Email regarding price increases

I have received the e mail today.  I assume it is going to those with bookings later in the year.

We have one night at a site in May.

Like others, I was left with more questions than answers.

"If you have a solar unit on your outfit please use it as much as possible".  I didnt understand what this meant.  I am not particularly technical.  I know my solar panel will give charge to my batteries, when not on EHU.  What I dont know is how it functions alongside EHU.  I just plug in and let it get on with it.

Are they expecting you to disconnect if its sunny?

Yes, energy prices are rising, so increases not unexpected.  However, I trust a far greater explanation will be forthcoming in due course.  Are they not on fixed deals?  Dont know how that works for businesses.  

Why the variation in increase? Presumably the greater increase will be in winter?  I assume the increase will be on the pitch fee?

What are the club doing to alleviate what will be permanently higher electricity costs?  (At least as long as energy is priced as it is with electricity effectively subsidising gas)?  I do think they should be looking at metering or ampage options or options for not using electricity.  Or putting rules in place about not heating awnings.  Where we have used metered sites, we have used what was included in the core price, by using how we would normally do.  But we dont use a lot of electricity.  Some people use a lot more so with costs as they are, I am not convinced that we should all be paying the same any more.

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I hope you’re right about prices, but I don’t share your confidence. I hope these increases prompt a more responsible approach to managing energy consumption and that includes a major expansion of non-EHU options on CMC sites. Take camping back to its roots rather than heating up the atmosphere via the awning or running heating & hot water systems all night just because they can mindset.

Whatever the cost, it is money that cannot be recouped in any way and is just a further drain of club finances?

Not so, the Club can recover the cost of installing electricity meters and their maintenance in the same way any capital costs is recovered i.e. through pitch fees. As for installation costs, meters can be phased in over time and now the Club has no need of the money for a new Bristol site, they could easily redirect the budget for that to a program of installing meters.

The Club should bite the bullet and get on with it rather than take the easy way out by an increase in fees to cover an estimated blanket cost.

As for using an outfits' solar panels, the only way that is going to be achievable is if there is a tariff without hook up.

peedee

I don’t have any problem with responsible approaches. However, taking camping back to its roots, not a chance. My days of sleeping in a freezing tent are long past, although I didn’t mind it at the time. I’m afraid I will be running my heating overnight, at a reduced level, just like we do at home.

As far as the price increase is concerned, whilst not welcome I don’t have an issue, It was surely inevitable. These are unprecedented times and the CAMC are no different to any other business with spiralling costs, they can only be absorbed to an extent and then have to be passed on. I just hope the 70p to £2.50 range, is lowest in summer highest in winter, not linked to seasonal  price rise, which would not make any sort of sense.

 

Did they get caught out through using a supply company/companies who folded?

peedee

Not so, the Club can recover the cost of installing electricity meters and their maintenance in the same way any capital costs is recovered i.e. through pitch fees

So you are saying make pitch fees even higher PD? Is that a good idea on top of all these increases from April? Another round of increases this time next year? And unless the club's competitors do the same that will lead to even less income. Don't forget this is a holiday company? Are you proposing meters for hotels and holiday lets? 

Pitch demand is at an all time high, the best way forward is to buy another site if the Bristol site does not go ahead, at least sites generate income, your idea will won't at all and lead to even higher pitch fees

But, forgive me for saying so, you have posted you have 'no need of club sites' or and say you don't use them particularly so why do you want the club to install meters? 

Take camping back to its roots

Some indeed do lake that approach however it should not be forced on everyone, you may camp like that but others do not.

Club sites only account for 10% (probably less) of campsites and there are plenty of alternatives to choose from to suit all camping tastes.

Personally I don't think none of us 'camp' - not in our insulated waterproof (most of the time) outfits.