Multiple reports indicate the Pontins Southport holiday park closed unexpectedly in 2023. The site remains deserted, with holiday apartments still furnished and equipped, according to major media. Urban explorer Matt visited the abandoned Pontins Southport site and shared images on social media, with the Daily Mirror reporting he described checking it out while in the area. At Pontins Prestatyn, Britannia cleared out the site and locked the gates, with security teams now manning it to keep out trespassers. The Prestatyn location is showing signs of slow deterioration, including overgrown fields, wilting trees, and rusting playgrounds.
Pontins Prestatyn was the largest Pontins camp ever, with 820 chalets and capacity for up to 3,500 guests in its heyday. Britannia Hotel Group purchased the Pontins brand for around £20 million in January 2011, saving it from administration. After the purchase, Britannia Hotel Group promised to restore all five acquired Pontins sites to their original condition.
Insufficient investment by Britannia led to complaints and damning reviews before the abrupt closure of Pontins Prestatyn, according to major media. The specific reasons Britannia Hotel Group gave for the abrupt closures of Pontins Southport and Prestatyn have not been disclosed.
Negotiations are underway with an unnamed company for the redevelopment of Pontins Prestatyn. Proposals have been drawn up to resurrect Pontins Prestatyn as a top family holiday destination, requiring substantial investment. MP Becky Gittins met with Britannia executives last autumn and confirmed ongoing discussions with an unnamed company about reopening Pontins Prestatyn as a family holiday park. The identity of the unnamed company in negotiations and the detailed terms of the proposal remain unknown, as does the amount of investment required and who would fund it.
There is no suggestion that the Home Office intends to use Pontins Prestatyn to house asylum seekers. MP Bill Esterson is working with the Council and residents to revive the Ainsdale beach gateway, urging Britannia to release the lease for the Pontins Southport site. According to an official statement, Esterson emphasized local desire to revive Ainsdale's beach gateway and called for Britannia to release the lease to allow development. The current status of the lease for the Pontins Southport site and what barriers exist for its redevelopment are unclear, as are the future plans for the other three Pontins sites acquired by Britannia in 2011.