Pontins is closing its resorts in Prestatyn, north Wales, and Camber Sands in East Sussex, throwing holidaymakers’ plans for a Christmas break into disarray.
The seaside resort group, which last year was rated among the worst holiday parks in the UK, said on its website that both sites would shut “with immediate effect”.
The company said: “Customers whose bookings will be affected by these closures will be contacted by our team and refunded. We apologise for any inconvenience caused.”
The announcement of the closure of Pontins Prestatyn Sands is unexpected.
— Dr James Davies MP (@JamesDavies) November 30, 2023
I am requesting further information from the owners, Britannia Hotels.
The site has had a bad reputation for some time and I hope this news brings the potential for welcome change to benefit the town. pic.twitter.com/MdNcOTcBKB
The record label Tidy Trax, which had been planning to hold a “wet and wild weekender” at the Prestatyn site in Denbighshire, said it was “shocked and concerned”.
The company said: “Our team is actively working to engage with Pontins to gather more information and clarity on the situation.”
Last year, a report by the consumer group Which? ranked Pontins as the worst British holiday park chain to stay at in a survey of 19 competitors.
Pontins, founded in 1946 by Fred Pontin, has been owned by Britannia Hotels since 2011.
Last September, its rival Butlin’s, founded in 1936 in Skegness by Billy Butlin, was bought by one of the holiday camp’s family backers for an estimated £300m.
