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AUTO-SLEEPERS GROUP LTD RETURN TO BRITISH OWNERSHIP WITH MANAGEMENT BUY OUT

Auto-Sleeper Group Ltd (ASG) that includes the prestigious motorhome manufacturing brand of Auto-Sleepers and the UK's largest motorhome dealer network Marquis, has been subject to a successful management buyout from its parent company S.E.A (Società Europea Autocaravan) based in Italy.

Existing directors Geoff Scott BA (Hons), FCCA and Mike Crouch, recently acquired 100% of the shareholding to become equal partners and return ASG into British private ownership.

Geoff Scott will continue in his current role of ASG Chief Executive Officer with Mike Crouch being appointed ASG Managing Director.

Geoff commented, “Auto-Sleepers and Marquis are brand names that collectively have 84 years of history within the motorhome industry. I am delighted and honoured to have the opportunity to continue building upon the solid foundations of these renowned British marques. It continues to be a turbulent marketplace, where long-term visibility remains clouded. However, despite the current market, Auto-Sleepers are experiencing a renaissance and I am confident that ASG will enjoy a successful future.”

Mike has spent the last 30 years working for Marquis and has been the driving force behind the retail division since becoming MD in the millennium year. Commenting on his new role Mike says, “I am extremely proud that from humble beginnings, Marquis is today the UK's largest motorhome dealer network.

When I joined the industry, without question, Auto-Sleepers were the leading motorhome manufacturer in the UK. I am relishing the challenge that becoming MD of both Auto-Sleepers Manufacturing and Marquis Retail will bring. I sincerely hope that, with my usual extra passion and enthusiasm, along with the current resurgence being enjoyed, Auto-Sleepers can be driven to its maximum.”

The new owners will be ably supported by an experienced management team and workforce and look forward to continuing success.

For further details of the products and services available from ASG visit
www.auto-sleepers.co.uk or www.marquismotorhomes.co.uk

Brownhills Motorhomes Limited is pleased to announce the completion of a management buyout (MBO). The deal, which is valued in excess of £46 million, is excellent news for Brownhills' staff and customers as it secures all 365 jobs within the Group and is the catalyst for a Customer Services Improvement Charter which is planned over the coming months.

A Brownhills spokesperson explained: "The faceless enterprise syndrome has been eliminated as the Brownhills' management team now has ownership of the company. We will be focusing heavily on ensuring Brownhills' customers receive the best possible service."

"Working closely with business advisors Kroll and our existing funders we have agreed a comprehensive and robust three year business plan. This plan focuses on core activities such as retail market penetration, growth in aftersales revenues and the expansion of Brownhills' service departments."

Brownhills has strengthened its management team in order to implement these development plans including the agreement of clear business objectives centred first and foremost on its customer service offering.

The spokesperson continued: "We have been overwhelmed by the support given to us from our key manufacturers and other business partners which has enabled us to achieve this MBO and make the necessary changes to successfully take Brownhills forward. We would also like to reassure our customers that the management have undertaken to honour all previous Brownhills warranties and deposits already paid on vehicles."

Despite discontinuing arrangements with six manufacturers Brownhills still represents 17 manufacturers with a spread of marques across the breadth of motorhome offerings from the UK , Europe and the US .

The spokesperson concluded: "We are very pleased with these developments and believe that Brownhills Motorhomes Limited is now in a strong position to meet the growing needs of the motorhome community."

Swift buy Autocruise

It was in Dec 2006 that Autocruise, the South Yorkshire-based motorhome manufacturer, underwent a £13m management buy-out backed by private equity investor Inflexion. Inflexion invested £5.9m in the deal.

On Friday 5th October 2007 they were taken over by Swift Holdings, the parent company of caravan and motorhome manufacturers, Swift Leisure. Peter Smith, chairman of Swift Holdings told us "We bought Autocruise from the Administrator last Friday night at 11.45pm. We bought the assets and property but didn't take on any liabilities, they were effectively insolvent."

Swift Holdings say Autocruise will continue to be run as a separate company and will have a separate strategy and management to Swift Holding's other motorhome interests.

Peter Smith said: "Autocruise has established a strong reputation for its unique design and construction qualities and these will be maintained under our ownership. Investing in Autocruise will add tremendous strength to the company and give confidence to staff, dealers and Autocruise owners about the long-term future of this award-winning operation."

