Network Shrinkage

cyberyacht replied on 11/01/2018 17:09

cyberyacht

Posted on 11/01/2018 17:09

I see from the current magazine that we have lost a further 13 CLs with no new ones at all this month. Particularly disconcerting is that yet another one that I have visited has closed. I'm beginning to wonder if a visit from me is the "kiss of death".

Why are we seeing this inexorable decline? Is it the increasing desire for full facilities which make it uneconomic for small operators, a shortage of "a new generation of adventurers"or whatever that buzzphrase was, the minimal cash return that make owners think "it's not worth the bother" or is it really all my fault?

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209 replies

eurortraveller replied on 02/03/2018 10:14

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eurortraveller

Posted on 02/03/2018 10:14

Believe meTigerfish, I have used them...but the world has moved on.

brue replied on 02/03/2018 10:45

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brue

Motorhomer

Posted on 02/03/2018 09:51 by DavidKlyne

Just a question to those that mainly use CL's or at at least are regular users of CL's. What is the general age profile of users, for example do you get many younger families use them or is the general experience that it is mainly the 50 plus age group who enjoy the peace and quiet offered?

David

Posted on 02/03/2018 10:45

A Cornish CL we often used was very popular with family groups in the summer so we tended to use it out of the main holidays. It was in a lovely spot and I'm sure our family would have loved it too, a waterside site with loads of space to freely explore. Much depends on where a site is and what's nearby for families. This particular place is not a cheap CL, no extras but has the added value of being in a very good spot.

Wherenext replied on 02/03/2018 16:04

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Wherenext

Campervanner

Posted on 01/03/2018 18:59 by Wherenext

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.

Posted on 02/03/2018 16:04

Out of the 16 that were announced s closing or closed in the latest magazine 6 of them will continue to be campsites, the rest closing for a variety of reasons. So quite a few just quitting the CL system.

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Wherenext replied on 02/03/2018 16:43

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Wherenext

Campervanner

Posted on 02/03/2018 09:51 by DavidKlyne

Just a question to those that mainly use CL's or at at least are regular users of CL's. What is the general age profile of users, for example do you get many younger families use them or is the general experience that it is mainly the 50 plus age group who enjoy the peace and quiet offered?

David

Posted on 02/03/2018 16:43

David we tend to use CLs out of school holiday times so our view of average age etc. is somewhat skewered. During last autumns spell away we stayed on CLs that were mostly full and I would say that 80% of the members staying were in the 50-75 year age range, the other 20% being working people seen at weekends, about half with children.

The Cls we stayed in summer had a very similar split. Maybe someone who stays on CLs when children are on their holidays can answer your question for that particular period.

Wherenext replied on 02/03/2018 16:46

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Wherenext

Campervanner

Posted on 02/03/2018 16:46

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HelenandTrevor replied on 02/03/2018 16:53

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HelenandTrevor

Caravanner

Posted on 02/03/2018 09:51 by DavidKlyne

Just a question to those that mainly use CL's or at at least are regular users of CL's. What is the general age profile of users, for example do you get many younger families use them or is the general experience that it is mainly the 50 plus age group who enjoy the peace and quiet offered?

David

Posted on 02/03/2018 16:53

We often used CL'S with the children at weekends and during school holidays, there were often other families onsite too. Have to admit that now we tend to take our breaks outside the school holidays so have not seen many recently. Reading CL reviews though they do seem to be used by families.

DaveCyn replied on 02/03/2018 18:16

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DaveCyn

Caravanner

Posted on 02/03/2018 16:04 by Wherenext

Out of the 16 that were announced s closing or closed in the latest magazine 6 of them will continue to be campsites, the rest closing for a variety of reasons. So quite a few just quitting the CL system.

Posted on 02/03/2018 18:16

Been looking at Freedom Camping website. When reading the "about us" section they make great emphasis on the fact they can also issue Camping Certification for small sites.

Big difference though in that they issue on available space with some sites being up to 30 or more units.

No joining fee and a free night each year.

ocsid replied on 02/03/2018 19:00

Member

ocsid

Caravanner

Posted on 02/03/2018 18:16 by DaveCyn

Been looking at Freedom Camping website. When reading the "about us" section they make great emphasis on the fact they can also issue Camping Certification for small sites.

Big difference though in that they issue on available space with some sites being up to 30 or more units.

No joining fee and a free night each year.

Posted on 02/03/2018 19:00

The law however only allows them to offfer camping for 5 "caravans", irrespective of the site size under the "exemption" scheme*. They can of course get local Authority Planning consent for a site of whatever number they can successfully apply for, or if they limit use to 28 days per year basically do what they want.

"Caravans" includes Motorhomes, tents are covered by different provisions.

The 5 caravan limit is not a CMC rule other than complying with the law, something all organisations have to face.

There are also provisions for "meets" up to 28 days per year.

*- Caravan Sites and Control of Development Act 1960

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replied on 04/03/2018 16:32

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Caravanner

Posted on 02/03/2018 10:06 by

What will kill the CL is members not wishing to pay enough for the privilege of using them and/or not using them. Although I have fond memories of the CL network right through the 1980s they were then pretty basic for the much part. A favourite bolt hole of mine was between Tarvin and Oscroft. Two rows of level flags, probably a manhole for emptying toilet and a wooden shed with toilet and handwash. They sold honey and beeswax that I finished home made furniture with. A few adjacent paddocks and I used to love to see the guinea fowl 'herd' go running off in the morning and back before dusk. It was useful as my wife had a number of aunts, uncles, cousins, also parents in the area and we attended christenings, marriages, birthdays etc.

The point is that I have no idea how much they charged but I doubt that it was as low as £1.50 a night which would be the equivalent of £8 or so now.

There are a couple of CLs that I would wish to use when we visit certain areas. They have EHU and hard site track which I prefer. Toilets as well I think and possibly showers. Probably around £18 to £20 a night which is fine by me.

Can anybody remember what they were paying in the 80s?

Posted on 04/03/2018 16:32

I remember them being around £1.50 a night in the eighties but there was no electric hook-up then.

Qashqai66 replied on 05/03/2018 14:30

Qashqai66

Posted on 05/03/2018 14:30

We never use Club Sites and often find perfect CL sites and sometimes have the whole site to ourselves. However, we do like to have EHU.

Years ago we did use Club sites but that was before the days of EHU, toilet blocks etc.

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