The Caravan Club has announced that it will be adding a new site to its network in 2012.
Situated in the breathtaking Strathclyde Country Park just twelve miles from Glasgow, the new caravan site will be open 365 days a year. The site is located in one of Scotland’s most popular tourist destinations and will provide visitors with a range of attractions including sailing, kayaking, water skiing, rowing, country walks and boat and bike hire. In addition, visitors can participate in every outdoor activity imaginable, from kite flying to sunbathing.
Ellen Shotts, The Caravan Club Product Development Manager for the UK, said:
“The addition of this site to the network is very exciting for The Caravan Club, as we are continually striving to provide more pitches in more locations for our members and British tourists.
“This site offers a slice of country life whilst being only twelve miles from a major city. As a result, the site is bound to prove popular with Scottish visitors, those from further afield and tourists wishing to stay at the site en route to other destinations.
“The site will also be a major source of accommodation for the 2014 Commonwealth Games, which are being held at Strathclyde Country Park.”
Renovation work began onsite in January 2012 and is expected to be completed by the end of October. The new site will have 107 all-weather touring pitches including 12 service, 10 enlarged and 50 tent pitches, which will in turn provide nearly 135,000 extra beds per year for members and non-members alike.
Once the refurbishment work is complete, the Strathclyde Country Park Club site will have a range of first-rate facilities. These will include two toilet and shower blocks, an information room, cycle racks and a children’s play area. Moreover, there will be a family restaurant just a few minutes’ walk away.
Main contractor Pinington already enjoys a strong working relationship with The Caravan Club, having been awarded contracts for sites in Strathclyde, York and Southport.
Mark Ayrton, Pinington, said:
“We are delighted to have secured these projects against stiff competition and we are committed to taking on local resources for each scheme. More importantly, the contract awards have helped to generate a positive path in these difficult times and provide the business with much needed comfort for the year ahead.”
The opening of the new Strathclyde Country Park site reflects a growing desire for the provision of facilities for domestic holidaymakers. Indeed, statistics show that the number of domestic holidays has increased by 11%, whilst the number of outbound holidays has dropped by 21%.
Daniel Yates, Managing Director of leading camping website Pitchup, commented:
“A growing thirst for the outdoors, investment in ‘alternative camping’ options and Met Office predictions of a hot summer are all contributing to a higher camping and caravan bookings this season, against a background of increasing reluctance to travel abroad, higher exchange rates and persistent economic uncertainty. Domestic tourism is also benefitting from the growing appetite for short breaks amongst ever more spontaneous and deal-hungry customers.”
The success of The Caravan Club was celebrated in February 2012 at the Scottish Caravan Show, held in Glasgow’s SECC. Formula One star Paul Di Resta officially opened the event, which celebrated the organisation’s 25th birthday.
Nick Lomas, Director General of The Caravan Club, said:
“We are very pleased to be in Scotland this year. It is the 25th year of this show, which is a great reason to celebrate. The Caravan Club is making a lot of investment here in Scotland, which I am very pleased to be talking about. We have new sites opening – one at Strathclyde Park later this year.
“In the last few years, we have seen more and more bookings on our sites. ‘Staycation’ is something that is definitely happening. There is a lot of uncertainty in Europe and reasons to stay in the UK like the Olympics and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. I think lots of people will be staying in the UK.”
As Europe’s premier touring organisation, The Caravan Club represents the interests of over one million caravan, trailer tent and motor home owners. For more information, visit The Caravan Club’s award-winning website at www.caravanclub.co.uk and www.discovertouring.co.uk.
