To think Center Parcs really isn’t middle class

[GodAgainstAll]

Just spent a few days there for the first time. It’s expensive and the people there seem to be v affluent in terms of clothes/cars, but middle class? I was surprised.

Insightful post from @WombatChocolate

CP is relatively pricey mid market mass entertainment for the package holiday AI-type crowd, which in itself is its own demographic.

People with a bit of curiosity, imagination and research skills could come up with a much better bespoke holiday for the same price but not everyone is willing or able to do that.

We've only been once. I was very heavily pregnant and didn't want to go too far from home, just in case, but wanted our existing children to have some kind of Summer holiday. I was a bit underwhelmed. It was ok, but not worth the price in my opinion. My children liked the pool and had fun just because they were small children that had been taken somewhere new but I thought the accomodation was fairly basic for what it cost and there wasn't that much to do. But to be fair, we live in the countryside so riding their bikes through woods and seeing rabbits and squirrels outside the lodge did not particularly thrill my children since it's just like home. With hindsight, I should have just taken them to a Travelodge in any random large town as it would have been cheaper and more novel - my elder DS nearly passed out with the excitement of going on a bus in Warrington a few months later.
But it was ok, and I can't say I noticed any particular type of people there, just a mix of families on holiday the same as you might find in lots of places. Not sure what anyone judging class would have made of us anyway. DH was privately educated and has a fairly posh accent but despite my well paid profession I'm from a small Northern ex mining town and give away my origins every time I open my mouth. There's no doubt a myriad of other ways that a "real" MC person would be able to tell that I'm not from the same background as them, yet from having read other threads on the topic here, plenty of people would berate me if I said I was WC as apparently you can't be a doctor and also be WC! I bet the OP would have me down as not MC enough to holiday at Centre Parcs if she was standing behind me in the queue for the owls though. 😂

Fair point @NearlyMonday
where I live is quite diverse
also the % white when I there was close to if not absolutely 100%

And who speak French VERY LOUDLY when they go to said sites, but imagine they fit right in.

We had a good time when we last went and booked again. For the space you get compared to a hotel, it’s not bad value really. We also liked having access to 3 hours of childcare when we went to the spa. I do think the vibe was quite different across the different activities. The sports bar seemed to attract the drink all day while watching football and ignoring the kids crowd. The outdoor activities felt pretty different. So…. I think it depends what you’re doing as to the demographics you run into.

There will also be a massive range of people. For some, it’ll be their week holiday. For others it’s a weekend break on top of holidays. It seems bizarre to assume it’s only going to be a middle class market.

Well all the professions that @Usernamen mentioned apart from law are the 'highly-paid', 'professional' jobs with the most working class people IMO. Because of the need for talent, professional qualifications. A qualified doctor or chartered accountant is just that regardless of what colour they are.

Compared to things like being 'generally' higher up in the corporate world no matter what department you're in (Operations, Sales, HR, marketing). Things are very much impression based and about how you present yourself. Although that's changing.

Plumber, electrician, joiner, train driver, lorry driver
40k plus but can't afford a pesr of jeans that cover their ass

Not too well versed on the U.K. class system, but the one time I did go to Center Parcs it was chav central, wouldn't go again.

So who is allowed to go to cp then?

which job titles and annual income?

asking for a friend
Plumber, electrician, joiner, train driver, lorry driver
40k plus but can't afford a pesr of jeans that cover their ass

some very strange views about the building industry on this thread

I don’t think it’s middle class at all. Back in the 90s when it was starting to get popular my siblings from dad’s third marriage liked to go there and invited me along, it didn’t seem that expensive either. They’re not middle class, more working class. They’re not rough though either! Just normal people from Harrow area.

Anyone who wants to go should just go. It’s one of those places where you kind of stay on site and have everything provided, rather than use it as a base to explore the general area and go it alone in terms of finding restaurants etc. But that concept exists at all price levels. I think it’s more about deciding if you like that concept and then choosing how much you want to pay for it. Turn up and voila: you’ve found your class! (just kidding!)

