What Would a UK Club Type Aire Look Like

GEandGJE replied on 10/07/2024 11:33

Posted on 10/07/2024 11:33

With all the recent discussion on CT around the different needs of Motorhome touring opposed to touring with a Caravan and the shift in club member ownership towards motorhomes let’s try looking forward for once and discuss what a UK Club type aire would look like.

My thoughts are that the club would have 3 options in providing a club type Aire.

1.       Build a new dedicated site. Basic needs would be a booking system, which is already in place, payment made in full before arrival, small change to the booking system required, ANPR, trials already in place. The site wouldn’t need a facilities block, just a chemical waste point to be provided, EHU if required would be by metering, trials already in place and fresh water could also be available by metering. I would limit the size of the site to 10 units and have a maximum stay of 2 nights. The biggest issues the club would face in providing this would be finding the right location at the right price and obtaining planning permission.

2.       Convert an existing site. Convert all or part of an existing site owned by the club. Same requirements as in option 1. Planning permission could be an issue.

3.        CL Network. Partner with the existing CL network owners to provide an aire type site, again with the same requirements as option1.

I think that either options 2 or 3 should be trialed first before committing major expenditure to option 1.  Again just my thoughts, neither right or wrong.

What would your club type aire look like and how would you implement it.

Cornersteady replied on 09/08/2024 17:29

Posted on 09/08/2024 15:51 by peedee

even Melrose has availability over the Bank holiday 

Well really very largely misleading there PD, there isn't really, not over the (three night) weekend as you put it, it has no availability on HS with awning pitches, none on SP, and it has only one night free over the weekend for a non awning pitch and even they are low, oh the night free is a Sunday as well.  

 

From the web site at 1540L

Posted on 09/08/2024 17:29

Not sure where you're looking PD but there is only one night free on a non awning pitch at Melrose over the BH holiday. 

Hja replied on 09/08/2024 20:16

Posted on 09/08/2024 17:24 by Cornersteady

Government stats that there  760,000 MHs. Club stats are 380,000 family members, half motorhomes .

Are you saying all MH onwers have to be, or should be members? You want to rethink that? I think the current figure is pretty good, about 25%. 

Anyway 40,000 MH out of 760,000 isn't that representative or showing great demand.

Posted on 09/08/2024 20:16

I think there is some misunderstanding about CAMPRA. For those who dont know it is an organisation whose purpose is to encourage the setting up of aires. They assist organisations and individuals in doing so. They advocate with local authorities. I believe I am correct in saying they are the certificating authority for many CAMPRA aires. Those aires can all be found on Search For Sites. People who are members of CAMPRA are there to give support to the organisation and its aims. Some also actively seek potential "places" for aires. You do not need to be a member of CAMPRA to use its aires. 40000 represents a substantial group of activist motorhomers.

I referred up thread to the work being done in Angus to establish aires. CAMPRA is one of the organisations, along with Motorhome Fun and The Motorcaravanners Association, referred to in the documentaion from Angus as organisation who can assist.

Takethedogalong replied on 09/08/2024 22:05

Posted on 09/08/2024 22:05

They are doing some excellent lobbying 👏👏👏

Cornersteady replied on 10/08/2024 09:02

Posted on 09/08/2024 20:16 by Hja

I think there is some misunderstanding about CAMPRA. For those who dont know it is an organisation whose purpose is to encourage the setting up of aires. They assist organisations and individuals in doing so. They advocate with local authorities. I believe I am correct in saying they are the certificating authority for many CAMPRA aires. Those aires can all be found on Search For Sites. People who are members of CAMPRA are there to give support to the organisation and its aims. Some also actively seek potential "places" for aires. You do not need to be a member of CAMPRA to use its aires. 40000 represents a substantial group of activist motorhomers.

I referred up thread to the work being done in Angus to establish aires. CAMPRA is one of the organisations, along with Motorhome Fun and The Motorcaravanners Association, referred to in the documentaion from Angus as organisation who can assist.

Posted on 10/08/2024 09:02

Hja, as you quoted my post and replied to me I assume you think I'm one of the ones who may not understand or know about it. If not and it was aimed generally and using my post then apologies.

Well not so, PD has mentioned them a number of times in various threads and I have looked at their website a number of times. A commendable organisation dedicated to a common aim.

