New Center Parcs in Bedfordshire? What you think?

[blackie111082]

Just wanted to guage a reaction to the fact that the Government have given planning permission to a new Center Parcs Holiday Village to be built in Bedfordshire.

Personally, i think that while it will bring extra traffic to the roads in and around the area of Warren Wood near Woburn, Bedfordshire. it will also bring lots of new jobs. I'm sure many of the ex(and indeed current)-redcoats on this forum will agree that working at a holiday resort of any kind is a good laugh(although i never actually have).

[debsy]

Just wanted to guage a reaction to the fact that the Government have given planning permission to a new Center Parcs Holiday Village to be built in Bedfordshire.

Personally, i think that while it will bring extra traffic to the roads in and around the area of Warren Wood near Woburn, Bedfordshire. it will also bring lots of new jobs. I'm sure many of the ex(and indeed current)-redcoats on this forum will agree that working at a holiday resort of any kind is a good laugh(although i never actually have).

Dont really think working at Centre parcs and Butlins are the same kind of thing to be honest!! You certainly dont have red coats or much entertainment of any kind, its a place you make your own entertainment.

[sharpee]

Got to agree that compared to a real holiday camp, CP seemed to have no real entertaining going on. Went to Elveden & Longleat many times in the 1990s - great for when the kids were small - clean, safe, environment but the nearest thing to entertainment was a band playing in the Plaza at Elveden but that was before the swimming complex burnt down. Went back when it reopened and things seemed more fragmented with no heart. haven't gone back. Working there is probably ok as you are trying to help campers, sorry, guests, have a good time but no real comparison to Butlins etc.

[gazza72]

Certainly there is a noticable lack of entertainment at CP. Everything goes very quiet in the evening, but I guess the idea is that you are too worn out from your day. The way I see it, If you want entertainment, go to butlins. If you want activities, go to centre parcs.

I have worked as an outdoor instructor in several of the activities they have at Centre Parcs, (although not at centre parcs) and I'm sure its good fun working there. But if you want to work in the entertainment industry, well no, CP is not the carrer move for you. I can't imagine many reds would want to work at centre parcs.

On the other hand, I'd love a new CP in Beds. Its not far for me to go and I save a fortune on petrol!!!!

[Bunnykins]

Totally agree that Center Parcs and Butlins are two completely different holiday experiences. Center Parcs isn't trying to be like Butlins, and as many of you will know, was invented by the Dutch. If I want a tranquil holiday retreat amongst all the fantastic wildlife I go to Center Parcs, and when I want a fun and lively weekend it's Butlins. No comparison between the two but each has their own merits. I welcome the new Center Parcs at Bedfordshire and hope to visit one day. Have been going to Center Parcs regularly for 18 years now.

[Bunnykins]

I've noticed that Center Parcs never seem to mention how progress is going with the construction of their fifth village at Woburn, Bedfordshire. I get their "Village Life" magazine but so far have not seen it mentioned in there. I have suggested that they do an article on it in the magazine but nothing so far! A quick search of the internet does not seem to throw up any new articles (although I did see one which said if Woburn is successful they are thinking about opening a 6th holiday village in Ireland, which is interesting).

Last I read, Woburn was scheduled to be finished by the "end of 2010". Just wondering if anyone lives nearby or knows any more?

[gazza72]

I recently got back from CP, and whilst I was there I picked up a copy of the 2010 brochure, edition 1. It had no mention of the new site.

So I did some digging on the centre parcs (web) site, and found that they haven't started digging on the new bedfordshire site yet:

At this stage there is no firm timetable for the construction and opening of the village, however it is not anticipated that on-site work will commence until late 2010/early 2011.

Any guesses as to how long it will take to build? 3 years?

[Bunnykins]

I recently got back from CP, and whilst I was there I picked up a copy of the 2010 brochure, edition 1. It had no mention of the new site.

So I did some digging on the centre parcs (web) site, and found that they haven't started digging on the new bedfordshire site yet:



Any guesses as to how long it will take to build? 3 years?

Hi gazza

Thanks for this update. Very interesting as I had not realised this. The following two of CPs webpages that I have looked at both say it will be complete end 2010 but I appreciate they have probably not been updated in ages. Can you post a link to the page you saw?

http://www.press.centerparcs.co.uk/Content/Detail.asp?ReleaseID=67&NewsAreaID=2

http://www.centerparcs.co.uk/meetings/news/archive/200709_fifth_site_to_be_built.html

Although this is probably now out of date, they said construction was due to start at the beginning of 2009 and be complete at the end of 2010 ... which means they think it will take approx 2 years to build.

Anyway, hope you had a good holiday at CPs. Which one did you go to? If you enjoyed it I'd love to read your review in my "Calling all Center Parcs fans" thread!

[gazza72]

Here is the link:

http://www.press.centerparcs.co.uk/Content/Detail.asp?ReleaseID=96&NewsAreaID=2

{off topic}
I went to elveden - Have you been on one of the winter wonderland breaks at CP - just wondering what its like...... it sounds good.... will try and do a review for the other topic when I get time. (its definitely thumbs up, to steal an old pontins phrase!)
{/off topic}

[Bunnykins]

Here is the link:

http://www.press.centerparcs.co.uk/Content/Detail.asp?ReleaseID=96&NewsAreaID=2

{off topic}
I went to elveden - Have you been on one of the winter wonderland breaks at CP - just wondering what its like...... it sounds good.... will try and do a review for the other topic when I get time. (its definitely thumbs up, to steal an old pontins phrase!)
{/off topic}

Thanks very much for that gazza. There was me still assuming they were going to finish at the end of 2010 ... and in fact they haven't even started! The two webpages I'd been looking at which I linked above are very out of date (both written in 2007). You think they'd either update them or remove them. Oh well, at least I know not to look forward to the opening at the end of 2010 now!!

I like Elveden. We used to go there all the time before they built Longleat, which we now go to purely because it is closer (although if Elveden was nearer it would probably be my first choice). Having said that, have never been back to Elveden since the fire so don't know how it differs these days.

I'm afraid I have not been on a "Winter Wonderland" break but have been for both Christmas and for New Year a few times and found it a wonderful time of year to go. It has never snowed but last year the trees were really frosty which almost gave the impression of snow. The watersports lake was all frozen over and of course where better to relax with a glass of wine than in front on a log fire in a cosy villa?!! Look forward to hearing your review in the other thread when you get time. I put some photos in there of my last visit to Longleat if you are interested. Was this your first CPs visit, or have you been before?