Posted on 19/01/2017 20:23
Prior to the new year there were 3 months when the number of new CL's exceeded the number that had closed, however the reverse is the case in the January magazine with 4 new sites but the closure of 12. Could this be because of the lack of support from HO for CL's that is now becoming apparent from the way that the new web site is treating them?
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Posted on 21/01/2017 14:56 by FishermanI dont understand the reluctance to at least explore the possibility of increased size with the relevant authorities. The details on size, access etc could be thrashed out later. We know the Government is keen to relax planning rules and surely a system that is 50+ years old could do with a revisit.
Posted on 21/01/2017 15:19
Fisherman,this subject has been discussed at length in previous posts and the CC have made their reasons for not pursuing a change very clear. Many members are quite happy with the five van limit and do not want it changed. You are quite at liberty to choose a bigger site if you so wish and CL owners are quite at liberty to obtain planning consent if they want a bigger site, win, win for all as far as I can but you seem as though you will not be happy until there are no small CL's remaining.
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Posted on 21/01/2017 15:19 by VulcanFisherman,this subject has been discussed at length in previous posts and the CC have made their reasons for not pursuing a change very clear. Many members are quite happy with the five van limit and do not want it changed. You are quite at liberty to choose a bigger site if you so wish and CL owners are quite at liberty to obtain planning consent if they want a bigger site, win, win for all as far as I can but you seem as though you will not be happy until there are no small CL's remaining.
Posted on 21/01/2017 21:30
However the point of the OP was surely to question why CL's are closing which will eventually suggest less choice. What we don't know is the reason for so many closures. Now it could be that its just an end of year blip where CL owners decide they won't offer the facility for next year. Alternatively it could be a sign that the network of CL's is shrinking. I think all people are doing is suggesting a few ideas on how we stop the number closing and hopefully encouraging more to open.
David
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Posted on 21/01/2017 22:18
CLs are closing because the great mass of Caravan and Motorhome owners don't want them. One group wants fully equipped campsites, the other group wants locations with access to towns and tourist attractions. Small rural campsites - even with a limit of 50 rather than 5 - are closing all over France. Increasing the limit will make little difference if they are not what the mass of tourists want.
A vociferous minority on here will continue to proclaim their undying love for CLs, but closures will continue. CLs are a quaint British, members only, anomaly which have outlived their time.
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Posted on 22/01/2017 17:05
Having read threads on other forums it appears that the younger caravanners with children want sites with full amenities to keep the kids occupied, not basic sites where they might have to entertain their own kids or god forbid actually taking them out exploring the countryside or even rock pooling. One I read this morning actually said it didn't seem right for their 2 year old to be out in the cold while they were inside a nice warm van.
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Posted on 22/01/2017 21:35
As a CL Owner and Member I would like to add my thoughts on this subject.
Firstly why are CL's leaving the Club, and I think there are two main reasons which are folks who are retiring as they are in a position that they maybe need to invest more in their site such as Hard Standings and maybe electricity in order to take the modern motorhomes or caravans and have a reasonable number of bookings or perhaps are not computer literate to keep up with the pace of events taking place.
The next group are those who want to dip their toes in the water to see if there is a market for a commercial site in an area, and what better a place can you start by becoming a CL. Get yourself known see how busy you are and if it is a success then go off on your own, after all you have customers who know you and if you leave just prior to the new Handbook being presented then you have the bonus of 2 years free advertising in the book.
David www.perthshirecl.co.uk
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Posted on 22/01/2017 17:05 by ChefJimHaving read threads on other forums it appears that the younger caravanners with children want sites with full amenities to keep the kids occupied, not basic sites where they might have to entertain their own kids or god forbid actually taking them out exploring the countryside or even rock pooling. One I read this morning actually said it didn't seem right for their 2 year old to be out in the cold while they were inside a nice warm van.
Posted on 22/01/2017 21:46
Having a bit of a job getting my post on here, but would like to add that as we are restricted to Club members only, our only source of advertising is the Club Magazine and with only 3 CL's being mentioned each month therefore if there are 2300 CL's it will take over 63 years for everybody to get a mention ( providing no more recruitment takes place ! ). I would have hoped our membership of the Club was worth a little bit more than that in order to promote our business / hobby and keep members happy, and when you compare this with the mention club sites get each month, there is no comparison.
David www.perthshirecl.co.uk
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nelliethehooker
Caravanner