Steamer Quay refurb removal of non EHU pitches

I wonder if some of the pros and cons of this discussion have a generational aspect to them. Anyone over, say, 60 and has been camping for some years will no doubt remember sites that were much more basic than they are today. Predominately grass pitches, often not all pitches with EHU. Those under 60 are likely to have experience a  different type of campsite. All pitches with EHU, a majority of hardstandings and a proportion of those serviced. The age chosen was arbitrary, it could be 50,55,65 but you get the idea. It is rather ironic that all the posts I see on Facebook asking for CL recommendations seem to demand EHU, hardstandings and toilets as a minimum requirement, don't recall seeing many requests for CL's with no facilities and grass pitches! It could be the latter is what people imagine CL's to be. So in the same way people who have grown up more recently with camping as their holiday choice demand more than those that have been doing it for longer?

David

I don’t think the age thing necessarily follows, David.

Corners and BB will be approximately the same age - chalk and cheese in respect of their site requirements.

I think that those newer to camping do, at least initially, expect more. And I guess the apparent increased popularity of small pop top camper vans also leads to wanting shower blocks.

With CLs I think there has been some increase in popularity from people new to CLs and so they are expecting mini sites. It really is a shame that the Club doesn’t cherish its CL network and have more articles in the mag and info on the web site really explaining CLs. I think some are scared of no facility sites. They probably wouldn’t use the no toilet block Club sites.

As for SQ by removing all non ehu pitches they are removing a facility that was used. Those members now have less choice. I would have thought that all pitches being no awning was going to reduce the likelihood of families staying for about a week or more. Certainly when we caravanned with family if we were parked up for a week we wanted the full awning just to spread out, dry washing, store chairs etc. The Club has the opportunity to do something innovative at SQ by either metering ALL electricity use or by enabling the bollard to be switched on or off. Will they show that imagination? I doubt it.

 Lot of sense in last few posts. Certainly we started when sites and outfits were basic, and having learned all the eco tricks, the ability to “make do because it’s camping”, we are still very happy on basic sites. Helped by not owning a power hungry outfit, that we have hardly modified.

I can empathise with those who want more comfort as well, and who want an easy life nowadays camping, happy to pay whatever is asked. Outside of CLs, this is very much becoming the Club model. Doesn’t give us as much choice, but we look beyond the Club Site model in most instances.

It would be very hard to define a typical camper, too many variables at play. I think Club has an idea of its main users, and caters accordingly.

Interestingly, and speaking for ourselves, over the last year or so we have drifted away from CAMC offerings, one of the nice things about Steamer Quay is that the grass pitches and "camping" style (although with wash block facilities there as back up) have attracted younger families and people enjoying a more laid back holiday style, often with a VW and an awning, plus boating people with canoes etc. Lots of bikes and walkers too.

I don't know the age of people on your FB group David but I suspect they are older and may not be interested in getting back to basics but a lot of people out there still enjoy the simple life style that other camp sites provide. You don't see this group of people on CAMC sites as the offerings are very limited but you see it on other sites.

I'm guessing CAMC is finding it easier to standardise every site and those not wanting or needing this will drift off elsewhere as we have now tended to do. 

If anyone's interested all the ongoing site developments are listed here.

https://www.caravanclub.co.uk/uk-holidays/uk-sites/club-campsites/site-redevelopments/

The biggest plans appear to be at Bingham Grange.

2014 was the last time I spent the majority of nights away on C&MC sites. From 2015 onwards they have not been top of my list of go to places and I have spent more time on other types of sites. Last year only 14 pecent (11 nights) of my nights away were spent on C&MC sites.  I don't see it getting any better in 2023 in fact as I will be back to touring on the Continent it could be very much worse. Price rises are making it harder to justify paying for facilities I do not need, therefore the up grade of SQ is unlikely to prove attractive especially for short stays.

peedee