Many people will have finished work today for the Christmas break. Some hardy souls will no doubt be looking forward to spending time at their caravan or lodge on Fallbarrow. I must admit, the prospect of letting in the New Year in Bowness does have some appeal, and of course the extended season does allow me to do that if I wanted to. But, as I have stated previously, I have closed down my lodge for the winter, not to return until the site opens again on the 1st March 2008.
From what I have heard, there were 7 owner caravans/lodges and 6 rental caravans occupied at Fallbarrow last weekend. By my calculation, that equates to about 6% occupancy for the site. That would also mean that there were around 30 people resident on site last weekend, not a lot by any stretch of the imagination. It would be interesting to know what the club and shop takings were over this period. I would also like to know if the club and shop are subsidised from the site fees. Of course SLP would never reveal such detail as to how they operate the site. My understanding is that the club and shop should be independent profit (or loss) centres in their own right and are operated by independent companies (Duttons and Mace?). If they are independent, are the owners happy about keeping something open for just 30 people? Does anybody know how these places are operated? Do SLP staff work in the club and shop? If you know the answers, please post on this blog.
If I don't get the chance to write anything more before Xmas, may I take this opportunity of wishing everybody a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year (and that does include the new owners and former directors of South Lakeland Parks)
Regards
Kevin