New CL: fantasy price

Fysh I think you would be an excellent addition to the club's management. I agree with much of what you say. Despite my post on the earlier page I do think that there is competition out there which will erode the traditional customer base of  CLs. 

As I'm still working with limited time off it is location that is my main factor in deciding where to stay and price is less of an issue. If the difference between two sites is less than the price of a pint I'm not quibbling. For others price is more of an issue. 

I think a lot of people look for CLs based on price. We know that some are kitted up to go off grid and want the very best value they can find with really basic facilities.

I'm not in that category and like a HS and EHU at the very least. Consequently, if that pushes the price too high I'll stick with CC/C&CC/commercial sites. To use Jay's analogy in a slightly different way, if the difference between the cost of a CL  and a CC site is the price of a pint, you won't find me on the CL.

Just back from 24 nights on CLs in South Wales - average cost a tad over £13 per night.

For us the most important aspect of a CL is the location and we will pay accordingly.

Generally we will consider:

No facility CL £6 - £10 per night - at £10 location/view would have to be exceptional.

EHU CL £10 - £13 per night - at £13 again location would need to be very good.

Full facility (EHU, Shower, Toilet) CL £12 - £15 per night.

Generally between May and August we prefer simple no facility CLs as we have a solar panel etc.  Outside that period we tend to look for EHU (unless just for a couple of nights) as the panel struggles to generate enough to keep up with usage.

We only use full facility CLs if the location makes them a better choice than more simple sites since we see no point in paying extra for a shower and toilet since the facilities in our van are perfectly adequate.  We dont care about hard standing since we have a 4 wheel drive car and have never yet got stuck.

We will use main CC sites if there are no suitable CLs but would never pay more than about £23 a night and would prefer to pay no more than £20.

Generally we think CLs provide excellent value for money and would like to see more simple sites at the circa £8 a night price point.

The problem with simple sites at £8 per night is that they are never full and the fixed costs remain the same making them not viable, hence they close.   

I understand the approach taken by JayEss but I think he/she is overlooking one thing.  Yes £20 may well be not too much & less than a night out down the pub, - but you dont do that every night do you? Well I don't anyway.

So paying £20 per night for a 10 night stay will cost a hell of a lot more than £13 per night.  You can do quite a bit with that £70 on your holiday!

If I am only having a short weekend stay then like you, I'm not so bothered about the price.  But a longer stay? - Thats different.

TF

I agree TF and my second post made that clearer I hope. 

We are a long way off retirement and all our breaks are relatively short. So the impact of a difference in a nightly price is less for me than for most. Hence if a CL is exactly where I want to be I would pay more because it may lead to savings in fuel or travelling time. 

I think £20 a night is a bit strong but even so I wouldn't rule the CL out based on price alone. A lot will and only time will tell if it's viable 

The problem with simple sites at £8 per night is that they are never full and the fixed costs remain the same making them not viable, hence they close.   

Quite agree Gibbo.

Fantasy or reality? I have just worked out some figures for running a basic CL and by my calculations the very basic cost to an owner would mean an occupancy rate of 219 nights at £8 per night and 350 nights at £5, which I think would be unlikely. This does not include any labour, rent, business rate or website fees or water rate. This is just to break even and I am sure there are costs that I have not taken into account.

Interestingly the biggest increase in costs over the last few years has been insurance, and the cost of disposal of rubbish which has risen considerably.

Surely the CL owner should be able to make some sort of profit, even enough to cover the labour involved? Personally I think they give terrific value for money.

Costs which may not be apparent to all include a huge hike in home insurance as you have to have business cover and the inability to get normal mortgages as you are classed as a business, Santander turned us down, a quote from the NFU for our house and cl and shower block tractor mower etc last year was £1200 we found cheaper but still considerable, add to that the CC asked us to remove all barbed wire from the site, therefore we had to renew the fences, plant screening had to be put in to shield from neighbours view, the small pit at the entrance had to be fenced, the entrance had to be hardcored and I could go on!!

Some very interesting post on this thread, especially the last couple of pages. We love CLs, always have, used them for last thirty years with camper van, caravan and now MH. We are still happy to use very basic CLs in the Summer, the location, peace and quiet, and views being  the most important factors for us. So anything under £10 in this category is great. Once EHU is included, then provided the location is good, and peaceful we are still happy at the £15 level. But a basic CL at that price would have to be exceptional, as we have found some small private sites with decent shower and loo facilities at the £15 price range.(We have a small MH, just two adults)

I am intrigued by the Club asking you to carry out so many tasks gibbo, as we stay on lots of places with barb wire fences and unscreened bin areas, and direct access onto grass. Can quite understand your dilemma regarding pricing though, as you say some hidden costs.

When I set my CL up the club asked me to completely fence off the CL from the rest of the field, which added £2000 of fencing and gates to the set up costs. They also asked me to plant trees and plants. It has all added to the CL but these are costs that are not always appreciated.

Sarah

Higher Bochym