• [Dailystar Icon]
• News
• Latest News
• Butlins

Abandoned holiday park could get new lease of life as Butlin's eyes up purchase

Several Pontins holiday parks have laid abandoned for years, to the dismay of locals but now rival Butlin's are said to be eyeing up some of the sights in the hopes of restoring one of them to its former glory

[Abandoned holiday park could get new lease of life as Butlin's eyes up purchase]

Rejoice, Butlin's fans, as there could be good news on the cards (file)(Image: Adam Gerrard / Daily Mirror)

Butlin's is eyeing up a takeover of a deserted Pontins resort that has laid empty and abandoned for years.

Bosses at the holiday company have been been in touch with Britannia Hotels, who own Pontins, about taking over either the Southport site in Merseyside or the one in Prestatyn, North Wales. Pontins' Southport location shut down in January, hot on the heels of the Prestatyn closure and Camber Sands in East Sussex back in November.

These closures hit the local areas hard, sparking fears about their future. Britannia Hotels, under the reign of business mogul Alex Langsam, acquired Pontins back in 2011 but has been criticised for not investing enough in the brand.

READ MORE: Orca that unleashed grim 45-minute attack on SeaWorld trainer could've been 'disturbed'

Click for more of the latest news from across the world from the Daily Star.

[Abandoned holiday park could get new lease of life as Butlin's eyes up purchase]

Pontins Southport closed in January (file)(Image: Liverpool Echo)

Butlin's CEO Jon Hendry Pickup, told The Mirror his company had reached out to Britannia Hotels to rescue one of the North West resorts, but said they are yet to hear back. "We would definitely still be interested," Mr Hendry Pickup dished to the Mirror. "We would definitely like a conversation with them."

Speaking of the Southport site, he added: "It is an existing site so there is no need to dig up the countryside."

Hendry Pickup said if they were to buy the location they'd probably bulldoze the current setup and start fresh. The Southport and Prestatyn locations are bang on for Butlin's, since they're yet to set up shop in North West England.

[Abandoned holiday park could get new lease of life as Butlin's eyes up purchase]

The Butlin's team would demolish the existing site and start again (file)(Image: Liverpool Echo)

The iconic British holiday brand is gearing up for a bumper year as it predicts guest numbers will soar to a whopping 1.5 million. The company's three resorts in Minehead, Bognor Regis and Skegness are set to benefit from this surge.

The holiday giant is splashing out on a 150million investment spree that's set to run until 2027. This includes a snazzy 15million indoor activity hub at Bognor Regis and over 100 swish new luxury lodges at Skegness.

[Abandoned holiday park could get new lease of life as Butlin's eyes up purchase]

Butlin's has yet to set up shop in the north (file)(Image: DAILY MIRROR)

Hendry Pickup said the firm is going back to its roots, focusing on value-packed, fun-filled family breaks. "The mission is to give loads of things to do," he declared.

"The mission isn't to relax if people want to do that, we aren't for them."

The Daily Star has contacted Britannia Hotels for comment.

For the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star, sign up for our newsletter by clicking here.

[Dailystar Icon]

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Choose Daily Star as a 'Preferred Source' on Google News for quick access to the news you value.