Britain's First Carbon-Neutral Camp Site?

The Camping and Caravanning Club's - and arguably the UK's - first carbon- neutral camp site, Delamere Forest, has now opened its doors to campers, caravanners and motorhome users.

The new Club Site at Delamere Forest, near Chester, has many environmentally friendly features to compliment the beauty of the forest around it. Over 4,000 native trees and hedging plants have been introduced to offset the work done to create this new Site.

Delamere Forest Camping and Caravanning Club Site is part of the Ashton Hayes village project to create England's first carbon neutral village. Find out more about this project at www.goingcarbonneutral.co.uk .

The 'green' credentials of the site are strong and include rain-water harvesting and wood burning stoves. Solar panels for secondary heating are all part of a process which will see the site becoming even greener over time. Locally sourced materials have been used where possible, helping the site blend into its forest surroundings. The planting of native trees and shrubs make it a haven for wildlife and visitors alike. For tent campers it's easy to leave the car at home as there's a train station next door.

The camp site is working closely with the Forestry Commission, which manages the forest around the Site. Linmere Visitor Centre is short walk from the Site, and gives information on the many marked footpaths and cycle trails around the Forest. Delamere Forest Park is well known for its numerous meres and mosses, the largest of which is Blakemere. There are several Sites of Special Scientific Interest, with one area under consideration to become a Special Area of Conservation - a strictly protected site under the EC Habitats Directive.

Camping and Caravanning Club Sites Chairman Mel Hill says: "The Club is very proud to be opening its first carbon-neutral camp site. This, the greenest site in the Club's current portfolio, will include more environmentally-friendly features as it develops. It's certainly a site to visit several times over the next few years to see how things progress."

For further information about the Camping and Caravanning Club, its over 100 award-winning sites and network of smaller Certificated Sites and other benefits of membership, please contact 0845 130 7632 or click on www.campingandcaravanningclub.co.uk.

Truma Safety Recall

From the Truma website:

Safety takes priority - Truma is modifying individual Trumatic C models.

Truma Gerätetechnik GmbH & Co. KG has decided to maintain the operational safety of its Trumatic C heater model by modifying heaters that were manufactured at certain times. The Trumatic C heater model has been operating reliably in many motor homes for many years.

The following devices have to be modified:

Model 1: equipment in model series C 3402/4002/6002 including EL versions

serial numbers (Fabr.-Nr.):
from C xxxxx-x-16 255 001 to C xxxxx-x-17 159 000

Model 2: equipment in the C 6002 EH model series

serial numbers (Fabr.-Nr.):
from C xxxxx-x-15 329 001 to C xxxxx-x-17 159 000

The serial number you can find on the name plate that is attached to your heater.

For the concerned devices the following precautionary measures are urgently necessary:

1. The heater must not be used for heating or hot water preparation!

2. Please note the serial number you can find on the name plate of your heater

3. Please contact Truma Uk Service Department on 01283 586020

We understand that the modifications are carried out free of charge at your home location.

SEA buy Auto-Sleepers

In August 2005, Barclays Private Equity sold its majority stake in Auto-Sleepers to Italian company SEA Group, Europe's third biggest motor-home manufacturer. Auto-Sleepers statement on the deal is reproduced below:

Ian Capes, Chief Executive Officer of Auto-Sleepers Group has today 15th August announced that the company has merged with the European motorhome conglomerate SEA Group. The UK division of the new company will be called Auto-Sleepers Holdings Ltd. The merger is expected to facilitate strong growth for the existing Auto-Sleepers Holdings Ltd companies as well as adding most of the SEA Group brands to the Auto-Sleepers Holdings Ltd stable.

The Italian based SEA (pronounced sayer) Group has motorhome manufacturing and retailing operations across Western Europe. It is best known in the UK for its Mobilvetta, Elnagh and McLouis brands. It also manufactures the Miller, Joint, Dream and SEA brands. Total output for the new combined group will be in the region of 13,000 motorhomes per annum.

The Auto-Sleepers Group currently comprises of the Auto-Sleeper and Orian motorhome brands and the Marquis Motorhomes dealer network. A new division of Auto-Sleepers Holdings Ltd to be called SEA UK will import a variety of SEA Group brands excluding Elnagh and McLouis, these two brands will continue to be imported exclusively by the existing franchise holder.

