Caravan parks reopen

The matter was raised at a Council’s monthly meeting by UUP Alderman Jim Speers who asked when caravan sites across the borough would be reopening.

“Gosford generates businesses for Markethill and we want to see that opening up as well as a site in Clare Glen,” said the Alderman.

“A lot of people will want to be out and about and if it can be done safely at these sites, it should be.”

In response to these comments, Council’s strategic director, Mark Parkinson, confirmed caravan sites at both Gosford Forest Park and Clare Glen would open from Friday, June 26.

“Gosford will open on June 26 and so will Clare Glen,” said Mr Parkinson.

“The site at Kinnego will reopen on Friday, July 3, and at all these sites the caravan, camping, toilet and shower facilities will be available.”

SDLP group leader, Councillor Thomas O’Hanlon asked if those who had made bookings before the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequently had their bookings cancelled, were being contacted to ensure they could still avail of the service.

“Some people had booked their slots at these sites early in January and paid for them,” said Cllr O’Hanlon. “They were quickly refunded during the outbreak and that was good and the right thing to do but have we made contact with those people now?

“They had been on the ball and made their bookings early, it would be a shame if they were now to miss out, when the sites have reopened, through no real fault of their own.”

His question went unanswered on the night and when the Local Democracy Reporting Service asked Council for an answer, a spokesperson said it is working to accommodate all bookings.

“As Council begins to reopen its caravanning and camping facilities at Clare Glen, Gosford Forest Park and Kinnego Marina, we are working with the public to accommodate all bookings where possible based on reduced capacity and in compliance with social distancing and PHA guidance,” said a Council spokesperson.

“We will continue to keep this under review.”