Britannia Hotels has submitted plans to Sefton Council for the former Pontins holiday park in Southport, more than two years after its closure in January 2024, with the company stating it is working towards a "positive long-term outcome" for the site on Shore Road.
False Rumours Dismissed
The update comes ten days after the Liverpool ECHO reported on rumours that the site was being used to house asylum seekers. One social media post claimed thousands were due to arrive, accompanied by an old video which the ECHO verified as fake last year.
Sefton Central MP Bill Esterson addressed the speculation, stating: "The government has no plans to use the Pontins site to accommodate asylum seekers. Claims circulating online and in videos suggesting otherwise are inaccurate and deliberately misleading."
Britannia's Long-Term Focus
Britannia, which holds a 150-year lease with Sefton Council, has been in negotiations with the local authority. Earlier this year, the company undertook surveys and land assessments to explore options for the site's future.
Mr Esterson added: "I have had discussions with Britannia. Their focus has been entirely on the long-term redevelopment of the site and the work needed to keep it secure. At no stage have they indicated that accommodation for asylum seekers forms any part of their plans."
Police Training Use
In February 2024, the site was used for police training, with officers and dogs spotted on the grounds. A Merseyside Police spokesperson said: "We use a number of venues, both vacant and populated, together with open land across the region, to assist our dogs and officers with their ongoing training. It is common practice for police forces to be regularly risk assessed and done with the permission of the site owners."
Council's Market Testing
Cllr Paulette Lappin, cabinet member for regeneration, skills and employment, said the council would continue discussions with Britannia. She added: "In the interim we’ll do some market testing to see what ideas potential investors may have for the site alongside the wider coastal gateway if the current leaseholders aren’t interested in doing something of benefit for the local community."
Britannia's Statement
Britannia Hotels Group representatives told the ECHO on June 26: "We continue to undertake surveys, assessments and site management activities at our three vacant Pontins sites. This forms part of our work with an appointed planning consultancy to develop pre-application proposals. These have now been submitted to planning officers at the respective local authorities and we are awaiting dates to discuss their feedback. This will enable us to progress the proposals and secure positive long-term outcomes for all sites."