In addition to the incremental sales from European motorhome brands, the merger brings renewed financial strength for Auto-Sleepers Holdings Ltd and plans are now being made for rapid expansion for Auto-Sleepers production, Orian’s distribution and ranges and Marquis Motorhomes dealer network and brand franchises.

“The new group’s aim is to be both the largest manufacturer and the largest retailer of motorhomes in the UK and mainland Europe within five years” says Ian Capes. “To achieve that we need to develop our current brands as rapidly as possible. There will be a series of further announcements as we unveil our plans over the next few months.

“The decision to merge reflects the excellent strategic fit of the two companies,” continues Capes. “Both groups include motorhome manufacturing and retailing operations. As the premium brand in the combined range, Auto-Sleepers will provide useful insights to our European sister manufacturing companies on design and build quality while I am sure we can benefit from the purchasing power and other cost efficiencies achieved by the SEA Group companies. Similarly, Marquis Motorhomes will benefit from the incremental sales of additional brand franchises and dealer specials (built to UK specifications) while assisting our European retailing partner companies in aspects of sales, stock control and multi-outlet trading methods.

“As well as ensuring that all SEA UK products comply with UK legislation we will work with our new sister companies to ensure that over time the products we import are truly tailored to the UK market. One of our first moves will be to develop a UK parts supply operation for our European ranges. Our plan will be to match the speed and efficiency of our existing UK parts operation.”

RDH finds new owner and new buddies

RDH motorhome centre is under new ownership. The business has been acquired by an experienced team lead by director Richard Wood.

On completing the acquisition Wood said: "we are delighted to become the owners of a business with such a well-respected name in the motorhome sector. We intend to build on this reputation and deliver a first class service to our customers"

RDH Motorhome Centre will be operating from new premises and selling Benimar, Chausson, Rimor and Concord motorhomes as well as carrying out warranty and service work and supplying parts.

In addition there will be an exciting new tie up with Hirebuddies, the motorhome hire company.

Wood enthused: "Hirebuddies is a great concept. As a motorhome owner you can join Hirebuddies who will arrange hires for your vehicle and take care of the insurance and administration. This will enable those that haven't used a motorhome before to try before they buy. Then, if the new owner wishes, we can provide free membership of Hirebuddies with the prospect of generating some income from their motorhome. This can ease the cost of ownership and make the dream of owning their own motorhome that much more affordable"

For further information contact

Richard Wood
RDH Motorhome Centre
2 Julias Way
Station Park
Kirby in Ashfield
Notts NG17 7RB

Tel: 0870 758 5050
Fax: 0870 758 3030

info@rdh.co.uk
www.rdh.co.uk

21/6/05

We heard that there had been a proposal, put to the EU Parliament, to allow holders of a category B licence (normally restricted to vehicles up to 3.5T) to drive motorhomes of up to 4.25T. We asked for comment from the DVLA, this is their response:

"The European Commission published its proposal for a Third Directive on
driving licences in December 2003. That original proposal contained no
change to the existing rules determining the category that motorcaravans
could be driven under.

However, on 23 February 2005, the European Parliament (EP) gave its
First Reading to this proposal. The EP voted for a prevision that would
allow motorcaravans up to 4250kg to be driven on a category B licence,
as long as the driver had undertaken training and the vehicle was not
being driven for commercial purposes.

The Transport Council (which brings together the Governments of the EU)
will now consider the proposal and come to a Common Position in the next
few months. The EP and the Council will then have to agree on the final
text before it can become EU law. It is unlikely that the new Directive,
once agreed, would become law in the UK until 2011 at the earliest, and
acquired rights to drive already held by licence holders will be
unaffected."

If this does obtain final approval it will be very welcome, since motorhomes of any reasonable size with a MAM of 3.5T generally have very little payload, and currently anyone who passed their driving test after 1/1/97 is restricted to driving vehicles up to 3.5T, unless they take the test for Category C1. So they cannot drive a motorhome based on the Ducato Maxi chassis or an AlKo tag axle chassis, for example.

Source: Department for Transport 2/3/05

(October 2004)

A correspondent has recently had his Mercedes 316 based Rapido motorhome serviced by a Mercedes dealer. They told him that his 2003 Sprinter based van should be plated at 1600Kg front. Rapido however have plated it at 1750Kg.

The front weighbridge weight is 1640, and the dealer told him that he was illegal. They also set his front tyre pressure to the appropriate value for 1600kg.

