Steamer Quay Upgrade

I think the Club (and Portmeirion) know exactly what they are doing and they probably have the evidence to support their approach to SQ, and as I mentioned the site in Worthing had that been possible would have been the same. So it seems that similar sites will be developed in the same way in the future? I have no problem with that. I think the Club recognise that our hobby is no longer done of a make do and mend basis financially and they have probably identified that an increasing number of members are investing, what some of us might think of, as vast sums in caravans and towcars and motorhomes and probably come to the conclusion they they will also be prepared to pay a premium price for a pitch? The odd thing about this discussion is that the few that are not in favour are probably unlikely to use the site even if it had regular hard standing pitches because they consider them too expensive! 

David

It is such a shame that the club cannot embrace the model adopted by Camping Car-Parks which includes sites designated Camping de Mon-Village, where caravans and tents are also permitted during the summer. The majority of these locations cost less than £15 per night, including electric and are invariably located within walking distance of a local town or attraction.

They are very good and we have used  them on numerous occasions along with the their MH only ones. However, the Mon village are generally ex municipals and there still seems to be some tie in with the local community, as in  grass cutting, facilities cleaning etc. I suspect in comparison, that at SQ, the local council will be screwing as much as possible out of the CAMC for continuing the lease.

Despite the criticism I have no doubt the Club  knows its customer base vey well    - for the most part elderly, risk averse, security conscious, wanting coded  barriers and a warden on site 24 hours a day, well off, wanting home comforts and easy living , a dog walk close by, neatness and tidiness,  willing to do as they are told and accept the order and  rules and regulations the Club imposes .

The new site is not catering for young folk with surf boards on a VW, nor those who drive overnight to Devon and would like to come on site at 8 am., nor for families with children - there will be absolutely no provision for them. But for typical Club members Steamer Quay will suit them perfectly. 

makes you wonder why those folk in their very expensive German vans head across the channel rather than spend (another) small fortune on club site fees.

Not really, it’s probably because it’s what they want to do. Similarly we took our, not quite so expensive, MH over there and spent £16 a night. In the same year we toured here, utilising quite a few CAMC sites and spent £35 a night. We did both because it’s what we wanted to do. We use both clubs sites in the UK because we like them and enjoy touring here as much as over there. We intend to do the same this year.

+1 Steve, so very simple yet so very true. 

It's their outfit and there is no correct manner in which to use it, if they want to 'recreate' and use their MH as a caravan then that's it. Equally use all the freedom as you see fit. Spend as one sees fit. There is no reason that one should take a touring holiday here or there based on anything other than one's personal wishes.

There does appear to be this myth that any outfit has to be used in one particular way in a certain type of site and otherwise sadly it's a reason to mock and use labels.

No one is forced to use any site, club or not. Not forced to pay the membership fee either. But as membership is at an all time high and at the last count there are more MHs than caravans so the club must be doing something exceedingly well to attract them. And no it's not a case of most of them to use CLs, club sites are quite full of motorhomes and often get to 90% on SPs.

Again so very simple, it's because they want to. No other reason is required.

Between 1987 and 2016 (29 years) we had many lovely holidays in Europe. I don't think the cheapness of sites was ever taken into account as a reason to cross the Channel. Certainly when we were at work, so time for holidays was limited, despite a fairly generous holiday entitlement, the cost of crossings and insurance tended to cancel out any advantage that cheaper sites may have had. Obviously a bit different in retirement when you are able to spend more time away.  In the early days I don't think sites in Europe were that much different, especially if booked through the Club and before the various discount schemes emerged. This was of course before the Euro when exchange values could vary a lot.  We went abroad to experience the countries we were visiting and we travelled far and wide to most parts of France, extensively in Germany almost right across to the Polish border, extensively in Austria and quite a bit of Italy. What sites did we like best, it was those near to towns and cities where we could hop on a bus or a train to explore, we did this even when we had a car and caravan. This is still our MO in the UK. We like sites where we can use local transport to get into nearby towns and cities which brings us back neatly to Steam Quay and its like. It seems to me a ideal location to explore that area and an easy walk into the town on those days you might not want to travel further afield. So, if Steamer Quay is £10 a night more than some site, even of equal quality, out in the countryside where travel is more restricted is £70 a week going to cause me nightmares, of course not, its not even a reasonable meal out for two in a decent restaurant!

David