YHA closes 32 hostels

It's a real shame they are closing. HOWEVER - if this enables the YHA
to continue it's good work elsewhere (and financially more secure) then
I have to say, unfortunately, that I agree with them - I don't really
think they have any choice.

Northern Helmets said:

It's a real shame they are closing. HOWEVER - if this enables the YHA
to continue it's good work elsewhere (and financially more secure) then
I have to say, unfortunately, that I agree with them - I don't really
think they have any choice.

If what I read in the press is correct,YHA membership has fallen from
350 000 in the nineties to 250 000 and falling, today.The YHA has
sacrificed their member base on the altar of organised groups and school
parties so that when times are hard ( Foot & Mouth being a case in point
)they have poor membership numbers to fall back on.
Couple this with ordinary hostellers not being able to book,even months
in advance,because a school party has taken over the whole hostel and
even all the hostels in an area being booked up for the same reason at
the same time and it is not hard to see that potential hostellers will
start to look elsewhere,and have done so.This is not to mention the
behaviour of unruly parties.

I have suggested to the YHA in the past that an increase in subscription
prices would,as far as I am concerned,not be a bad thing if it was
possible to be able to book some accommodation but it met with a ditribe
of "management speak".

Fundamentally the YHA is an excellent organisation that has severley
lost it's way with respect to its paying card-carrying members who are
treated with disdain when the juicy pickings of a school party are in
the offing.

Sam Salt

Tom Crispin said:

http://www.yha.org.uk/Join_YHA/YHA_Updates/Network_renewal_gets_green_light.html

It's a shame. I stayed at the Elmscott Hostel just before Christmas.
--
Let us have a moment of silence for all Americans who
are now stuck in traffic on their way to a health club
to ride a stationary bicycle. -
Congressman Earl Blumenauer (Oregon)

Well its a few fewer than I feared when this was discussed last year.

http://tinyurl.com/9jx9m

However since they'd already announced 8 closures this year the total is
around 20% of the network!!

What strikes me is how much more difficult (and expensive!) it will be
find accommodation when walking the Pennine Way now - when I walked it I
stayed at Earby, Stainforth, Keld, Baldersdale, Alston, Greenhead and
Bellingham - all now to be axed.

Crowden, Mankinholes, Malham, Hawes, Langdon Beck, Dufton and Byrness
have survived - but thats half the hostels I stayed in gone in one foul
swooop!!

Martin

B*stards! It must be mismanagement mustn't it? I mean, have you tried
booking into a YHA in the Peak or the Lakes in summer - no chance
unless you've booked months in advance and now the choice is narrowed
further! How they contrive to get deeper in debt is beyond me - I can
foresee a time when all we've have is the city-centre hostels.
I've encouraged my kids to join the YHA - since their early teens I've
ensured they renew their subscriptions. To be honest, given the
members/non-members rates at most hostels they lose money on the deal
but I've always argued it's an organisation worthy of support - now I'm
beginning to think what's the bloody point!

Quoted message said:

B*stards! It must be mismanagement mustn't it? I mean, have you tried
booking into a YHA in the Peak or the Lakes in summer - no chance
unless you've booked months in advance and now the choice is narrowed
further! How they contrive to get deeper in debt is beyond me - I can
foresee a time when all we've have is the city-centre hostels.
I've encouraged my kids to join the YHA - since their early teens I've
ensured they renew their subscriptions. To be honest, given the
members/non-members rates at most hostels they lose money on the deal
but I've always argued it's an organisation worthy of support - now I'm
beginning to think what's the bloody point!

Hear,Hear.

Sam Salt

I must admit... there should be a greater difference in the price
between members and non-memebers otherwise where is the REAL incentive
to join.

Plus - school parties in term times, no weekends?

Plus - members only at peak times in busy hostels?

If you're a member you're far more likely to get more use the YHA (or
why bother joining!?) SO... increase membership by increasinging the
value of being a member!

I wonder how it pans out - what percentage of people using a YHA are
actually members - it would be interesting to know the figures. As NH
notes, there's no real incentive to join and thus there's a large
number of subscriptions going begging, whereas a small proportion of
right-minded mugs like myself keep stumping up annually. I'm not
convinced it's worth it anymore

[email hidden] said...

Quoted message said:

How many of you reading this group who complain that YHA has lost sight
of its original aims are indeed "young people" looking for a "greater
knowledge, love and care of the countryside" rather than 30+ looking
for a cheaper holiday? A school group and the like are young people and
staying at a YHA in the Lakes or the Peaks is about knowledge of the
countryside.

Do I count? I'm certainly 30+, but I introduced my children to
hostelling some time ago and all of them love YHAs. Had my 30+ husband
not introduced his 30+ wife to the joys of YHing there would not now be
5 young people (two of whom are old enough to hostel on their own)
amongst the current membership.
--
To reply see 'from' in headers; lose the domain, and insert dots and @
where common sense dictates.

