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P LETTER OF THE WEEK
Page 14
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lf drivers want facilities Like ours to remain open, they must use us'
IN REPLY TO the story "Drivers' fury over lay-by' claims" (CM 28 May): what a can of worms has been unleashed, to use a metaphor (no slur intended on anyone).
Firstly, yes, I received a very damning email from Pat [Nicholson of the Professional Drivers Association], to which I replied perhaps more forcefully than intended. I was VERY upset! We at Orwell Crossing had already produced a 'Drivers' menu' of cheaper items already available on our menu, in order to inform drivers of their choices. This was in January this year.
We followed this at the end of April by slashing the carvery price to £4.99 across the board. We have lost 40% of passing drivers because of the reduced operation of Felixstowe Port as well as about 70% of the local custom on which we depend, who in effect subsidise the drivers by helping to make our lorry park viable.
We have been trading for five years and we still make no profit, although before the recession we were coming close to breaking even.
Anne (my manager) and I attended the SE, !FOS Lorry Parking Conference in Brussels, during which the question was asked (not by us): "How do you make a driver park in a lorry park, and not 'trouser his night out money?"
This is a cause of concern to lorry park operators across Europe — if drivers want facilities like ours to remain open, they must use us!
We pride ourselves on the service we provide. We are very clean and each shower is cleaned after every use. The toilets are constantly being monitored and that means a cost — two full-time cleaners are employed.
By growing vegetables on our farm, and having a team of highly trained chefs, we produce high-quality, affordable meals. Our chefs prepare and cook all meals from locally sourced ingredients. Again this costs.
We are open 24/7, have 24-hour CCTV, security, free entertainment and our prices are on a par with other lorry parks. We charge only £14 to park overnight, which includes a £3 meal voucher and a shower.
What more can we do? Karl Rout, owner/director, and Anne Blowers, manager Orwell Crossing Lorry Park A14 Eastbound Nacton Ipswich
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