Empty sites

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  • Takethedogalong
    Takethedogalong Forum Participant Posts: 17,060 ✭✭✭
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    edited July 2019 #32

    I think it is easier with a MH over here. We don’t worry about getting to a site like we would with caravan. I suppose we would be less confident going somewhere we have no knowledge of, for example SE over here. No idea of traffic or site distribution. We like it up North and anywhere away from London. 

    Is it as easy overseas outside of April-September, or do a lot of sites open mainly this sort of timescale? 

  • peedee
    peedee Club Member Posts: 9,389 ✭✭✭
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    edited July 2019 #33

    Element of truth in that JVB. I looked at a well known commercial campsite in the West Country where for a family of 4 it costs £65 a night in peak seasons not including a dog and it is full until the third week in Sept while Club sites around have vacancies.

    peedee

    P.S. that is for a standard pitch, hardstanding with awning.

  • JVB66
    JVB66 Forum Participant Posts: 22,892
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    edited July 2019 #34

    Unless there are 5 pitches or less then there is no way of knowing how "empty" sites are during the week ,the way i look at it if they are full or nearly full at weekends this time of year then they are going to be quite busy at other timessurprised

  • eurortraveller
    eurortraveller Club Member Posts: 6,830 ✭✭✭
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    edited July 2019 #35

    Is Hurn Lane Club site the most boring site on the network to take children, or are there others which beat it?

  • Unknown
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    edited July 2019 #36
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  • peedee
    peedee Club Member Posts: 9,389 ✭✭✭
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    edited July 2019 #37

    but not full which is the point JVB.

    peedee.

  • Unknown
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    edited July 2019 #38
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  • young thomas
    young thomas Club Member Posts: 11,357 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited July 2019 #39

    us, too.smile

  • EasyT
    EasyT Forum Participant Posts: 16,194
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    edited July 2019 #40

    Empty discounted pitches in the week, or indeed pitch discounts, do not attract me at all because I simply choose sites for where I want to be - not where there are offers. I have no idea how how worthwhile discounts are to providing profitability. 

  • peedee
    peedee Club Member Posts: 9,389 ✭✭✭
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    edited July 2019 #41

    I agree ET but if is in an area you want to be, are you going to ignore it in favour of a site which is going to cost more?

    peedee

  • SteveL
    SteveL Club Member Posts: 12,310 ✭✭✭
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    edited July 2019 #42

    That is certainly the case for us if we are on a multi site tour. However, if we are only looking for three nights away locally, just for a break and to give the MH a run, I would find sites with discounts more attractive. We recently went to Buxton for three nights, one because we hadn't been for 10 years and two because, although not discounted, it was more reasonable than other sites in the area. For instance currently you could get a service pitch there for 30p more than a standard pitch at Clumber.

  • moulesy
    moulesy Forum Participant Posts: 9,402 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited July 2019 #43

    "On a recent UK trip, having booked sites, we found we were really fed up with an area and it was not at all to our liking, not as good as imagination had painted it to be. But we were pretty stuck as we had booked, and paid for the number of booked nights on arrival of course. It’s the lack of spontaneity - being without the ability to adapt according to circumstances, being unable to change our minds (without incurring financial loss) - that I find irksome."

     

    WtG - Well, that, at least, would be one benefit of choosing club sites - if you decide you've had enough at one and want to move on to another you can do so with no financial loss. But, really it all depends on why you visit an area and how you plan things out. We rarely stay at any one site for more than 7 days at a time and I've never felt any lack of spontaneity where we go because our main reason for visiting an area is to be out walking - there is never any shortage of places to walk in the UK wherever you are. smile

  • JVB66
    JVB66 Forum Participant Posts: 22,892
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    edited July 2019 #44

    There are a lot of sites in both clubs and commercial that could be classed as boring for todays childrensurprised

  • JVB66
    JVB66 Forum Participant Posts: 22,892
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    edited July 2019 #45

    I thought you were getting a bit hard of hearing  again as the post as you well know is UK basedwink

  • EasyT
    EasyT Forum Participant Posts: 16,194
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    edited July 2019 #46

    In my case the answer might well be yes and I would therefore ignore it as, for several reasons, a C&CC site would not be a preferred option if there was a nearby CC site. I would not choose C&CC Leek site over the CC site a mile (or less) away because I saved a fiver.

