Cayton Village Site, the future?
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Most if not all other accounting units provide some tangible member benefits, Failing to see where this be experiment does. The umbrella entity Is still the Caravan Club. Strange that it's not been updated.
My guess is if the experiment fails to compete in the market it's easy to sell off as a stand alone unit. Looks marketing driven to me ....
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I suspect the funding stream and budgetary remit for Experience Freedom is a totally different model to that of traditional Club Services. I am no better informed than others speculating on its existence, but happen to think that the Club cannot stand still in such a changing and challenging holiday business. Change had to happen, progress and accommodation diversity will provide a new dynamic and might in the future haul the touring element out of a deepening rut.
The Club’s core of Membership is ageing. This is reflected in the demographic you see on Sites, the number of serviced pitches being clamoured for, the ever growing switch to easier to use motor homes, and the simple fact that in 20-25 years time, pensions like a good deal now enjoy simply will be a thing of the past. It’s a fun topic at the moment discussing what vehicles will actually tow caravans or power big white vans in 20 years time. But it’s coming, along with restrictions to licenses, and the changes to working practices, holiday pay etc.....
Standing still isn’t really an option. You either age and wither on the vine like so many big name businesses are doing at this very moment, or you embrace change and progress and re invent yourself for the next generation.
My Mum is 91. She can’t manage touring, but she would love staying in one of those Glamping Pods up at Coniston, other family members close by, with a mobile cafe to take her out for the day. 👍
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V, you post with what seems distaste. It’s purely down to its(C&MC) increasing expansion & organisational future planning(forum excluded obvs) that I will be rejoining in the future. It works for me & many others I’m thinking to lose the ‘old boys club’ vibe👍🏻
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It may also be one of the main reasons that the Caravan Club changed its name ,to keep it as a separate "funding stream" for accounting purposes?
I was told by a senior club director some years ago that the club sites side of the organisation has for years had to be subsidised by other income streams as it was not viable as a stand alone entity
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There are many young families that use club sites at peak periods and weekends in the summer,and probably more if the finacial problems that we are facing now and for years to come,will increase "staycations" even more
I can see quite a few more family/friends jointley owning L/Vs
As happens quite often now ,with the also increasing narrow boat ownership, there are two families who are neighbors in our road have done with some others with shares in a narrow boat and they say it is a very popular and economic? way of holidaying
Also noted is the rise in family sized tents on club sites(that take them)which would not have need for somewhere to keep other types of L/Vs as in areas as here without any space for other than a couple of cars on the road?
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The tangible benefits for CAMC are profits which are ploughed back into the system. If the club doesn't act in a responsible manner to increase revenue they will go out of business. The Enterprise Freedom section encourages the use of a variety of units including van hire, I expect the van hire section has been popular this year? I'm fairly certain most of the other units on offer have been popular too. It won't be possible to install glamping pods everywhere but Cayton offers that possibility. There are some sites already offering a few units but space and planning will limit the opportunity.
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The Caravan and Motorhome Club ltd is registered at companies House as a dormant company. All activities are under the Caravan Club LTD umbrella.
In 2019 Sites account for approx 48% of revenue and membership subs about 9%, total revenue is near £118M what surplus or otherwise sites generate is difficult to extract from the accounts. I doubt sites make a loss.
Below is the list of subsidiary companies the club has interest in.
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Nope it's concern at the direction the club is being marketed. Having been a victim of marketing lead disasters during my career there's a recurring theme which starts with re-branding. I attach the club's official vibe. All in the best possible taste 😋
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I have not seen any pods on a CMC site. I have seen similar on camping club sites and they had vehicular access. I have considered renting similar for an October/November break but would require bathroom and parking at the accommodation.
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Been on 2 commercials site that were similar, i think the theory is that the pod should have just about all you would require so negating the need for carting cases etc, the major down side for us would be the fact that there are no facilities actually in the pod so if you need to visit the loo during the night you have to don some clothes and take a hike to the nearest facilities, not the best if it is as you say "belting down with rain". Have stayed in a couple of B&B's where you had to park in the municipal car park down the road so not a lot different from that perspective.
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Nope, that’s a mission statement V. Vibe it ain’t👍🏻. I could understand your concern if you had a really big financial investment & they had no plan for future proofing but the C&MC do have a plan & it’s aimed at a future users experience. That won’t be you so it’s not aimed at you🤷🏻♂️. It’s aimed at the likes of me as I use pods within my travel/leisure mix🙂
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I think folks need to read some more information around these pods on the Experience Freedom website. There are a number of Pod options. One is a basic camping Pod. Think upside down boat, space inside to sleep, sit, in effect a wooden tent space plus.
The Glamping Pods/Cabins are something totally different. They are quite luxurious little self catering units, somewhere to sprawl out, watch a tv, basic cooking equipment, comfy bed, and an en-suite bathroom. Think a large caravan that doesn’t move or have wheels, but with nicer windows, more room to move and does away with humping water and waste up and down! They are built by Swift, but probably don’t leak as much as their caravans do😉
You also don’t have to be a Member to use Experience Freedom accommodation, so that myth needs eliminating. You do get a Members discount however.
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+1
We used such a cabin late summer at Troutbeck Head, it was indeed made by Swift. It could sleep six. It had a large L shaped lounge with full size tv and connections for a PlayStation, all sockets had USB built in, full sized shower cubical, and the kitchen had full sized fridge and a dishwasher. The heating was very good too.
Outside there is a covered over seating area with seats and beyond that a brick bbq and a a table for six with a large sun umbrella.
We enjoyed it immensely and all the other cabins were well used too
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Nope actually it's corporate nonsense. Dis-taste 🤮 accepted here.
You also assume too much regards our use of alternative accommodation facilities. Anyway As for future proofing we will see if the club can compete in the marketplace with its direct to public offer of 55 club sites with such alternatives, they can obviously coin 10% more from the general public than from members. Maybe the club has to diversify into not being a club to survive.
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As I said it’s not aimed at you so you shouldn’t be too worried👍🏻. If you bail I’ll take your place🙂. Have a good evening.
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Yep, our friends have used similar at Coniston, and their daughter and her husband have also used a C-c-camping Pod. They are very different.
C-amping Pods.....................wooden tent
G-lamping Pods....................all inclusive, en-suite sleeping& living
G-lamping Cabin...................same but larger
There are accessible versions as well, and some allow dogs.
EF do Airstreams and Yurts as well. Something to suit different tastes.
😁
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'Free' as in there being no additional charge.
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