Butlins could take on abandoned Pontins site

HOLIDAY camp giant Butlin’s is reported to be considering a move for an abandoned Pontins holiday park in north Wales.

The sudden closure of the site in Prestatyn sent shockwaves through the region’s tourism sector last November.

Butlin’s has expressed an interest in acquiring one of the recently mothballed resorts from its competitor Pontins.

Butlin’s managing director Jon Hendry Pickup disclosed the firm has reached out to Britannia Hotels, which owns Pontins, regarding the potential takeover of either the Prestatyn Sands site or the Southport resort in Merseyside.

Britannia Hotels closed the two sites, plus Camber Sands in East Sussex, without explanation.

It was speculated they might just shut over winter when bills are higher and guest numbers lower, but since then there’s been no sign of them reopening.

The optimum outcome was seen as their takeover by a group intent on investing in them and helping them realise their potential.

Britannia Hotels, led by business magnate Alex Langsam, acquired Pontins in 2011 but faced criticism for allegedly not investing sufficiently in its assets. The company also runs The Grand Hotel in Llandudno.

Given its proximity to markets in the northwest, Southport may be the frontrunner for potential acquisition. Mr Hendry Pickup said if Butlin’s was to buy the Southport site, it would probably demolish its existing structures, indicating a long-term investment plan.

“We would definitely still be interested,” Mr Hendry Pickup told the Mirror. “We would definitely like a conversation with them.”

Both Southport and Prestatyn appeal to Butlin’s as the company lacks a resort in the region and the company is not inclined to build a new one elsewhere.

The iconic British holiday brand currently has three resorts, located in Minehead in Somerset, Bognor Regis in West Sussex and Skegness in Lincolnshire.

Butlin’s bounced back from a downturn caused by the pandemic to see its turnover soar by 54% to £290.4m in 2022.

The firm is in the midst of an ambitious £150m investment programme which is set to continue until 2027.

Mr Hendry Pickup has emphasised a return to the company’s core values, prioritising value-formoney and fun-filled family holidays.

“The mission is to give loads of things to do,” he explained.

“The mission isn’t to relax – if people want to do that, we aren’t for them.”