Servicing calls at CLs for Motorcaravans
Comments
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Yes and many are doing their bit to spread the word that there is a requirement for "parking" for motorhome owners and it can be profitable/environmentally friendly to provide for them.
There are many more who would like to see change as long as it is driven by others or are satisfied by the likes of "Pubstopovers" and "Britstops"..
peedee
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It is about what CL owners think, so far owners on this thread have said they are not going to go down the OP's route for various reasons. They are the ones you will have to convince.
Corners, No I don’t have to convince CL owners about anything. I have already stated I would have to be pretty desperate to use a CL as a stop off for services and that it is down to the individual owners to decide what they provide. I actually don’t see CLs as a solution to meeting motorhome touring requirements, most are too remote from attractions and in my view motorhome services should not be tied to any membership.
Apart from the point that you didn't answer my question about it being a very biased survey and my only 'thoughts' were about giving a a balanced viewpoint which your post or survey didn't (did it?), it is not about what I think on a number of levels is it PD?
I thought I had. To make it clear I do not consider it a biased survey, it was open to all owners. The purpose of my post highlighting the survey was to show that motorhome owners did not need educating about the costs of services. 96 percent of 9000 who responded to CAMpRA’s survey accepted this. FYI a further 80,000 plus also accept it by being members of “Pubstopovers” where they are expected to buy something for the privilege of stopping overnight. "Britstops" operates similarly. The money is out there if businesses want it.
peedee
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well you're making a pretty good go at putting across that you are trying to convince CL owners, after all this thread is about using CLs and you have posted about some surveys, even some official ones, that appear to say there is a demand?
How can a survey taken within one self help/interested group be not biased? At best the results are only useful within that group. The results cannot be extrapolated to any other. Like turkeys not voting for Christmas.
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well you're making a pretty good go at putting across that you are trying to convince CL owners, after all this thread is about using CLs and you have posted about some surveys, even some official ones, that appear to say there is a demand?
Sorry for the delayed response CS but I prefer to use my time more constructively in supporting CAMpRA to achieve the goals of establishing more legal motorhome “Aires” set up in places of attraction in the UK. CAMpRA is having some success which hopefully will start to snowball this year. The Club claims to have recognised the need for "UK Aires" but if it continues to ignore the requirements of a large proportion of motorhome owners and CAMpRA is successful in its goals, then I can only see the membership declining.
peedee
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The survey was not relevant. As far as I could see its results determined only that those asked were prepared to pay £10 for somewhere to park over night - and that they might pay more (an unquantified amount) for a parking place where they could dump and fill.
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The Club claims to have recognised the need for "UK Aires"
I assume you mean this club? Could you post a link or quote for this? I can't remember any such claim but I could be wrong?
but if it continues to ignore the requirements of a large proportion of motorhome owners
Could you tell me how those that want Aires or use are a large proportion of motorhomers owners? Do you have any links or data to back this up?
then I can only see the membership declining
Also are you suggesting that these motorhomes who want and use Aires won't use CAMC sites? That it is one or the other? Personally I don't think that they are mutually exclusive and both can exist successfully.
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The Club claims to have recognised the need for "UK Aires" but if it continues to ignore the requirements of a large proportion of motorhome owners and CAMpRA is successful in its goals, then I can only see the membership declining.
Some broad unsubstantiated statements there.
There is no 'need' for Aires but there is no doubt a desire amongst some.
Not sure how large the proportion of Motorhomers that exclusively desire an Aire that is not fulfilled by using a CL/CS. Of those that exclusively, or principally, desire to us Aires how many of those are club members. The CMC does not presently do Aires. Although 40%(?) of members are motorhomers many use club sites. Would they prefer to use Aires? If the club went to the extent of providing Aires would there costs be recouped - no idea.
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Good try at trying to "convince?" others with unsubstantiated comments , as to the what you and maybe? a that of few others ,that there is a need for what you are extolling hoping i would think, to convince CLs/CS owners that they should disrupt those stayin on their sites and be "available?" just in case of a MC after illegal? staying away somewhere to dump , needing to dump probably several days efluent for little or no return for the service
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Also are you suggesting that these motorhomes who want and use Aires won't use CAMC sites? That it is one or the other? Personally I don't think that they are mutually exclusive and both can exist successfully.
