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Community shock after Pontins closure

Getty Images White and blue chalet accommodation at Pontins, Prestatyn, with a green square and benchesGetty Images
The holiday parks offered chalet accommodation

Locals and businesses near a closed Pontins holiday park in East Sussex have described the decision as "a bolt out of the blue".

On Thursday, Pontins closed its sites in Camber Sands, East Sussex, and Prestatyn, Denbighshire with immediate effect.

Following earlier speculation that the site could be used for asylum seeker accommodation, the Home Office said there were "no plans to use the sites".

The local MP said the seemingly sudden decision was "extremely concerning".

Hastings and Rye MP Sally-Ann Hart said: "It's just before Christmas so to close Pontins so people don't have jobs is actually horrendous and obviously local businesses will be worried they won't get the footfall as much."

Rother District Council, which owns the freehold of the site, said it was "surprised" to learn of the closure.

It said: "We have had no communication from Pontins or their parent company Britannia Hotels about the closure, its duration, or their intentions for the site in the long term."

Community shock

Louise Hyatt, who owns the nearby Marina Cafe in Camber, told BBC Radio Sussex: "There will be a big effect on the whole village.

"They [holidaymakers] walk along the beach and come up for a cup of tea or a hot chocolate even in the winter. It will definitely [affect the business]."

Rother District Councillor Paul Osbourne described the closure as "a bolt out of the blue".

A middle-aged man with dark greying hair stands on a pebble beach outside his green fast food kiosk
Fast food kiosk owner Frankie Fernando said the holiday park "had not kept up with the times"

Frankie Fernando, who owns a fast food kiosk on Camber beach, said: "We're in 2023 now, Pontins hasn’t kept up with the times, I think it’s just grabbed everyone’s money but not paid any money back.

"I’ve not been there myself but the feedback I get from their clients that have stayed there - they’ve not been very happy.

"So I think they’ve taken what they can from it and now they’ve decided to close it, which is a shame really."

A woman with shoulder length red hair and thick black glasses stands outside the blue iron gates of the Pontins holiday park in Camber
Sarah Broadbent, vice-chair of the Rye and District Chamber of Commerce, said the closure came as a shock to the business community

Sarah Broadbent, vice-chair of the Rye and District Chamber of Commerce said: "It came as quite a shock to the business community today."

She added the local area depended on revenue from the tourism industry.

"There is still a market for good value family holidays. I think the area could do with a facelift but people do come to the area for what it represents and there is that nostalgic, whimsical aspect to it and the beach is second to none."

Pontins and its parent company Britannia Hotels has been contacted for comment.

In an earlier statement it said it apologised "for any inconvenience caused" and said customers with affected bookings would be "contacted by our team and refunded."

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