Posted on 16/07/2021 19:22
I read elsewhere that C&CC are closing some sites and cancelling people’s bookings due to staff shortages. Sure enough, it's true and they've updated their website today. I hope nobody here is affected.
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Posted on 13/10/2021 10:37 by TakethedogalongThere are EasyT, sadly, the Club is gradually losing most of its minimalist offerings. Or they are the first to be closed (Nunnykirk, Marazion) if staffing is an issue, or they aren’t raking in the money like other Sites.☹️
Posted on 13/10/2021 09:09 by young thomasYou're right David, but the French (or the Spanish, Germans etc) don't pay for a ferry crossing or insurance to enjoy the 'non minimalist' sites they have and expect in their own country at the price levels you mention.
Whilst many do have a family involvement this has little bearing on how the service ethic is approached with dedicated staff manning different elements of the business...
also, it's certainly not always family members who 'run the desk' at many large sites. As AD suggests, some (like our destination site for January) have several staff (man and women) manning the desk all day from 8am till 10pm dealing with all manner of queries, holiday/pitch booking changings, organising excursions, bus tours, restaurant bookings, help with doctors, dentists et al....all in multiple languages.
As ET mentions, these aren't cheap family members who are 'helping out' to keep costs down, but young professionals folk doing a top class job, hopefully for a decent wage.
It would certainly open some folks eyes to see a busy top class continental site's reception area in full swing.
also, I wonder how 'the children's play area' mentioned above compares to some Ive seen with basketball, football, boules, table tennis, tennis, many others even including golf and archery!
Posted on 13/10/2021 10:56 byI think we are getting "hung up" on terminology here. To me minimalist is not a derogatory term, just a shorthand description of sites that offer the minimum facilities to still qualify a a camp site. With just a couple of exceptions the club network falls into this category, personally I have few issues other than price with what they offer I.e clean well maintained facilities usually of a good standard. Unimaginative layouts and a feeling of overcrowding affect some but I think they are ok for what I need as a reliable short stay location but they wont become my holiday of choice.
Posted on 13/10/2021 11:32
I know what I regard as ”minimalist” in terms of UK. A pitch, a tap, a waste point, refuse recycling area and CDP. I’d include a hook up of 6-10amps nowadays. Any landscaping would be a bonus, and there are indeed such lovely Sites all over the UK. From a Club point of view, it will have minimal staff looking after things, and generally being around to manage the Site. Think Marazion, Bromyard Downs, Notgrove. Basically, staffed CLs with more pitches.
Beyond this provision, you are into the realms of extras, toilet blocks, showers, drive over waste points, taps at every pitch, greater ampage at hook ups, playgrounds, swimming pools, on site cafes, drive over waste points. Actual Sites will vary in terms of what extras they provide. All will have more staff on Site.
Beyond this and it gets larger and more commercial like.
Nothing wrong with any of the provision, there are devotees of all kinds enjoying themselves.
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Posted on 13/10/2021 10:47 by peedeeHopefully there will still be the certificated locations and mementum is gathering on the setting up of Aires for motorhomes.
peedee
Posted on 12/10/2021 21:46 by CornersteadyI wonder if you have replied to the right poster and/or even read my post as I'm struggling to see how your answer relates in any way to mine??
You are saying it pretty obvious that the club runs its site on a shoestring? I hardly think so personally. but perhaps you could suggest how it? I've just come back from a very large multiple set of wardens sites, two large and refurbished shower blocks with disabled, toddler, and family rooms, electric tractors, games rooms, play area, hardly minimalist at all I would say? Most club sites are like this?
Why you've gone on about swing and roundabouts of costs touring over there I have no idea at all? I never mentioned touring? I merely said that it is pointless to compare prices here and over there. I pay £3/4/5 for a costa coffee and 1.5 euros for the same in Italy. I also never mentioned any right or wrong way either yet you have brought this up as if I did?
As I said it is pointless to compare prices from the UK to Europe, pay up or not, simple really.
Posted on 13/10/2021 11:36
Did you not say "How do you know that club sites are run on a shoestring?" All I was suggesting was that for what the Club provides it is done at a minimal cost. BTW I have no objection to that as it provides campsites I like using and in many ways its good that they do because it keeps prices down. Club sites with no facilities are run with a warden couple small and medium sites with facilities are run with two warden couples and bigger sites get a corresponding increase in staff. We are currently on a Club site, 81 pitches. Next door is a commercial site with probably more pitches but it has a very nice cafe and shop which we used yesterday very nice it was to. I don't know where you buy your Costa coffee? Usual price £2.50/£3.00 depending on size. It's a long time since I last purchased coffee in Europe but it was certainly similar price to the UK and smaller cups!!!
Posted on 12/10/2021 21:46 by CornersteadyI wonder if you have replied to the right poster and/or even read my post as I'm struggling to see how your answer relates in any way to mine??
You are saying it pretty obvious that the club runs its site on a shoestring? I hardly think so personally. but perhaps you could suggest how it? I've just come back from a very large multiple set of wardens sites, two large and refurbished shower blocks with disabled, toddler, and family rooms, electric tractors, games rooms, play area, hardly minimalist at all I would say? Most club sites are like this?
Why you've gone on about swing and roundabouts of costs touring over there I have no idea at all? I never mentioned touring? I merely said that it is pointless to compare prices here and over there. I pay £3/4/5 for a costa coffee and 1.5 euros for the same in Italy. I also never mentioned any right or wrong way either yet you have brought this up as if I did?
As I said it is pointless to compare prices from the UK to Europe, pay up or not, simple really.
Posted on 13/10/2021 14:07
I do not think you can say that most Club sites are like the one you have just visited.
In our experience, very few have games rooms, many have only a minimal play area, often only suitable for toddlers. Our toddler was bored after he had used the small slide a few times, and there was not much else provided. All have disabled facilities, but some could do with improvement, as could quite a few of the facility blocks, and plenty do not have family or toddler rooms.
Serviced pitches......plenty of sites do not have those, and those that do usually only have 5-10 such pitches. I have yet to see an electric tractor on a site.
If younger members with small children are to be attracted, there does need to be more provision of good play areas and suitable facilities.
Our daughter has now joined us, with her 2 little ones, a few times, and they have borrowed our van twice now. None of the Club sites within a reasonable driving distance of our home, where a family might want to go, have a good play area, or improved facility blocks, or serviced pitches, so not much to attract families with toddlers.
Older children you can take out and about more easily, but with toddlers you do tend to spend a bit more time on the site.
The 2 trips they have done unaccompanied have been to commercial sites with great play areas and serviced pitches, and the one they are on at present has superb facility blocks. Prices have been equivalent to Club sites, or less, as serviced pitches come in at only £2 extra. One had large pitches, well spaced, the current one is less spacious in parts, and not helped by some units not being sited as directed.
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