Loosing More CLs, why?

Personally I like CLs because they are small, I don't think it's the need for larger capacity that is closing them, there must be various reasons. But CLs haven't had a good start with the new web site which is very disappointing. I would prefer an automatic search that brought up both CC sites and CLs together in a chosen area.

It's a real shame we are losing CL'S, a few that we have stayed on in the past have now closed, and it would be interesting to know why.

I have been trying to find a few for our holidays this year, and am also finding the new website hard work. 😬

Ah, sorry if I jumped to the wrong assumption.

We are all used to mod cons and travelling abroad and to nice hotels etc.

Why must many people think that what they do is done by one and all? It really gets my goat that some people think that they can speak for evrybody!!!! I can't remember when the last time was that we, as a couple, stayed at a hotel or travelled abroad. Certainly it's not been for 15 yrs at least. Why can't you accept that some people only need a flattish pitch, water and, for us anyway, EHU? We do like H/S during the winter months but have no problem using grass pitches at other times.

It seems to me that the Club, through the Magazine have been investing quite a lot of print inches to promote CL's with interviews of the owners and their customers and some nice pictures.

David, I know that they do mention a few (3) each month, but with the new issue they are no longer listing the facilities available on those CLs as they used to do. It would be good if the HO/ magazine gave the reason why sites have closed, as they used to do, but perhaps if the sites have gone commercial they would not want to mention that!!

The only time I've talked to an owner who has left the CL and packed up for good the reason given by him was that the income was't worth the hassle of the mowing, regs, being around for bookings etc. He only earned about £2,000/£2,500 profit each year and felt he could earn more doing something else, so basically it was an economic decision.

I don't believe it's a generational thing - I think you'll find that a lot more of the older generation don't like roughing it either - they have usually paid a lot for their outfit, take a lot of care and pride in it and prefer hardstandings and electric, cut grass, showers and toilets and although they have their own facilities on board, prefer to use on site facilities as that is what they have done over the years prior to getting more modern vans.   My caravanning parents wouldn't dream of using the on board facilities if a wash room is available as they are used to tramping across site of a morning to use them.   The younger generation wouldn't be seen dead in their onesies and pj's popping across to the toilet block especially if they have their own!

We use CLs on a regular basis, mostly those others would consider on the basic side, a nice bit of grass, water tap, somewhere to empty waste and a hook up. I would say location is the prime consideration in terms of attracting business. In fact, our favourite Cornish CL, quite basic had to be booked at least a year in advance. They never advertised, didn't need to, no website, but just provided a warm welcome, kept the site tidy. Being farmers, they are practical people, able and willing to do their own work on the land, carry out repairs, with a network of reliable contacts for checking and certificating things such as electrics. No restrictions on who can or can't stay, children welcome, pets welcome, no long list of rules and regulations just common sense approach, no restrictions on arrival times, if a pitch is available you drive straight on. A location second to none. Pitches full at least April through to October, but still quite busy all year around.

Nowadays, CLs are being set up sometimes as the sole or at least primary income source, and based on five pitches, providing lots of extras, putting in certain restrictions, perhaps taking a gambol on the location, some are bound to fail. The economics will just not add up, the best hope is to build a reputation via the Club, so that word gets out, then hope to extend via planning permission. We know of two lovely smallish private sites that have successfully done this.

"I don't believe it's a generational thing - I think you'll find that a lot more of the older generation don't like roughing it either -" 

I am quite sure a lot of the older generation don’t like roughing it, they possibly never have and as ageing are unlikely now to take it up. They may well also comprise the bulk of those using the all singing sites.

I said nothing contrary to that.

However, as a user of almost exclusively rudimentary 5 van sites and basic field rallies, those with just a tap and loo dump in terms of facilities, we very rarely find more than the occasional camper of a younger generation.

Other users going onto the basic sites we have not visited, might be seeing predominantly younger campers, though it seems odd we don’t.

Should it be as we observe that basic 5 van sites are being used by predominately older campers then these sites will fade with the natural decline of that clientèle.

As posted above, I suspect the primary reason for decline is economic. The solution is for the legislation to be amended to allow say 8 vans per CL which would make it more viable. There does, however, seem to be considerable resistance to pursuing this course.