03 February 2009

Ã&#pound;50 million investment for Pontin's

Six PontinÃ¢â¬â¢s holiday centres are to be re-developed and refurbished as part of an investment of over Ã&#pound;50 million.

PontinÃ¢â¬â¢s parent company, Ocean Parcs, said the improvements will create over 2,000 jobs.

Initially, the group will refurbish entertainment, catering and bar facilities in its holiday centres, launching a re-styled entertainment programme and an enhanced food and beverage offer.

Holiday Centres at Brean Sands and Prestatyn Sands will be completely refurbished with the Ã¢â¬Ëœnext generationÃ¢â¬â¢ of guest accommodation

Subject to planning approval, accommodation will be completely renewed and the retail, entertainment, restaurant and bar facilities re-furbished.

Camber Sands and Southport will be completely re-designed and re-built and The Pakefield Holiday Centre near Lowestoft will be doubled in size and capacity.

PontinÃ¢â¬â¢s property director Clarke Osborne said: Ã¢â¬ËœÃ¢â¬â¢We have been working on our next generation of Holiday Centres for over nine months and I think that the results of this careful design strategy will be very well received by both our extensive and loyal customer base and new customers that are joining us each year.

Ã¢â¬ÅâœWe have commenced dialogue with some of our local councils, business leaders and planners and received encouraging responses. This dialogue will be extended to all our holiday centres as it our intention to submit proposals for planning permission during the year.Ã¢â¬~

Ocean Parcs and Pontins chief executive Ian Smith added: Ã¢â¬ÅâœIt is particularly pleasing to note that due to a significant increase in bookings for this year, a number of our holiday centres are already showing only limited availability for the key half term, Easter and Summer holiday periods.Ã¢â¬~

By Bev Fearis