Totnes Steamer Quay site
I notice that the above site is in the book for 2023/24; however, the site is closed during major upgrading work at the moment.
I imagine this information would be available if someone tried to book on line but could be disappointing for anyone deciding to arrive without booking.
Comments
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I would doubt many are going to be disappointed. The book was publish around October 22 and put together well before that date, therefore I would think anyone arriving on spec would check online.
Having said that even in 22 the club must have known the site might be closed for refurbishment and a small note stating future opening dates were unconfirmed and to check online could have been included. Unfortunately communications isn’t something the club excel at.0 -
Unlike a lot of sites due for refurbishment Steamer Quay seems to have been fully closed for a much longer period that most. It seems the provisional opening date is around the 1st October. It would be good to have an update on progress and whether early October is still on course for reopening.
On the OP's point about turning up and being disappointed. Whilst most of us have done that in Europe I am not sure how common that is in the UK, particularly with CMC sites, especially without an initial phone call to the site to check availability?
David
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Just seen a post on a Facebook Group where someone posted a piece about South Hams Council agreeing to a 40 year lease extension to the Club for Steamer Quay. I thought Planning Permission was granted some time ago? Perhaps the Club were waiting for this confirmation before putting boots on the ground to get the work started?
David
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Refurbishing underway at last.
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I normally visit Hillhead for a week at the beginning of Nov and again when it opens in March. I was surprised to find it closing in October and wonder if this is going to be the norm going forward. I booked Totnes Steamer Quay instead and paid £167 for seven nights ( one person). I note that this substantial sum does not include electricity and am now worried, with the club grabbing every pound it can, may result in the final price rising substantially.
Has anyone been on a metered pitch and if so is it a reasonable cost per unit
Thanks
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The price per unit will be the same as CAMC pays because profiteering from the resale of energy is illegal. However, be prepared to pay business tariffs which are usually more expensive than domestic prices. The reseller is obliged to tell you how much per unit you will be charged but it may be too early for CAMC to know. The prices vary site to site due to different supply contracts but you could contact them and ask the price.
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Novaman
You could read the reviews of Wyatts Covert where they already have metering and is been running for a while now. They use a company called Meter Macs to supply and charge for the electricity. The main complaint seems to be with the administration of the fee collection which seems cause a few issues. The DG has said they want to move to a simpler system but whether that will be ready for SQ I don't know. There is a reduction in site fees because of the metering but because Steamer Quay is starting afresh you can't workout what that reduction is worth! Going by your costs you are only paying £24 a night which for a serviced pitch is not too bad? How much electricity you use, and therefore pay for, is to some extent in your own hands?
David
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From what has been stated previously, the unit price CAMC are being charged, and passing on, is pretty high. I would be checking the rate with them.
Commercial rates are usually on a fixed contract for a year, certainly what we have for our local guide hall, so the Club should be able to tell you the price they have agreed to.
For the guide hall we pay 23.25 p per kWh, plus a standing charge of just under 70p per day.
We are low users.
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This is the latest update on metering.
https://www.caravanclub.co.uk/whats-on/caravan-club-news/smart-metering-trial-update/
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Yes, it does seem to be widely variable, not sure how these prices are set.
I would have thought that a higher user would get a lower rate, but we were pleasantly surprised ( if one can be by high electricity prices), by the rate we were offered by Octopus, both on electricity and gas. And as low users, of both, we pay only 5% VAT.
At the rate you were paying on that CL, we wo7ld have used at least £3-4 per day, just our fridge uses :4 kWh per day
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I’ve just noticed that the Hillhead website page shows the site to be open until 4 Jan 2025 but it closes early next year. 🤷🏻♂️
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At least you have a bit more on your immediate doorstep at Steamer Quay than you do at Hillhead. You know what they say, a change is as good as a rest
David
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The latest on Steamer Quay
Exciting news - we’ve introduced Smart Metering at this campsite, allowing us to reduce our fees and keep them as low as possible. Choose whether or not to use metered electricity and only pay for what you use: visit camc.com/smartmetering.
Secure your 2024 or 2025 holiday with only a £5 deposit* when you book by 30 September 2024!
We are looking forward to welcoming you back to Steamer Quay Club Campsite. All the improvements including the 46 serviced pitches are on schedule for the reopening on Tuesday 1 October 2024. The refurbished showers and toilets will be available from Friday 11 October due to an unforeseen delay.
