Latest news with #BillyButlin
Daily Mirror
28-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Mirror
Three UK seaside towns set for £150m Butlin's boost with eyes on 'fourth site'
Butlin's has unveiled a huge £150 million investment to make drastic improvements across its three UK sites, which attract around 1.5 million holidaymakers every year, over the next five years A trio of seaside resorts are slated for a huge tourism boost thanks to an ambitious £150 million investment. It's no secret that the UK's coastline suffered a huge fall from grace in the late 1950s - when packaged holidays to sunny hotspots like Spain started to become more affordable. The Benidorm-boom resulted in swathes of holiday resorts closing their doors, and saw once-vibrant seaside towns slip into disarray. However, Billy Butlin's holiday camps have stood the test of time, attracting around 1.5 million guests per year across their three resorts. Renowned for its huge swimming pools, stellar entertainment, and iconic Red Coat staff - Butlin's has now got its eye on a potential fourth site. READ MORE: UK's 'worst' seaside town's £60m tourism plan after Butlin's snub 41 years ago In a statement sent to the Mirror, a Butlin's spokesperson said: "With Butlin's turning 90 next year, we are immensely proud of the role we've played in so many seaside towns around the country, entertaining generations of guests. Our priority today is investing in our existing three resorts." Over the next five years, the holiday resort is investing a staggering £150 million into its Bognor Regis, Skegness and Minehead sites. This huge boost will focus on 'upgrading our accommodation and opening state of the art facilities'. Just last month, Butlin's unveiled a £1.8million upgrade to its Bognor Regis site as it opened its biggest ever indoor Soft Play centre and Puppet Theatre. The four storey, 3,000 square feet Soft Play centre - which is included in the price of a family break and day passes - doubles its capacity of the previous Soft Pay. Able to hold around 200 children, the Soft Play area features slides, climbing challenges, cargo nets, log ramps, and even a multi-sensory area for babies. The brand-new Puppet Theatre will entertain guests with shows including Under The Sea, Jingle in the Jungle and Christmouse. It follows the £15 million that was invested last year to open up Butlin's PLAYEXPERIENCE in Bognor Regis. The indoor activity centre, which opened on October 7, 2024, spans across two floors and offers a slew of entertainment including TechPutt, Escape Rooms, VR-cade, Glow Pong, Shuffleboard, Laser Tag, Batting Cage, Neo Games and Digi Darts, as well as a new café and bar. As previously reported, Butlin's also allocated £23 million last year to spruce up guest rooms and upgrade children's play facilities over at its Minehead site. This follows severe flood damage back in September 2023 which meant 400 units of accommodation needed a total makeover. £2.5 million of the investment was used to open Minehead's SKYPARK, which boasts the UK's longest swingline at 42 metres, as well as a wheelchair-friendly seesaw and two light-up intertwining slides. Over in Skegness, upgrades include four new fairground rides, a new SKYPARK, and the decision to make Studio 37 - a high-tech entertainment venue - a permanent feature. In 2013, Butlin's also unveiled a £12 million accommodation project to open 128 premium lodges in Skegness. The luxury lodges each have three bedrooms including a main bedroom with king sized bed and en-suite shower room, two twin rooms, a fully equipped kitchen with full sized fridge freezer, microwave and hob, private decking with outdoor furniture and parking space for two cars directly outside the accommodation. If you currently live too far from all three Butlin's sites in the UK - don't worry, as a fourth site could soon be in the works. "We've identified the North West of England where we don't have a resort as the near-term opportunity for our continued growth," the spokesperson added.
