Non members on busy club sites

mikelee47
mikelee47 Forum Participant Posts: 3
edited June 2016 in UK Campsites & Touring #1

we were unable to make bookings on the last December do to ill health and now find that we cannot get a pitch on  popular sites as they are fully booked ,even mid week and it's not yet school holidays. 3 that I have tried for the last weeks are, Seacroft,
Chatsworth and York Rowntree park all available to nonmembers. Should the club show more consideration for members ?

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  • EJB986
    EJB986 Forum Participant Posts: 1,153
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    edited June 2016 #2

    They already do...they don't charge members a premium!

  • KeefySher
    KeefySher Forum Participant Posts: 1,128
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    edited June 2016 #3

    Do you know for certain non members have made bookings?

    We are unable to book on frenzy day due to not knowing when we can get away and are tied to school holidays, should the club show us more consideration? Tongue Out

    We recently managed to book into Chatsworth on a Super Serviced pitch, mid week in the upcoming school holidays. Keep checking online or call the site as the wardens have a better picture of availability. We booked online.

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,155 ✭✭✭
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    edited June 2016 #4

    I think it's more likely those sites are booked because they are very popular and busy rather than them being booked by non-members at premium prices.

    I also suspect CC is sometimes forced to accept non-members as part of the local authority, or landowner, conditions.

  • Takethedogalong
    Takethedogalong Forum Participant Posts: 17,078 ✭✭✭
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    edited June 2016 #5

    Those are possibly the two busiest sites on the whole network, along with Seacroft which is in a popular area as well. If you are looking for the warmer months, you really would need to get in there early to book unfortunately. But there are alternatives,
    equally as nice, in nearby locations. I don't think it will be none members taking up all the pitches to be honest. People are cancelling, so perhaps keep trying, or go to a nearby alternative? Good luck anyway!

  • milliehull
    milliehull Forum Participant Posts: 4,762 ✭✭✭
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    edited June 2016 #6

    I agree Tinwheeler. I think it is down to conditions imposed by local authorities in the terms if the lease. There are lots of other lovely sites though. I suggest a quick look in  the late availabilties section on the CC website.

  • Takethedogalong
    Takethedogalong Forum Participant Posts: 17,078 ✭✭✭
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    edited June 2016 #7

    To be bluntly honest, in 30 years of caravanning, we have yet to meet a none member on a Club Site (other than camping Or podding). You only have to stay four nights in a year as a none member to get back the joining fee, so why would anyone staying longer
    than this, not become a member? Wouldn't make sense to me, but others may know of someone?Innocent

  • IanH
    IanH Forum Participant Posts: 4,708
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    edited June 2016 #8

    As I understand it (but only from what I've read on here) there are relatively few bookings by non-members. Probably due to the non-member fee (about £10 per night, I think).

    However, I agree that however low the numbers are, on popular sites non-members should not be allowed to stay (let alone book). If I'm honest, they shouldn't be allowed on any Club sites.

    I'm not at all convinced by the oft-quoted idea that the terms of the lease might require non-members. Anyone with any experience of leases will know that the lease holder will impose as few restrictions as possible on the lease......because that would only reduce the value of the lease......which is not in their best interest.

  • Unknown
    edited June 2016 #9
    This content has been removed.
  • mickysf
    mickysf Forum Participant Posts: 6,474 ✭✭✭
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    edited June 2016 #10

    My experience of lease holds and covenants in other areas of 'business' during my past working life indicate that 'best interest' is not always driven by profit! Sometimes such things are driven by social and philanthopic issues! 

