The big winter shut down
Comments
-
i realise it's tricky for some to understand the get up and go (linear) touring as already described but it's a style enjoyed by many, and likely to increase with the larger numbers of MHs
Sarcastic.
Not difficult to understand at all. The point that I was making is that on CC sites (and other sites that I use) I see little difference between the way the majority of MHs use the site and caravanner do. The only difference being perhaps shorter stays.I cannot see the CC wishing to provide for those MHs that just want cheap night halts.
2 -
I would be inclined to agree ET. My impression is also that a lot of MH owners don't move them of site much, but the stay is shorter than the week we generally stay. If we get one, which we are considering doing in the next few years, it would be how we would envision using it.
As to what some consider cheap, I can't see that ever happening. Given the investment, a cost winter off peak, of £12 to £14 per night non EHU or £16 to £19 with EHU, would seem appropriate.
2 -
wasn't the OP about maximising current resources?
The OP was about providing additional locations in the 'close' season for motorhomers as they are the one that don't need heated toilet blocks and showers. Strange really as although I am sure that is true of a fair number of MHs I do notice a higher ratio of caravans to motorhomes on non-facility CC sites than on facility sites. I had assumed that to be because of transport problems perhaps but could equally be that some MHs find their wash rooms cramped - a bit like the wetroom arrangement in our previous caravan?
2 -
Steve, for £19 in winter, you must be talking about providing a full service, wardens, showers, ehu and all?
this isn't providing a cheap extension to the season, this is just extending the normal CC 'priced' season.
I suspect BB that given the investment for what I would expect to be a small number of takers, the fact tha tthe CC would no doubt wish to have some security visits and to clean the disposal points etc on a daily basis, the few pitches to share this cost, the inrease in electric for heating off deason and the fact that non facility sites are currently around £15 that Steve is not too far wide of the mark.
1 -
I think the simple answer to this is for the Club will keep sites open over winter if, a) they are allowed to do that and b) if there is sufficient demand. I somehow doubt that they will want to spend money on "special pitching areas". They could do that now for the current opening season. Rather than embark on any of these expensive ideas like automatic barriers with payment machines, reconfigurating campsites etc it would be much cheaper to experiment with keeping a few more sites open for a longer season to test the water. If successful the experiment could be extended. The idea that having space for 10 units to overnight for £10 is just not going to happen. To complete the work would cost several hundred thousand pounds which would mean a very long pay back which I imagine the Club would not feel was a worthwhile investment?
David
0 -
a lot of MH owners don't move them of site much, but the stay is shorter than the week we generally stay. If we get one, which we are considering doing in the next few years, it would be how we would envision using it.
I considered a MH 30 years ago Steve. Parking was easier then including street parking!
We move every 5 days. 1st day we have packed up, driven a couple of hours and are set up on site before 1pm with a cuppa and a sandwich to hand. May well go out for a stroll somewhere for a few hours. Over the next 4 days we will have made the visits that we wish to make and the strolls etc and be ready to move on.
I have also reconsidered a MH in the last 10 years. There are few things that stop me.
OH is claustrophobic to some extent and therefore requires an open aspect. The motorhomes that would suit I could not accommodate. Plenty of drive area but narrow road frontage. A caravan longer than 7.3m over all and I would struggle on a mover.
This would mean using storage which I would find a pain. Once sited with a suitably large outfit there are many villages that I like to visit where the size would be a problem and so would choose to tow a car. That being the case I might as well tow a caravan.
1 -
A lot of sense here. Far better for the club to trial an extended open period on a couple of sites and maybe close facilities if they were considering the OP suggestion. Depending on planning restrictions maybe close for a month and reopen.
Far better to loose £30K on a trial than to build a white elephant
1 -
In Coulon in France, the Municipal site has a barrier which allows entry when a card payment is made. If you stay and don't pay you cannot get your van out after the date you have paid to.
0 -
sounds like u want any return on investment before any one actually uses the system.
I think if I was a shareholder, rather than a member I would want the investment back in a few years, not spread over the next 10 or more. Who's to say how things will change in that time. They might not get it back.☹️
0 -
Travellers?, is that Caravanners or Motorhomers. . . .Or both?.
0 -
if the club wanted to just do more of the same, it could do this easily....but punters wont come off season at £25 a night.
Less desirable sites are £20 or perhaps less off season.
With less staff input and no facilities I could see this perhaps dropping to £16. However as some staff input would still be necessary and given low numbers in those areas and the lack of numbers and the likely demandsdemands on EHU in the Winter I would not be surprised at £18 rather than £10.
0 -
We would also make use of them, reduced pitch Caravan Club sites, in the winter, without the need of full facilities if the price was reasonable to us. We do use sites all year round, but are more and more using CLs and small Commercial site due to the high cost of CC sites.
1 -
why would i (anyone) want to go to a 'less desirable' site?.....undecided
Maybe a bad choice of words on my part. Not that the sites are 'undesirable' but that the location might be less popular in Winter. Having said that the resultant aires type areas might well be less popular in main season. I have no idea.
0 -
I think you are miss-interpreting the term less desirable. Still a nice site in a good area, but less popular. So Chatsworth at £21 midweek as against Clumber at £15.60. When you consider we are probably using £6 to £8 of electricity if it is cold, both sites are a bargain. Clumber more so.
1 -
You are an exception Nellie ........ most have homes to go to!
Seriously there are at least 3 situations affecting caravan users.
1. They have family and are ties by school hols.
2. Kids left and tied by holiday entitlement. Go away in better weather.
3. Retired and no ties and sufficient funds go away whenever.
When I had kids I would not weekend after first week in November until end of March.
Now I do not go away after early October until April but do have a couple of weeks in December.
I do not require full facility sites ...... many seem to. I do, however prefer facility sites in depth of Winter as money is not a consideration
2