Daily Mirror
26-05-2025
- Daily Mirror
'Worst' seaside town's £60m tourism plan after Butlin's snub 41 years ago
With Brits still grieving the loss of a huge Butlin's resort some 41 years later, one rundown UK seaside town has revealed its £60 million plans to transform itself back to its former glory Ambitious plans to transform one of the UK's 'worst' seaside towns are well underway, as it stitches up the Butlin's-size hole that epitomises its downfall. In the post-war holiday boom, Clacton-on-Sea was in its heyday, attracting swathes of travellers from up and down the nation. Lured in by an award-winning pier, funfair rides, and a golden sand beach touted as a jewel in the crown of the 'Essex Sunshine Coast', this bustling resort was the perfect place to escape the city and relax. Clacton was also revered for homing one of the first Billy Butlin's sites - which opened its doors in 1937. Boasting a huge outdoor pool, funfair rides, a ballroom dancing hall, bowling green, and unbeatable entertainment - the resort cemented Clacton as the place to go for affordable family fun. However, when cheap package holidays to Spain infiltrated the travel market - Butlin's profits plummeted, resulting in the site closing its doors in 1983. More than four decades later, and locals are still grieving the once insatiably popular resort. The Facebook page Butlin's Clacton Holiday Camp has 2,700 members - and members are still frequently sharing their memories of the site. Earlier this month, user Danny posted a series of pictures of his mum, who worked at the Butlin's resort from 1977. "I went there many times - I loved it," he wrote. "They should never have taken Butlins away from Clacton." In the comments section, dozens of users agreed the site should never have closed. "Butlin's was a truly British institution that was used by many if not all working-class folk in its day," one person reflected. "We took the kids there several times because we could just about afford it. This would be the late 70s through 80s. The kids still talk of it now." Another user added: "They are the best memories I could ever wish for and I think it's the one Butlin's they should have never closed!" while a fourth penned: "I went there as a kid. My brother used to love making the models whilst me and my sister did 3D paintings. The man in charge was lovely. I painted a gold rose with a black background. I was so proud of myself. My favourite holiday. You're so right, they should never have got rid of it." Since Butlin's closure, things have continued to go downhill for Clacton. In fact, earlier this year, it came joint fourth-last with Skegness in Which?'s league tables of the best UK seaside towns. Harshly marked with a 48 per cent overall destination score, survey participants gave Clacton just two stars for its seafront/ pier, and one star for its scenery. Clacton's beach and parking availability boosted its rating up slightly, but shows its reputation is struggling. However, the town is certain it can turn things around with a £60 million regeneration project funded by the government. Speaking exclusively to the Mirror, Councillor Ivan Henderson, Deputy Leader of Tendring District Council and Cabinet Member for Economic Growth, Regeneration and Tourism, said: "Tourism is absolutely vital to Clacton's economy, and while there are no active conversations with private sector investors to bring back a Butlin's-style resort, we're focused on building a vibrant, year-round destination that celebrates our seaside heritage while looking to the future." The politician said he was 'incredibly proud' of events like the Clacton Airshow, which draws in around 25,000 visitors and shows demand for the seaside town is present. "It's not just about one weekend or just the summer holidays though – following on from millions of pounds of private sector investment over recent years and a £36 million pound coastal defence scheme completed in 2019 - we're investing in our town's future with exciting projects like transforming a historic Martello Tower into a cultural venue, creating a new seafront arts space, and improving the town centre to encourage people to stay longer and explore more," he added. "I've been pleased to work with the Clacton Coastal Tourism Group, whose passion and ideas are helping shape a bright future for the town as well as the Clacton Town Board, which has been set up as part of the Government's Plan for Neighbourhoods programme, which alone will see £20million invested in Clacton over ten years. We're making real progress – and we're inviting residents, businesses and visitors to be part of that journey." With millions of people still visiting Clacton and the Essex Sunshine Coast every year, Cllr Henderson believes it is still a wonderful place to visit. In his words, it is a town with a 'proud past and even more exciting future'. While holidaymakers won't be able to spend a weekend with the iconic Red Coat staff, there remain more than 20 holiday parks across the Tendring district. This includes two Parkdean Resorts, and a Haven Holiday Park.
Daily Mirror
24-05-2025
- Daily Mirror
UK's 'worst' seaside town abandoned by Butlin's with no sign it ever existed
It's hard to believe this rundown seaside town, that was recently ranked one of the worst in the UK, used to be the proud owner of a huge Billy Butlin's resort A once-thriving seaside town that has plummeted in the league tables used to home a huge Billy Butlin's resort - not that you'd ever be able to tell. Famed for its award-winning pier, golden sand beaches, and quintessential fun fair rides - Clacton-On-Sea used to be a glorious seaside resort that attracted droves of Brits from across the nation. But, earlier this year, Clacton, in Essex, came joint fourth-last with Skegness in Which?'s ranking of the UK's best seaside towns. It scored a measly 48 per cent - a shocking contrast to Bamburgh, who topped the tables with an impressive 86 per cent destination score. Following a survey of almost 5,000 travellers, the town was given three stars for its beaches and parking availability, but only two stars for its seafront/ pier and in the 'peace and quiet' category. When it comes to scenery, Clacton only took home one star. But back in its hey-day, before the Benidorm-boom saw Brits betray the UK coast for cheap package holidays to Spain, Clacton looked completely different. In 1936, Billy Butlin bought the West Clacton Estate, which already contained a miniature golf course and boating lake, and transformed it into the Red Coat resort we all know and love. The resort closed due to the outbreak of war, where it was temporarily taken over by the Army. But