Calls for councils to allow motorhomes to stay overnight on North East coast car parks have been renewed despite an alleged ‘refusal’ in the hopes that the move could boost local economy in the off-peak season, Yorkshire Live reports.
Popular North Yorkshire seaside towns have become a “ghost towns” over the winter months, according to campaigners who say opening up carparks for motorhomes will help boost the otherwise dwindling cash flow.
Motorhome owner, Margaret Southward said: “Whitby doesn’t have to be a ghost town, the council has been asked many times to open their car parks on an evening to motorhomes and have been refused.
“We have a good disposable income, and are prepared to spend it in towns and villages that welcome us.
“The council are so stupid they can’t see what they are missing out on, we buy provisions in the shops, go in their cafes, eat out and go to their pubs, it’s all money going into the town.”
With some councils already opening their car parks to holiday makers like Margaret, they can’t understand why Whitby are yet to follow this trend.
Related: Gwynedd Council approval to allow motorhome stopover pilot on its carparks hit with criticism
El, said: “I’m a motorhome owner of 20 years, after recently retiring this year I plan to use the van more frequently.
“If only Whitby and Scarborough council offered motorhome facilities, I might be tempted to visit as I stopped visiting about 5 years ago.”
Another motorhome owner said: “There is a way to boost trade during the winter and that is to allow motorhomes, towns which welcome us enjoy income from the tourism.
“Unfortunately, most of the councils involved with towns on the East Coast don’t welcome us, so we go elsewhere like Scotland or Europe.
“The councils seem to be frightened that by allowing motor homes it will take business away from campsites, but it won’t, the majority of us don’t want to stay on campsites because they are a long way out of the towns and most of them are shut in the winter.”
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5 comments
I was in Barmouth and Harlech last weekend defo not motorhome friendly, £6 for 24 hour parking BUT not motorhomes anywhere, empty car parks
The council have campsite owners.
I saw on here recently that the car parks in North Wales will be £5 per night soon! If they can do it, why can’t others?
Barrow in ferness have a free site for Motorhomes to encourage people back to the town , Whitby won’t be happy until it’s a boarded up ghost town the next generation won’t be interested in Dracula then Scarborough council will be begging for tourists.
Yes it’s criminal to see the car park in Whitby empty at night time would gladly pay for over night stay but sign’s say no motor homes from 9pm till morning council could be making a let of revenue for doing nothing