Vanbitz and Cornish Farm.

[Yorkshirelad175]

Visited the website of one of my favourite campsites, Cornish Farm, to find a fresh new look to the web page. On reading the news section I learned that the campsite AND Vanbitz had been sold in December to new owners. Presumably this was when Eddie retired, but what surprised me was that the new owner was NOT Ash, as I had wrongly assumed. No mention of the wardens, so hoping no change there as they are always so helpful and welcoming. Also hoping Ash and his team remain long term at Vanbitz.
Noted the campsite fees have been increased already, but like others, no doubt to cover increasing expenses.
Always a slight concern when new ownership takes place. Hopefully not too many changes will be implemented.

 

[Langtoftlad]

So who are the new owners of Vanbitz?

 

[Yorkshirelad175]

Mr. Darrel Evans jnr and his wife Jessica Evans.

 

[Red Sonja]

Looks like Eddie and Linda are the only active directors of Vanbitz. Maybe companies house haven't been updated yet.

 

[icantremember]

Looks like Eddie and Linda are the only active directors of Vanbitz. Maybe companies house haven't been updated yet.

We have a new look for Cornish Farm - Cornish Farm Touring Park

Cornish Farm Touring Park in Taunton have just rebranded their logo following new ownership.

www.cornishfarm.com

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[Red Sonja]

We have a new look for Cornish Farm - Cornish Farm Touring Park

Cornish Farm Touring Park in Taunton have just rebranded their logo following new ownership.

www.cornishfarm.com

Yes I saw that Brian after looking at Companies House.

 

[Gromett]

probably asking eddievanbitz as information straight from the horses mouth is probably better than amateur sleuthing

 

[Yorkshirelad175]

probably asking @eddievanbitz as information straight from the horses mouth is probably better than amateur sleuthing

Not sure who is ”amateur sleuthing”, I simply visited the website to make a booking and was surprised to read the business’s had been sold. Thought members of the forum may be interested, and so posted here.

 

[Gromett]

Not sure who is ”amateur sleuthing”,

Perhaps my post wasn't aimed at you then?

 

[eddie]

I worked less and less at Van Bitz since around 2019 and hardly ever had anything to do with the campsite anyway as my 'managerial skills' left a lot to be desired

For example, tell anyone being a knob to fu*k off and anyone who complained about anything to do with the running of the site not to bother coming (I don't want electric)"Bye' (not to be confused with anyone who had an actual issue, not an opinion)

Ash was the General Manager and ran both businesses on a day to day basis

Nothing really has changed, I still own the Farmhouse, Cottage and will be shortly starting the conversion of the two barns, but now don't pretend to be working. Again for example I have been in the South of France since the beginning of April and will be back in the UK next week

We have four Sons, Nick works works in the Van Bitz office with Ash, James runs his own motorhome dealership and Simon is a Director of Alan Kerrs currently, but again who knows what his future holds?

Ash wants to live in Cyprus at some stage so wasn't interested in having a financial commitment in Van Bitz, and lets be honest not everyone wants the agro, risk and hassle that goes with owning a businesses and employing staff and dealing with customers.

As for prices we held them through 2022 so the new owners could decide what they wanted to do, but frankly they should have gone up at the end of 2021 when you read that people are paying £15-20 a night for a field with nothing and we were charging £22 for an award winning site with everything

Just one last titbit, our electricity contract we were paying circa £0.15 a unit, and electricity was our biggest overhead our contract died when the sale completed and the new best offer available??? £0.52

So new owners, same staff and a.price increase less than I was going to impose

So win win

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[Beltie]

probably asking eddievanbitz as information straight from the horses mouth is probably better than amateur sleuthing

I did on here, and didn't get a reply. I think that Companies House indicates that at least one of the new owners is a campsite operator. I don't believe any of the Jones family remain as directors.

 

[Gromett]

I did on here, and didn't get a reply. I think that Companies House indicates that at least one of the new owners is a campsite operator. I don't believe any of the Jones family remain as directors.

Which I why I suggested people ask eddievanbitz...

I changed my company name and sold part of my business, at the same time I formed a new company. This was almost 20 years ago. I had to put up with so many stories, theories and rumours during that period.
Part of which was due to people finding a company with a similar name and coming to conclusions about me personally based on that and some other suppositions.

My above comment about amateur sleuthing was triggered by that experience. Always better to get it direct from the person concerned. They are always welcome to say "None of your business though"

 

[Beltie]

I worked less and less at Van Bitz since around 2019 and hardly ever had anything to do with the campsite anyway as my 'managerial skills' left a lot to be desired

For example, tell anyone being a knob to fu*k off and anyone who complained about anything to do with the running of the site not to bother coming (I don't want electric)"Bye' (not to be confused with anyone who had an actual issue, not an opinion)

Ash was the General Manager and ran both businesses on a day to day basis

Nothing really has changed, I still own the Farmhouse, Cottage and will be shortly starting the conversion of the two barns, but now don't pretend to be working. Again for example I have been in the South of France since the beginning of April and will be back in the UK next week

We have four Sons, Nick works works in the Van Bitz office with Ash, James runs his own motorhome dealership and Simon is a Director of Alan Kerrs currently, but again who knows what his future holds?

