Pontins Holiday Park in Prestatyn, once a popular destination with its own private beach, swimming pools, and children's play area, has been abandoned since its closure in November 2023 after more than 50 years of operation. The site now lies in a state of disrepair, with crumbling structures and overgrown grounds, prompting concerns from locals about its future.
Residents have expressed mixed feelings about the derelict park. Pete Davis, a local cleaning company owner who previously serviced Pontins, suggested it should be used as a holiday camp again and called on the council to issue a compulsory purchase order. Another resident echoed this sentiment, preferring a holiday camp over new housing due to insufficient local infrastructure like doctors' surgeries and schools.
However, a grandmother-grandson duo described the site as 'decrepit' and an 'eyesore', warning it could become a haven for drug use or fly-tipping if left unattended. They proposed it be reborn as a holiday camp or modern apartments. Prestatyn's Mayor, Cllr Adrian West, also urged for the site to be brought back into productive use, ideally as a tourist attraction to rejuvenate the town centre and create jobs, rather than industrial development.
Negative reviews from former visitors paint a grim picture of the park's condition before closure. One TripAdvisor reviewer called it a 'rancid filthy cesspit', while others described rooms filled with mould and vomit, comparing chalets to prison cells or dog kennels. The grounds were reported to be overgrown, with broken concrete and rotten stairs.
Despite rumours of redevelopment into a new tourist attraction or residential area, no solid plans have been announced. The site's future remains uncertain, leaving the local community anxious for action to prevent further decay.
