Sally and I are looking forward to a fresh start in 2021 and with the roll out of the vaccine hopefully we can all structure some form of normality back into our lives!

Changes are inevitable and following the sad loss of Steve last year, Glennis and Charlie the dachshund decided to move back to the Midlands to her home and to be closer to friends and family.  We are sure that you will all join us in wishing her good luck for the future.  Glennis was a pivital member of the Salcombe Regis Family and along with Steve will be deeply missed by us all.  We wish to thank Glennis for her wisdom, dedication and 7 years of loyal service and she has promised to come and visit us soon.

Glennis and her family have provided a memorial bench located on the view point in Steve’s favourite part of the Park.  He will always be in our thoughts.

We are expecting to be very busy this year and to cope with the extra demand we will be welcoming two pairs of wardens to the Park for this season and have already found summer wardens.  We will be joined by Pete and Julie who currently work on a holiday park in Norfolk and are looking forward to the new challenges here at Salcombe Regis. As soon as we have employed senior wardens to work with Pete and Julie we will let you know here.

We will keep you posted with updates but as matters stand hopefully we can welcome you back for the start of the season from 2:00pm on Monday 12th April 2021.

It is with deepest regret and sadness that we have to announce the death of Steve Mabbott who worked at Salcombe Regis Camping & Caravan Park since 2013.  Steve was a hard working conscientious and loyal member of the team and a friend to many many people.  Steve was the face of the Park who touched many people with his pleasant demeanour and his “can do” approach.  He always had time for everyone – nothing was too much of a problem.  He took immense pride in his work and that was clearly notable from the glowing reviews we have received over the years.  Steve had just given us 12 months notice of his intention to retire at the end of 2021 as it was his wish to spend more time with his wife Glennis, son Philip and his grandchildren.  It is so sad that he will not achieve his desire and our hearts go out to Glennis and the family at this tragic time.  This is a tragic loss for everybody but his memory will live on at Salcombe Regis Camping & Caravan Park for may years to come.

We worked together but he was also my friend.  Taken far too early.  Rest in peace Steve.

Mark & Sally

We have just installed an ANPR barrier system to the Park for your added safety and security.

All vehicles entering the Park must be pre-registered with us otherwise the barrier will not open. Proceed to the speed hump and as soon as your wheels contact it, the barrier should open.  If you experience problems (which we hope you do not), press the bell to the right of your vehicle to speak to reception.

Visitors are still welcome but must park in the Visitor Parking Area and walk to reception to register your details.

Welcome Back To Salcombe Regis Camping & Caravan Park!

We are delighted to announce that The Park will be open for business from Saturday 4^th July 2020.  We are now taking touring bookings for your Static Caravan, Touring Caravan, Motorhome or Tent and this can be done either online https://www.salcombe-regis.co.uk/devon-campsite-booking/ or by telephoning the office on (01395) 514303.  We look forward to welcoming you all back to the Park.

We are working with the relevant authorities to make sure that we are Covid-19 Secure in 2020 and have already completed our Risk Assessment to ensure the safety of everyone coming to the Park.  New procedures are evolving daily and we all need to do our bit if we are to fully combat this dreadful pandemic.

Your health and safety and the safety of our staff is paramount which does mean that there will be new procedures and controls in place.  It will take some getting used to as we embark on “the new normal” and ask that you bear with us as we discover what works best for us all.

Covid-19 has not gone away and is here for some time to come.  We all need to be fully responsible for our own actions and we will do whatever we can to assist in that journey.  We are always open for ideas and suggestions providing that they are in line with government guidance and good practice.

The key is to maintain thorough and regular hand washing and maintain a 2 metres social distance wherever possible from anyone outside of your household.  We have installed hand sanitisers in most areas of the Park and ask that you use them.

Our shower blocks and WC’s will be open for your use but there will be some units closed off to ensure a safe distance.  We ask that when using our facilities that care is taken to respect other customers giving them adequate space to move where there are smaller corridors and pinch points.  We ask that you queue sensibly, step back where needed and use a hand sanitiser whenever you pass one.  Please leave any wash basin, wc or shower cubicle clean and as you would expect to find it.  Report any issues to a warden immediately.  Shower blocks will be closed more regularly for cleaning.

Upon arrival you will need to check in.  We have changed our reception layout so that all customers enter by the north large patio door (clearly signed) which will be open for easy access.  The usual entrance will be closed and strictly for staff use only.  Please sanitise your hands before entering the building and ensure that there is only one customer in the reception area at one time.  Please wait at a safe distance under the covered area until the reception is clear and then wait in the cordoned off area until a member of staff becomes free.  You will be checked in and a warden will be called to take you to your pitch.