Ash wants to live in Cyprus at some stage so wasn't interested in having a financial commitment in Van Bitz, and lets be honest not everyone wants the agro, risk and hassle that goes with owning a businesses and employing staff and dealing with customers.

As for prices we held them through 2022 so the new owners could decide what they wanted to do, but frankly they should have gone up at the end of 2021 when you read that people are paying £15-20 a night for a field with nothing and we were charging £22 for an award winning site with everything

Just one last titbit, our electricity contract we were paying circa £0.15 a unit, and electricity was our biggest overhead our contract died when the sale completed and the new best offer available??? £0.52

So new owners, same staff and a.price increase less than I was going to impose

So win win

Thanks Eddie but that reply indicates to me that Ash remains as an employee and none of your family have a controlling interest in the businesses.
Given that so much of the loyalty expressed on here is as a result of your personal development input and business ethics you must agree it's a concern.
Without that personal input, there is to put it starkly, nothing to stop Vanbitz becoming just another alarm fitter.

 

[GMLS]

Which I why I suggested people ask eddievanbitz...

I changed my company name and sold part of my business, at the same time I formed a new company. This was almost 20 years ago. I had to put up with so many stories, theories and rumours during that period.
Part of which was due to people finding a company with a similar name and coming to conclusions about me personally based on that and some other suppositions.

My above comment about amateur sleuthing was triggered by that experience. Always better to get it direct from the person concerned. They are always welcome to say "None of your business though"

Bang on. Only time will tell I guess. Employees whatever their pedigree are employees with limited influence.

 

[PaulC70]

Thanks Eddie but that reply indicates to me that Ash remains as an employee and none of your family have a controlling interest in the businesses.
Given that so much of the loyalty expressed on here is as a result of your personal development input and business ethics you must agree it's a concern.
Without that personal input, there is to put it starkly, nothing to stop Vanbitz becoming just another alarm fitter.

I really don't get this doom and gloom attitude to be honest, why because there's a new owner is the business going to go to pot?
I had my growler fitted 2 years ago when eddie was the owner, great service etc etc, Just last month had growler, immobiliser and tracker all fitted, honestly I didn't know until this thread that there were new owners, you certainly couldn't tell with the brilliant service again at vanbitz thats for sure.

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[dryad]

slightly different question about the campsite..
just curious at to why it's called 'cornish farm' when its very much in somerset?

.

 

[Gromett]

slightly different question about the campsite..
just curious at to why it's called 'cornish farm' when its very much in somerset?

.

I have to admit I have wondered that as well.

 

[eddie]

The family name was Cornish

Scotland Yard isn't in Scotland

 

[dryad]

The family name was Cornish

Scotland Yard isn't in Scotland

that explains it, thank you eddie, obvious i suppose, was hoping it was about ice cream..

.

 

[AshWattGuardz]

To be honest I was wondering how long it would take for someone to post a comment on here. It was never a secret but at the same time I did not feel that it needed to be common knowledge. The issue with change there are a lot on people that develop squeaky bum syndrome and they always presume the worst!

The fact of the matter is YES, Van Bitz and Cornish Farm Touring Park were sold back in December as a going concern and nothing changed besides from the owners names. I have for years and will still remain running everything on a day to day basis with the dedication and passion that I once gave Ed and Lyn. It is still the same team both on the Van Bitz and Cornish Farm sides with a few additions that have only improved what we have previously offered.

With Darrel and Jessie providing a new fresh look on things we have plenty to celebrate with new ideas that will allow us to grow as a business and provide more to our customers at the highest standard. We have new products, a new packaged alarm that we are about to launch officially and many more things to come so it is all very exciting. I am just as involved now “if not more” in the decision making as I ever was when Ed and Lyn headed the table. With every decision made our first thought is always with our customers as change can be a big thing. All we want is to improve and I feel that we now have a greater opportunity to enhance our services that we are able to offer. We have a plan for the future so watch this space!

To anyone that feels that we will become just another generic alarm fitter you are sadly mistaken. Rest assured that we are and will remain the market leader and we will carry on providing the highest standards before and after an installation is carried out.

I hope this appeases any worries that anyone may have and I look forward to continuing looking after all our previous and new customers in the many years to come.

Kindest Regards

Ash

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[Whitebirdyman]

I had some work done last week and received the traditional high standard of both advice and service so would not hesitate to go back.

