Harrogate TdF Cartel

AlunP

Tried to get a two night B&B booking for a certain weekend in 2014.

The B&B told me that the local B&Bs have all agreed to operate a 3 night minimum stay policy. It's organised by their trade body apparently.

I am no expert on competition law but I think this sort of anti-competitive cartel arrangement is unlawful. Have asked the OFT for advice.

Watch this space - anyone else hit this? Or got a booking?

inkyfingers

Tell them you're gay, they won't dare discriminate against you then.

ed_209

They're allowed to set their own terms on rental. There are some places (York in my experience) where they will only rent rooms for a whole weekend rather than one night. Basic capitalism - demand is high so the suppliers set their terms.

It's not particularly outrageous, but it can be mightily frustrating if you're not expecting it.

Eddie

AlunP

To quote that celebrated wearer of the maillot a pois Monsieur Meatloaf

"I would do anything for the TdF, but I won't do that"

and Ed

I agree that individuals B&Bs, hotels can do what they like - but collective action is unlawful in the same way as BA and Virgin cannot agree to set fares on the Atlantic route.

petemadoc

AlunP wrote:

I agree that individuals B&Bs, hotels can do what they like - but collective action is unlawful in the same way as BA and Virgin cannot agree to set fares on the Atlantic route.

You are right that collusion between the business is wrong but really, it's not worth getting your knickers in a twist about. The prices and terms were always going to be SKY high for the tour. Demand will be high.

step-hent

This is clearly an anti-competitive agreement and prohibited by law. The mistake they made was admitting it was organised through a trade body - if they'd just said 'it's likely that everyone will have the same policy' then no-one would bat an eyelid.

Of course, whether anything is done about it is another matter. I wonder if campsites etc are all doing the same?

LutherB

This is most certainly an abuse of a dominant position by a hard-core cartel.

frenchfighter

AlunP wrote:

Have asked the OFT for advice.

Good work. Let us know what they say.

pottssteve

Rent a camper van and they can screw themselves.

sunburntknees

Try getting a campsite near Alpe D'Huez on a certain date in July. You have to book for a minimum stay of two weeks!

cougie

Seems a bit silly. The tour isn't there for three days. Why would I book in and miss it elsewhere ? Day trips for me I think.

durhamwasp

As much as i dont agree with it, it unfortunately goes on everywhere - for instance every bank hol/school hol its a minimum stay of 3 nights on nearly every campsite in the lake district.

Don't blame the small B&B's for cashing in, in some respects. Tho, still dont like it.

durhamwasp

pottssteve wrote:

Rent a camper van and they can screw themselves.

Hopefully u r right, im aiming to kip over on the mountain tops before both of the first 2 stages. Hopefully the UK police relax a bit and let it go on, rather than there usual "you cant sleep in that there" attitude.

cogidubnus

cougie wrote:

Seems a bit silly. The tour isn't there for three days. Why would I book in and miss it elsewhere ? Day trips for me I think.

This

takethehighroad

Sister lives in Leeds, parents live in Sheffield. Both have spare rooms, bosh

rodgers73

durhamwasp wrote:

Hopefully u r right, im aiming to kip over on the mountain tops before both of the first 2 stages...

"Mountains" is a bit optimistic...

thefog

Try booking Knaresborough, Wetherby or any other area just on the periphery of Harrogate

A short ride into town then on both days - given likely road closures early - access for cars will be restricted.

RideOnTime

The weekend of the Olympic Road Race the Hotel on Box Hill (forget it's name) reputedly was charging £190 a night. :roll: :roll: :roll:

dave milne

have booked this at a reasonable price (£90 per night). about 5-6 miles from harrogate

http://www.thenewinnburntyates.co.uk/

hammerite

cougie wrote:

Seems a bit silly. The tour isn't there for three days. Why would I book in and miss it elsewhere ? Day trips for me I think.

Book and pay for 3 nights, but leave after 2?

This sort of thing happens everywhere for all sorts of different accommodation.

Richmond Racer

dave milne wrote:

have booked this at a reasonable price (£90 per night). about 5-6 miles from harrogate

http://www.thenewinnburntyates.co.uk/

Thanks for the tip. Might try there myself so that I've got something sorted. This isnt one to leave till the last minute....

cal_stewart

dave milne wrote:

have booked this at a reasonable price (£90 per night). about 5-6 miles from harrogate

http://www.thenewinnburntyates.co.uk/

use to drink there once in a while about 10 years ago food was good to.

itisaboutthebike

This is most certainly an abuse of a dominant position by a hard-core cartel.

Thats Yorkshire folk................the names Whitebread, George fron Leedz.......and I like what I say and I say what I bl**dy well like !

Crispyapp

Living in Leeds I'm pretty lucky. I know the roads where the tour will be going as we ride them regularly. But If I was you why don't you look at booking somewhere else? Such as grassington or somewhere in the dales. You can then ride to the places you want to watch the tour and probably have a better weekend at the same time. There are loads of bed and breakfasts you could book into and then ride to where u need to be, considering the road closures to cars this would probably be the best way of getting about. Headingley will be a good place to book. Loads of b&b's and only 10 mins into Leeds and probably 40 mins to Harrogate by bike. Depending how fast you ride of course.

Gazzaputt

Luckily my brother lives in York so I'm sorted.

The only trouble I see ahead is getting from Sheffield back to London for day 3. Was thinking of using the train but not sure if that is a good idea.

mrushton

Stay somewhere like a Premier Inn at Leeds or Bradford and get the train or ride your bike over

No_Ta_Doctor

Think I may ring my mates in Hebdon Bridge and Halifax....

RideOnTime

hammerite wrote:

cougie wrote:

Seems a bit silly. The tour isn't there for three days. Why would I book in and miss it elsewhere ? Day trips for me I think.

Book and pay for 3 nights, but leave after 2?

This sort of thing happens everywhere for all sorts of different accommodation.

or just stay for one night and really teach them a lesson...

RideOnTime

I don't think it's fair to say that they're all at it in Harrogate. You could have a nice afternoon tea after the stage at Betty's. £32.95 with a glass of champagne thrown in ... bargain.

RideOnTime

I would be cheaper to...
No, I'm not going to let myself down...this isn't BB after all.
:roll: :roll: :roll:
I'll just pay to be f******.

Ben6899

Got an apartment in Hawes. Sorted.