  • IanH
    IanH Forum Participant Posts: 4,708
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    edited June 2016 #11

    Well you must occupy a different, utopian world to me, Micky. But anyway, how is it in anyone's 'best interests' to deny a member of a club the opportunity to book a pitch at their club's site? Undecided

  • mickysf
    mickysf Forum Participant Posts: 6,474 ✭✭✭
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    edited June 2016 #12

    Well you must occupy a different, utopian world to me, Micky. But anyway, how is it in anyone's 'best interests' to deny a member of a club the opportunity to book a pitch at their club's site? Undecided

    Obviously doesn't fit the discussion!  Just made a statement of fact! It is possible sometimes to consider lifting covenants on leases mind but first you have to understand why they were written into such legal documents! Just look at the leases on many properties owned  by The Church of England, for example and there are very many. They have many restrictions, some rather archaic and rather difficult to understand these days but  hardly utopian many would argue! Now consider Local Authorities or land owners, they may also stipulate similar covenants!  

  • compass362
    compass362 Forum Participant Posts: 619
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    edited June 2016 #13

    we were unable to make bookings on the last December do to ill health and now find that we cannot get a pitch on  popular sites as they are fully booked ,even mid week and it's not yet school holidays. 3 that I have tried for the last weeks are, Seacroft,
    Chatsworth and York Rowntree park all available to nonmembers. Should the club show more consideration for members ?

    Write your comments here...why would they do that  , some sites are members only but some as you know are bookable by paying non -members that's how it is I'm afraid , first come first served........... that's life

  • IanH
    IanH Forum Participant Posts: 4,708
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    edited June 2016 #14

    But the point is that it shouldn't be that way.

    And Mickey......it really isn't that difficult to get restrictive covenants lifted.....if there is the will to do so.

  • mickysf
    mickysf Forum Participant Posts: 6,474 ✭✭✭
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    edited June 2016 #15

    But the point is that it shouldn't be that way.

    And Mickey......it really isn't that difficult to get restrictive covenants lifted.....if there is the will to do so.

    That is correct in many cases as I suggested in my post, Ian but some are not that easy to 'lift' for a whole variety of reasons! Not always down to 'will' or profit I'm afraid!

  • Wildwood
    Wildwood Club Member Posts: 3,585
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    edited June 2016 #16

    In general non members are allowed on sites where it is a requirement of the lease or licence rather than the clubs choice. There are some less popular sites where it may be needed to balance the books though.

    We have used club sites for 28 years and I can only remember non members being their when I booked in twice. On one of these the lady warden did not even know how to do it and it was September showing the numbers there. She did try to add £10 per person per night making it a silly price.

    On the other the people had not booked but turned up having seen the caravan park sign. They got the hard sell from the warden with enough fervour for you to think he was getting the fee if they joined.

    Frankly the extra £10 per night is so high it is likely to put most nonmembers off but that might be the idea.

    Frankly I think the numbers are minimal and the problem with the sites quoted is simply demand vastly exceeds supply and they are in areas where more capacity is needed.

  • compass362
    compass362 Forum Participant Posts: 619
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    edited June 2016 #17

    Well you must occupy a different, utopian world to me, Micky. But anyway, how is it in anyone's 'best interests' to deny a member of a club the opportunity to book a pitch at their club's site? Undecided

    Write your comments here...I just wonder how on earth the CC would police member /non members bookings ! at the expense of cancelling booking for the convenience of someone who thinks they have preference over someone else !! get real it's first come , first
    served & will continue to be so special member

  • flatcoat
    flatcoat Forum Participant Posts: 1,571
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    edited June 2016 #18

    To the OP whoever said life was fair? Be grateful you now have your health back and get out with your caravan, so Get over it, there are other sites other than the CC. And yes I have had serious health issues which impacted on holiday plans, last year. 

  • Navigateur
    Navigateur Club Member Posts: 3,880 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited June 2016 #19

    It would be so simple to allow non-members to book, but only two weeks (or such) in advance of the start of their stay.

    But that would be done only if we were still a members' club.

  • briantimber
    briantimber Forum Participant Posts: 1,653
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    edited June 2016 #20

    I think some of you are going off on a tangentSurprised Can anybody, especialy the OP, definitely state  that non members have prevented
    anybody reserving a pitch on these very well patronised sites, I personaly think not. As TtDA states, if you want to visit these popular sites then you have to book early, simple..... Could this be a case of sour grapes?....Cool 

  • IanH
    IanH Forum Participant Posts: 4,708
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    edited June 2016 #21

    You may well be right, Brian. In fact, you probably are.

