[Update] Hi-de-Hi to Pontin's!

papa smurf · 13-11-2010, 12:55

Pontin's, the chain of holiday camps famous for its blue coat entertainers such as Shane Richie and Bobby Davro, has called in the administrators.
The five holiday parks have seen holidaymakers cancel bookings after customers posted clips on the internet showing poor conditions.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...#ixzz15ANsTzsP

i remember a pontins family holiday in the 70s, never went back for a second helping it was dreadful.. any pontins horror stories ??

Gary L · 13-11-2010, 13:18

I was watching Watchdog the other night, and that program can kill a company over night. (B&Q kitchen installations) the same with the internet where people can post videos and whatever on youtube.

Never done a Pontins but did Butlins as a kid once or twice.

superbiatch · 13-11-2010, 14:11

Mum goes twice a year (discounted by social services for foster kiddies) and she seems to think its much better than it used to be. I know Ainsdale recently went through a major refurb, maybe they should have waited until this 'current economic climate' was over

**Maggy J** · 13-11-2010, 14:17

They have said that anyone who has booked a holiday with them will get their holiday..which is a change from what usually happens in the holiday industry when a firm goes into administration.

MTJR · 13-11-2010, 14:37

My understanding was that Pontins was under the umbrella which holds lots of holiday companies so I was wondering if money had been taken out of Pontins to "prop up" the other ones effectively leaving all the debts in one place.

Never been to Pontins and have never felt the need to.

John

**Stuart** · 13-11-2010, 17:26

I went to Pontins (I think) as a kid. I'm actually not sure if it was a pontins or butlins, but I loved it. Probably because it had the largest Amusement Arcade I had ever been in.

I went to Haven in Prestatyn (which is next door to Pontins) and TBH, Haven was overpriced (not only were the chalet/caravan rental costs high, but so were the Laundry and other on-site facilities). I doubt Pontins was any different.

**Chris** · 13-11-2010, 17:29

Haven is to this day over-priced. We went to one a couple of years ago - one of the ones that used to be a Butlins. We figured it might be a cut above, due to it having had additional Butlins-era facilities on-site. How wrong we were. Some of the Butlins stuff had actually been demolished; the rest had been burdened with opening hours apparently designed to prevent the happy campers from actually using it.

Sometimes I think what's left of the British package holiday industry is in a competition to see who can commit suicide first. It looks like Pontins may have just won.

**Paul M** · 13-11-2010, 17:46

Haven used to be good, but have gone really downhill in the last few years. The last time we used them our caravan was dirty, and our brother in laws was so bad he had to complain and get moved. We have not used them since.

I havent been to Pontins since I was about 3, so wont miss them.

Last few times we have used ParkDean - they have been excellent.

**Stuart** · 13-11-2010, 17:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris

Haven is to this day over-priced. We went to one a couple of years ago - one of the ones that used to be a Butlins. We figured it might be a cut above, due to it having had additional Butlins-era facilities on-site. How wrong we were. Some of the Butlins stuff had actually been demolished; the rest had been burdened with opening hours apparently designed to prevent the happy campers from actually using it.

Sometimes I think what's left of the British package holiday industry is in a competition to see who can commit suicide first. It looks like Pontins may have just won.

True, when I went to haven, the first thing we did was to try and get some food (we figured it would be easier to buy stuff on site rather than take it). The on camp shop consisted almost entirely of junk food and frozen meals. The "fresh produce" was limited to one shelf and IIRC consisted of two not-so-fresh looking sprouts and a load of bread that was rather old. Thankfully, a couple of miles down the road there was a Kwik Save superstore that had quite a good selection of stuff.

Peter_ · 13-11-2010, 18:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris

Haven is to this day over-priced. We went to one a couple of years ago - one of the ones that used to be a Butlins. We figured it might be a cut above, due to it having had additional Butlins-era facilities on-site. How wrong we were. Some of the Butlins stuff had actually been demolished; the rest had been burdened with opening hours apparently designed to prevent the happy campers from actually using it.

Are you talking about Butlins Pwllheli by any chance, we went the year after it had been taken over by Haven and renamed Hafan y mor, they had gutted the place and by Tuesday would happily have gone home, we were half board which was the best thing about the place, but come Saturday we were off site by 0900 never to return.

Arthurgray50@blu · 13-11-2010, 18:47

We were sent to Pontins, by Barry Island Resort, after it closed due to severe weather conditions.

We went to Camber Sands, and it was pure crap, we had to queue up like cattle for a keys, and worst part of it, the chalets were in poor condition, and the food was terrible, and the most stupid part was that the ballroom was upstairs where familys had to carry buggys etc upstairs, and yet the 18 years old went downstairs.

We complained several times to a Bluecoat called 'Blockhead' and he was rude and arrogant, the entertainment was poor, we came home on the Tuesday it was that bad.

What has to happen is that Pontins have to start from scratch again and build on that, they should take a leaf out of Barry Island Resort's books, they advertised what the camp was about and stated ' bare essentials chalets, and it cost us £180.00 and it was brilliant, and it was what a holiday was about.

Holiday camps are essential, in the UK, BUT it has to be cheap, and major companies can afford this.

I have been going to the same camp for the past ten years, and this year, we have paid the same price to go next year to the same place for £120. for a family and that is in July.

**Chris** · 13-11-2010, 19:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by Masque

Are you talking about Butlins Pwllheli by any chance, we went the year after it had been taken over by Haven and renamed Hafan y mor, they had gutted the place and by Tuesday would happily have gone home, we were half board which was the best thing about the place, but come Saturday we were off site by 0900 never to return.

Nope, the other one at Ayr. Now known as Craig Tara.

**Matt D** · 13-11-2010, 19:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by Masque

Are you talking about Butlins Pwllheli

I went there as a kid on a school trip. Also went to the Bognor Regis Butlin's. The strongest memory I have of them was the horrible food, lol.

Never been to a Haven or Pontin's, though.

Peter_ · 13-11-2010, 20:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris

Nope, the other one at Ayr. Now known as Craig Tara.

I have been there as well and unless you are a Robbie Burns fan the is nothing in the area to do, luckily only there for 4 long days.

**Chris** · 13-11-2010, 20:07

We went with 3 young children and intended to remain on-site the whole time, which we did. Don't get me wrong, they all absolutely loved the place. It was only Mrs T and I who had eyes to see what it was really like (in essence, filthy).

On the subject of Ayrshire though ... it's full of hidden gems if you know where to look. We have our summer hols not a million miles away in Millport and we're never short of things to do and places to go.