We believe that Mercedes produce 3500kg chassis and 4500kg chassis, and that is all that is shown in the Mercedes Databooks available to dealers.

In addition they obviously produce 3800kg "Reinforced Suspension" Camping Car Chassis specifically for the Motorhome market.

The plated weights of the 3800kg chassis are clearly given as 1750 and 2240 on the Rapido plate but it appears that some dealers are not aware of this uprated suspension.

The point is that for all of you with 3800kg Sprinter chassis who have them serviced at a Mercedes Dealer, you should point out to them that they are 3800kg chassis, and that you want the tyre pressures set appropriately.

If you have recently had a service done, please check the tyre pressures, because it may be that they have been set too low.

The Highways Agency have given us this statement:

The Highways Agency is currently progressing a Government initiative to establish a rest area adjacent to a motorway. This would be an alternative to a conventional motorway service area and would provide basic facilities such as parking toilets and picnic tables.

Currently, s112 of the Highways Act 1980 specifically prohibits the Secretary of State for Transport from providing picnic sites on land adjacent to special roads ie motorways. Legislation is required to remove
this prohibition and a suitable amendment has been included in the forthcoming Road Safety Bill which is anticipated to go before Parliament in November 2004. The Bill could be expected to have completed its progress by summer 2005 and would give the Secretary of State the authority to establish individual picnic areas.

Once the necessary legislation is in place the Agency can proceed with site investigation and development. Although no site has yet been identified it is likely to be somewhere on the M5 in the southwest as a holiday route is likely to provide the highest potential use.

Calor issued advice to their autogas refilling stations based on a statement issued by the LPGA, which is an LPG industry trade association. It appears that this advice may preclude users from refilling bona fide refillable cylinders.

We asked Calor to clarify this, and they said:

"It is correct to say that the LPGA does not approve the refilling of portable cylinders at filling stations. The fitment of tanks to motorhomes by the manufacturer is covered by the construction and use regs so that's generally ok. Retro-fitting into gas storage lockers of cylinders is not covered by these regs so is not ok."

This seems to mean that they will not allow any 'retro-fitted' cylinders to be refilled - even those professionally installed with a permanent connection to an external filling point. It may even mean that retro-fitted gas tanks cannot be refilled.

We copy below the statement originally issued by the LPGA:

"It is our advice that user owned, portable LPG cylinders should not be refilled at autogas refuelling sites. It is our view that UK Health and Safety law, particularly the new Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations (DSEAR) and the Transportable Pressure Vessels Regulations, impose significant duties on the site operator to ensure safety. Autogas filling points are places of work and their personnel have responsibility for safety to everyone on the site, including the general public. They authorise the flow of gas from the dispenser and they may be considered, in law, the filler. Safe filling of LPG cylinders requires appropriate expertise and/or equipment. Staff at autogas filling points cannot fulfil statutory obligations as they have neither. Were there to be any accident the site operator could be liable to prosecution. Tanks which are permanently attached to a vehicle for heating or cooking (on camper vans or similar) come under the Road Vehicles Construction and Use Regulations and present similar risks on filling to those for propulsion purposes and may be permitted to be re-filled at autogas refuelling sites."

Update (9/9/04):

Following an exchange of emails, Calor made a reply to the following question that we posed:
"Can I take it from what you say that there is therefore no problem with refilling a purpose made refillable cylinder that is permanently, professionally, fitted into a gas locker of a motorhome, with a permanent
connection to an external filling point?"

Calor's reply:
"No not really because the location (i.e within a locker which may be designed for emergency services to remove a cylinder quickly)and the nature of the intention of use of the original cylinder design is questionable. The liability associated with any of this prescriptive approval advice is also something that we are not qualified to give."

We have also been in contact with the LPGA, whose view seems to diverge slightly from Calor's. They say:
"Basically if the tank is fixed to the vehicle structure and meets the Road Vehicles Construction and Use Regulations (ie is to ECE67-01, has a fuel gauge, stop fill valve an outlet shut off valve and a purpose designed inlet fitting it is, we believe OK as the risks are the same as filling an LPG fuelled vehicle tank. This is reflected in the final paragraph [of the original LPGA statement].

Cylinders that have to be lifted out to fill or which do not meet the fuel tank criteria are the subject of the first four paragraphs of our statement.

The important thing to realise is that the filling station operator has the major health and safety duties, not the customer."

