Worried for the club (price rises}

Possibly, although the sites down in Cornwall which have gone over to static vans and lodges are selling them like hot cakes - and they're not cheap, prices have more than doubled since we bought ours back in 2010. £80000 for a fairly basic 2 bedroom static or £150000 or more for a lodge. And there's ground rent and running costs on top of that! 

Ground rent is around £6k p/a on some sites now for a modest sized static with lodges commanding even more so it’s not a cheap alternative to touring.

I was looking at the lodges on the old camp site we used to use at Bodinnick last night. They start at around £150k. There are some residential ones as well…..£250k. As Tinny says, you have something like £6k ground rent per annum as well. Lovely location mind……..

There was thread about a month ago from Dave someone (sorry can't remember exactly) about how and why Garlieston was so empty? Well arrived today and I can only spot one empty HS with awning and one grass. Maybe two non awning pitches are empty but there's building and grass work around them so they may closed. No need to worry here. 

Personally I like it when a site is only at about 50% occupancy, it tends to give a bit more spacing between you and your neighbour and the toilet blocks a bit less crowded etc......

If the "Club" becomes concerned about occupancy levels I am sure they will find a way to reduce prices and perhaps create a few "off peak" periods, the last Sunday night of a school holiday would be a good starting point, but I'm sure there are many others....  Having said that, the number of large, new twin axle caravans pulled by new SUV/Pick ups I've seen this year I don't think site prices are out of reach of many members.

Most of all I would like a relaxation of the three week rule.   Perhaps the Club could increase the membership fee to £120 a year, £10 a month is peanuts for your favourite hobby, less than most people spend on sky TV or their phone and use the extra revenue to fund any difference to revenue between the current booking system and the previous system, if indeed there is any....?

We have always been a two-tier society, but there is more emphasis on this today. When I had a young family I could just about afford a fairly ratty old caravan, and just about afford to go on club sites in summer. 

There are only two of us these days and although we can afford a decent caravan, and the extortionate site fees, we chose to use cheaper CL's as we just can't see the justification for the cost increase to its current level. 

The fact that some sites are full, shows that some of the sites can justify charging these prices  but for the long term I agree with the OP that the club has got something wrong. Perhaps when more sites are empty, and new people aren't engaging with caravan & motorhomes they will reduce prices to compete, but by then it may be too late.

Or perhaps its just part of the plan....

If this is a member’s club there should be some transparency and the impact of increased prices should become apparent or will this be hidden amongst the very real cost of living crisis? I am intrigued by the number of late availability pitches during peak season  

I am not using Club sites where I can avoid it and that has shifted from actively choosing Club sites. Yes it is pricing but also a poor online booking experience with no possibility of amends and no service at weekends. Site offices don’t answer the phone, wi-fi is poor or non-existent on many sites and there is rarely information about 4G coverage. Toilet blocks are looking tired on many sites and of course there a complete lack of other additional amenities. On a cost benefit analysis it’s not stacking up any more. 

A factor that strikes me is that the old member brigade amongst us are naturally diminishing in number. The newer members hold different views and may possibly not hold that same allegiance to a club ethos as we oldies do. Many newbies may well be more tempted to shop elsewhere and around for a whole variety of reasons. A bit like many today with phone, insurance and energy contracts where in the past customers would ‘stick’ with their providers .
We can discuss reasons why presently the occupancy appears low to the cows come home but the real question is what can be done to reverse it. Clearly the cost of living and disposable income is having a profound effect. Some however may even suggest that the damage has been done and to pull it back will take time and radical thought and action.

Has anyone else noticed that even as we’re about to enter August, tour operators are still advertising overseas holiday packages on TV? 

It used to be unheard of at this time of year to see holidays advertised. It should tell us something about people’s priorities for spending. 

Gatwick airport reports that on a typical day 60,000 people fly out. That’s mostly holiday traffic . Add in all the other airports and ferries and the tunnel and the figure will be approaching 200,000 people per day going overseas.  UK caravan site prices are nothing to do with it. The new world of holidays is with us.