A once-beloved holiday park in Prestatyn, which operated for over 50 years, has been left to decay since its closure in November 2023, with residents branding it a significant eyesore.
From Thriving Resort to Derelict Site
Pontins in Prestatyn was a popular destination for families, offering a private beach, swimming pools, and children's play areas. After welcoming guests since 1971, the resort shut permanently, leaving a sprawling site that has since deteriorated markedly.
Images online show boarded-up buildings, overgrown grounds, and crumbling structures. Large areas of the park now look abandoned, a stark contrast to its former glory.
Community Reactions and Future Speculation
Local residents have expressed strong opinions about the site's future. Pete Davis, who ran a cleaning firm that worked with Pontins, said, "It ought to be used for something. I think it should be a holiday camp again." Another resident added, "I'd rather it was a holiday camp again. I don't want it knocked down for more houses."
A grandmother described the site as "decrepit" and an "eyesore," warning it could become a "drug den or a place for fly-tippers." Prestatyn's Mayor, Cllr Adrian West, stated, "I want to see the site brought back into some form of productive use again."
Harsh Criticism from Former Guests
Not everyone mourns the closure. One TripAdvisor reviewer called it a "rancid filthy cesspit," while another said, "A prison cell would be preferable to the chalet." A third visitor described the rooms as "filled with mould, vomit, worse than a dog kennel."
The future of the Pontins site remains uncertain, with rumours of a new tourism venture or housing development, but no concrete plans have been announced.