    But why don't they simply not allow non-members to use these popular sites?

    I find it rather irritating to arrive at a very popular site (eg Rowntree) only to see the sign at the gate saying "Non members welcome" Yell

  • Rubytuesday
    Rubytuesday Forum Participant Posts: 952
    edited June 2016 #22

    Forgive me but I haven't read all the post, but it surely doesn't pay to pay the massive extra cost for none members on a c c site, I haven't checked recently but isn't it About £12 night more  Surprised Cant
    imagine any none member would book 1 or more weeks at that extra cost , it would pay them to become members first 

  • mickysf
    mickysf Forum Participant Posts: 6,474 ✭✭✭
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    edited June 2016 #23

    Forgive me but I haven't read all the post, but it surely doesn't pay to pay the massive extra cost for none members on a c c site, I haven't checked recently but isn't it About £12 night more  Surprised Cant imagine any none member would book 1 or more weeks at that extra cost , it would pay them to become members first 

    that's right, four days and 'your' membership is almost 'paid' for. For that reason I'll bet that non members staying on sites are in an insignificant number. I'll also bet that several in this position are just tempted into joining the club to off set that extra cost and thus become members! Win, win as they say!

  • briantimber
    briantimber Forum Participant Posts: 1,653
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    edited June 2016 #24

    You may well be right, Brian. In fact, you probably are.

    But why don't they simply not allow non-members to use these popular sites?

    I find it rather irritating to arrive at a very popular site (eg Rowntree) only to see the sign at the gate saying "Non members welcome" Yell

    Ian, could it be another way for the club to increase membership? As has been said, if non members stay for four nights or more, then it will pay them to become members. They can do this at time of payment I believe. I must say that in my time on club sites I/we haven't met any non members. Not that we make a point of asking every body we meet,Surprised when on CLs we naturaly assume that we are amongst members. Though reading some of the posts on CLs that could be questionable as lots say that they are never asked for their membership cardSurprised

  • IanH
    IanH Forum Participant Posts: 4,708
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    edited June 2016 #25

    I did wonder whether membership was a strict requirement on CL's, Brian. Undecided

  • thebroons
    thebroons Forum Participant Posts: 165
    edited June 2016 #26

    I did wonder whether membership was a strict requirement on CL's, Brian. Undecided

    We used a C&CC CS site when we were non members and were allowed to stay as long as we took a membership form and considered joining.

  • briantimber
    briantimber Forum Participant Posts: 1,653
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    edited June 2016 #27

    We have used quite a lot of CCC CSs and found in a lot of cases that they have a bigger problem with their maths than CC CLs. In a lot of cases we found that 5 is the new 8 or even ten if you include tents, we now only use the ones we know in the CCC, sorry, gone off topic againYell

  • Unknown
    edited June 2016 #28
    This content has been removed.
  • IanH
    IanH Forum Participant Posts: 4,708
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    edited June 2016 #29

    On the question of CL's, given that you make the booking direct with them, do they actually check that you are a member of CC?

    I'm just wondering whether they would turn away business, when it makes no practical difference to them whether you are a member or not.

    I've never used a CL but I do have a booking at a CS. They didn't ask me whether I'm a C&CC member (I am, though).

     

  • Jazzybaby
    Jazzybaby Forum Participant Posts: 109
    edited June 2016 #30

    I dont know whether its the same now as 10 years ago but we used to go to Ferry Meadows before we were members and you could only book during the week before the week end you wanted to go i.e if you wanted to book a weekend you could only book from Monday
    onwards. We couldnt get in on some occasions so became a member.

  • SteveL
    SteveL Club Member Posts: 12,311 ✭✭✭
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    edited June 2016 #31

    We have only stayed on one CL in the remote north of Scotland. We certainly were not asked for our card and I think it unlikely anyone was. Why would they turn away passing business. The site was ideally situated for an overnight stop.