Nearly six decades after opening as a seaside destination, the Pontins holiday park in Prestatyn, North Wales, stands abandoned, with seagulls now replacing the thousands of tourists who once flocked there. The park, which closed abruptly in November 2023, has since been left to deteriorate, sparking calls for its revival.
The site, which opened in 1971 on a former stock car racing track, was the largest Pontins camp ever, with 820 chalets capable of hosting up to 3,500 guests. It offered swimming pools, a children's play area, and entertainment by the iconic Bluecoats. However, after Britannia Hotel Group purchased the Pontins brand for £20 million in 2011, complaints about insufficient investment grew, leading to the sudden closure.
Since then, the 40-acre park has seen overgrown fields, rusting playgrounds, and deteriorating chalets. Security guards now patrol the locked gates to prevent trespassing. Despite the neglect, Britannia has reportedly drawn up proposals with an unnamed company to revive the site as a family holiday destination.
Becky Gittins, MP for Clwyd East, met with Britannia executives last autumn and confirmed ongoing discussions. She stated that significant investment is being considered to reopen the park solely as a family holiday spot, with no plans to house asylum seekers. A follow-up meeting is expected this month.
For now, the fate of the once-beloved park remains unknown, leaving local residents and former guests awaiting a decision on its future.
