Woodhorn Museum, Ashington

Tees Valley
Durham
Northumberland
Tyne and Wear
East Yorkshire
North Yorkshire
South Yorkshire
West Yorkshire
Post Reply
Eddiey
Posts: 517
Joined: Wed Oct 14, 2020 3:45 pm
Has thanked: 324 times
Been thanked: 110 times
Contact:

Woodhorn Museum, Ashington

Post by Eddiey »

Extra Income for the Woodhorn Museum.

Hi Jo,

I live nearby at Widdrington, and am a director with a company called CAMpRA (Campaign for Real Aires), find us on Facebook, we are a Not For Profit company. We are a group of nearly 24,000 volunteers, our aim is simply to help establish Aires (parking areas for motorhomes) in the UK, just as they have enjoyed for decades in Europe, where there are over 13,000 Aires.

What is an Aire?
(10) CAMPRA - Campaign for Real Aires - ... - YouTube
Simply a level piece of ground where a motorhome can park overnight.
If possible it could have a waste disposal point for black (toilet) and grey water and a tap.
Also a fresh water tap.

As motorhomes are self contained with their own fresh water, grey water tanks and a cassette for toilet waste they need to replenish supplies every 3 to 4 days.
They also have leisure batteries and solar panels for power so electric hook up is not a necessity.
(10) Using Stop-overs and Aires - What ... - YouTube

In Europe Aires are a much welcome extra source of revenue as they attract motorhome visitors to areas they might never visit, where they spend their money in the local economies, as Aires are mostly situated close to towns, villages, sports clubs, municipal buildings, museums and businesses.

You probably know from the media that there is a massive lack of parking for the 390,000 + motorhomes in the UK and Northumberland is no exception, this is now highlighted even more by Staycation, and Woodhorn Museum is a perfect place for an Aire stopover.
You already have space for parking, water and toilet facilities where a waste disposal point could be added on site, your museum and restaurant are an attraction to potential motorhomers, who on average spend around £47 per day excluding such things as visits to museums.
There would very little financial outlay needed and you would very quickly be earning an income from an Aire and attracting paying customers to your museum.

CAMpRA recommend a charge of £5 per night 24hr parking, or a £10 charge could be applied simply by adding inexpensive to install, water and waste facilities. Currently your car park has these facilities and is empty at nights and not earning income.

Foe example if you had an average of 3 motorhomes stay per night, and you charge £10 per night x 3 M/Hs = £30 X 300 days = £9,000 income from parking alone, then add the extra income 1,800 visitors would bring to your museum, 1800 x £15 each x 300 days = £27,000. Grand annual total £36,000 potential income.
It is also a known fact that where motorhomes are parked, anti social behaviour and fly tipping has ceased adding to the security of that area.

How do you allow motorhomes to park?
You can apply for a free Exemption Certificate (Exempt From Planning), which would allow you to have 5 motorhomes per night staying on your premises. Under this scheme you do not need to apply for planning approval, “MotorhomeFun” will contact your local council and make them aware of the exemption on your behalf.

Aire Planning Exemption – MotorhomeFun Support

We have a number of Exemptions granted and currently being processed, why not look at this free scheme and help Woodhorn Museum help themselves to much needed income.

I am available to discuss this further by phone or Zoom or I could attend a site visit if this would be helpful and bring along my motorhome if needed.

Best regards,

Eddie Yarrow
Post Reply