We loved center parcs when I was a kid over 30 years ago. We went most summers. It was very much bikes, canoes, zip wire over the lake iirc, swimming and very outdoorsy and nature.
Now its very expensive for activities that you can do anywhere so you might as well stay at home / go to your local gym. Its less outdoorsy and more indoorsy. Don't remember a spa when I was a kid and you can get a beauty treatment anywhere. Too many (shit) restaurants so its less about self catering too.
My family can get 2, maybe 3 weeks, all inclusive abroad for 4 days in center parcs. Better weather, beach, pool, food cooked for you. no brainer.

😂ohh I remember that thread now

You reckon. I came across an email in my file from when I was recruited as a trainee (i'd been asked to check something in it, I wasn't snooping) that essentially was explaining to the senior partner that although my dad was "at least" a barrister, he "didn't come from family money".

Another time I was covering a file for another partner and there was an email in it between him and another where they were discussing recruiting someone "who was pretty bright and from the right sort of family but her brain has gone to mush since she had babies".

I should have said something but I was v young and just shocked.

I lead a team of lawyers now and I hope I only think about ability/interest in the role etc when recruiting, certainly the social mix of team suggests that. I also make sure we take people without family links to the law for work experience

Ha, @Calliopespa , just seen you on the BS thread- that's two of us with too much time on our hands this evening!

How do we define any class these days?
Is class still a thing?
So 20th century.

I'm solidly working class, and have been many times, so yes, I agree.

Not been for years, but it used to be great when the kids were younger. Pick them up from school on Friday afternoon, straight in the car and head to CP. We had friends who lived in a different area who would meet us there.

Didn't actually do many of the activities, just pools etc, the bird hide and cycling around. Drinking wine, whilst the kids played out in front of the villa.

Thinking about it now, we were probably the 'chavvy ones' at that time! Apologies for lowering the tone

This was exactly our experience.
Lots of vaping, smoking parents and a highlight were two grandparents with DGC cycling past us saying loudly ‘I can’t ride this f@ckin’ thing!’

The environment was nice, the luxury lodge was nice for a group of teens, but dear me….the clientele was odd. A lot of flashy cars and ‘insta summer in Dubai’ types. There were also security staff sorting out rowdy parents in the bars.

Next time we’ll just rent a big cottage in the countryside for less money!

There was a distinct Chav element the last time I went to Whinfell but in the other parks just a mix of normal working/middle class people.

Hello! Yes I’m stuck on bed rest and have been for a couple of weeks. New to MN ! I’ve just replied to you over there.

This thread is so funny.

My family go to CP every year as it's one place that all ages love and our young adult DC still want to come with us. Vastly overpriced IMO but I budget for it.

I often feel in the minority due to non-branded clothing & footwear, no Range Rover and working class grammar. Although we are not in the building or beauty indiustry 😂We don't poo in the pool, push in or swear.

DH once had a conversation with a CP staff memebr in management who said they acknowledge the accomonation is below standard now but they continue to deliberately overprice in order to keep out the riff raff. The spending on site which can double the overall cost is important to them.

It's a lazy holdiay and lots of the activities could be arranged on a bespoke holiday but the pool is uniqiue in UK and that is the main attraction for us .

This is the most insane thread I think I've ever read on Mumsnet and that's saying something.

I’m not sure if there was a spa there 30 years ago but it had all the activities you mention (outdoorsy ones) and the pools indoors were good maybe with jacuzzis etc.

For the space you get compared to a hotel, it’s not bad value really.

I agree. And you get long and easy days (child age dependent, obviously). If you take plenty of food it’s not bad value.

The critics are generally the type who take the camper van to Normandy and like to be in bed by 9pm, so they can be up bright and early to take the kids for a look around Bayeux cathedral. 🙄

🤣🤣🤣🤣It is VERY funny. I’m not sure if OP was laying a trap.