Between 1-10 October the site will be offering a non facility/service point only experience (with a 20% price discount to reflect this). If your booking is affected the Club apologies for the delay and you will be contacted shortly.
All economy pitches are being converted to 46 new non-awning serviced pitches, giving members improved pitch facilities and accessibility. These pitches will have metered electric hook-ups where the electricity you use is measured, giving members and guests direct control over the energy they use. It also allows the Club to set the lowest possible pitch fees. Find out more at camc.com/smartmetering.
Further improvements include:
a refurbished shower and the toilet block
new motor van waste points
new service points
new electric vehicle charging point1 -
See camc.com/smartmetering for an idea of cost
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I called in and had a look around yesterday. The site was virtually full, mostly motorhomes, a few campers and only a couple of caravans. Everything really is packed in very tightly. It really is not aimed at caravans. All pitches are hard standing with space for a caravan down one side and then squeeze the car in next to it. No awnings allowed and all pitches are fully serviced. Some work was taking place in the toilet/shower block, but facilities seemed to be up and running. The gents had three walk-in wet-room style showers and everything looked nice.
Despite what seemed to be "strong" prices, it looks like they are getting booked up and I was told few places were available for X-Mas.
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Had we not given up our motorhome Steamer Quay would have certainly been on visit list because of the convenience to Totnes. I think it clear that electric metering will become the norm on Club sites eventually. This might not just be for the usual reasons either. Manufacturers, particularly of motorhomes, are making their vehicles less electric dependent. I think even Bailey on one of their ranges have introduced Truma Combi diesel boilers which run off the vehicle fuel tank plus the use compression fridges is becoming more common both designed to lessen the dependence on site electrical supplies. So the demand to be able to decide if you want a hook up will only grow in the future.
Lost cause I know but had the Club been able to secure a future for Baltic Wharf I wonder if they would have done a similar sort of makeover?
David
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I've noticed a few reviews recently about how poor the app that is used for the metering is, in fact a review of SQ:
The third party app for the electricity account is unbearably slow
And on that youtube interview with an official from the club (forgot who) that stated until the payment for EHU becomes far easier, I think he said as simple as swiping one's bank card, then metering wasn't going to happen soon.
Also I've noticed a review from Wyatts Covert recently that questioned if metered EHU is actually cheaper in regards to there being lower pitch prices, there of course but not enough to make it cheaper all round - here
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I noticed that review as well Corners. Personally, metering only works well if……
a) there’s a good enough differential price between pitch with hook up, and pitch with a meter.
b) user has a good understanding of how to keep energy usage as low as possible.
We have used sites where you get £5 per night off for not hooking up, but the site provides loos, showers, hot water for pot washing. (Not Club Sites, but smaller private sites with far fewer overheads). This has made a £20 a night stay, a £15 a night stay, with very little inconvenience to us. That’s a substantial saving off a £20 per night stay. £2 off a £30-40 per night stay isn’t going to tempt us. I think some folks will get an almighty shock around how much energy they do use in the Winter months, so again, is metering going to work for the Club? Not convinced myself to be honest. Some might use SQ if they just want a couple of nights to explore Totnes without moving outfit off pitch, purely because of the site being where it is in relation to the town. At least you can factor in saving parking fees to a stay.
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In relation to steamer quay, as there are no pre metering prices to compare it to, it does depend on indirect comparisons. A Brighton service pitch works out at £5 more a night next week, which would pay for 15.6kWh, which would seem OK as long as it’s not particularly cold. Baltic Wharf on the other hand, which is largely non awning standard hardstanding, is £10 a night more.
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I wonder if the people reporting a slow App, as mentioned by CS regarding the reports in recent reviews, are getting confused with the website. To my knowledge Meter Macs don't appear to have an App, mores the pity. Last year we were due to go so a well known South Devon campsite which also used Meter Macs and prior to arrival you have to sign up for an account and add money to it. Unfortunately we had to cancel so can't comment of the the procedure for linking up on site but I imagine there would have been something to link the bollard to your account. Fortunately we got a full refund of the money added to the account. For ease of use an App would be the way forward. Perhaps scan a QR code on the bollard which would allow any charges to be debited to your account. Whether there would be a need to actually add credit to your account in advance would depend whether your debit/credit card could be charged either daily or per stay.
David
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