Campsites closing at the end of the 2024 season

RowenaBCAMC replied on 11/07/2024 11:22

RowenaBCAMC

Posted on 11/07/2024 11:22

In recent years the Club has acquired some fantastic new campsites for members including Dornafield in Devon, Carnon Downs in Cornwall, Bridport in Dorset and Cayton on the Yorkshire coast. Collectively these campsites provide over 160,000 additional pitch nights per year for members. This year the Club is also busy improving Edinburgh, Godrevy in Cornwall, Tredegar House near Newport, Blackpool South, Steamer Quay in Devon and Old Hartley in Tyne & Wear, with new hardstanding pitches, additional serviced and premium pitches, new playgrounds, multi-use games areas, shower blocks, inclusive bathrooms and road resurfacing.

Sadly, a handful of our Club campsites have underperformed for a number of years, with the amount of members staying at these campsites reducing annually. Operating these campsites has become unsustainable and puts more pressure on other Club campsites to return a positive revenue contribution back to the Club to enable investment in the existing campsite network and the purchase of additional campsites to enhance the network.

As such, we have taken the difficult decision to close Bromyard Downs, Broomfield Farm, Dockray Meadow, Gwern-y-Bwlch and Nunnykirk Club Campsites at the end of the 2024 season. Combined, these campsites provide around 250 pitches to members, which is less than 1% of our UK Club campsite network pitch availability.

While closing campsites will be disappointing for some members, our UK Club campsite network provides approximately 180,000 more available pitch nights than in 2018 across fantastic locations that are popular with the wider membership.

Thank you to those of you who have supported these campsites over the years. We hope you will enjoy exploring our UK campsite network and finding a new favourite location and Club campsite.

283 replies

Tinwheeler replied on 06/09/2024 08:33

Tinwheeler

Campervanner from Cornwall

Posted on 06/09/2024 07:07 by peedee

Many 'mainstream' full facility sites are in that position as well but they’re not subject to closure due to low occupancy.

Under the current Club's apparent policy of an individual site must pay its way, such sites may well close in the future.

Enjoy the peace and quiet and drive to the attractions.

and enjoy the stress of driving and looking and paying for parking. If members wanted the peace an quiet of a remote site why are they not using them? I don't beleive it is because of lack of toilet factilities.

peedee

Posted on 06/09/2024 08:33

“Apparent policy” - you’re making assumptions, PD, and have no grounds for saying full facility sites may well close.

If you find driving stressful, it may be time to consider quitting this hobby. 🙁

1 person likes this

Cornersteady replied on 06/09/2024 10:19

Member

Cornersteady

Caravanner from Tyne & Wear

Posted on 06/09/2024 07:07 by peedee

Many 'mainstream' full facility sites are in that position as well but they’re not subject to closure due to low occupancy.

Under the current Club's apparent policy of an individual site must pay its way, such sites may well close in the future.

Enjoy the peace and quiet and drive to the attractions.

and enjoy the stress of driving and looking and paying for parking. If members wanted the peace an quiet of a remote site why are they not using them? I don't beleive it is because of lack of toilet factilities.

peedee

Posted on 06/09/2024 10:19

Under the current Club's apparent policy of an individual site must pay its way, such sites may well close in the future.

Have you got this from just looking at the four site closing, or from somewhere else? I would suggest that four very underperforming sites, year on year, which even posters on have confirmed, isn't really a sound basis for your statement?

I would would think that a few club sites don't pay their own way but the more sensible approach is to look at what the subsidy is from more popular sites and have a cut off.

There cannot be a sound financial reason for subsiding virtually empty or very low occupancy sites and/or when their subsidy is costing the club too much?

peedee replied on 07/09/2024 15:34

Member

peedee

Motorhomer from Bedfordshire

Posted on 07/09/2024 15:34

There cannot be a sound financial reason for subsiding virtually empty or very low occupancy sites and/or when their subsidy is costing the club too much?

To be sure there will be other factors at play than simply losses, I hope! What can be done to make a site more attractive? Can costs be cut? Is it owned or leased? I cannot see the Club closing a site which is owned, if at all, without considering more than just losses.

peedee