To wonder if caravan parks are getting government Covid funding

[converseandjeans]

Bit of a first world problem during a pandemic. But we own a caravan sited on a park in Cornwall. We have paid annual rent and have been told we have to pay rates too as they are fixed costs. Obviously we can't go down to open up for the season and it's looking more likely we won't even make it down there this year.
I know other people have had holidays from cottages/hotels refunded so this is going to be approx £3.500 for the year & we can't go and make use of it. We would usually rent some weeks to family for token amount but they helps pay the fees for the following year. So not only is it the case we can't go down, we're also going to have to save up more than usual to get next years fees in the bank.
Does anyone else have a caravan & have they had a reduction in any fees?

[66redballons]

No idea, it’s more a storage fee atm then, that is still a service isn’t it?

[converseandjeans]

Yes not expecting it to be free of course - but if they're getting money off the government for loss of income but we're all still paying in full is that fair?

[EvolvingElle]

What money off the government do you mean?

[66redballons]

I’d say you are now paying for storage.

[66redballons]

The park won’t have money from trade though. _Only long termers like you, that won’t be many.

[Methtones]

I cant imagine you'll see any of it back even if they are getting money back. Their losses from opening will no doubt exceed the grant.

[Olliephaunt4eyes]

I doubt they won't get money off the government just coz. They'll have to apply for funding and will need to show the money they've lost due to lockdown. They won't be getting money to replace site fees for caravans that are still parked there, and that owners would be expected to pay for.

[Sandybval]

My aunt is still paying for hers, and it's above and beyond storage, she has her utilities etc included which obviously aren't being used at the moment (everything for the sites expenses and utilities as a whole are paid in a different part of the bill). They should be discounting that at the very least to be honest.

[converseandjeans]

66redballoons it's static so we pay for the full year. So they won't lose money. However if for example they furlough the staff and get rate rebate from the council their costs will be lower?
We're potentially paying £3,500 for storage which is quite expensive!
I'm not looking to see the company lose out or go bankrupt - but I just wondered if caravan parks were able to get government help. I read in paper second home owners for example can claim for losses.

[HorridHamble]

I own a caravan and I’m hoping for some sort of a site fee credit. It’s a nationwide park operator but we are in Scotland so unlikely we’ll be able to visit our van any time soon. I have a feeling they’re going to go bust.

[converseandjeans]

evolving business owners in holiday industry can I think claim from government for losses. I don't know though which is why I am asking other caravan owners if their fees have been reduced.

[converseandjeans]

horrid I would rather pay than see them go bust as that isn't a good thing to happen!

[Lilithpaws]

Yes, we are getting refunds on our site fees minus a small amount to cover security and ground keeping costs.

[converseandjeans]

lilith how much refund are you getting if you don't mind me asking?

[HorridHamble]

@converseandjeans oh gosh, I don’t want to that to happen either! I love our park and location. I just wish we had some clarity as to what’s going to happen, but there’s no crystal ball. I know that one of the larger operators has decided on partial credits for owners. Our one has mentioned it, but I haven’t received any confirmation yet.

I pay nearly £4K a year for site fees, which includes full use of the facilities. I’d hope that seeing as the park is closed, we would only pay for our pitch, site maintenance, rates, etc, not for use of facilities. Time will tell.

[converseandjeans]

horrid we don't have anything on site apart from a cafe/bar. I just checked and we will have to pay rates in November too for things like waste collection/water/sewerage even if we haven't been able to go down all season.
I don't suppose the council can afford to not charge for that. They would lose thousands from all the holiday makers. But I did wonder if councils were getting help with it 🤷‍♀️

[halfmoonbay]

We paid our fees in full in Feb c£3500. We are currently receiving approx 50% back per 4 week period, this equates to around £150 per month.

[Nicknacky]

HorridHamble Where is your caravan if you don’t mind me asking?

[HorridHamble]

@Nicknacky it’s in Nairn.

[Nicknacky]

Thanks, I will have a look at the park!

[LilyFromTheValley]

We're still expected to pay our full fees despite not being able to use it. Around £3500. No facilities on site apart from a pool which we obviously wouldn't expect to be open.
Our park owner said they've spoken to their lawyers and accountants and that we're contracted to pay them in full regardless of whether we can go or not.