The same Club, just better...
Comments
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I see your point JVB and it is valid to an extent. Unfortunately though, the trusted institution known the world over has also gained a backwards looking reputation. This was not helped by the recent TV programme which only served to enforce this.
I think the rebranding has been done in an effort to try and shake this image off, it'll take years and I honestly think the 'since 1907' byline should be dropped as this isn't helping the cause.
A new name that in years to come for the new membership breed, will become the norm. Caravan Club is history, the past.
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Lots of questions....................no answers from the ivory tower.
How much is this costing?
Could better use be made of OUR money?
You work for us so why no consultation?
Next year will we have another change. Caravan and Motor home and trailer tent club
You are a club not a FSTE 100 company.
This is the biggest waste of money you have come up with, worse than buying Alan Rodgers.
Reduce fees and your corporate blue sky thinkers..
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No doubt there will have been thousands spent on consultancy fees to "design" the new logo and very old fashioned colour scheme which, as JVB66 says could have been better spent on more site improvements.
We should be told what the cost of all this "re - branding" has cost us.
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Although club staff were so excited about the future they still managed to send out my renewal letter so that the fee could be collected by direct debit. Pity that the new card which is valid from 1 March still says Caravan Club! Will I need a new card.
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Yup, there is definitely a pattern emerging here. With the exception of Bago (hip dudes in their late 60's) it's the long timers bemoaning and the future establishment doing the encouraging.
It's not difficult to work out where the Club's priorities lie going forward
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I fully understand, and appreciate, the need for change. It is important that any club reflects its membership base, and it is obvious on any club site that the number of Motorhomes is rising. I shall miss the old name, and the red pennant, that have been part of my life, on and off, since a child, but lets embrace the new name and logo, and move on.
However, I have two concerns.
1. Money. This will have cost the Club an eye watering amount. From the consultation fees, to the changing of all signs, to the letter headed paper and the little green disc we stick on our fridge. The Club twitter feed tells me that this will be paid for via new membership, but where are you going to put them all? Its hard enough booking a pitch now during peak periods, and I don't see enough investment in either new sites, upgrading sites or improving infrastructure. I need to see evidence that there is commitment in these areas in order to be convinced that this process has been fully thought through.
2. Inclusivity. I've read this word a lot today, and the area that concerns me most is the opening up of more club sites to non members. What I want to see more of is exclusivity. New members are the life blood of any club, but without making a full commitment they should be limited to a maximum number of visits or nights per year. If non members are allowed unbridled access, there really is no point to membership. I made this point via Twitter, but it seems that anyone with an alternative viewpoint is being ignored today.
Good luck with the changes. I will watch with interest
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I'm thinking... trademark infringement, the logo will be copyrighted, it's designer is now on the phone to his/her solicitor
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Hi Bluebazza,
This thread has gathered lots of attention so you may not have seen my comments from earlier in the thread.
The change in name and logo were based on member feedback and in consultation with your representatives on the Committee. The Committee have fully endorsed the changes we’re making. In fact, they were a vital part of this whole process, helping us better understand what our members want.
We’re always making improvements to the Club, which means that fees increase by a small amount each year. These exciting changes mean that some routine updates have been brought forward, but the overall cost is proportionate to the significant benefit it will bring to our image and profile.
Hope this answers your questions
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Hi Mike,
Your old membership card will still be valid, when you renew, you'll be sent a new membership card with the new logo
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My wife and I have enjoyed camping for nearly forty years, starting with a tent then caravan, motorhome and now an RV. We have certainly experienced issues with the club in the past when our outfit did not meet expectations but that is mostly in the past. Having experience of camping in Europe, North America, Australia and New Zealand, we in the UK have much to learn to provide a complete package.
Nevertheless, we have found the Caravan Club generally good on quality and cleanliness. With our RV we do not expect to get to use all of the clubs sites, but are thrilled when we are welcomed. We generally find independent parks more accommodating and less judgemental. Our foot print these days is often smaller than some caravan/4x4/awning set ups, but mention an RV and we are often turned away.
I share others concern about the cost of re-branding and would like to see more effort to increase the facilities for longer vehicles. The name of the club was irrelevant to us, we simply joined to give us access to the sites.
However, I can understand not everyone new to the pastime will realize the Caravan Club these days is open to all types of outfit.
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The announcement of the new exciting club name and ethos shown on the web is a load of PR drivel. Having read the whole bland thing to the end, twice, I am still not clear just what the management is trying to achieve. One of these days we shall find out, no doubt to our cost.
As always, the only people to benefit from these new, exciting, vibrant, changes are the consultants (whom I hoped had disappeared after the rebranding disasters of the naughties).
In addition the new logo is very dated and unattractive.
First the Caravan Club TV programme fiasco last year and now this.
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frankly as an older member of many years I find the changes refreshing to say the least, just returned to a caravan from a motorhome for personal reasons but we enjoyed both modes of holidaying, most sites now are enjoyed by more and more motorhomes as the years go by and I can see the day when they are almost equal in number as caravans.
and why not? as for the wasting of money, this smacks of the I don't want to change people, ( but you will have to) keep spending my money as fast as you can then I can see as many new and exciting changes before I pop my clogs. keep up the good work, the other club waits for those who don't want to change
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Has the CC gone into partnership with Walls Ice Cream?
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All the talk of the cost of this exercise - I would think it works out at a few pennies per member so IMO not worth getting worked up about.
A penny per member will only bring in about £10,000. So all those new signs for 200 sites, clothing, stickers and note paper, plus the odd flag or two will certainly add up to a few pennies,
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Some companies benefit from a name change some don't, Aviva came about because Norwich Union was considered too insular.
It's horses for courses but despite the history, I think the Caravan Club is one that will benefit. New name, new outlook.
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Big improvement - now swap that meaningless swirly logo for (or changed to incorporate) an updated interpretation of the pennant and I'd be accepting of this rebranding.
Just because they want to rebrand and update the club, doesn't mean you have to discard your heritage. The old red and green colours are as much associated with the club's brand as red is with Coca Cola and blue is with Ford.
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JVB66... I have a degree in Journalism, does that count?
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Yes, you get to vote on the committee membership. Thats the difference. Did you?
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Whilst I concur with the overwhelming view that this is just a bit of an expensive corporate ego trip, no one has addressed the real issue that emanates from this "change". How is the Club going to cope with the influx of the new members it intends attracting when it is struggling with the existing membership wanting pitches and we are additionally seeing a decline in the number of club sites.
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Why is everyone going over to Orange are we going g back to the 1970's. Another big web site that we use has just changed over to Orange I am guessing that the same company did the rebranding for both web sites, and who ever did so loves the 1970's and Orange.
It will always be the Caravan Club to me like the mag is En Route and I still call Stamford site Top Lodge ect, the club can use whatever name it like but many will still call it the Caravan Club.
Please tell me that they are not making the wardens wear Orange if they do it will look like a cross between B&Q and Easy Jet.
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