The once-thriving Pontins Holiday Park in Brean, Somerset, has become the centre of a dramatic transformation that some locals describe as turning the area into a 'ghost town'. The budget holiday resort, which previously attracted thousands of families annually, has been closed to holidaymakers for three years, creating a noticeable void in this traditional seaside destination.
The Empty Streets of a Former Holiday Hub
During a visit on a sunny weekday in June, Mirror reporter Nia Dalton observed strikingly quiet streets with few cars and pedestrians. Despite colourful beach accessories decorating shopfronts and blue skies overhead, the atmosphere felt noticeably subdued. The majority of food vans and shops stood closed or appeared to be operating with minimal customers, with only scattered families wandering the streets.
An anonymous bakery worker revealed it 'hasn't been this quiet in six years', expressing genuine concern for local businesses. She explained the complex situation: 'Hinkley might help the local pubs, but not our bakery. We're shut when they're in town.' The worker remained cautiously optimistic, noting that the bank holiday had been fairly busy and that the true test would come during the summer season.
Local Business Perspectives Divide
Directly opposite Pontins' securely locked iron gates stands a large entertainment centre where arcade machines significantly outnumber visitors. Another arcade further down the street shares the same fate of minimal patronage. However, an unnamed employee offered a glimmer of hope: 'The nice weather has brought a lot of families in on weekends. There's still a lot of holiday parks around. It won't be as busy with Pontins shut, but hopefully, we'll get a decent trade in.'
Manager Kristy Roberts, 28, who recently launched a new over-18s cocktails and live music bar on the first floor of Krackers Karaoke Bar, challenged the 'ghost town' narrative. 'People think Pontins has turned us into a ghost town, but that's not the case at all,' she stated. 'We wouldn't have opened the new bar if it was too quiet. We still have a lot of regulars, day trippers and caravan goers. It's not derelict.'
Kristy acknowledged the changing demographic, noting that former Pontins families are being replaced by power plant workers, predominantly middle-aged men. 'I'm not necessarily worried about Pontins shutting down. It just might be a different crowd,' she shared, describing Brean as fundamentally seasonal in nature.
Caravan Price Surge and Community Changes
The landscape around Brean features endless rows of static caravans available for hire or purchase, though few appear occupied. Local residents attribute this to soaring costs following the pandemic and affluent buyers snapping up second properties.
Julie Quinlan, 59, and her retired partner Ian Merchant, 68, revealed their static caravan in Brean had nearly doubled in value over five years, jumping from £6,000 to over £10,000. Julie expressed concern about the social impact: 'Owning a caravan here has gone from being something that was achievable for working-class families to a daydream. Caravans have gone up to a ridiculous price. It's not affordable to the majority.'
The couple, who divide their week between their caravan and home, described preferring the peaceful areas near Brean Down where vehicles are banned and tourists rarely venture. 'We love the wildlife and stargazing at night. This panoramic view is beautiful. When the sun rises here, you could be anywhere in the world,' Julie said.
Three-Year Closure for Nuclear Workers
The current situation stems from a 2023 announcement that Brean's Pontins would close to accommodate 900 staff from Hinkley Point C nuclear power plant for three years. During this period, EDF Energy has committed to carrying out major refurbishment works, including upgrades to the 600 chalets on site and installation of WiFi.
An EDF spokesman confirmed: 'The renovations represent a multi-million upgrade to the site, which will provide a long-lasting benefit to tourism in the area.' This investment comes after years of criticism from guests about the park's condition, with one visitor from Wales describing their chalet as 'absolutely disgusting' and another TripAdvisor review from 2022 branding it 'possibly the worst place' they'd ever encountered.
Roy Love, 76, a retired Hinkley Point B architect and regular dog walker in the area, offered perspective on the temporary nature of the closure: 'I don't think it will make much difference at all to the area, as Hinkley is for a limited time only during construction.' He did express surprise about the commuting logistics, noting: 'Though I find it strange that they're staying in Pontins, as it must be an hour's commute every day.'
Future Prospects and Development Plans
Despite current challenges, there are signs of potential regeneration. In September of this year, plans were submitted for a £10.2 million overhaul of the Unity Beach Holiday Park in Brean, best known as Brean Splash. The proposed redevelopment would include two additional outdoor pool areas, a lazy river, expanded family changing facilities, and a boardwalk.
If approved by Somerset Council, work would commence from early December, continuing until approximately March 2026. This investment suggests confidence in the area's long-term tourism prospects, even as current conditions remain challenging for many businesses.
Cyclist Paul Young, 51, who regularly visits Brean Down with his friend Giles Bisset, acknowledged the area's divided character: 'There are two parts to Brean, though they blend into each other along the beach.' While appreciating the 'wonderful' outdoor walks and cycling routes, he expressed concerns about potential antisocial behaviour from the 'new crowd of workers'.
As the community awaits Pontins' scheduled reopening after its three-year hiatus, local traders maintain cautious optimism, hoping that both the temporary worker influx and planned improvements will ultimately benefit the area's economy and restore its position as a beloved seaside destination.
