South Lakeland Parks (SLP) Forum

It would seem that the "Mace" branded shop at Fallbarrow has succumbed to the white hot competition from Tesco in Bowness. "Mace" branded means that the shop is owned by SLP but the stock is purchased from Mace. As many suspected, the shop loses money and therefore is subsidised from the fees.

However, it would seem that the shop is not going to close altogether. It will reopen as a deli serving upmarket foodstuff and sandwiches etc. It will also continue to sell papers and milk.

Now what planet does SLP management live on. Bowness has many faults but it is not short of places selling quality foodstuff. If we refuse to use the shop as it stands because of better value and choice in Bowness, then why are we going to support a deli when there will still be better choice, quality and value.

What really annoys me is that SLP will spin this as investment in improved facilities. However, these facilities are not needed, wanted or requested. All I want (stress the "I" but I suspect many others as well) is the shop and club to close and for our fees to be reduced.

FB

Totally agree that in principle the Owners don't need a shop at all. However I, at least, certainly suggested to Mark HB following his pre season letter asking for suggestions, that it still needed to provide to sell the standard stuff for holiday makers, ie eggs, bacon, milk, bread, newspapers etc, but instead of standard extras it would be good to see nice pasties etc like Greggs, and local Cumbrian delights like say Plumgarths food stuffs on the shelves, and oh for local freshly baked bread and cakes. You seem to know of places in Bowness that stock these things fallbarrow - where?? True Tesco isn't bad, but forget the Co-op and I tried the Deli near Quarry Rigg whose pies are like rubber and the bread like cotton wool and very expensive. So even though reduced Site Fees are the most favourable for owners, I have to side on the fact that a shop is necessary for holiday makers and tourers who aren't so genned up on what's available in the village albeit only 5 mins/10 mins walk away. It's a 5* Park which has to provide 5* facilities --- okay okay let's not go 'there' or we'll be here all night !!

Hi ASH

I have to admit, everybody will have different needs and different opinions on the issue of the shop. I will agree than occasional renters who are not familiar with what is on offer in Bowness would appreciate a well stocked shop.

I do not believe the new shop will have fresh baked bread and pies etc (might do better if it did). If I want quality meat then the butchers just before Tesco is excellent, some of the flavoured sausages are delicious. I have only used the Deli in Bowness a few times and found it OK. Booths in Windermere is really good and does have fresh baked bread.

However, most of the time, as "weekenders" we buy most of our stuff back at home and bring it with us.

Now what shall we do with the club?

FB

In principle, the principle is the same as per my comments about the shop. Oh and yes I know about Booths, lovely bread but not within easy walking distance - for our main shop we use Booths for a week's stay or Asda in Kendal if staying longer. Anyway, we rarely go to pubs fullstop so if it closed we wouldn't miss it, BUT, again, I feel, a 5* Park needs to have an outlet like that and we, you and others, chose to buy our holiday homes on this Park with all the trappings that went with it. As pubs go it's not bad but I always feel sorry for anyone staying in a unit close to site complex buildings because of the noise - especially a disco or kareoke night. We would hate it. Having said that whenever we pass by, the place is vertually if not entirely empty - so Catch 22.

What might be welcome and possibly more profitable is a water sports and fishing type centre - cheaper to use than the local ones, the Park has its own Jetties and slipways, so why not? Maybe with a Boatman's Bar and Eatery to the side - hey they wouldn't even need to spend our money on a new sign "The BoatHouse". Bowness can provide all the pubs and restaurants anyone can wish for but by being an all can do centre for family fun based on water and environmental activities The Boathouse could offer something different and might work. Even maybe offer local schools and clubs the use of it during term times which would help with running costs, and so say put bums on seats to look good. After all when you stay at a Park near a Surf Beach you usually have a Surf Hire Shop with Lessons etc, and Surfers Bar on Site - so what's the difference!!!

MHB asked for suggestions about the shop but to our knowledge changing use of the club has not been mentioned. What brought this up?