Jim

 

[Mikey RV]

Nice one Ash, good to hear. Always enjoy the laugh and good service when I have been to Cornish farm/ Vanbitz with you. But never ever did get my bacon sarnie of Ed.

 

[eddie]

I did on here, and didn't get a reply. I think that Companies House indicates that at least one of the new owners is a campsite operator. I don't believe any of the Jones family remain as directors.

Sorry I must have missed what ever I ignored or perhaps I considered the question impertinent? Who knows?

If anyone has a question about Van Bitz products I see that as relevant and would try to help, being nosey about who owns what and how its funded is no one's concern except those involved

Hey, here's a thought how would you feel if I did credit checks on you to see if you could afford to be one of my customers?

I sold the business and retired at 61 years old, a business I'd built from scratch over 30 years. My knees ache, my eyesight is shit without contacts or glasses and the other option other than selling was to keep working

So one day I drop down dead! Lots of hugs and kisses on here, the business closes and everyone looses their back up warranty and on going service the campsites shuts, and all the staff loses their jobs!

A better solution? Some may think so, those with an over inflated sense of self importance thinking they should be made privy to my financial structure

One last thing, yes Van Bitz is a great business and sold for a lot of money, only an idiot would buy a successful business with a complete infrastructure and change everything and destroy their purchase

In my experience few idiots have enough money to do that

Nothing will change detrimentally but with new fresh blood the business will do better than being run by a couple who were at their best business wise years ago when they too, were eager fresh and hungry.

 

[AshWattGuardz]

Nice one Ash, good to hear. Always enjoy the laugh and good service when I have been to Cornish farm/ Vanbitz with you. But never ever did get my bacon sarnie of Ed.

Neither did I

 

[Langtoftlad]

No need to be defensive Eddie.
It's absolutely natural that customers are curious/concerned when a family business is bought out...
Will the new owners have the same ethos or be so personally invested?
Hopefully.

Just the same questions asked when we learned Britstops has been sold to USA concern...

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[Beltie]

Sorry I must have missed what ever I ignored or perhaps I considered the question impertinent? Who knows?

If anyone has a question about Van Bitz products I see that as relevant and would try to help, being nosey about who owns what and how its funded is no one's concern except those involved

Hey, here's a thought how would you feel if I did credit checks on you to see if you could afford to be one of my customers?

I sold the business and retired at 61 years old, a business I'd built from scratch over 30 years. My knees ache, my eyesight is shit without contacts or glasses and the other option other than selling was to keep working

So one day I drop down dead! Lots of hugs and kisses on here, the business closes and everyone looses their back up warranty and on going service the campsites shuts, and all the staff loses their jobs!

A better solution? Some may think so, those with an over inflated sense of self importance thinking they should be made privy to my financial structure

One last thing, yes Van Bitz is a great business and sold for a lot of money, only an idiot would buy a successful business with a complete infrastructure and change everything and destroy their purchase

In my experience few idiots have enough money to do that

Nothing will change detrimentally but with new fresh blood the business will do better than being run by a couple who we're at their beat business wise when they too were eager fresh and hungry.

Eddie,
VanBitz is a unique company, operating in an environment which is otherwise full of chancers and wanabees.

The effort you and your family have put into product development and exemplary service levels is what has kept you at the forefront of the industry and engendered the loyalty shown on here.

When I heard you were retiring, I expected some comment from you as to what was happening with the company. In the absence of anything, I had a look to see who now owned the company as obviously did others. That is neither 'nosey' nor 'impertinent' it is in my view simply being prudent about who I hand my money to.

 

[eddie]

Eddie,
VanBitz is a unique company, operating in an environment which is otherwise full of chancers and wanabees.

The effort you and your family have put into product development and exemplary service levels is what has kept you at the forefront of the industry and engendered the loyalty shown on here.

When I heard you were retiring, I expected some comment from you as to what was happening with the company. In the absence of anything, I had a look to see who now owned the company as obviously did others. That is neither 'nosey' nor 'impertinent' it is in my view simply being prudent about who I hand my money to.

Jim sells Battery Masters cheaper than me.if your worried

 

[Chris]

Do they still give you free coffee when you stagger back from a day in Wetherspoons whilst buying Avtex TV’s and sundry items?

 

[ShiftZZ]

Bloody hell what am i going to do now. Nobitz has really Nobitz.

Right seeing as you is flush,im/we are back in Cornish Farm ( not even in Cornwall) so the wine gums are on Eddie .
I do like a chicken tikka saag balti Madras hot.

I'm glad you is retired, cause you is ancient..

 

[AshWattGuardz]

Do they still give you free coffee when you stagger back from a day in Wetherspoons whilst buying Avtex TV’s and sundry items?

White / black Coffee, tea with and without milk, cappuccino, hot chocolate and/or Bovril (whilst stock lasts - and then this will be replaced with something considerably better)

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