Braithwaite Fold, Bowness

[Caggsie1]

Anyone know what’s happened to this site? when we first went it was CMC, then CCC. Now no one seems to be running it. Anyone in the know please as one of my fav locations.
from looking on tinernet, CCC gave it up in Jan 2020! Any truth in this?

 

[Cal54]

Yes the club have given up on this site. Not sure of the details but I believe it is council owned so perhaps the local authority are thinking of running it and making a few bob!!

 

[Kingham]

I was there at Christmas and none of the staff mentioned losing it.

Watching with interest to see if the new owners change the opening times, otherwise I might have to make other plans for this year.

 

[Caggsie1]

I was there Nov and not a peep, however, was told that after all the money spent on new bit, There was limitations on the electric supply so had to limit themselves to using only 49 pitches!

 

[BillandHelen]

South Lakeland council have offered it on a 25 year lease, currently out to tender but successful candidate due to be named shortly. This is a change from previous short term leases so hopefully should lead to some much needed upgrading. Hopefully one of the 2 big clubs will be successful, it’s a great location.
Bill

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[Caggsie1]

I hope so Bill, one of my fav places to visit and so close to town!

 

[scotzsue]

waiting with baited breath also one of my favourites.

 

[BillandHelen]

Sorry, don’t know how to do the link but here’s the tender details for info.
Bill
Lease of Braithwaite Fold Caravan Park, Windermere
Main contract details
Opportunity Id
DN458328
Title
Lease of Braithwaite Fold Caravan Park, Windermere
Categories
290000 - Arts & Leisure Services
Description
South Lakeland District Council is seeking tenders for the Lease of Braithwaite Fold Caravan Park, Windermere. All expressions of interest, Clarification questions and submission must be made via the Chest (www.the-chest.org.uk). Submission deadline is 1pm on 14 February 2020
Region(s) of supply
NORTH WEST (ENGLAND)
Estimated value
N/A
Keywords
Caravan, Camping
Key dates
Estimated contract dates
Start date
01/04/2020
End date
31/03/2045
Expression of interest window
From 17/01/2020 14:00 to 14/02/2020 13:00
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Contact details
Buyer
South Lakeland District Council
Contact
Philip Lowe
Email
phillip.lowe@southlakeland.gov.uk
Telephone
01539 793520
Address
South lakeland House
Kendal
Cumbria
LA9 4DQ
United

 

[Gellyneck]

Rumour tells there was no "acceptable" offer to the council by the closing date of 14th Feb. This was an extended date from November 2019!
Rumour also says they were looking for a minimum of £4m for first 10 years.
Did the council not just extend adding nigh on 30 pitches last year? If so, you would have thought they'd have either pre-agreed a lease to recover the costs before doing so!

 

[PeteH]

The CCC website, appears to have no details of closure. However it no longer comes up in the search for sites section. I have a vague recollection of a small statement in the club magazine some time back though?.

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[PhilMary]

PeterH beat me to it.
Last time I looked it was still available on the CCC site but I didn't try to book as Coniston was available and I prefer the riding round there.
Phil

 

[Caggsie1]

It’s on neither cmc or ccc at present! I hope someone/business goes for it. But if council are over pricing!

 

[jongood]

Rumour tells there was no "acceptable" offer to the council by the closing date of 14th Feb. This was an extended date from November 2019!
Rumour also says they were looking for a minimum of £4m for first 10 years.
Did the council not just extend adding nigh on 30 pitches last year? If so, you would have thought they'd have either pre-agreed a lease to recover the costs before doing so!

£400k pa for 50 pitches?

 

[SpeedyDux]

£400k pa for 50 pitches?

Based on 50 pitches, that works out at £8k pa per pitch. If (say) the mid and high season lasts from 1st April to end October = @ 214 nights, the first £37 of the pitch fee goes straight to the Council. Then the Club has to charge a lot more to cover the cost of electricity, water, heating the facilities block, maintenance, insurance, central Club overheads, and wardens' salary. Would a pitch fee of £50+ per night in mid and high season be commercially viable? What is the market rate for pitch fees in that local area? This isn't Lake Garda.

Such a high Council rent might work for a site with 50 luxury holiday lodges. Difficult to understand how it could work for a touring caravan or MH campsite.

 

[Caggsie1]

There’s more, but requiring a better leccy system, once the new pitches had been finished, the electric system couldn’t cope with the increase in power usage. Hence the need to restrict to 49 pitches. That’s what I was told by the warden when there in Nov last year.

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[Gellyneck]

£400k pa for 50 pitches?

Yip, that's what the rumour is! No "confirmed" support though.

 

[jongood]

Yip, that's what the rumour is! No "confirmed" support though.

Its a shame the council's don't stick to emptying the bins and deciding local policies and stay out of businesses, they re almost always crap at it and end up subsiding things that compete with commercial enterprise. Our council is busy messing up the shopping centres that they bought. Not helped by the exorbitant parking charges that they themselves levy to subsidise holes in other areas. btw don't drive in the dark on rural Shropshire roads if you value your tyres

 

[PeteH]

Its a shame the council's don't stick to emptying the bins and deciding local policies and stay out of businesses, they re almost always crap at it and end up subsiding things that compete with commercial enterprise. Our council is busy messing up the shopping centres that they bought. Not helped by the exorbitant parking charges that they themselves levy to subsidise holes in other areas. btw don't drive in the dark on rural Shropshire roads if you value your tyres

Or most other places, these days!.

 

[jockaneezer]

Up until Good Friday and from some time in October, you can overnight for free on the roadside outside the site. Not sure of the legalities, but there's always 3 or 4 vans there out of season.

 

[Dazza 6863]

I was at the lakes this week parked right near the site on Glebe road and spotted one of the wardens from the CCC going into the Braithwaite fold site. We got chatting ( from a safe distance ) and he informed me the CCC has now renewed the lease and the site will be added to the booking sections on the web site in a few months after all work is completed, one issue is with the electricity supply connecting the new pitches as it was constantly tripping at the end of last season.

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