Vale of Clwyd MP Dr James Davies is one of three MPs calling for a short inquiry into the practices of Britannia Hotels Ltd, who closed three of their Pontins holiday parks without notice in the last five months.
James, along with Sally-Ann Hart MP (Hastings and Rye) and Damien Moore MP (Southport), has sent a letter to Dame Caroline Dinenage MP, Chair of the Culture, Media and Sport Committee, requesting that the Committee investigate the company.
On November 30th, Pontins closed its Prestatyn Sands holiday park, and also Camber Sands in East Sussex, “with immediate effect”.
Just a few weeks later, at the start of January, again with no notice, it closed its Southport holiday park.
Since the closure of the Prestatyn site, James, has made several attempts to meet with Britannia, but to no avail. He last wrote to them on 31st January, but has not received a response.
He is keen to progress matters and therefore, along with his colleagues, MPs Sally-Ann Hart and Damien Moore, he has sent a letter to Dame Dinenage calling for an inquiry, in the hope that “this will encourage the company to dispose of their leased sites so that they can receive much needed investment and redevelopment from others”.
The letter from the MPs reads:
“As the Members of Parliament representing the three recently closed Pontins Holiday Parks in Prestatyn, Southport and Camber Sands, we would like to thank you for writing to Britannia Hotels Ltd in January in your position as Chair of the Culture, Media and Sport Committee.
“You will be aware that our concerns about the company and its practices long precede the closure of the sites – particularly in relation to a lack of investment and neglect, and the poor treatment of staff.
“While each of the three sites have great potential, in recent years, they have negatively impacted the communities in which they are based. The same can be said of the company’s hotel stock across the country.
“There has rightly been media interest in the sudden closure of our Pontins sites and you will have seen that the BBC has today broadcast a mini-documentary, entitled “Pontins: Rundown & Ruined?” (https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m001xx87/pontins-rundownruined).
“The Department for Culture Media and Sport has described their findings as “deeply concerning” and you will know that the Secretary of State, the Rt Hon Lucy Frazer MP, also wrote to the company earlier this year to express her concerns.
“Looking to the future, we are each aware of serious and positive interest in the redevelopment of our sites by other parties, but liaison with Britannia has repeatedly proved incredibly difficult, despite contact from ourselves, our local authorities, the public and the media.
“We have had meetings cancelled at short notice, and received limited responses to our correspondence.
“In view of this situation, we would very much appreciate it if your committee could undertake a short inquiry into the practices of the company. It is our hope that this will encourage the company to dispose of their leased sites so that they can receive much needed investment and redevelopment from others.”
Following the closure of Prestatyn Sands, James wrote to a dozen successful holiday park operators to encourage them to look at acquiring the site.
On January 18th he said he has “received serious expressions of interest in the Prestatyn site from holiday park operators and discussions need to take place”.
Previous relevant press releases:
Dec 2020: https://www.jamesdavies.org.uk/news/mps-highlight-concerns-over-pontins…
Nov 2023: https://www.jamesdavies.org.uk/news/mp-reacts-pontins-closure-announcem…
Jan 2024: https://www.jamesdavies.org.uk/news/secretary-state-and-select-committe…
