner to choose where to pitch on arrival and I'll catch up with you during your visit or I'll mark your pitch turn up as late as you want without disturbing others. CL owners especially can't be expected to be ready and waiting to suit our whims and the traffic, they have things to do and a life to live too. I have never not seen someone in charge, if the owners unavailable, during our stays. 

We've even had cakes as a welcome. I'd prefer a decent information area about the locality that overly gushing welcomes. It's nice to chat but equally nice to just greet folks 😉

As a previous visitor to Ted's CL I can only add that it's in a lovely place and we enjoyed staying there. Every CL is unique and having five vans only is a treat for those of us who like it that way! 

Thanks for the informative posts Ted, the details were much appreciated, pleased to hear a group of you have banded together.

Hi Brue.  Thanks for your kind words about our CL.  We hope to see you again sometime.. The group is going from strength to strength - in fact it has gone up by 30 new Members today.. Best  Ted

What seems to be obvious from these posts is the lack of support the Cls get from the club.  As we have seen club sites close and the Cl network is shrinking.  Cant those tea drinkers at HO not see that its the basic structure that needs investment, not the fringe things.

I live in a rural area - small rural schools don't survive, nor small village shops and post offices, and small pubs go out of business too - it's all a fact of life due to lack of customers in every case. They are not what people want.  And if the customers are not supporting small rural CLs then they will close too. No amount of support from Head Office will alter the economics.

Each month in the magazine they do a review of the attractions of a particular area to visit and within it they mention what sites are in the area.  Since the rebrand they now review some CL's in the area as well as club sites with some spiel from the owner and people on site so they get the same exposure as the club site(s).

I agree John regarding the comments about a tap in a muddy field- this sort of comment does nothing to encourage folk to try off grid caravanning- in fact I have never come across such a site! . The club is just as guilty by not doing what a club should do - by supporting ALL its members. By not carrying a decently detailed and unbiased article from a genuine non EHUer, exploring the new opportunities offered by the new technologies and by keeping as quiet as they can about it - they are failing in their duty as a club to inform and educate. Sniping from the side with articles called 'Back to basics' does nothing for the non EHU CLs- in fact it positively discriminates against them. Well done John for your benevolence towards caravanners- you deserve our thanks and gratitude and I apologise for my clubs treatment of you- no wonder we are losing sites!! I will soon embark on a 3 week non EHU visit to Dorset- a period of time that I have never done before- I have absolutely no doubt that I will have all the comforts of home.

TBH we have no real interest in going back to basics with non EHU as had plenty of that in my youth in the services.  We are both retired and now like some comfort in our lives so we support CLs that have EHU that allows us to TV in the evenings as that is our way of relaxation. 

We have attended one of two short non EHU rallies, but now prefer to avoid them.  However this is our preference and others prefer non EHU CLs. 

What we have noticed with some CLs is that a club site nearby is almost as cheap to use and with more facilties.  One CL we looked at about 3 - 4 years ago wanted £20 a night.  We are happy to pay £12 a night for a normal CL or up to £15 if the pitch is fully serviced. 

Agree Surfer- many don't offer what we consider basic and others price them selves out of the market. Just looking today. web shows £13 (2017) but review indicates they charge £15. Why is their prices not up to date. We have passed that Cl over.