Network Shrinkage

Maybe the club would not want us to know, especially if the CL is still open or had its licence withdrawn due to some infringement. 

My thoughts too. I've asked on a number of occasions if they intend to out in the reason for "closure" but it's apparent that they don't want to do that.......I wonder why!!

I  must admit that looking through the latest closures that there were a couple of very interesting sounding CLs with all the relevant infra structure one would be looking for so I might dig the details out and check on ukcampsites web pages in a few days time.

Are the details of those that have closed on-line, WN. I like to keep my Site directory up to date with closures and can check back if we've used any in the past..

ISTM that most months the closures in the Magazine are in double figures. I suspect that it is the lack of commitment by CAMC to the network that is precipitating the apparent closures. I suspect the reality is that many of them are defections, hence the lack of a "reason for closure".

Not to my knowledge NTH. Just going to do a bit of private digging but been a tad busy today. Looks like we'll be stuck indoors tomorrow so might have a go then.

My wife and I now only use CL,s whereas until about 4 years ago we had predominately used club sites since we started caravanning in about 1978.

Why the change?  2 reasons!  The first was the enforced regimentation of siting of vans which crept in a few years ago, but the second was the big rise in Club site fees.

The concept of caravanning had always been along the lines of  the freedom and the inexpensive costs of the Pass time.  The regimentation put an end to the freedom and the costs soon exceeded the £20 per night self imposed limit..  The CL corrected both of those issues as far as I was concerned, so it was goodbye to Club sites.

The rapid rate of CL closures worries me very much.  So I have made a point of discussing it with a number of CL owners.   In the main the root cause of them is the 5 Van limit.  From their point of view the season tends to be quite short.  A few vans in March, - very few!  Then in April, a few more, but often none at all.  May is better, as is June, but they are seldom full. Then in July, August, and partially September they are full and turning people away.  October Quiet again and thats about it.  They do not vary charges according to season and so their ability to recover their costs and earn a little pin money is essentially limited to about 12 weeks of a 52 week year.

If they could increase numbers to about 10, to maximise their take in that busy time they would turn a usual slight loss into a possible profit.

Their is very little help from the CC, so they look to getting local planning permission into becoming a small commercial site.

I suspect that the CC are not wanting to assist because the more small commercial sites grow, AND keep their prices below the very high CC prices on club sites, they are becoming a threat to the CC.

TF

I have used CL's ever since I started caravanning in 1975. I have only stayed on 3 CC sites, there are too many people for my liking on the big sites.

The only "luxury" that I want is EHU, WiFi is fast becoming desirable too, but I am quite happy using the facilities in my van, I don't find it a problem in any way.

I think the Club ought to ask some of the Member CL owners to give us some idea of their problems, so that we may address them.

I first joined the club in 1986 using CLs and some commercials. I didn't use my first club site until 2007. Given the way the prices are rising, this usage of club sites is declining and might become non-existent fairly shortly. It's only the CL network that makes membership worthwhile.

Out of the recent closures I have managed to find 2 that have gone independent, 6 that have ceased to take tourers for various reasons including death of owner, too much hassle and not financially viable. Haven't had time as yet to look into rest of them, but will.