Glamping Pods

None of us could foresee the surge in staycations and leap in LV ownership that's happened this year but if we wind the clock back 12 months to the time when adequate towcars were becoming rarer and diesel and petrol engines were being regarded as the spawn of the devil, I think it's perfectly understandable that the club started to diversify into fixed accommodation. Indeed, I recall praising their foresight into providing alternatives when this topic was debated previously. Then along came covid......

ET

All refurbished sites look like that initially and it often takes years for them to mature. Back in 1984 we visited Rookesbury Park, at the time it was a pretty new site. The road on the approach to the site is down hill and at the time you could see all the pitches, then mainly caravans spread out before you with hardly a tree or bush in sight! We went back a couple of years ago and from the road there was no sign of the campsite until you arrived at the barrier. So things do change in time. Aerial views are often not flattering to the campsite landscape. It's a bit like my head of hair, it looks reasonably OK looking from the front, but from above it would show the sparseness!!! 

Also important that location often dictates the type of landscaping. Unlike the French we don't have those massive pine forests that stretch down to the coast. 

I am keen to go back to Cayton Visit as we enjoyed the location during our visit but it was clear there needed to be lots of improvements which now seem to have taken place. I can understand why the Club have installed static accommodation on Cayton Bay as it's such a massive site, although I am a bit surprised it's been put so close to the front of the site but the Club were starting with an almost clear canvas.

David

Staycations have been on the increase for several years ,and lack of pitches for those who have taken up our leisure pursuit have been highlighted on this and other forums for several years,

This year has brought it into more focus i agree with posters who question the "reductions?"it seems in touring capacity in the race for the latest fad,and just hope the company running the pods ,are self contained and do not expect to fall back on the already stretched at peak times as some post (compared to over there staffing levels) the site managers (nee wardens) and assitants take up the "slack" as seems to happen on sites that already employ contract cleaners when they do not appear

Some commercials have given up on touring pitches in favour of clamping/statics, Sandy Balls at Fordingbridge being a prime example.

When in  an LV it lived up to its name ,

touring pitches there have been contracting for years ,as they could make more money for less work from static holiday homes ,at peak price for families ,

The big comercial site we normally stay on in Norfolk is putting in more statics, as that (according to their touring site staff) is where the families money is  

 

The way I always think of it, is that the CAMC is a Club running a business.  Profits are reinvested in the sites for the benefit of members.

With regard to Pods and other 'alternative' accommodation, the Club are aware of changes that are taking place and, I think are justified in experimenting with suitable alternatives to see if these types of accommodation are attractive to members.  With the emphasis on 'greener'/'electric' vehicles, it could be that we will be forced to look at doing things in a different way in the future.  It very well could be that leisure vehicle will be smaller in the future in order to be towed by greener cars.  Should that happen, there very well could be folk who might prefer 'alternative' accommodation.

Another issue, I can best explain by something that has started to happen with our friends.  Very occasionally, we tend to go away occasionally with a group of friends.  As folk get older, they still like to come, but are more reluctant to tow - some may have given up their caravans, but still wish to take part.  In such instances, alternative accommodation on sites are ideal for this situation.

The other thing is that 'alternative' accommodationvon sites give folk the opportunity to experience a Club site before purchasing their own kit/equipment.  Again, I know of folk who have stayed in one of the Club's pods/ airstream caravans etc., who have gone on to purchase their own equipment for touring.

Personally, I see no problem with a bit of experimentation/ lateral thinking.  In some cases it could help the Club gain sites, especially if the local authority/ regulations feel that this is a good reason to allow the Club to open sites.  After all, in the grand scheme of things, the number of pitches used for alternative accommodation are just a very small percentage.  In my mind, to xperiment and assess it's success isn't necessarily a bad thing.

Just my opinion,  of course.

David

I don't mind the Club offering alternative accommodation. I just wish they could do it well and show some style. A week in  a shed at Cayton Bay is not Glamping. 

Here's a photo of what the private sector can offer. Yes, it's the interior of a tent .

 

The club do Yurts as well and the beds look a lot more comfortable than those tent offerings. 

 

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I think some may have lost sight of the reasons behind why the original changes started to take place place, Covid has overtaken everything, as you point out.

The provision of alternative accommodation will only be available on certain sites, planning and AOBs etc make expansion of the idea unlikely on a huge scale.

I agee with DSB too, comments about the needs of the vanning community changing, family groups needing alternative accommodation. The club will have to diversify and attract income from different sources.