Site Shops
Just read a review of Wirral CP site that mentions that the wardens are no longer able to sell basic goods from the reception. They told the reviewer that it was a H.O. management decision.
Is this a regular occurrence elsewhere as I've not seen it mentioned before and not being a regular attendee on club sites would not have come across it?
Should imagine it would affect some members more than others.
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I don't expect a Tesco Extra when I stay at a site but it would be nice to be able to buy a pint of milk! Obviously COVID had a big impact on site shops and that was when most stopped selling things. Perhaps JK could give us an update?
David
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We were told, last year (I think it was by the Wardens at the NYM site) that they had been told by HO - that for elf 'n safety reasons, they could no longer sell things unless they were prepared to take the consequences of possibly being sued, themselves. Something to do with allergens in foodstuffs. The only item they were allowed to sell was TV aerial leads! And all we wanted was an ice cream (in the hot weather of last summer) which they had previously sold.
Another example of a ridiculous risk averse policy that dictates that if there's the slightest chance of risk - do nothing!
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Morning
So to run a site shop has always been a voluntary decision by the staff. Moving on, in the light of "Natasha's Law" we cannot sell any home made produce, only items that are prepacked. Moving on further any staff wishing to have a shop selling anything, be it papers, milk, accessories etc etc have to run it as their own business. It's a liability thing. Working hours will come into it soon a s well. In my opinion running even a small shop is labour intensive and the upfront cost at the start is a choker so I must admit it's quite liberating not having to run around on your rest days getting stock and sitting forever on the phone ordering stuff and actually to have a days rest.
JK
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+1, I think it’s an intelligent move to protect the company & its staff👍🏻. As inconvenient as it seems to some & even an over reaction it strikes me as long overdue. For the staff & the public👍🏻👏🏻👏🏻
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+1 for me as well.
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Given the chaos that is Calor, do CAMC sites still stock bottles. Gas is most certainly an "elf & safe tea" issue.
Since many members now have refillable systems, whilst not economically viable everywhere, it would be pro-active for some "strategic" sites to have an LPG dispensing facility.
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"....sites to have an LPG dispensing facility"
Now you're really talking H&S🤣
Out of interest, would such a provision encourage you to use club sites, CY?
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It sounds like there is confusion over Natasha's law which only affects a section of the food market, prepacked food etc with a list of specific ingredients which must be displayed. Responsibility for unlabelled food etc lies with the purchaser. Notices can say may contain allergens. Every small food shop, bakery, village hall fund raiser and market stall would otherwise close!
I read the review quoted by the OP and although JK gives out good information it's another disappointing downwards move on the part of CAMC.
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Is this yet another failure of the Clubs communication with members? To me, and I am sure many other members, this is something that we should have been told about rather than hearing bits here and there.
David
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Yep, I'm sure CAMC's legal team will have scrutinised the relevant laws and the company will have made the best decision for all parties.
Anyway, was it ever right to expect site wardens to run a shop by funding it themselves and working out of hours to stock it as JK describes? Not in my book it wasn't.
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Whilst I agree with your comment on wardens funding the shops I don't have your faith in the clubs legal team or any other part of the organisation making the best decisions for all parties, it is a useful facility for many lost, I've seen a few members asking why wardens no longer answer phones the one reason is as the shop is closed the office is also closed I was told this by a warden last year when asking why the office was closed, it opened at 1pm for new arrivals.
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No one expected people to do this but it's been a useful service on some sites and no doubt some site managers liked doing it. No more cream teas at Merrose Farm? There have been some nice independent touches over the years. A big thank you from me. Sorry to hear that it's been stifled.
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I'm sure we are all grateful for extra efforts but, by inference because it was the norm, it was expected that wardens would run shops. Expected both by site users, as posts in this thread demonstrate, and by HO.
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We would miss some of the stocked items at some locations, thinking of Nunnykirk, Marazion in particular. Things like home baked scones, bread, milk were always welcome occasionally, even if we were usually well organised. There are a lot of CLs and private sites that provide extras, often on an honesty basis.
It’s always sad when someone dies through overlooking some aspect or other. It must be very hard for anyone with an allergy. They are often caused by simple everyday things as well. I once found our next door neighbour’s teenage step daughter on our doorstep on her hands and knees, gasping for help. Postman had held together their post with a rubber band, she was unaware, picked up post, instant anaphylactic shock from latex. It took 3 epipens to keep her concious, and was a full on 999 emergency. Shocking for her, very frightening for us as well.
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As I recall,toilet fluid,tent pegs and the like are sold in the reception area at sites run by the more friendly club.
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"Natasha's Law" whilst obviously important, probably only impacted on a few sites that sold home produced products, it doesn't apply to the majority of what was sold in site receptions. Talk about throwing the baby out with the bathwater!
OK I accept that it is up to site staff whether they finance the sale of various items but like the old saying goes you have to speculate to accumulate. Whilst it might not be the case on the very small sites certainly on the larger sites there could be a good income from stocking a few basics as well as providing a service to members.
My next question is what is happening to sites that have more comprehensive shops like Brecon, Hillhead and Poolsbrook?
David
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This sounds like the interpretation of GDPR which is often/almost always misunderstood and misapplied. I did notice when at Edinburgh site at Christmas there was next to nothing on sale, not even toilet chemicals which is surely a public health issue NOT having them?! Where does customer need and service come into the Clubs decisions? Other independent sites seem to cope with running a shop. Sounds like insurance lawyers typical ‘the answer is no’ approach to risk. How about those who have allergies taking responsibility themselves? I have health issues that limit my diet but I don’t pass responsibility onto the shop or restaurant.
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What I would like to know is whether the staff will be selling equipment commensurate with touring, namely toilet cleaning fluids, loo paper, electric cables, tv leads, awning pegs etc.
As a person who has to keep away from certain food products I'm more than aware of checking the products contained in food so that aspect is on me as well as the supplier. In response to a post mentioning CLs and food then we have stayed at numerous sites where the hosts have provided a welcome pack, usually home made cake or scones, and I have always informed them when booking that, whilst appreciated, I wouldn't be able to accept them. The same happens with cottages that we hire. We have bought items such as fruit and home made preserves and even their own farm produce where available from CLs and have been grateful for it.
Similarly I have found several Independent sites that seem quite happy to have a small shop for essentials.
This does seem overkill. As DK alluded to, baby and bath water spring to mind.
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We were at Merrose Farm last May the staff did have a good basic shop on site including packed scones jam and small pots of cream, ice creams and they sold gas and some toilet fluids no tv leads as not needed as we had good local reception, but the club do supply some of toilet fluids, awning/tent pegs.
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From my perspective 'shops' at the office were nice and certainly I used them very occasionally for something we had run out of, usually milk, and more often for ice creams, but having said that I never considered it in any way an essential part of a club site.
If they are not going to be there then we'll manage.
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I quite agree CS. Ours usually consisted of an ice-cream.
I do think that almost everything missing/broke/forgotten can wait until you can get off site. I mentioned in the OP that it might affect some and the Reviewer was a Motorhomer so I suppose if you don't like taking the unit off site it would inconvenience you.
However you really shouldn't forget the tea, that's almost a criminal offence in my book.
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