We need more basic facility sites

I find myself in total agreement with harryb.  Since Covid, we haven't used one single facility block on any site we have been on - even on this CS we have been on for the last two weeks, where one of our previous visitors described the facilities as 'better than most hotels he had stayed in". We are fortunate in that our van has a massive bathroom and we just don't need - or want - to use public facilities. It's absolutely no inconvenience to us to use the van for what it was intended for- indeed, it's a delight.

With the exception of a one-night stopover at Broadway in June, the only other CAMC site with facilities we will use this year is Sandringham for Christmas, and that decision has been driven mainly by price. 

Since we don't use the facilities - why should I have to pay for them - which is why no-facility sites - with their more sensible prices - will continue to have their attraction for us.

We don't consider any site over £25 per night value for money and have sought cheaper options during June July and August of this year as a result to stay within that limit.

Price is everything for us being retired and on a limited income, and once the forecast higher home fuel bills kick in, goodness knows what the future holds.

Their are so many ways the Club can collect members views if they care to express them. Sadly in my view many members just cannot be bothered to do so. They only use sites and if it is not to their liking they leave the Club and that is it. They make no more effort than that.

The structure of the Club is such it allows feedback to the Executive committee from the grass routes. To understand how you need to read >About the Club< Any member can become involved in local Centres, their AGMs, Regional AGMs and Regional Question times and the Club Coucil is drawn from volunteer  members who do get involved in the above. There is a regional question time for the South West next month on the 24th September in Swindon. You could attend if you so desired. All thie above is on top of surveys and the opportunities of social media like CT to express views. 

peedee

The Club already has a range of sites - simple to better equipped. They collect the views of members by looking at the site occupancy figures. They know what members want by looking at what sells. 

For us, it depends on what you mean by 'basic facility sites'.  If you mean sites without a 'facility block' (i.e. without a toilet block), then I'd be fine with these type of sites.  However, I do like serviced pitches, these days... and they appear to be very popular.  I think the club have to look at what is being used and what is economical.

Speaking to the site staff at one site without a toilet block.... I was commenting on how quiet the site was... and our conversation that many sites were quieter than usual this year...  They said that in spite of being less busy, the serviced pitches were always full....

Just trying to book a serviced pitch at Devizes C&CC site for dates in September.... nothing available for my dates.... the nearest serviced pitch I can find is at Stonehenge (Private site), which is just around half an hour from Devizes - I'm still looking.

I don't know anything about High Onn,  but if the site isn't used and is making a loss, I guess you can't expect it to remain open.  Lack of use would push up prices even more - it would still cost approximately the same to run it - the income would need to cover expenditure...

Whether it is a basic of full facility site, the Club also find it really difficult to find suitable locations for sites, and often have to abide by restrictions imposed by local authorities (e.g. whether the Club is allowed to have hardstanding, grass pitches and how many, ehu, serviced pitches, toilet blocks, tent pitches etc., what access roads are like etc).  Then there is the local authority attraction to use 'spare land' to build housing or other developments instead....

I could be wrong (this is from memory), but I think it is Essex where there is no Club site.....  they have been looking for a suitable location for years without success.

Just my two-penneth... 🙂

David

We’ve just returned home after a 3 week trip, 4 CL’s and 1 club site.  We use our facilities exclusively so paying for a club site is not really vfm.  The club could have card entry to facilities and we folk that don’t want to use them get a discount

I can’t see there being much of a discount. There is still the cost of servicing the facilities wether you use them or not. So just a bit of hot water saved. To be replaced by extra heated in the LV, which unless the electric was metered would mean extra cost there.

Apart from that it’s bad enough getting the sprung door open with a bowl full of dishes at the moment and you want to add a key / card pad.😂

• The same "problem"with your suggestion of a card system is the same as any other lock "I have left my card in the van ?" from someone who is not entitled to access or "I cannot remember the code " "I have left my glasses in the van so cannot see the code" and they are let in by others 
• There is a notice in several places at this site advising members that the barrier access card is issued to them personally and to not let others through the barriers unless you are expecting them 

Good post David , the only comment I disagree with is if a site is not in profit then to possibly close it .  many companies use very profitable outlets to help others that struggle to keep a presence in the area as this members club also used to do

Their are so many ways the Club can collect members views if they care to express them. Sadly in my view many members just cannot be bothered to do so. They only use sites and if it is not to their liking they leave the Club and that is it. They make no more effort than that.

Don’t mind doing the odd survey but that’s about the limit to how much I want to be involved. I regard the club in exactly the same light as Go Outdoors. We pay an annual fee for the card and it gets me a discount.  As with Go Outdoors the product can often be obtained for less elsewhere, but it provides an easy way of purchasing the product from a convenient location. As long as we find the sites to our liking, which we have since 2005, we will continue. If that changes, then we will leave.