A once beloved entertainment haven has been left abandoned for years and now looks a far cry from its heyday. Pontins in Prestatyn, Wales was once a flourishing holiday resort, attracting families in their thousands with its private beach, swimming pools and children's play areas. Today, the site sits mostly empty and dilapidated, with numerous locals describing it as a major eyesore.
Closure After 50 Years
Following more than five decades of hosting visitors since it initially opened in 1971, the resort closed permanently in November 2023. The shutdown signalled the conclusion of a protracted chapter in the town's history, leaving behind an extensive site that has subsequently become a striking emblem of its decline.
Uncertain Future
Rumours continue to circulate regarding what lies ahead for the site. Theories span from proposals for a revitalised tourism project to indications it might be demolished to pave the way for residential development.
Deterioration Documented
Photographs of the site keep emerging on social media, exposing boarded-up structures, neglected grounds and unmistakable evidence of deterioration across the former holiday park. Once bustling with holidaymakers, vast sections of the resort now appear deserted, with numerous buildings noticeably falling apart.
Community Reactions
Local residents have previously voiced their opinions on the site's future with North Wales Live. Pete Davis, who operates a cleaning business that formerly worked with Pontins, was amongst those to speak out. He said: "It ought to be used for something. I think it should be a holiday camp again. The council could issue a compulsory purchase order (to help that happen)."
Another resident echoed this sentiment: "It's empty and I'd rather it was a holiday camp again. We moved here in 1973 and it was never any trouble to us. I don't want it knocked down for more houses as I don't feel there are enough doctors' surgeries and schools, not enough infrastructure to support them."
A grandmother and grandson branded the site "decrepit" and an "eyesore", saying: "It's quite decrepit and an eyesore for the local community. Something needs to be done. It should be reborn as a holiday camp or used for modern apartments. Something needs to be doing to it otherwise it's going to become a drug den or a place for fly-tippers."
Mayor's Call to Action
Prestatyn's Mayor, Cllr Adrian West, has joined the growing calls for change, stating: "I want to see the site brought back into some form of productive use again. For it just to be lying idle is doing nobody any good. I would not want it used for some sort of industry, given that it's right next to the waterfront."
Harsh Criticisms
Not everyone is lamenting the demise of Pontins, however, with one scathing TripAdvisor reviewer writing: "Thank god this rancid filthy cesspit has shutdown. Awful, worn out and really dirty. and it needed knocking down years ago."
A further disgruntled guest declared: "As time has gone by all the rooms are filled with mould, vomit, worse than a dog kennel. It looks like a rubbish dump," while another did not mince their words, stating: "There are no words to describe how awful this place is. A prison cell would be preferable to the chalet."
The areas outside are overgrown, potholes in the car park, pavements cracked and overgrown. Concrete on stairs broken, support for stairs rotten, nails sticking out.
