site not full

cabbiemick
cabbiemick Forum Participant Posts: 297
edited August 2017 in UK Campsites & Touring #1

is it just me or are the sites not as full this year were we are staying on a site were there is lots of pitches vacant I think people with children are now looking at haven and park holiday as there prices are more or less the same as club fees its a shame to see less and less children on site as we will need future generation to carry on

Comments

  • lesbunny
    lesbunny Forum Participant Posts: 133
    edited August 2017 #2

    October half term 23-27th. Blackpool south site showing full, so we check out Southport CAMC site. Cost for 2 adults, 2 kids & 1 dog on serviced pitch £34.90 per night or £244.30 for 1 week.

    Decided to check Haven Marton Mere. Same time, same fully serviced pitch, cost £31.63 per night or £221.41 for 1 week. Cost includes, full use of swimming pool, free daytime & evening entertainment for the kids, onsite restaurant, bar & convenience store.

    And one of the reasons given for the recent rebrand of the Caravan Club was " to attract younger members "

    Someone at HQ needs to get a grip ! 

  • notite
    notite Forum Participant Posts: 96
    edited August 2017 #3

    If I, had children now, I certainly wouldn't use CAMC Sites in August, we are retired so we don't use CAMC Sites in August because of the costs and in the past the sites have been usually full of family's. Don't get me wrong, I love my grandkids to bits but also love peace and quiet lol.

    We use Adult Only sites in August should we decide to go away, we were at Cloverfields at Buxton couple of weeks ago and their price is the same all year round.

    I was looking at weekend availability for this last weekend and it was a real eye opener on the number of pitches available all over the network.

  • tigerman
    tigerman Forum Participant Posts: 39
    edited August 2017 #4

    Try haven 16thsept...I'm booked at Flamborough site four adults...for four nights..all facilities..Inc swimming pool..not forgetting one dog £32.....great....David

  • DSB
    DSB Club Member Posts: 5,689 ✭✭✭
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    edited August 2017 #5

    In answer to th OP.  The Club are finding a 'levelling out' of bookings throughout the year ie the summer months are not all fully booked, but with more bookings in the Spring and Autumn. I have my own theory as to why this is happening.  I think there are a variety of reasons:

    1. There are more motorhomers as Club members, who traditionally have used their units out of the main season.

    2. With the poor weather we have sometimes come to expect from the end of July to the end of August, folk want to be able to book a hardstanding pitch.

    3. Again, with poor weather as a feature, many families like going to 'all singing dancing sites' with swimming pools (some indoor) and other activities etc. 

    I think the Club is in a difficult situation.  If it provided 'all singing dancing sites' across the board, not only are they more expensive to provide and to upkeep, but this would alienate many of those who want a quieter life on site.  I think the Club has to look for some sort of compromise.

    I'm one of those who will not book a CAMC Site during the summer months as I can't book a hardstanding, unless I go to a hardstanding only site or unless I can book a full serviced pitch.

    David

  • rjb
    rjb Forum Participant Posts: 118
    edited August 2017 #6

    I think you have forgotten the main reason price

  • Fisherman
    Fisherman Forum Participant Posts: 2,367
    1000 Comments
    edited August 2017 #7

    Use CC site Lady Margaret on Sunday night whilst visiting NT properties. Cost £25-90 for a couple just as a parking spot. The demography of the other users was exactly the same as those off season ( when we use CC sites). Middle aged and OAP. There was less than half dozen kids. Friends of ours (family of 6) have gone to Haven at nearly £70 per night, but it includes free use of pool, adult & kids entertainment daytime and night, included. ( the day ticket cost to use the facilities for non residents is £8 per head). This may compare favourably with 6 at LMP or thereabout with no extras at all. No wonder there were no kids there. Is the cost that different and are we talking different senarios. What is evident is that the CC does not attract families even during peak summer time, so are they looking at the wrong  category to attract. We will not use CC in peak times purely on cost basis with other provides available. Likewise Haven will cost us £11 per night in Sept and October and we come back to CC in the winter times but only if they are competitive with the commercials. Use ing Internet we can easily compare once we decide on an area to visit. What I can honestly say is that our use of CC sites  has decreased year on year and we now consider whether or not to cotinue our membership.  Cant think we are that different from the other core membership.

  • Bri
    Bri Forum Participant Posts: 40
    First Comment
    edited August 2017 #8

    We are also in the above dilemma. CC is pushing prices above what we consider value for money and there are better alternatives if you look.

    The one thing about CC sites, yes don't like the CMCyell, is you know in most cases, the site will be quiet and well looked after.

    I'm also thinking of leaving and just using comercial sites in the future.

  • tenderfoot14
    tenderfoot14 Forum Participant Posts: 11
    edited August 2017 #9

    I must agree I have only used one site this year and am seriously thinking giving up membership after 35 years,   sad to say this club is not what it used to be.

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,154 ✭✭✭
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    edited August 2017 #10

    All I can say is that other years I've found if necessary to book sites for September by July. This year, in August, none of the sites I'm interested in for September have totally booked up days.

    I have just booked a series of 6 sites for next month - 1CAMC, 2 C&CC, 1commercial, 2 CLs. The CAMC site is the dearest of them all by a margin of £5 per night. Does this give us a clue as to why sites are not full? I think so.

     

  • rjb
    rjb Forum Participant Posts: 118
    edited August 2017 #11

    I can't believe £36 a night for black knowl August nice area but that's it

  • young thomas
    young thomas Club Member Posts: 11,357 ✭✭✭✭✭
    1000 Comments
    edited August 2017 #12

    ...and i thought Haven sites were £100 a nightwink

    it just goes to show that, while Haven prices are high in 'peak', that peak is a true peak, lasting a much shorter time than the clubs extended premium priced 'season'.......