Loss of Site Shops on remote rural sites

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Comments

  • mickysf
    mickysf Forum Participant Posts: 6,474 ✭✭✭
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    edited June 21 #32

    Agreed, a tad of forward thinking and organisation helps a great deal regardless of being a motorised caravan or otherwise. Can’t see the club wishing to take on the responsibility of site shops in these times of cutbacks and burdening bureaucracy, red tape and regulations.

  • dave the rave
    dave the rave Forum Participant Posts: 806
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    edited June 21 #33

    The world has changed since the pandemic!people are more grumpy because it seems that the "big I am more important than you" person type is more prevelant!You will see this on the road,on site,in towns and around shops.I am so fed up with this attitude now that I no longer (after 50 years of caravanning)want to be involved.

  • Cornersteady
    Cornersteady Club Member Posts: 14,425 ✭✭✭
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    edited June 21 #34

    Some club sites have shops, some don't, some have large shops, sone have smaller ones, if having a shop is that important to your stay then ring up before booking or travelling.

    For myself I've always viewed them as a slight perk, if they are there I'll use them for things like local maps, ice creams, sweets, local farm foods are usually good. In 25 years I think I can count on the fingers of one hand the time we've used them if we run out of something like milk.

    We don't count on a site having one and stock up elsewhere. As posted caravan/MH fluids will always be sold and gas should be too dependent on stock 

  • rayjsj
    rayjsj Forum Participant Posts: 930
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    edited June 23 #35

    That's Good, an improvement on last year anyway. When they had nothing only a few  things like toilet fluid...green only. I wonder if they stock 6kg Calor propane now ?  If I go this year I'll have to phone and ask. 

  • TobyLeeds
    TobyLeeds Forum Participant Posts: 146
    edited June 23 #36

    I agree that a bit of forward planning should ensure you have a gas cylinder to use and a spare and with fridges and microwaves food should not be a problem.

    I can’t see the point of having a food shop at Broadway when there is a garage that supplies everything over the road. Surely we should be supporting the local economy, not taking trade away?

    I would far rather see wardens out and about on the site than sat in the office in the expectation someone might want a tin of beans or a pint of milk.

  • mickysf
    mickysf Forum Participant Posts: 6,474 ✭✭✭
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    edited June 23 #37

    “I would far rather see wardens out and about on the site than sat in the office in the expectation someone might want a tin of beans or a pint of milk.”

    I think that would be the club’s stance afterall, thats what they pay the staff's wages for, not running a shop I believe!

  • rayjsj
    rayjsj Forum Participant Posts: 930
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    edited June 23 #38

    If you read my original post you would see that I said  'on Rural sites where the nearest shops are several (more than 5) miles away,'   and added  we should buy 'locally' if shops are available. A good example is Exmoor house,  with a nice Co-op and plenty of Artisan shops and restaurants all within walking distance of the site.  Borrowdale however  had a terrific shop until this year. Sorely missed  by members onsite  (us)  and hillwalkers coming off of Catbells  looking for an ice ream.    Just another change that I feel diminishes the Club and its welcome. 

     

     

  • rayjsj
    rayjsj Forum Participant Posts: 930
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    edited June 24 #39

    David,  I think some 'Covid'  measures are still being applied, for instance here at Chapel Lane,  Shower curtains still haven't re-appeared although the rails and hooks still hang forlornly  waiting for the curtains to return,  Saving clothes from getting wet in the cubicles which are smaller and NEED  a curtain.  

    A bit 'off track' from the original thread, but you did mention 'covid' related items.   

    Whilst on the subject of Chapel Lane site,  noticed multiple  'Traveller families'  and their vans onsite, taking over the Laundry Facilities  and breaking numerous site rules ,  hanging washing on fences and railings, gas bottles  standing outside vans,  Caravans  and  motorhomes  parked close together on pitches unused.   Just a bit unnerving,  but not bothering us personally. 

  • eurortraveller
    eurortraveller Club Member Posts: 6,828 ✭✭✭
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    edited June 25 #40

    Ray, you sound dissatisfied.

    So drive 20 minutes from Chapel Lane.to Somerswood Caravan site at Meriden. Ask Angela or Marc, the owners, to let you look round.

    See if you like it better.

  • rayjsj
    rayjsj Forum Participant Posts: 930
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    edited July 21 #41

    Yes,  a bit dissatisfied  I am considering other  sites,  and do use some, but I suppose I have a sense of loyalty to the club, after 20 years, being a member,  BUT  the Club has changed a lot over the last few years,  its no longer the  'Friendly Warden' type of Club  and it shows , no where  in the Information room to even write your Comments ... Why not ??

     Before many start to vote with their feet, please review some of the EDICTS  handed down over the last couple of years. 

    A concerned and dissatisfied  long Term Member.  

  • mickysf
    mickysf Forum Participant Posts: 6,474 ✭✭✭
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    edited July 21 #42

    It certainly has changed a lot! As to why there is nowhere in the Information room to write your comments these days the reason is clear. You can now write your comment immediately for all to read online. The internet has a lot to answer for but I guess that’s all to do with the changes we witness in real time.  I'm far from convinced that this is a good thing mind!

  • rayjsj
    rayjsj Forum Participant Posts: 930
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    edited July 22 #43

    The 'comments book' was more friendly and local,  not all comments were complaints,  and if it was a complaint  ,perhaps  the problem had slipped the Wardens memory and just needed jogging,  no need to shout it  from the top of 'Trip Advisor'  for all and sundry to see.   No I agree ,not all  new 'rules'  are  better for the Clubs   'ambience'   and   Member/ Warden  relationships  it appears to be more   'Them and US '    in these H&S   enlightened times.