  • eurortraveller
    eurortraveller Club Member Posts: 6,830 ✭✭✭
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    edited July 2019 #47

    Today's children love campsites with campfires, football and volleyball space where they can race about, and games rooms for wet days. Much like yesterday's children.

  • peedee
    peedee Club Member Posts: 9,389 ✭✭✭
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    edited July 2019 #48

    Just had a look at both sites and, for me with the discounts, the C&CC is £7p.n. cheaper. Why on earth would you not chose the C&CC site ET, what is it you don't like about it?

    peedee

  • peedee
    peedee Club Member Posts: 9,389 ✭✭✭
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    edited July 2019 #49

    Just had a look at the C&CC site I used last year in peak season instead of the C&MC site, similar saving.

    peedee

  • JVB66
    JVB66 Forum Participant Posts: 22,892
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    edited July 2019 #50

    Join the cub scouts and they can do it allcool

  • cyberyacht
    cyberyacht Forum Participant Posts: 10,218
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    edited July 2019 #51

    That's like saying you'd sooner skip a Murco(Other petrol retailers available) selling diesel at £1.30 and fill up, at say BP or Esso, a couple of hundred yards along the road and pay £1.62 a litre.

  • JVB66
    JVB66 Forum Participant Posts: 22,892
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    edited July 2019 #52

    But with the Esso card this week it would be £1.28.8wink

  • cariadon
    cariadon Forum Participant Posts: 861
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    edited July 2019 #53

    There have been many members complaining on CT about the lack of free weekends, due to block booking. If you look at the late availability section for the next 3 weekends there are many pitches available. Looking at the newest acquisition at Scarborough it appears half the pitches are free. 

  • JVB66
    JVB66 Forum Participant Posts: 22,892
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    edited July 2019 #54

    Then others say club sites are too pricey so how come the most expensive site? on the network (Hillhead) is full this weekendsurprised

    Ps When there are three sites in the Scarborough/Bridlington areas there are only so many that can be convinced they should stay therewink

  • Waffler
    Waffler Forum Participant Posts: 149
    edited July 2019 #55

    Interesting times we are living in. A number of CL owners have told me that they are quiet this year and with no obvious reason.  Last week we were at a C&CC temporary holiday site with over 100 spaces and never had fewer than 30 units and at weekends full. The price £8.50 a night per outfit. Big field for kids to run round, speed limit enforced and a nice area for kick around. Also very friendly. I spoke to a retailer who sells camping accessories and a rep for a supplier and both said the market was dire. So are people spending cautiously?

  • rayjsj
    rayjsj Forum Participant Posts: 930
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    edited July 2019 #56

    We dont move now until the School holidays are over, just back from 8 weeks away up to the Western Isles and many CMC sites on the way up and down, we noticed a distinct lack of Children on most sites.. is it the cost ?

  • EasyT
    EasyT Forum Participant Posts: 16,194
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    edited July 2019 #57

    At least four things where, for me, C&CC fall short. 

    1. Site available from 1pm rather than 12 O'clock.

    2. Press button showers where I cannot regulate the temperature. What most people might find great (as in hot) I have a problem with higher temperatures following radiotherapy which means I am sensitive to higher temperatures.

    3. Faffing about being taken to a pitch and, yes I know I can say what I am looking for, but prefer to know what I want when I see it.

    4. Waste disposal in heavy lidded skips at exit when most CC sites have bins by water.

    5. Paying deposit and not as convenient a booking system. Not sure what situation is if I wish to leave early.

    6. Lack of a site plan showing where things are located. 

    1 & 2 are the most significant but 4 is relevant for me as well.  

     

     

  • Unknown
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    edited July 2019 #58
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  • MikeyA
    MikeyA Forum Participant Posts: 1,072
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    edited July 2019 #59

    JVB, I think you have really answered your own question. Yes Hillhead is the most expensive but it also has the most facilities for children to enjoy themselves. The OP also suggested lack of activities as one reason Hurn Lane was 40% occupancy whereas the commercial site next door was full,. The days of subjecting boisterous children to a week or more on a Club site where there is nothing for them over the age of 9/10 are gone.

     

  • Unknown
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    edited July 2019 #60
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