Empty pitches on a holiday park can be a major problem for all concerned. Having your holiday home sited next to an empty pitch never feels right.
That bland open space, the plugged off sewer connection, the electrical box and the water connection unit all exposed to the elements become a magnet for young children to cause havoc. For the park operator it is a major loss of income. It is often the policy of parks to have a few empty pitches at the beginning of the season (it helps with their caravan sales programme). Some of our more discerning park owners place a new caravan on an empty pitch for sale to avoid the stigma of having it empty and exposed.
Caravan Sales play a major role in the Parks economy. The majority of sales are from existing customers upgrading but to cater for new business a few empty pitches are essential. This issue becomes a real problem when the park is faced with 10% or more vacant pitches. Take a park with say 300 pitches – 10% of which are empty – 30 pitches to fill in a season!
If the economy dips into recession or if pitch fees are increased too aggressively – empty pitches will soon become a real problem.
I wonder how our friends at Craig Tara Holiday Park in Ayreshire got on with their scheme of inviting caravan owners from around the area to come onto their park free of charge, free pitch fee for 2024, free connections and a £750.00 transportation contribution. A giant step to fill empty pitches and an expensive one as well.
Our more hands-on park owners will closely monitor caravan movements throughout the year, they will ensure their pitch fees are well structured and affordable and their caravan sales programme will be operated to ensure a full park. If you are lucky enough to be on one of these parks you may never experience the ‘empty pitch dilemma’.
Easter is looming and its early this year.
Good Friday – 29th March and Easter Sunday – 31st March.
Bank Holiday on April Fool’s Day!
Enjoy your Easter Break.
