I'm always concerned to find that readers aren't enjoying the magazine because an enormous amount of thought and effort goes into producing each issue.
With regards to advertising, it's important to bear in mind that the magazine is a business and ads are a major source of revenue which it would be bad business sense to turn away, and I think on the whole all of our advertisements are appropriate for most of our readership. You might also want to consider that if it wasn't for the ads, the magazine would have to be more expensive. Put it alongside its competitors and, even without the ads, I think it's obvious that Practical Caravan offers a lot more quantity and quality of material, so I think a few extra ads shouldn't detract from what is in fact a very good value magazine.
I'm also sorry to hear that anyone would think that Practical Caravan's journalists don't reflect the 'real life' experience of caravanning, because we all caravan frequently for the magazine (each of us goes away 1 week in every four during the summer, and regularly during the weekend) so it's a real pity if our experiences don't come across as being useful to other readers, and that's certainly something for us to address straight away.
As for the lack of DIY/practical content, it's important to bear in mind that even many used caravans have so many mod cons fitted that there isn't the pressure to retro-fit items such as cassette toilets or cookers as there once was. However, we are currently planning to increase practical content of the magazine, including help and advice for everyday ownership of a caravan, so I hope that this concern will be addressed before too long.
Aside from responding to your most prominent complaints about the magazine, I would like to say that I believe Practical Caravan offers far more everyday advice and, importantly, entertainment and actual interest to readers than any of our rivals, and seeks to present its content in the most appealing way possible to inspire and encourage newcomers and old hands alike. Our magazine is by far the more enjoyable read, thanks to our dedication to combining useful and exciting ideas, professional and properly crafted journalism, and great design and photography. And if you want to talk about readers voting with their feet, I'm pleased to report that people have already done exactly that - in favour of Practical Caravan, with a yet another increase in sales saying all there is to say about what caravanners think of PCV.
Please keep the comments coming, none the less - I'm still keen to hear what you want to read about in the magazine.
Alex Newby
PCV Editor
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