Loosing More CLs, why?

According to the Institute of Economic Affairs there are still 30 pubs closing every week in the U.K (59 a week throughout Recession hit 2009), and there were 58,200 public houses in 2006 but just 44,000 last year.

Some of them may have been CLs. 

We are great users of CLs, have been since 1978, in fact I have just booked some for this year. 

But the problem of why CLs are closing can I think only be answered by two people, the Caravan Club and the CL owner.

Years ago when a CL closed the CC entered next to the CL name an abbreviation why the CL was closing, I would like to see that reinstated.

Just a thought

Read the latest magazine with an air of despair! Fifteen CLs lost to network, only four new on board, and at least a couple rather expensive.

... "it can't be worse."

I'm certainly not prepared to put my money om that, at this stage!!!

 Hmmm, a lot of farms in the East Kent area ,have grubbed out some unproductive fruit  trees ,as the subsidy seems to be on 'Maize' for conversion into Bio-Fuels !! Getting ready for Diesel ban ??  ?? .

How many ordinary farmers and market garden owners do you know well, MichaelT? Many I know are struggling to survive, hence the absence of livestock in many areas and the growth of solar farms etc. Some have already given up the struggle.

A Disco type vehicle is a necessary piece of equipment for most farmers, not a luxury.

I feel that was a rather unfortunately worded post from you and I'm sure the farmers who use CT will be less than enamoured.

Looking at the April magazine I read that there are 4 new CLs but 15 that have closed, in the words of the magazine, "since the 2017/18 Handbook was published and since the March magazine. We've only just received the handbooks so at that rate there'll be no CLs left by the end of the year.

New Cls need to be more proactive in advertising their site here. Dont expect the club do much for you. It will be 2 years before a new book is out with your Cl in it.

Hello Bakers2. We have now started to charge a deposit, and on short stays asked for the full amount to be sent. So far so good with this.What would be interesting though, is this. All members have a number, we take this when booking them in. Now we are all computerised we could forward this to the main hub. Any repeats of this number on other CLs could then be spotted and the double, treble bookers could be outed. Tadah, problem solved. With the level of cancellations we've had this season, l have to say, it does make you want to over book to cover possible no shows. I understand this is against the rules, but this is not a hobby for us, it involves work and needs to generate a descent income for us or it is not worth doing. Yes, for us, it is very enjoyable but that alone won't feed us.EV

You have every right to be fed EV. If I was in your position, I would not take bookings from those members who did not inform you they wouldn't be coming, ever again. 

It seems to me that more and more folks are buying into touring, starting to use CLs as a cheap holiday alternative. The vast majority are well prepared and willing to put up with whatever weather gets thrown at them, and know how to cope appropriately should things turn wet or cold. But a small amount don't, or don't want to cope, and either cancel late or don't turn up at all. This spoils things for the genuine folks, and lets down the CL owners badly. 

If we can do it in a thirty three year old caravan, or a small motorhome, I just cannot see why others in large modern super equipped outfits can't do the same. Sad though it may seem, taking a none refundable deposit may be the only way forward over Bank Holidays. In this day and age, the weather can be predicted reasonably well up to a week ahead. Hang on in there, there are a lot a very nice, loyal members who only stay members for access to the CL network!

Never really thought about it, but from what EV is saying no shows and late cancellations are not reported to CAMC. Surely our lords and masters at HQ should be asking for this info as CL's deserve the same treatment of repeat offenders that main sites are supposed to dish out.

In an ideal world, HQ might benefit from such information, but to be brutally honest, CLs don't appear to receive a great deal of help beyond the initial start up period, and then maybe a once a year inspection. I could be wrong, and would be happy to be corrected!

If I was running a small site, then I would be far happier setting my own methods of meeting and greeting, and dealing with the no shows. It's a bit of a learning curve no doubt for most CLs, especially new ones who may have invested quite a bit into making such a set up a big part of their income. I can't remember how new your CL is EV, but less than 5 years? Still early days if so in terms of building up a trusted coterie of repeat visitors. I know lots of the CLs we use regular no longer ask us for a deposit, as they know we will turn up hell or high water! And we don't get too uptight if CLs we haven't visited before do ask for a deposit, we are well used to this with cottage, B&B and hotel bookings. It shows our commitment!

edit:sorry Nellie, my reply was to post before yours!

The website is unreliable, we are off to a CL tomorrow which has dissapeared from the website but the owners assure us still exists !