Fran said:

[email hidden] said...

Quoted message said:

How many of you reading this group who complain that YHA has lost sight
of its original aims are indeed "young people" looking for a "greater
knowledge, love and care of the countryside" rather than 30+ looking
for a cheaper holiday? A school group and the like are young people and
staying at a YHA in the Lakes or the Peaks is about knowledge of the
countryside.

Do I count? I'm certainly 30+, but I introduced my children to
hostelling some time ago and all of them love YHAs. Had my 30+ husband
not introduced his 30+ wife to the joys of YHing there would not now be
5 young people (two of whom are old enough to hostel on their own)
amongst the current membership.

As I referred to in my previous post,I think that if the YHA is as short
of money as we are led to believe then a large hike in subscriptions is
called for,*but* members must be able to see something for their loyalty
and money.I am a member of both the Cyclists Touring Club and the BMC
who both charge substantially more than the YHA without a network of
hostels to help to support.The difference is that both give their
members something in return.Third party insurance,discounts at
outdoor/cycle shops,technical advice, well put together magazines 4/6
times a year and so on.

The YHA member with one handbook and a very poor magazine now and again
does not see much for his membership coupled with hostels that are
booked months if not years in advance,sometimes exclusively, stuffed to
the rafters with non-members.

It may be said that these *young people* who are constantly referred to
would not be able to afford increased subscriptions but with a large
number seeming to have £200-£300 i-pods around their necks a PC,and
chaffeured around in a 4X4, I can't see a few extra quid on a YHA
membership causing hardship.

Come on YHA actually give the members something in return for their
membership as at present there seems little point in continuing my YHA
membership which I have maintained since my teens.

Sam Salt

Quoted message said:

I wonder how it pans out - what percentage of people using a YHA are
actually members - it would be interesting to know the figures.

Disregarding the school/youth groups, I reckon the YHA has not had
enough time to see the possible benefits of the £3 charge for
non-members. That was only last year, wasn't it? I presume the
decision to shut this latest batch of hostels was at least being
mulled over at the same time?

Judith

yhasupporter <[email hidden]> wrote on Thu, 2 Feb 2006 17:58:21 +0000:

Quoted message said:

How many of you reading this group who complain that YHA has lost sight
of its original aims are indeed "young people" looking for a "greater
knowledge, love and care of the countryside" rather than 30+ looking
for a cheaper holiday?

It's not so much about being cheap than about being no-frills and in the
middle of nowhere. As a muddy, smelly walker with a big backpack I'd
feel a bit out of place in a posh country-house hotel at the end of a
long day if you see what I mean. And there are places in mid Wales
where the YHA used to be the only accommodation available anyway. Now
they're closing Ty'n y Cornel, Dolgoch and Capel y Ffin, which basically
means there isn't a way across mid Wales that doesn't involve carrying
a tent any more.
--
Rudi Winter, Aberystwyth, Wales

Judith <[email hidden]> wrote on Thu, 02 Feb 2006 22:42:04 +0000:

Quoted message said:

non-members. That was only last year, wasn't it? I presume the
decision to shut this latest batch of hostels was at least being
mulled over at the same time?

Staff were painting a rather bleak picture at Capel y Ffin in August,
but they were fighting it and trying to raise money to refurbish the
place.
--
Rudi Winter, Aberystwyth, Wales

[email hidden] said...

Quoted message said:

there are places in mid Wales
where the YHA used to be the only accommodation available anyway. Now
they're closing Ty'n y Cornel, Dolgoch and Capel y Ffin, which basically
means there isn't a way across mid Wales that doesn't involve carrying
a tent any more.

I'm not in mid Wales, I'm in the south, but even so... perhaps I'd
better slap some paint on the attic walls and shove a few bunk beds up
there... hmm. Cheap accommodation on offer in return for guests doing
some of the cooking for a hungry family of 7. Wodjer reckon?

--
To reply see 'from' in headers; lose the domain, and insert dots and @
where common sense dictates.

Fran said:

[email hidden] said...

Quoted message said:

there are places in mid Wales
where the YHA used to be the only accommodation available anyway. Now
they're closing Ty'n y Cornel, Dolgoch and Capel y Ffin, which basically
means there isn't a way across mid Wales that doesn't involve carrying
a tent any more.

I'm not in mid Wales, I'm in the south, but even so... perhaps I'd
better slap some paint on the attic walls and shove a few bunk beds up
there... hmm. Cheap accommodation on offer in return for guests doing
some of the cooking for a hungry family of 7. Wodjer reckon?

You would have to tidy up first :-)

Add chores went out eons ago.

--
Phil Cook looking north over the park to the "Westminster Gasworks"

"Fran" <[email hidden]> schreef in bericht
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

[email hidden] said...