Update 4/12/07

In June 2007 the LPGA issued an update to their previous advice, they reiterate their advice that user owned, portable LPG cylinders should not be refilled at autogas refuelling sites, but now state:

Vessels which are attached to a vehicle for heating or cooking (on camper vans or similar) present similar risks on filling to those for propulsion purposes and may be permitted to be refilled at autogas refuelling sites provided they:

• remain in-situ for refilling; and
• are fitted with a device to physically prevent filling beyond 80%; and
• are connected to a fixed filling connector which is not part of the vessel.

(August 2004)

On Monday, August 16, Gay Truswell turned on the TV news and saw her motor home floating out to sea - taking everything she owned with it. Now the former Notts social worker, who moved to Cornwall in search of independence, talks to Jonathan Reed about life after the Boscastle floods. The television pictures were horrifying even if you had never heard of Boscastle. But as Gay Truswell watched giant waves surge through the picturesque Cornish village, she was seeing her life washed away.

The 54-year-old, originally from Epperstone, had to be airlifted to safety from the roof of a shop in the village where she has been based for the past five years. On dry land at a nearby rescue centre, Gay watched the TV news. She saw the motor home in which she lived floating on to the screen and out to sea - taking almost everything she owned with it. "To see it dancing backwards down the river was incredible," she says. "It was as if it had no weight at all."

Days later, and the village is coming to terms with the damage the floods have caused. Many Boscastle residents have seen cars washed away and buildings damaged. But Ms Truswell has been left with nothing, and putting her life back together is all the more difficult. At the moment, the images of what happened are still vivid.

Ms Truswell, who used to work for Notts County Council's social services department, moved from Epperstone about nine years ago. She initially bought a cottage near Bude, on the Cornish coast, but sold that about five years ago for the greater freedom of her motor home. Since then, she has spent much of her time in Boscastle, making friends there and occasionally house-sitting for them. She was in the village's Rock Shop with two friends when the downpour began on Monday, August 16. With two inches of rain falling in just two hours, flash floods crashed through the village, sweeping away cars and some buildings.

Dozens were airlifted to safety as a major rescue operation was launched. "I found myself trying to stem the flow of water under the shop door with tea towels and a brush and mop," Ms Truswell said. "By this time, we were watching people struggling against the elements outside, and we also saw the first cars begin to move out of the car park." As the water level rose, the three moved upstairs. Eventually they had to step up into the attic. "We began to realise we were going to have difficulties," she said. "We stumbled through a skylight onto the roof to be airlifted out. "Funnily enough, I didn't feel fear. You do what has to be done. I might have been more frightened had I been alone, but there were the three of us. "Probably the worst moment for me was looking out of the front window and my two friends had gone through to the back to see what was happening. "After a while, they tapped my shoulder and said 'I'm sorry, I've just seen your motor home going by'."

Gay is now staying with friends, but is having to ask the local council for help because she has been left with nothing. Insurers are processing the claim for her 23ft motor home. That can be replaced. But the possessions and memories which disappeared with it cannot. "You can't put a value on it," she said. "I try not to think about that too much. "As realisation sets in - and it has set in now - in some ways this is the most difficult time. "All of a sudden, you remember there was an old tea caddy from the 1920s that belonged to your mother, and it's gone. That was infinitely precious." Despite what has happened, she insists Cornwall is now her home, and she is determined not to move away. "I've lost my mobility, my home and I've lost my treasured family photographs and sentimental things," she said. "But the spirit of this village is phenomenal. The community here is very warm and welcoming which is one of the reasons why I stayed down here. "We know we'll get through it."

Ms Truswell's son Greg, 29, who moved from Notts to Leicester six years ago, was due to visit his mother in October and had to watch events unfold on television at home. Now he is regularly in touch to see how his mum is coping. "That night, Mum called me at about 7.40pm. But it was the first time I'd left my phone at work. "My mum's friend had to call me at home about 10pm and said I'd better watch the news. It was just shocking to see. She's lost everything, but she's not materialistic."

Story is © The Nottingham Evening post and This is Nottingham. It is reproduced here with their kind permission.

Postscript
As part of the BBC home makeover programme 'Changing Rooms' Christmas Special edition, which focused on Boscastle, Gay was presented with a brand new motorhome by Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen.

