Woman's anger as Butlin's says she can't go alone

A woman who holidayed at Butlin's for more than 20 years has said she felt “dirty” and "sinister” when told she could no longer travel there alone.

Michelle Waite said the resort in Skegness had been a “safe place” for her son, who has special educational needs.

The 55-year-old from Rotherham continued to holiday there after he grew up, only to be told about a new rule barring solo travellers.

Butlin's said "sadly" it did not allow single travellers on "family breaks" unless linked to a booking with children, but did offer adult-only weekend breaks.

Ms Waite said Butlin's had been the “go-to” holiday place for her son, who has autism, anxiety and Tourette’s syndrome.

She recalled him becoming “fixated” on visiting. “It was his safe place, he loved it,” she said.

“It became more than a holiday, it became a little Butlin's family.”

As her son grew up, he grew out of the holidays. Ms Waite then started visiting alone as she had “many good memories” and enjoyed going on “lovely walks” there.

However, Ms Waite claimed Butlin's told her she could no longer visit alone because of safeguarding rules around solo travellers.

“I was shocked, I felt dirty, as if there was something sinister about me,” she said.

“I went back to my room and I cried."

Ms Waite posted her story on social media and said she had been overwhelmed by messages from people inviting her to tag along on their holidays to the resort.

But she added: “I appreciate the offers of help, but I would rather the rule change.

“There are lots of solo travellers who also enjoy Butlin's.”

A spokesperson for Butlin's said: "Sadly, we do not allow single travellers on our family breaks unless they are linked to a booking where children are also on the break.

"We have a wide range of adult-only Big Weekender breaks available for solo adult guests."

In response to the reply from Butlin's, Ms Waite said: “I don’t want to go on the adult-only Big Weekender, they are too rowdy for me. I like to relax and be in bed for 10pm.

“I only ever booked in term time on my own, I did not go during the school holidays. I am aware there is the adult weekender breaks but they are not for me.”

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