Quoted message said:

there are places in mid Wales
where the YHA used to be the only accommodation available anyway. Now
they're closing Ty'n y Cornel, Dolgoch and Capel y Ffin, which basically
means there isn't a way across mid Wales that doesn't involve carrying
a tent any more.

I'm not in mid Wales, I'm in the south, but even so... perhaps I'd
better slap some paint on the attic walls and shove a few bunk beds up
there... hmm. Cheap accommodation on offer in return for guests doing
some of the cooking for a hungry family of 7. Wodjer reckon?

I must admit that my first reaction was "How much would a YH cost to take
over". Can you make a living out of it ? But then I started thinking about
practical problems. How much costs refurbishing, do you need
licenses/permits etc., what about the kids and schools. There's an english
program on Dutch television about couples/families moving to France or
Italy. They've hardly got any cash, don't speak the language. How do the do
it ? Could I move to Britain and do the same ? I'm not that adventurous and
don't like uncertainties.

--
"Beannachd leibh"

Theo
www.theosphotos.fotopic.net

On Thu, 2 Feb 2006 23:06:20 +0000 (UTC), [email hidden] (Rudi

Winter) said:

It's not so much about being cheap than about being no-frills and in the
middle of nowhere. As a muddy, smelly walker with a big backpack I'd
feel a bit out of place in a posh country-house hotel at the end of a
long day if you see what I mean. And there are places in mid Wales
where the YHA used to be the only accommodation available anyway. Now
they're closing Ty'n y Cornel, Dolgoch and Capel y Ffin, which basically
means there isn't a way across mid Wales that doesn't involve carrying
a tent any more.

Well this has just about finished our use of hostels with our Scouts.
Ty'n y Cornel, Dolgoch and Blaecarron, were just about the only simple
remote hostels that were left within walking distance of one another
in a remote location. Somehow the National Parks just don't seem
remote anymore with their status as tourist honeypots.

The Scouts love Dolgoch, their eyes light up at the mere mention of
the chance of a winter trip down there, it offers them a chance to
experience a nice simple but fun living experience. I doubt this
will do much to nurture any youthful enthusiasm for the YHA in these
youngsters ;(

"Martin" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Tom Crispin wrote:
What strikes me is how much more difficult (and expensive!) it will be
find accommodation when walking the Pennine Way now - when I walked it I
stayed at Earby, Stainforth, Keld, Baldersdale, Alston, Greenhead and
Bellingham - all now to be axed.

Also, the Two moors way(for which Lynton was normally the final stop)

<[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

B*stards! It must be mismanagement mustn't it? I mean, have you tried
booking into a YHA in the Peak or the Lakes in summer - no chance
unless you've booked months in advance and now the choice is narrowed
further! How they contrive to get deeper in debt is beyond me - I can
foresee a time when all we've have is the city-centre hostels.
I've encouraged my kids to join the YHA - since their early teens I've
ensured they renew their subscriptions. To be honest, given the
members/non-members rates at most hostels they lose money on the deal
but I've always argued it's an organisation worthy of support - now I'm
beginning to think what's the bloody point!

I'd agree. The problem is that they have done what all organisations do
when times seem hard - they look at easy targets instead of looking at what
they are doing well(as opposed to what is making money) and then wonder why
they dont get support. They have shifted themselves into a position where
their bad management of members and poor service has pushed people away and
rising prices has forced them to compete with B&Bs and hotels who have less
overheads and more ability to offer cheaper prices. Strangely in a number
of other countries, where they have typically had a less managed and looser
system of houses (often people's homes that are part-rented), it seems to
work fine.

"yhasupporter" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

How many of you reading this group who complain that YHA has lost sight
of its original aims are indeed "young people" looking for a "greater
knowledge, love and care of the countryside" rather than 30+ looking
for a cheaper holiday? A school group and the like are young people and
staying at a YHA in the Lakes or the Peaks is about knowledge of the
countryside.

I agree but we might equally represent both the youngsters of 20 years ago
and our own children. I have no problem with school groups using hostels
but I do object when it is impossible to find simiiliar accommodation within
an area because YHA has allowed one hostel to be "groups-only" as it often
does with Elterwater or Grasmere. I ceased to use YHA when they offered me
a two-bed room at Patterdale which was so damp that condensation was forming
on the bed clothes and when we complained, offered no alternative. I found
that generally I could offer my money more valuably to local B&Bs who
appreciated my stay and gave me value for money for it.

My feeling is that YHA have too long wanted to sit on their organisation and
not change it and now no-one wants dormitories and communal showers that
dont work and so on,(whilst paying a high rate for it), their slowness to
change has caught up to them. They have thought that what people want is
hotel-type accommodation when the truth is that people just want value for
money.