Eurotunnel allows gas tanks

(July 2004)

Eurotunnel, the market leader for cross-Channel travel, has announced that with effect from 28 June, caravans, campervans, motorhomes and other recreational vehicles fitted with LPG tanks for the purpose of heating, lighting, cooking or refrigeration will be able to use the shuttle service from Folkestone to Calais/Coquelles.

The news means that even more caravanners and motorhome owners can now enjoy the speed, frequency and reliability of crossing the Channel with Eurotunnel. Eurotunnel is the fastest way to cross the Channel, just 35 minutes from platform-to-platform and with up to 4 passenger shuttle departures per hour at peak times.

Eurotunnel is also a popular choice with caravanners and motorhome owners because they can stay with their vehicle throughout the journey.

Customers travelling with vehicles fitted with LPG tanks for domestic services have to adhere to a few simple conditions:

• The tank must be part of the standard equipment of the vehicle
• The maximum capacity of the tank should not exceed 93 litres (47kg)
• The tank/vehicle must be fitted with a capacity gauge
• The tank must not be filled to more than 80% of its capacity (73 litres)
• All valves must be in the 'off' position

Daniel Spinath, Director of Eurotunnel's Passenger Division, said: "I'm delighted that we have been able to find a way to accommodate caravans and motorhomes fitted with LPG tanks for domestic services. We look forward to welcoming many more caravanners and motorhome owners onboard Eurotunnel." What's more, caravans go free and campervans go for the same price as a car when you book a Flexible Short or Long Stay Return*. For details, log on to www.eurotunnel.com or call 08705 35 35 35.

The new M6 toll road is now open, and already motorhome owners are concerned about the charges.

Unlike most other tolls in the UK, motorhomes will not be charged at the private car rate, but at a rate determined by the number of axles and the height of the bodywork above the first axle. This means for example that a tag axle motorhome will pay twice as much as a two axle 50 seater coach. Also, due to the strange discounting scheme for night time use it will cost two and a half times as much at night!

The charges are detailed on the M6 toll website

Our view is that motorhomes should be charged at the private car rate - if you agree, leave your feedback on the M6 toll website feedback form

The company operating the road have replied to us following our complaint about unfair charges:

Thank you for your enquiry.

I can advise that the Electronic Classification measures axles and the
height at the first axle to put vehicles into set classes.

I have attached an axle guide for your information. We are not able to
distinguish between lorries and caravans and motorhomes etc as the
automated system works only on axles as per the attached guide.

I am sorry that you do not feel that these costs are reasonable.

Yours sincerely


Jayne Dunn
Customer Services Manager
M6 Toll

Our understanding of the new law is that it is a offence to use a hand held mobile phone whilst driving. That is, you must not hold a phone in your hand when driving - you can only use one when parked in a safe, legal position with the engine switched off.

We've noticed that some retailers are telling people that phones must be in a holder when driving, we believe that this is not true - the law states only that a phone must not held in the hand and used when driving. It is legal, as we understand it, to use a portable hands-free kit providing that the phone is not held in the hand.

Department of Transport advice on the subject is available here

Canterbury
The city of Canterbury have services for motorhomes at the Kingsmead Coach Park. On payment of a £5 fee, parking for 12 hours is allowed, and there is access to toilet waste disposal facilities - at road level so that onboard tanks can be emptied, and fresh water for refilling tanks. These services are included in the parking fee. Further details of the parking facilities in Canterbury can be found here or for more info email parking.services@canterbury.gov.uk or phone 01227 862429

Also in Canterbury the Dover Road Park & Ride facility has 24 dedicated spaces for motorhomes, the charge is £1.70 per day and includes the bus fare. Water is available and there is a ground level dump station for black & grey waste.

Overnight parking is permitted at both of these two locations.

We have spoken to the Parking Services Manager for Canterbury City Council and he confirmed that they now 'do not prohibit' overnight parking for motorhomes. He went on to say that they do not consider this to be 'camping'. We raised the issue of 'travellers' and he said that the council have a robust policy in place for dealing with 'unauthorised users' immediately, and all car parks are continuously monitored using CCTV. He recognises the essential difference between caravans and motorhomes and said that they would not encourage the overnight use of the car parks by caravans.

We welcome this move by Canterbury and congratulate them on their enlightened attitude. We hope that this positive move by Canterbury will be repeated in other towns and cities.

If you have taken advantage of this facility in Canterbury, or know of others in the UK, please let us know