Campsites in Carnforth and Silverdale call for clarity from government over how they'll be able to re-open

Alan Archer, joint owner Red Bank Farm Camping and Caravan site and Archers Cafe in Bolton-le-Sands, said he was seeking clarification so he can put plans in place.

And Amy Burrow, from Gibraltar Farm Campsite in Silverdale, said there was a lack of clarity over when campsites would be allowed to re-open, and under what conditions.

Alan runs the camping and static caravan site overlooking Morecambe Bay with his brothers Mark and John.

Alan and Mark also run Archers Cafe and bakery on the site, while John takes care of the farm side of the business.

The Archer brothers say they've had a "great lambing season" and have been able to focus their efforts on getting work done on the farm they wouldn't otherwise have been able to do.

"But there's nothing coming through (from government) that is of any positivity," Alan said.

"We've got a cafe and a campsite and 38 statics which all have their own toilets and showers.

"People can travel anywhere they want in the country but they can't stay in a self-enclosed caravan.

"We're still cutting the grass and the site looks amazing, but sadly there's no campers on it!

We could just do with some clarification so we can plan."

Alan said he couldn't understand why shopping centres were due to re-open in June, but not camping and caravan sites.

"I've got staff on furlough and I can't bring them back," he said.

"We're seeking advice on putting in place measures so that we can open the cafe again.

"We have installed a perspex screen around the counter, and we are imagining people will be able to come and eat outside first of all.

"I like to be prepared and I'd like more clarification about what I need to put in place to safely re-open.

"It's certainly been a period of reflection, but I think it's now time we were able to start generating an income again."

The government announced a number of measures to ease lockdown on May 8.

From June 1 in England, people will be able to meet up to six people from different households outside - either in parks or now also in private gardens - as long as they remain 2m (6ft) apart.

For example, you could have a barbecue in someone's back garden.

Non-essential shops are expected to re-open in mid-June, while there is expectation that pubs will be able to re-open in early July.Amy Burrow, owner of Gibraltar Farm Campsite at Jenny Brown's Point in Silverdale, which is also a working dairy and sheep farm, said she was aiming to re-open in July.

She said: "It's all dependant on infection rates, but that's what we're working towards.

"There's a lack of clarity, and it's not set in stone, and it could change, but we're working towards opening some parts of the site by that date.

"I've had a lot of phone enquiries asking when we think we'll be re-opening from people trying to plan holidays or short breaks away.

"We could have opened two weeks ago and been fully booked, we've had so much interest.

"There's going to be a lot of demand but we're not taking bookings at the moment.

"We've refunded deposits, and I've not taken any deposits for future bookings."

The Lancaster Guardian also contacted Holgates - which runs six caravan parks in the Morecambe Bay area - about their plans for re-opening.

The company said on its social media page that it was itching to welcome customers back, and that staff had been sprucing up touring pitches ready for re-opening.

Currently, campsites will be able to re-open from July 4, but only if the government’s tests have been met regarding the NHS, death rates, infection rates, testing and PPE, and if it is confident that easing measures will not contribute to a second peak.

It could mean that campsites in some regions of England may be open before others.

In Wales, holiday accommodation is due to remain closed until 26 September, but there is a review of the guidance every 21 days.

The Camping and Caravanning Club, which represents more than 1,300 UK sites, has also called for more official guidance on how the sector can safely re-open.