My reply to FSB:
"Thank you for your constructive response David.
Firstly, I am not suggesting for a second that the provision of facilities for campervans in Aberdeen city is the solution to business success there ...... but every little helps.
I am a volunteer campaigner with CAMpRA, a private company limited by guarantee without share capital, not for profit, with almost 26000 members and a strong leadership team. See here:
https://find-and-update.company-informa ... y/13405866
Basically we campaign for a network of Aires, common in mainland Europe. You will find details here:
https://campra.org.uk/
and if you then click on Business Hub you will find lots of information on what is involved in creating an Aire.
Simply, an Aire is a parking area, with or without services, the latter being drains for grey water (sink, shower) and black water (cassette toilet), and a fresh water tap. Electric hook ups are not needed.
What I have been suggesting to Aberdeen City Councillors is an Aire at the P & R at Bridge of Don or Kingswells or the Beach front or another location I'm not aware of. Water and waste points could be set up at public toilets, recycling points, car washes, disused petrol station forecourts etc. Council Officers have been asked to look at this.
Hawick in the Scottish Borders was probably the first Aire in Scotland – at the Common Haugh car park. With toilets and a fresh water tap.
Port Erroll Harbour, Cruden Bay has an Aire with toilets and a fresh water tap.
Findhorn in Moray recently created a superb Aire at the beach with all water and waste facilities.
Lochore Meadows, Fife has an Aire with all water and waste facilities.
And there are others in Scotland.
Canterbury, Kent has had an Aire at its Dover Road car park for many years and may be the first in the UK. Last time we were there it was £3.50/night with all water and waste facilities, and the fee includes return bus to centre where you can spend some money! I attach a document which includes some practicalities involved in setting this up and Council positive experience.
CAMpRA carried out a survey last year of its members. When staying overnight in a community the average spend in pubs, shops, cafes, attractions etc was £47. There are 390000 registered motorhomes/campervans in the UK according to DVLA and it is believed to be the fastest growing tourism sector in the UK. It is also estimated that campervanners will spend close to £1bn annually in the UK in shops, cafes, pubs, restaurants, food etc. And because the UK has poor facilities, campervanners from mainland Europe don’t come to the UK in the numbers you would expect.
The good news is campervan facilities in Scotland are far better than in England, despite Scotland being poor!
How could FSB help?
1. support our campaign by speaking to your business members and local authorities (Councillor Marie Boulton is my contact in Aberdeen Council)
2. do you have any members who could provide overnight parking in the city or surrounds and/or install water and waste facilities? (most campervanners are happy to pay up to £5 to simply fill with water and empty waste)
I could go on David, but it might be easier, if you want more detail, to speak on the phone.
Kind regards and thank you for listening
Arthur
Tel xxxxxxxxx