Caravan Parks

Sheffield is a tourist town but has no caravan park. Go figure? There was a little one a few years ago at the back of King George Park. However all the wiring has been ripped up now and Council have decided it should return to parkland.

Most people want a caravan park in Sheffield but no one has developed a business plan on how it might happen. Council's current view is that we don't want to develop one ourselves but are keen to see what a private operator may propose. A possible location for one is down at the Rec Ground.

Councillor Andrew Keddie (don't you love the formal names!) and myself went and visited Longford Caravan Park recently. The official name is Riverside Caravan Park. To be honest the owner was less than enthusiastic about the long term viability of Caravan Parks. Big motor homes are becoming more numerous now, many being self contained and not needing power or facilities. Some of these are looking for free camping sites. People are expecting improved services at reduced rates. Not good for business.

I am far from starry eyed about having a caravan park in Sheffield. I am concerned at how a business could survive given the long winter months. It is reasonable to assume that petrol prices will keep rising over the years which will put a ceiling on tourism numbers. Caravan parks are a big investment of capital. Council does not have much cash to play with.

We currently have a pull over area for motor homes at the Sheffield Rec Ground and also one at Railway Park in Railton. Maybe we should look at beefing up services to these already established sites?

These are my views and I don't know what other councillors think. Time will tell............