All payments must be made by card or direct bank transfer – ideally in advance.  You can make payments on the day and contactless would be preferred.  Cash payments can be made but must be the exact amount as no change can be given.

The shop will be closed until further notice however if you need a specific item and we have it in stock, a member of staff will be able to get it for you.  We are still open for the sale of gas and general camping accessories but you will have to ask a member of staff to get it for you.

The laundry will also be closed and we are unable to offer freezer blocks or the freezing of customer items until advised that it is safe to do so.  We are unable to hire out any items whatsoever.

We have a duty of care to all of our guests and we will monitor very closely that our guests are acting in a considerate and responsible manner whilst on the Park.  Social distancing is paramount as is hand washing.  We ask all of our guests to report to a warden or reception immediately any activity that they witness that is a risk to the health and safety of others.  We will not hesitate to remove any guest from the Park who blatantly disregards these reasonable and necessary controls that are in place for the welfare of everybody.

IT IS EXPECTED THAT EVERY GUEST MUST ACCEPT FULL RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR OWN ACTIIONS AND THOSE IN THEIR FAMILY GROUP.

 

Salcombe Regis Camping & Caravan Park

Seasonal Static Caravan Proposal – 2020/21

At Salcombe Regis we have 10 static caravans that have been historically let as weekly rentals to our customers.  We often get asked if we will sell them and offer ground rent terms as done on holiday parks with private owners.  The step from touring caravan to permanent holiday home is currently the most common option for customers.

What many customers do not realise is that they have to purchase a caravan through the Park and they can only sell through the Park.  They then have to pay a high ground rent and the full maintenance of their caravan.  The Park will charge commission on any sale, they will buy back caravans at trade prices only and the initial purchase will be at the full retail price.  When it comes to sell the caravan they will of course have the depreciation to consider.  The annual cost is quite substantial.

We are considering offering a seasonal licence to occupy our static caravans at a fixed price.  This is an option that falls between owning a touring caravan and going to the expense and commitment of owning your own holiday Static Caravan.  The season will run in line with the rest of the Park (March to October) in each year and the Static Caravan will be licenced to you for your use.  It will not be let/rented/licenced to anyone else during that season.

We will still own the Static Caravan.  We will insure the structure and maintain it in good condition.  We will undertake Gas Safety and Electrical Checks as required (but not your portable appliances).  The Static will have all fixed furniture including beds, tables, a cooker & hob etc. but the licensee will have to supply everything else. (Bed linen, towels, crockery, glassware, cutlery, small portable appliances, television, radio, vacuum cleaner etc.)  The licensee will be responsible for insuring their own contents as this will not be covered by the Parks insurance policy.  We will cover all standard maintenance issues.  Damages are the responsibility of the licensee.  There will be a security and damages deposit of £500 that is held by the Park for the duration of the licence and returnable at the end of the season or carried forward to the next term.

In order to keep the base cost down the occupiers will be responsible for the payment of bottled gas (Currently £75 per 47kg bottle) and individually metered water and electricity.  Under current guidelines, electricity and water will be charged at cost plus a small administration charge.  In essence, the more you use it, the more you will have to pay.  This is only fair to those that will only visit occasionally.

Under a normal year we are looking to charge £5,500 for the season.  This equates to under £25 per day plus consumables.  The licence will entitle the licensee to occupy the static for up to 28 days in any one period. (Planning condition.  You can go off site for one day and then return in order to comply). 

Occupation is suitable for 4 persons comfortably but it can accommodate up to 6 with the use of a small pull out double sofa bed in the lounge.  The occupation is not limited to the Licensee as they can permit family and close friends to use the accommodation.  However sub-letting will not be permitted and will be a breach of the agreement resulting in termination immediately with no refund given.  The Park will need advance notification of occupancy and for security will require all guests to check in with reception upon arrival and departure.

Dogs and visitors are free of charge.  One car may be parked adjacent to the Static, other vehicles are to be parked in the visitor car park.

We may consider offering seasonal licences to a limited number of vans for the remaining season of this year (2020) and if we open the Park as anticipated in July, the remaining season will be available for £3,000.  Anyone taking advantage of this offer will be given first refusal for renewal for the following season.

The price includes VAT.

The idea of this proposal gives you the total flexibility to have a holiday home year by year without the long term commitment.  It will also be a comfort to many in the knowledge that they can have the enjoyment of a UK holiday destination that is totally self-contained and that the use has been limited to their own family unit.

If this proposal is of interest to you, please do not hesitate to contact us so that we can discuss it further.

