YHA To Close Ten Hostels

Avert this national tragedy

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Simon Kirwan
14/03/2002 at 11:19
This could be the thin end of a very long wedge - the YHA is a unique organistaion, offering cheap accommodation in some of the most unspoilt areas of the UK, and the starting-point for lives of outdoor enjoyment for countless people. I still remember our school trip to Derwent Water hostel when I was 12, and the walk to Sca Fell pike, and my family have enjoyed many weekends in hostels in the Lakes, Wales and the Peak.

Let the members of OUTDOOSmagic use this forum to make their voices heard - once these hostels start to go, they will never come back. How long before Black Sail and other unique hostels become uneconomic, and are lost forever?

It is often said that someone knows the price of everything and the value of nothing. Let us show that we do appreciate the value of this irreplaceable national resource before the bean-counters do away with it.
Jon Doran
14/03/2002 at 12:32
I agree. The streamed interview on the BBC is worth listening to. They are openng up other hostels, but it's pretty clear that the expectations of modern hostellers have upped the cost of running Youth Hostels, because they / we want smaller rooms, better facilities etc. I'm appalled that so many of the hostels marked for closure are in walking areas too.

OutdoorsMagic Editor | jon@outdoorsmagic.com 

Orange Alex Ford
14/03/2002 at 19:20
I must say that I'm one of those who prefers smaller rooms, etc.

Unfortunately the YHA is in a difficult position; trying to modernise, but that modernisation costs, and yet locked by their aim to provide low cost accom for walkers/climbers. Unfortunately the two don't go together, and when tied into the debacle of FMD last year it was plain that some hostels would sadly have to close.

It's just a hang over from the appalling handling of the FMD by the authorities, from central down to local government.

I feel sorry for the YHA, something must be done to prevent any further closures. Simon is right, once shut, it'll be difficult to open them up again.
Dave O aka Jungle Dave ;)
14/03/2002 at 19:23
Yep I quite agree why can't the government step in to help? or is it too busy paying out money to Romanian Steel Tycoons?
Orange Alex Ford
14/03/2002 at 19:28
But the Govt would see that as a thin edge of the wedge for them!

If they paid out to support the YHA, who would be next to ask for cash...Gear shops...then gear manufacturers...then hotels..then guesthouses...then travel agencies...the list would go on and on!

Also if Tony did help them out then it would be seen by many to be an admission that their handling of the FMD outbreak REALLY had been cr@p. (ok so we all know it was, but giving cash to other "industries" would be the admission that the govt wouldn't want to make!)
Ninja Marmot
14/03/2002 at 19:54
Cannot they keep everyone happy here? The YHA administer a network of bunk barns - very cheap and cheerful. Can they not keep this system on but upgrade the serviced hostels to provide for the people who are willing to pay more for smaller rooms and cooked meals?
At half term we (4) stayed in a YHA barn in the Peak. It was pretty basic. But for £3 ish each it was brilliant.We paid for the 4 spare beds too and had a barn for 8 to ourselves. For a bit more per night you can get superb ones.
Dave O aka Jungle Dave ;)
14/03/2002 at 19:54
Point taken I suppose that the YHA doesn't "qualify" for lottery aid?
Ninja Marmot
14/03/2002 at 20:08
Maybe if they renamed it the *National* YHA and it became a national treasure like the Queen Mother - there is never shortage of money for her new hips is there? Other people 20 yrs younger than her get told they can't have them as they are already so old that their quality of life doesn't justify the expense.
Orange Alex Ford
14/03/2002 at 20:12
Queen Mum, God bless her, she's 101 you know! Awwwwww isn't she lovely. She got bombed in the war you know...(etc, etc, banal platitudes...)

But you are right! Is there a Patron of the YHA? and if so why isn't he/she shouting about what's happening to it?
Ninja Marmot
14/03/2002 at 20:14
Have you seen the YHA site and where they are opening the new ones?? It's ridiculous! City sites! Towns! No mountains!

Maybe we should be revolting more.
Ninja Marmot
14/03/2002 at 20:18
Or perhaps start a friends of the YHa. Everyone who has ever stayed in one to send in £5 but it must be spent on keeping the Dales, Peaks and Cumbrian ones open - not on expenses for bosses and their hangers-on.
Dave O aka Jungle Dave ;)
14/03/2002 at 20:19
good idea Jeannie!
Orange Alex Ford
14/03/2002 at 20:19
resists the feed line....(too many kittens gone elsewhere!)

It would appear that the YHA are trying to become the YMCA of the new Millennium.

They should stick to their "Core" business, but these nice shiney new Hostels will be more economically viable, and hence more valuable to the YHA to keep open.
adam jones 2
14/03/2002 at 21:05
youth hostels smell funny
adam jones 2
14/03/2002 at 21:06
very funny
Simon Kirwan
14/03/2002 at 21:38
The YHA lost £4 milllion last year to FMD. The government has found £300,000 in compensation. So far, 37 farmers have each claimed more than £1m each, based not on loss of income, but solely on livestock valuations, with one farmer reportedly claiming over £4 million.

The countryside needs walkers - what about the rural tourism economy that was decimated by the FMD crisis. We should not watch these closures take place without considering where this is leading.

Talk of core business and economic viability plays into the hands of those who seek to place a monetary value on everything - what price our enjoyment of what remains of the unspoilt British landscape?
John Bailey
14/03/2002 at 22:25
The YHA does a stunning job, up till now it seams to have kept the books balanced perfectly managing to updrade hostels and keep prices down.

Every youth hostel I have stayed in has been staffed by dedicated hard working individuals who as far as I am aware are not payed a fortune. In addition most staff live locally so pretty much most of this is cash that is being injected into the rural community

I can see why they want more city hostels as they are not affected by FMD etc. and can probably charge moe and still be competative. Im not against this, even tho I have never used one and am unlikely ever to, as long as decisions about new hostels and closures are made on a sound basis. If you have a city hostel making money it can subsidise a hostel ina more remote area and thus further the cause of the organisation.

Having also stayed in YHA camping barns I would say that these are good but in a different way, at a hostel you can normall expect to find a warm bed, hot meal, hot shower and some form of drying room. Barns come a poor but cheap second. If you are doing a two day route thats a lot of weight that you can save carrying.

I would be more than willing to send a crisp £20 note to any fund that was aimed purely at keeping the country hostels open.
Ninja Marmot
14/03/2002 at 22:36
WEll that's 2 of us then! Actually my fiver would have to be 20 as there are 4 of us here.
Ninja Marmot
14/03/2002 at 22:38
Maybe the 'friends' could get some special deals in some way? Like the Thomson Founders' Club? Or preferably NOTHING like the Thomson Founders' Club.
John Bailey
14/03/2002 at 22:45
Id settle for there being a hostel there,

Or a little plaque (as well as a hostel),

Or maybe room service.

Oh and dont bother including Norwich in the list of ones we want saved.
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