July opening
Comments
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I only use supermarket loos if I am absolutely desperate in normal times.
As someone who looked after 15 leisure facilities, starting as a Supervisor and actually doing some of the cleaning, and then overseeing the cleaning schedules, loos and showers are only as clean as when the last person used them. It only takes one person 30 seconds to trash a loo cubicle, if they are first one in after that hourly clean, then you are looking at 55 minutes of horror until they are done again. (Most folks don’t report a problem they just back out, and use another cubicle)
This isn’t about facilities “looking” clean, this is about them being virus free. If I was doing the RA for the Club, I would adopt the close them down model, and only keep a disabled loo open for those with a radar key, on the understanding that anyone using them accepts the risks, cleaning for themselves both before and after use. The Club could provide antivirus wipes in there, but then you have got the issue of theft and allergies.🤷♀️ Everyone else accepts that it’s their onboard facilities. Small campers and tents aren’t a problem, if they are that desperate to get away, small porta potties are not that expensive, and a daily strip wash used to be the norm before vans got sophisticated. It’s not just about the visitors either, I personally don’t think the staff should be exposed to additional risks.
The only big issue then is the prices. Given that there appears to be a great deal of booking up of pitches, before any conditions are announced, it would indicate that folks are ready and willing to put up with a good many changes to get away. 🤔
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As you arrive on site you will be alocated a time slot which will be on the barrier card for the pitch you chose, as will the timed code for the toilet block,, the nearer the toilet block you are the less acceptable? the slot (will not apply to genuine radar key holders)
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Not sure how you ensure genuine use JVB. Radar keys can be easily bought. One would hope that only those needing such a facility would use it. However, I fear I may be wrong.🤔
I fear this site is about to fall over again. Everything is taking ages to do.☹️
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(a) If the Club employs cleaners and opens the toilet blocks they will be able to charge normal site fees and also get more customers.
(b) if the Club doesn't employ cleaners and closes the toilet blocks they will have to charge reduced fees and also get fewer customers.
A business decision will be made one way or the other.
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If the club employs extra staff for cleaning then it follows the cost will need to be passed on.
But then will the sites have all the pitches open? the cost per pitch will be higher with more staff , and how many?as they will be also covered by the working time directive
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Agree with that, maybe an emergency loo plus a disabled facility. Everyone else will have to manage, perhaps? I see the C&CC are suggesting campers get themselves loo tents, I'm wondering how all this will work out on any type of camp site....the great unwashed, Glastonbury anyone?
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But who's going to stop the person who just walks in without bothering about a token? Be real, that's bound to happen, not ever CC member is the kind that will wait outside till there's a token there showing there's a vacant place in the toilet block. You are kidding yourself if you think that won't happen if your suggestion is put in place.
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I think that this is great during normal circumstances, we have done it ourselves. Difficult if you carry a lot of stuff, and your bathroom is normally storage. But if it was a toss up between using somewhere the virus might be lurking (I have little faith in the cleanliness of my fellow man) and being able to control everything within my own personal space, then I would opt for my own personal space if it was safer.
The other option of course is simply to not go away.
If you cannot get overseas AD (I hope you and everyone likewise does manage it), will you be thinking of something over here, or simply do something different? Just wondering what those who love overseas might choose?
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All apart from the number of tokens would be closed off, so no where to go...so to speak.
And if anyone reported the 'loo jumper' for breaking social distancing rules...refund of balance and asked to leave the site. As with any serious infringement of site rules.
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I prefer to use my vans onboard facilities and rarely use the site ones. It’s my choice, but I don’t expect to get a reduction in the site fee when I turn up and pay. So I wouldn’t expect any change if site facilities are unavailable when the sites reopen.
I book sites for the location. There maybe a child’s play area, but you won’t find me playing on the swings or climbing frame to ensure I get my monies worth!
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Seems a good idea, but not so easy in practice. If say you are allowing 5 in at a time, are you only going to open 5 units ( 2 showers, 2 toilets and a privacy cubicle). I would suggest not, you are going to open up more to prevent queuing once inside.
