It's official...we are crazy for campervans
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As I posted it evolves rather than rushing into change ,that over the years has proven it is the successful way to go with the ever (for now) increasing need of more pitches on sites ,which, with the restrictions imposed by LAs and planning depts also the local nimbys, make for long periods of making for more pitches
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im afraid you've missed the point....I agree change evolves but the club isn't known for rushing into new ideas
also, no one is advocating planning requirements to expand sites beyond current boundaries...
merely to, firstly, understand the changing market, then to evaluate what this might mean in terms of more folk requiring less from a site, and then think about how a changing requiremnt might be serviced from within...
suggestions have been made around a few fast turnaround pitches, perhaps without EHU, possibly even changing the spacing, and certainly changing the price...
all the MHing press is screaming the way sales have changed towards much smaller vans, and despite the scepticism of some reading the OP, there's no denying this is happening in a big way.
my point is, the club seems to want to attract the sort of folk who might buy these different products but seems content to assume that the same one size fits all offering will continue to do so.
time will tell, but the club doesn't have the millennia it normally takes to implement a change...
House of Fraser is a recent example of not recognising customer change yet maintaing huge costs....
even M&S and Tesco have had to think carefully and dig deep to ensure they can still deliver beyond their core and into the modern market.
perhaps the AGM will present an opportunity to see if step one, recognition of the changing market has been acheived.
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suggestions have been made around a few fast turnaround pitches, perhaps without EHU, possibly even changing the spacing, and certainly changing the price...
Fast turn around pitches? You can stay just one night now.
Perhaps without EHU and changed spacing perhaps. and definitely changing the price. Is it just a lower price for solo motorhomes that you seek? If so that should encourage more users.
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So who is going to start up the Lidl/Aldi equivalent campervan site network ?
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not really the same thing BB (the high street analogy) I assume that they failed as they were selling to customers what they didn't want or could get elsewhere cheaper? But (disappointing for you no doubt) the club is selling something that people, MHs and caravaners, seem to want to buy in large quantities. You yourself have commented on the Saturday night full site syndrome)
You ever visit remember a store called Fishers in Keswick (I'll be there quite soon spending no doubt) it's a bit like the club, high standards and yes certainly more expensive than the other shops that sell cheaper brands of outdoor equipment. Been there years while the 'layby' outdoor shops come and go. About 10 to 15 years ago they decided to sell other stuff to appeal to the trends at the time, they decided to cheaper brands and sell trainers and stuff like that. Guess what they nearly went bust. I remember the director or manager writing it was a Huge mistake. That everyone knew what Fishers stood for and they should not have done it.
And now it is still there. Doesn't make sense why? go there for a pair of boots and Goretex stuff and and you won't have much change out of a good few hundred pounds. Go to one of the cheaper (layby) shops and you'll easily get the stuff for much cheaper. Yet Fishers reigns and is always full. Just like a club site?
Motorhomes are coming to the club in large numbers they appear to be happy even on SP, so rather than change a winning formula to suit your own touring style perhaps find sites that give you what you want, and of course at cheaper prices.
Also how do you know what members really want? I have no idea personally and wouldn't even dare to say.
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Some hotels let you rent a room for four hours, apparently that appeals to......err.....courting couples......
Perhaps that's the sort of fast turnaround the club is going to cater for.....
But as for any other sort of "fast turnaround" if that is code for squashed in reduced spacing pitches then I hope the club moves in the opposite direction. How about some Executive/Premium/ miserable old g*t pitches with privacy hedges and 12metre spacing. The club doesn't need to get involved in a race to the bottom.......
It may very well find that there is a big market for "plusher" pitches, after all there are plenty of comments on here relating to how full the SP's are......!0 -
yes add me to that fully. It's also code for I want cheaper prices.
Yes larger pitches, fully SP
In fact why can't we book two side by side pitches at once?
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just back from Aldi myself, shopping for a short trip tomorrow. it's now our supermarket of choice.
i don't what 'layby' is strewn through Corners' post?
i don't think anyone has mentioned this word in any of the other posts, other than folk who want to use it in some derogatory sort of way.
i do agree with TT that the club has plenty of scope to push upmarket, bigger, better pitches, some nice privacy hedging, and a pool with bar/restaurant...very nice.
