Lack of clarity over guidelines may lead campsites to remain closed this summer

Camping has surged in popularity in recent weeks as British holidaymakers look to salvage their summer holidays. But campsites could be forced to turn visitors away amid confusion over new safety rules, the owner of one of the UK’s biggest camping networks has warned.

Martin Smith, founder of Campsites.co.uk, has condemned the lack of clear advice from the Government for campsite owners, who have been left second-guessing which new safety features need to be put in place ahead of the summer season.

“The Government has given specific advice to shops, offices and other sectors, but the camping industry needs similar detail,” said Smith, whose website lists more than 3,000 camping and glamping sites across the UK. “Much of the information that has come out is geared towards sites that provide caravan accommodation that is self-contained. But the situation for tents and glamping, where shared facilities are essential, is much less clear.”

Under current plans campsites are due to reopen on July 4, but the lack of clear safety guidance means operators remain concerned about the risk involved with communal spaces such as toilets and shower blocks.

Many could choose to close tent pitches and only admit caravans and campervans with their own private facilities, rather than face the risk of Covid-19 spreading on their sites.

This would serve a significant blow to a sector that urgently needs a strong summer trade following months of inactivity and loss of revenue.

May gave rise to optimism, with many camp booking sites reporting record booking figures following the Prime Minister's announcement that sections of the hospitality industry could soon reopen, but the lack of clarity since has led to increasing uncertainty.

Trying to second-guess the Government, some campsite operators have already started experimenting with new safety features, including marked queues, time allocations and ticketing systems for showers and toilets.

Visit Britain, meanwhile, is working with the Government to create an industry-wide quality mark that tourism businesses will be able to use to demonstrate their approved safety standards. Smith has welcomed the move, but has urged the need for haste: "That sort of advice is needed urgently if campsites are to have time to put the recommendations in place for the start of summer."