Franchising - Frequently Asked Questions
Our franchise site at Eskdale
How long is the Franchise Agreement?
The initial term of the franchise agreement is ten years and all franchisees have a right to renew for an additional ten years at the expiration of this period at no additional charge, except a nominal amount to offset the franchisor's legal costs.
Do I need to have my own site already?
No. The franchise scheme is open to existing site and land owners who feel that they would benefit from becoming a "UK Club Site" and also to people without experience who are looking to enter the sector. In order to process the application from an existing site owner, we will evaluate your site to ascertain whether it will compliment our existing site network. For new entrants to the sector, the Club will work with you and help to identify suitable sites for acquisition.
How big a site do I need?
The Club is flexible on the size of the site, depending on location. Generally, all sites should be at least 50% touring pitches. In our business model, a site should have a minimum of around 50 touring pitches.
How much capital will I require?
This will depend to a large extent on the acquisition costs of the site you intend to run as a Club Site and will depend on the location, size and condition of the site as well as whether the site is available on a freehold or leasehold basis. To acquire a site on a freehold basis, we estimate that you will need to be able to invest a minimum equity stake of £200,000. To acquire a site on an open market leasehold basis, you would need to invest a minimum equity stake of £140,000.
The Club also operates a leaseback scheme in partnership with investors whereby a site can be acquired and leased to you for the period of the franchise. The level of investment required for this scheme is minimal. For further information, please refer to the Leaseback scheme page.
The balance of your funding requirements should in most cases be available by way of a business loan or mortgage from one of the major banks, through one of the special financing packages we have negotiated. You should expect to provide around 30% of the total investment to be available in liquid assets before borrowing.
Does the Club offer any financial assistance?
No. However, we can guide you through the key funding decisions and introduce you to key lending institutions who have a working knowledge of the Club and its Franchise system.
How much money will I make?
The Club provides you with a business blueprint and the tools to help you make the business a success. Your success will depend on how you use the blueprint and the tools at your disposal. Ultimately though, success depends on how you, the franchisee, implement the Club's systems and structures you learned on your training course. You must enjoy the hands on approach necessary to learn the business.
In general our franchised campsites experience dramatic average income increases and many have seen a doubling of their income since joining our network.
What experience do I need?
We do not insist that you have camp site management experience, as our package of training and support will help you to operate to our high standards. You should, however, have some management and administrative assistance as well as good customer service and people skills. You should also be able to demonstrate an affinity with the Outdoors and camping.
Will I be able to sell my franchise?
Yes, you can sell your Camping and Caravanning Club site just like any other business. However, we will want to vet the incoming Franchisee in the same way as we vet you. We also have the right to match the highest offer you have received and buy the business ourselves.
Will I have to work full time in the business?
We prefer people who have no other business interests so that they can devote their full time and attention to their business. We would expect you to take a "hands-on" role on your site.
If accepted as a Franchisee, how long will it take to open my first site?
Once you have a location and it is to Club standard, the site can open immediately.
Will I need to employ staff?
This depends on the size of the site and the facilities you are providing. We would suggest that the smallest of our sites need a minimum number of three people in High Season. Some of our largest sites have more than 10 people.
How long is a typical Season?
This depends on the location and the period for which the site is licensed. The majority of The Club’s sites are open March - November each year and generally close over the winter. A number of franchised campsites are now opening for longer seasons to take advantage of the demand for camping facilities during the winter.
The Clubs reservation system continues to take reservations during the closed season, meaning that franchisees are able to take a holiday and relax!
What sort of people have become Franchisees?
Our franchise partners have come from many different backgrounds. Many have had no camp site management experience but have satisfied us that they have the commitment, passion, drive and energy to succeed.
How do I go about finding a property?
Through a combination of unequalled experience and demographic research, we will help you to find the right location for your new Camp site. We will identify the best location that puts you in the heart of membership demand.
There are a number of ways in which a suitable campsite can be found for the scheme. There are a small number of estate agents who specialise in the campsite sector with whom we liaise closely as sites come to the market. In addition, The Club is often approached by site owners and other industry contacts who may wish to dispose of their site off the open market.
The Club has also identified key areas where there is high member demand for sites and is proactively looking for sites in these areas.
All this market intelligence is shared with you in order to assist you in finding a suitable campsite to bring to the scheme. The Club has retained a firm of Chartered Surveyors to advise and assist you in assessing and evaluating a possible acquisition.
What is the application procedure?
Stage 1 – Complete Application Forms
Complete our short online enquiry form which will allow you to then download and print out additional financial information and the Franchise Application Forms.
You should complete the Application Forms and return these to the address on the Forms. Please be aware that these Application Forms are not a contract but enables us to make an initial assessment about your suitability to the Club.
Stage 2 – Franchise Presentation
If you are successful you will be invited to one of our Franchise Presentations. These give you the opportunity to find out more about the proposition and see first-hand how the Club operates.
Stage 3 – Club Site visit
Provided we are both happy you will next be invited to visit a Club Site to taste the lifestyle, environment and work ethic so you can fully appreciate the Club’s culture and ethos.
Stage 4 – Assessment Day
At this stage you will be interviewed, references checked out and you will be invited to undertake various tests in order for us to assess your suitability to not only operate a campsite but also whether your suitability to work in a franchised environment.
Stage 5 – Final Interview
If the outcome of the Assessment Day is positive, you will be invited to attend the Offer Interview at Club HQ where all aspects of the Franchise scheme can be discussed. Following this meeting, if both parties are still happy, you will be offered a franchise and asked to lodge a deposit. From that point, we will provide you with our Preopening Handbook which details everything you need to know about setting up your camp site business and commence assisting you to acquire a campsite.
If you feel you are interested in progressing to the first stage of the process, then proceed to complete our short Online Enquiry Form to receive the financial information and Application Forms as PDF files.
Alternatively if you would like to talk to someone about franchising with the Club please call
08701 287 240.
Enquire
Please complete our short Online Enquiry Form. You will then be sent an email which will contain additional financial information and Application Forms as pdfs.
To start the Application Process you should print these forms out, complete them and return them to the Club at the address supplied.
Proceed to the Online Enquiry Form.