TT, did you mean something like in the attached photo?
the thing is, we get all that and more for a lot less than the club would be charging when we go away....and the sort of things above probably won't appeal to many, anyway...and prices are already causing members to tour less or 'go elsewhere'...
so, the club (more than likely) will stay right where it is, middle of the road product for a medium/high price.
only time will tell if a fairly inflexible one-size-fits-product will still be the brand of choice down the line.
i hope it is, after all I'm a member like many others
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Yes, if the club are going to do what is often suggested and look at the "superior" commercial chains for inspiration then bigger, more fully serviced pitches seems to be the way they should go. Maybe they could model them on Haven's "euro" pitches or Concierge's up market boutique style? I haven't used either but I've read reports on here saying that they're really rather good!
In which case, why would the club buck that trend?
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TT, did you mean something like in the attached photo?
That would suit me perfectly.........well. if it was H/S.......
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don't worry it will be, was 19 years ago and it was so much easier getting pitches then.
Oh and you mean when you go away over there?
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+1 unless that green stuff is that plastic grass? even then that gets messy
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this is far nicer though:
In hearts at peace, under an English heaven
actually Scottish but there are no poems about a Scottish heaven
PS those two MH are on service pitches
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When the Haven type pitches are mentioned as what the club should do,it is usually by posters who would probably not dream of useing them in the main holiday periods when compared to what both the major suppliers of pitches now charge and they are "to expensive" for a few who post
And then post as to what they pay mostly out of season "over there"
And as i still cannot seem to be able to post pictures,i cannot "cherry pick" those that can match and post those that as good as those that do
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What a scabby abused spot. All concrete just can't be any less appealing.
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M&S decided to ignore its core customer base and go trendy which resulted in massive backfire. Most of the clothing shops have closed in our area and they only have food outlets. Moral, Don’t take your loyal customer base for granted.
BB you keep telling us that the sites over there are better and have better facilities for a cheaper price. You always neglect to say you go in low season where a lot of others have no option but to go in high season where the costs can escalate out Of all proportion, I.e anywhere between 40 and €50 +/night depending how many in your party.
PS don’t forget to add insurances, ferry fares etc
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Very well put, Nav.
Haven Seaview, Weymouth. One night was more than enough especially as the noise of the nearby plant room was intrusive. CAMC pitches are pure luxury compared to that.
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did you pay for that pitch or did they pay you?
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it was very dry when the photo was taken so it was nice and firm for vans.
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Sadly, we paid and, as it was 3 nights for the price of 1, there was no refund for the 2 nights we didn’t stay.
Still, it was worth a lot to get out of the place and I’d have paid a release fee just to get out of there. 😂😂😂
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...but, in fairness, JVB, We wouldn't dream of using a Club site in peak season either.
the thing is, the site picture I posted (of course, it's in France but was an example of the sort of thing TT was referring to) has large pitches, at sensible (€15) a night for 46 weeks of the year.
they don't have a dozen different peak periods just to cash in on any sort of holiday anywhere in the British Iles...
whilst it's obvious that TW had a problem with his pitch at Seaview (I seem to recall) we've never had a Haven pitch like that and we have stayed at that site.
M likes to have a little leg pull (who doesn't) but the Euro pitches at Perran are very clean modern and have water and grey waste and for the majority of the year are very cheap....
when we visit out of season, we have stayed for far less than a tenner a night....ISTR it was around £6.50 when we last stayed there.
the shower blocks are also ultra modern, environmentally friendly and camouflaged from the air, it seems.
Concierge, on the other hand, is expensive most of the time, but is very good, has a small number of well spaced, very large pitches.
however, I don't see what would be wrong with the club having a few 'exclusive' pitches (as suggested above) along with a few 'economy' ones all together on the same site.
something for everyone, perhaps?
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We are going to a music festival with our caravan on a big "holiday camp" style site in Norfolk next week and as it is also our annual meet up with a group of friends of who some use the camp accomodation,but several of us use the touring part of the comlex on a "serviced gold" pitch,and we know as in the past it will not be anywhere near as good as Seacroft where we go for a few days prior to or Sandringham for a few days on our way home,
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well, FYI, it's not an artist impression....the hangars are what they are in design and as nice to use as any Club facilities.
the concrete pitches are clean, dry and you don't those awful chippings all over the place.....mower blades for instance.
personally, I prefer grass as in my earlier photo but we're drifting well away from the OP and into having a pop at other providers.
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