Kind regards

Mark Langdown

contact@salcombe-regis.co.uk

(01395) 514303

Dear Customer

First and foremost Sally and I hope that you, your family and close friends are all well and have escaped the dreadful pandemic gripping our country.  It has been a testing time for all of us and our daily lives have changed beyond our wildest dreams. Our lifestyles are so far distant than any of us could have ever imagined 2 months ago!  That said, it is amazing to witness how the British people have come together in a time of crisis and helped others in need.   It makes me very proud to be British.

We have been affected like everyone else in the country.  We should have opened the Park on Friday 27th March but on the 23rd March the government advised us to keep our Park closed to the public in the interest of public health.  Our gate has remained closed since then.  The financial damage to our business is huge and unfortunately the grass and hedges keep growing and the ongoing list of essential maintenance seems never ending.  We are however proud to say that the Park is looking amazing and we are certainly ready for when we can open the gate and allow you to visit again.

We like you have been following the regular updates in the National media and as the infection rate slowly declines and the “R” number stays below 1, we hope that we have at last turned a corner and can look positively to the future.

We are receiving calls daily to ask when we are likely to open the Park.  The answer is quite simply – when it is safe to do so.  Our governing body the BHHPA are in constant communication with government bodies to ascertain when it may be safe to open, and more importantly what precautions we will have to implement in order to respect social distancing.

Our industry is classified as an “open air hotel” and a lesser risk than a traditional hotel where it is difficult to maintain social distancing.  Our main problem will be to address whatever precautions are recommended by official bodies and the BHHPA.  Your safety is paramount but until we have formal guidance, we can only assume what we may have to do in order to give you the best protection whilst visiting our Park.

At the moment we have been advised that hospitality may be phased back into our daily lives from the 4th July 2020.  This date will be subject to review and will be very dependent upon how the public have responded to the current relaxation measures.  As long as the infections levels do not rise, we are hoping that we will be able to open in early July 2020.

When we do open we believe that it will be conditional upon social distancing controls being in place.  We have a problem in that our main shower block is very communal and distancing will be virtually impossible.  Unless we receive advice based upon strong scientific evidence contradicting this, and confirming that communal shower blocks are not a risk, we do not see how we can open our shower and toilet blocks to our customers.

The following is our suggestions as to how we can effectively address the health risk and unless new advice and evidence follows, this is our understanding on a way forward.

As a touring park, many of our visitors have caravans and motor homes with their on board facilities within their accommodation.  If we can open the Park in July, it makes total sense to ask customers who visit the Park after 4th July to use them and we will keep our communal facilities closed for the time being.

Tents are slightly more difficult but it is not uncommon for tent customers to have a portable loo (there are many on the market) and use that.  We have three chemical waste and grey water points around the site for the safe disposal of chemicals.  Personal washing will be back to the “bowl and flannel” concept, but something that could work for some people.

We would anticipate spreading out tents and units as far as possible but in any event our license conditions already stipulate that all units must be at least 3 metres apart – so in this regard we are already compliant.

In order to protect our staff we will always maintain a safe distance. The reception shop will be closed (although we can still supply gas and specific stock items upon request) and a cordoned off area will be constructed to enable checking in at a distance.  Most bookings will be paid in advance over the telephone but for those extending their stay or have called in on the off chance of a pitch, a contactless card payment can be made.  If over the limit it will be chip and pin but we will have disinfection measures in place.

For the obvious reasons, the children’s play area will be out of bounds.

We will remind customers of their obligations on social distancing should we witness a relapse.  It goes without saying that if any guest or member in their party becomes unwell, in the interest of other guests, they must notify a warden immediately and the whole party must leave the Park to return home where they can see their family doctor.

So if we have not managed to put you off and you are still planning a visit to Salcombe Regis, we will be delighted to see you as soon as we are able to open our gate.  The weather has been amazing this year, the local walks are stunning and the vegetation is so bright and vibrant that this will be an amazing place for you to get away from home and enjoy the open countryside we have right on our doorstep.

You can still book using our online booking system should you wish to reserve your chosen pitch.  We will happily take a provisional booking and better still, you will not have to pay a deposit until restrictions have been lifted. If we are not able to open in time for your chosen date, we can quite easily move it to another date of your choosing.

For our seasonal and regular customers with bookings already in hand, we wish to thank you all again most sincerely for your patience and understanding in what has been a most challenging and frustrating time for all of us.  We can assure you that we are just as keen as you to get you back on the Park but safety is paramount.

As soon as we receive any further information we will post it on our web site.  If you have any specific questions please do not hesitate to drop us an email and we will come back to you as soon as possible.

In the meantime, please keep well and safe and hopefully we will see you all sometime soon.

Best wishes

Mark & Sally

contact@salcombe-regis.co.uk