PD used their membership number to give some ideas of the demand for this type of provision and if the demand is as he says they'll be very busy and I really hope they will do well.

Nothing to do with me, but as you replied to me I would question however that 40,000 is a substantial amount? It sounds a lot but compared to the background population of MH owners it's just 5 in every 100 (assuming its members are mainly) MH owners?

And as in my point to PD, irrespective of the group's aims and objectives, does that low percentage indicate such a great demand that club sites should offer a discount for arriving a few (as little as three has been suggested) hours late. Is there that demand within the club and do current club members and those using its sites want it, or should it be left to other providers. A few posters on CT doesn't prove it for or against, but again if the clubs finds differently then it should go for it.

Hja replied on 10/08/2024 10:05

Posted on 10/08/2024 09:02 by Cornersteady

Hja, as you quoted my post and replied to me I assume you think I'm one of the ones who may not understand or know about it. If not and it was aimed generally and using my post then apologies.

Well not so, PD has mentioned them a number of times in various threads and I have looked at their website a number of times. A commendable organisation dedicated to a common aim.

PD used their membership number to give some ideas of the demand for this type of provision and if the demand is as he says they'll be very busy and I really hope they will do well.

Nothing to do with me, but as you replied to me I would question however that 40,000 is a substantial amount? It sounds a lot but compared to the background population of MH owners it's just 5 in every 100 (assuming its members are mainly) MH owners?

And as in my point to PD, irrespective of the group's aims and objectives, does that low percentage indicate such a great demand that club sites should offer a discount for arriving a few (as little as three has been suggested) hours late. Is there that demand within the club and do current club members and those using its sites want it, or should it be left to other providers. A few posters on CT doesn't prove it for or against, but again if the clubs finds differently then it should go for it.

Posted on 10/08/2024 10:05

I quoted you due to your reference to the 40000 CAMPRA members, that’s all. Apologies for any confusion. I thought that the phrase “for those who don’t know” was clearly general in nature. Again apologies if I was not clear.

Takethedogalong replied on 10/08/2024 10:16

Posted on 10/08/2024 10:16

CamPra is a lobbying association, but there are thousands of visitors, UK based, and from overseas who make use of the type of provision they are campaigning for, who aren’t actively involved with CamPra, me for one, and friends and family.

Not all Aires, legal stopovers are part of the CamPra approved network, others, in the hundreds have been provided by private individuals, communities, businesses, etc…… and require no joining, so it’s difficult for anyone but the owners, local communities, etc..to know exactly what the visitor statistics are. It can be difficult to get an overnight pitch up at times, so any extra provision provided, is likely to be considered if it compares favourably with busy options. But I cannot prove this, only say that we arrived at a stopover for seven outfits, that had space for, and filled 17! That was early June, a Friday night in Dumfries, half of them Swiss! 

Some are quiet little places, some you have to book in, or arrive early otherwise it’s move on elsewhere. Most remain open all year round, and our experience is that they give a good Winter touring option, particularly when the Clubs shut up shop in a good few areas during the Winter months. Searchforsites is probably a better search resource for folks who tour mixing things up, as it lists most options, including Club Sites, CLs, CS, commercial, private, stopovers, and much more. You can stick to CamPra approved stops just by using this option. As someone who is out there, experiencing this type of touring, all I can say is that the MH stopover network is busy. Last one we used, back in April, weather foul, was full, no more room. Pickering town centre, no hook up, but water, waste &CPD provided. £12 for the night, and that included parking up until 4pm next day, so we enjoyed a leisurely wander around Pickering, then moved up to NYMoors Club Site. Which was a quarter full, for I think around £25 per night.

 

Tammygirl replied on 13/08/2024 10:54

Posted on 13/08/2024 10:54

Perhaps what we need is a survey to club members who don't use sites frequently, asking them why not?

Some of course will say they prefer to us the 5 van CL sites but what about all the other members. 

Judging by the comments on the FB adverts it would appear the cost of a site night is the biggest reason. 

 

Tinwheeler replied on 16/08/2024 19:34

Posted on 16/08/2024 19:21 by Freddy55

“sire provision”, the mind boggles 🫢

Posted on 16/08/2024 19:34

From Wiki - "Sire is an archaic respectful form of address to reigning kings in Europe. In French and other languages it is less archaic and relatively more current. In Belgium, the king is addressed as "Sire..." in both Dutch and French."  🤪🤪🤪

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