We certainly would associate with this comment. Although we have only done one 6 week tour in France so far, we stopped on 9 Aires and 9 sites. The Aires were generally 1 / 2 night stops, the sites 3 / 4.
If Aires ever became as easy to access in the UK, I could see us replicating that. Although Aires are great for getting close to where you want to be, they are not very good for BBQ’s, having the occasional swim in a pool and doing the necessary washing.
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Yes, I don't see, as PD suggested, that the rise of one (Aires) will lead to the decline in club membership, or indeed less MHs using any UK site similar to a club. One simply chooses the site, or stop-over - call it what you will, that appeals to one's needs at the time.
Both can exist and prosper.
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Some broad unsubstantiated statements there.
Some are my own views but some are definitely in the public domain for those so inclined to check. Perhaps DSB would like to chip in as to the Club's views and the planned trials the Club has in mind..
peedee
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CS, Believe me the Motorhome boom in France and the widespread provision of Aires has certainly led to the decline in sites - many smaller sites have closed, some are desperately seeking customers by cutting prices via ACSI, some remain unstaffed for much of the day, and others are running a shorter and shorter season.
I don't know whether GB will ever follow suit, the situation here is many years behind them, but in France you cannot say that "both can exist and prosper". Motorhomes and Aires in that country are really hurting campsites and their owners.
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well could you please put some links for the public domain ones?
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ET, believe me when I say that certainly hasn't happened in Italy, well Ok I can only speak for any certainty of that in Tuscany and what I've heard from those who tour in Italy. I have no idea of France.
As this is in in the UK section, my comments naturally only apply to the UK.
Post edit statistics I've found quickly seem to say that in France almost 13 times more people stay in 3 or 4 start sites than unrated, and 4 times as many stay in 3/4 start than unrated/1/2 star. Details on request.
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CS , I can only make a prediction of what is likely to happen in the UK. As the ratio of motorhomes to caravans increases, and as Aires and other stopovers gradually grow, I think CLs are the sort of sites which will be hurt most. Grass fields in remote situations and without waste water emptying grids will probably be the sort of sites which will die fastest.
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I wonder how many 'non-remote' areas are likely to acquire Aires. Also what is classified as remote?
Probably in popular locations if I had a plot of land I might make as much from car parking as from some of the fees that a motorhome on an Aire (based on prices some might wish to pay) might generate with less service being provided and with less set up costs
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I don't know whether GB will ever follow suit, the situation here is many years behind them, but in France you cannot say that "both can exist and prosper". Motorhomes and Aires in that country are really hurting campsites and their owners.
But my perception is that the motorhome is king on the Continent. Whle ownership of motorhomes is growing quickly in the UK, the caravan is still the majority and it will therfore be a while before Aires and campsites cannot co-exist in this country, plus in the short term I think with the increase in staycations there will be a shortage of pitches in the hot spots.
peedee
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Just shows the dangers of assumption-having seen this thread title numerous times I wondered why there could be over 200 posts about MH owners wanting to get their vans serviced whilst staying on a CL?
Now see its something else!
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On busy oversubscribed tour routes as per the NC 500 ,there may be some who could see a need ,as the very vocal residents on that route have been pushing for more places for L/Vs to curtail? maybe the illegal as not tents , wild camping and blocking of passiing places
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When this question was asked at the last AGM on 24th October 2020
I understand the Club has recognised the need for "UK type Aires"
How and when does the Club intend to progress this?This was the official reply:-
" For many years we have been conducting member insight surveys to understand the differing needs of all our members and how we may address the needs of differing segments within the membership. At the beginning of this year we commenced an exploration as to whether this is something we could viably offer. Unfortunately, due to
the pandemic, this project is currently temporarily suspended, however it is planned to re-initiate in 2021. This remains a complex area as local authorities provide this service in Europe but there is no statutory system or obligation for authorities to cater for tourism in the U.K. and many local authorities do not have the available capital. In the U.K. our Certificated Location licensing system can be used for this and we are constantly looking to develop the number of CLs within our network. However, it is highly likely there would be modest charges for these as they are privately owned and operated. "0