I think the biggest deterant would be other folk queuing. There are not that many going to walk past.
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This is only one step removed from those who want an extension on their membership or those who suggested making voluntary donations to the club!! If someone is so financially stretched they need such a reduction in site fees then i question how they can afford the holiday or their caravan in the first place. Or, find a site without those facilities (plenty of CL’s). We never use play areas, laundry or showers and only use the kitchen if we use the BBQ. I am more concerned with the site location, site layout and pitch privacy/spacing.
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The difference is that has been your choice in the past, having booked the site knowing you were paying for one with facilities. Many folk booked sites before lockdown and the price they were quoted and accepted was for a facility site. If facilities are not provided, these folk at least should get a discount.
Even for those booking now, there is no mention that facilities might not be available, and you might be paying for something you don't get.
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I totally agree and stated that it is my choice. And I fully respect your view and under normal circumstances I would expect everyone to get exactly what has been expected/paid for. But these are exceptional times and some changes are required to keep people safe. Hopefully these changes are only required short term.
Some good things about this club is that we don’t pay a deposit and can cancel our bookings without any loss ( as long as we give minimal notice). So if someone is unhappy with the new arrangements, they have the right to cancel that site and try to find something more suitable to their requirements or wait until the world returns to normal.
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The only time I can recall in 15 years was at Baltic Wharf, for the balloon festival. Site full, lots of kids and only 3 showers. I didn't actually queue, I went back and used the caravan shower.😀
The queues now though are to enable social distancing. To prevent the block becoming over full. As the virus can be spread in water droplets, I would have thought it unwise to have all showers in operation in the current circumstances.
Agree there should be a reduction if they are not opened.
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It could be a short season. Corona virus strains seem to thrive during Autumn and Winter. If the 'Covid19 virus pool' is significant and the infection rates may therefore rise during the flu season will we see new impositions on social/holiday activity
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TTDA
if you cannot get overseas AD (I hope you and everyone likewise does manage it), will you be thinking of something over here, or simply do something different? Just wondering what those who love overseas might choose?
booked to leave the UK 2nd Sept for nearly 3 months, if this does not happen will probably not move the caravan off the hardstanding alongside the bunglalow, our 3rd bedroom,.
Although we used to travel extensively in the UK all year round, we have grown soft in our old age so doing the winter months in the UK is a no no, for us, and the thought of doing July-August with full sites is not good for us either and with all the aggro that is bound to ensue re facilities, social distancing, the anti dog brigade, surprised there has not been a call for dog walking areas to be closed
, not for us thanks0 -
The more possible solutions that are offered for how the facility blocks could be organised the more I am filled with dread at the thought of using them!!!!
David
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"Here is our reason for using the site showers. I have better plans for the day than carting water to and from the caravan, emptying the shower compartment of all the stuff that travels in it and drying it out afterwards."
Agree with this 100%.
Our shower is used when it is is needed, such as on a CL, and as for David it is used for other things for most of the time.
We did use the shower more on a fully serviced pitch, as this removed the need for all the water carting.
If using a site open without blocks in use would also do so but more likely we would not be going away-we accept some things will be different but are not desperate to 'get away' until we feel its safe and somewhere near 'normal'.
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We never use the site's facilities, whether on a site with them or not. We both much prefer to use our own, partly because it's easier (especially a morning shower - getting dressed to walk across to have to undress/shower/dress in a small space etc), don't mind the water carrying issue, nor the fact that we may be paying for something we don't use.
But I don't think we will be going away at all this year. I feel much safer at home rather than mingling with who knows who. Caravanning is not the be all and end all of life for us. Just living is what matters.
P.S. I realise that we are lucky and live in the midst a beautiful landscape and don't need to "escape to the country".
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There is nothing more enjoyable than strolling across to the shower block in the glorious early morning heat of a foreign campsite, wearing just shorts and flip flops with a towel draped over your shoulder - Bliss
Unfortunately there is nothing worse on a typical English campsite when the weather is cold and wet and you have to wear warm and waterproof clothing before you start the undress/redress performance.
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