in 1946, it reopened as a holiday camp - and went on to acquire nearby land to expand. "By the late 1950s, Butlin's had become a national institution and to some extent, Clacton was able to bask in its reflected glory," explained Clacton History. "The combination of Butlin's and Clacton had become firmly established and for both their futures as family holiday venues seemed unshakeable." Like other Butlin's sites, guests couldn't get enough of the vast facilities on offer, such as cosy cabins, a huge outdoor pool, funfair rides, a ballroom dancing hall, bowling green, shops, a miniature railway, and stellar entertainment. It is said stars including the Beverley Sisters, Michael Holliday, and Jack Douglas all appeared on the camp in their younger days. But, unable to compete with competitive flight prices to sunny Spain, and tarnished by unruly teens using the resort as a place to get drunk, Butlin's sadly closed its doors in 1983 - the same year the Filey resort was also abandoned. According to Butlin's Memories, the site was purchased for around £2 million by Amusement Enterprises Ltd - whounveiled ambitious plans to turn the complex into a 'Disneyland' style theme park. With a new name, Atlas Park, the site re-opened in 1984 but remained largely unchanged from the Butlin's era. The venture only lasted four months before running into financial difficulty, and the land was sold again. By 1987, everything had been demolished. The area now serves local residents as a housing development, which is ideally located near the sea. It seems worlds away from the glory days of Butlin's - which is still missed by swathes of locals. However, things are looking up for the town after they revealed plans to regenerate Clacton and the nearby Jaywick Sands in a huge £20 million upgrade. Tendring District Council's (TDC) Cabinet has backed a whole host of schemes aimed at regenerating the town as part of a new Community Regeneration Partnership with the Ministry of Housing, Communities, and Local Government. This includes £3 million being pumped into Clacton Leiure Centre to become a new Active Wellbeing Centre, as well as £2 million for the NHS towards building a new urgent treatment centre at Clacton Hospital. £500,000 has also been set aside for a new seafront art and community micro venue, while £500,000 will be invested to improve tired shopfronts. Councillor Ivan Henderson, Deputy Leader of TDC and Cabinet Member for Economic Growth, Regeneration and Tourism, said: "This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to deliver transformative interventions across our district. These projects will significantly improve the quality of life, access to opportunities and health and wellbeing of our residents."
Daily Record
22-05-2025
- Daily Record
Abandoned seaside town was once home to huge Butlin's resort but looks completely different now
Butlin's Barry Island was once a bustling resort that could accommodate 7,000 visitors every week - but now the site looks completely different, apart from one small reminder An iconic coastal town, once the site of a massive Billy Butlin's resort, has undergone a dramatic transformation, yet retains a subtle nod to its past. While many Brits credit the popular TV series Gavin and Stacey for thrusting south Wales' Barry Island into the tourist spotlight, the town was already a magnet for holidaymakers in its heyday. Nestled in the Vale of Glamorgan in South Wales, Barry and its namesake island are home to a vast expanse of golden beach, blue waters, and a recently revamped seafront teeming with restaurants, cafes, and vibrant beach huts. However, back in 1966, the town also played host to a Butlin's resort capable of housing 7,000 holidaymakers every week. According to reports, Sir Billy Butlin is said to have conceived his holiday camp venture after his family was inadvertently locked out of a B&B in Barry Island by the landlady. The all-inclusive complex, comprising 800 'no-frills' chalets, boasted heated swimming pools, a cable-car ride, a miniature railway, bars, restaurants, and even a Fish and Chip shop - not forgetting the iconic Red Coat staff. However, much like the Butlin's resort in Filey, business began to wane as package holidays to destinations such as Spain became increasingly affordable. Hampered by the 'Benidorm boom', Barry Island's Butlin's, situated on Nell's Point, operated for just 20 years. The site was later acquired by Majestic Holidays, rebranded as The Barry Island Resort, but only managed to survive another decade. During its final years of operation, the iconic Red Coat staff were compelled to don blue uniforms due to legal threats, reports the Mirror. However, in 1996, a storm exacerbated existing maintenance problems leading to the closure of the entire resort. Rows of once bustling cabins, swimming pools, and eateries were abandoned and left to decay for nearly a year until Vale Council purchased the site for £2.25million. The property was later sold to Bovis Homes and razed to make room for a new housing development as part of a £3million regeneration scheme in the area. Today, the former Butlin's resort resembles any typical residential neighbourhood, complete with modern homes and green spaces. While visitors flocking to Barry Island for a sunny weekend getaway won't be able to enjoy an iconic Red Coat performance or lounge by the pool, they can still experience a touch of nostalgia. This is thanks to a blue plaque installed at the seafront garden in 2014 to honour the legacy of the holiday entrepreneur. Ex-Red Coat Tony Collier spoke to the BBC, saying: "We couldn't want for a better position in this lovely garden for the plaque. Hundreds of thousands of holidaymakers and staff came from all over the country each summer and Christmas, to enjoy the facilities offered on site, and the beautiful Welsh countryside on its doorstep."
Daily Mirror
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
UK seaside town abandoned by Butlins where rows of houses and fields now sit
An iconic UK seaside town propelled to fame thanks to a popular TV show also used to be home to a huge Billy Butlin's resort - which was flattened after just 30 years An iconic seaside town previously home to a huge Billy Butlin's resort now looks completely different - but there's still a small reminder of what once was. While many Brits think the hit TV series Gavin & Stacey cast south Wales' Barry Island into the tourist limelight, the town was already luring in swathes of holidaymakers back in its hey-day. Situated in the Vale of Glamorgan in South Wales, Barry and its eponymously named island boasts a sweeping stretch of golden sand beach, cobalt waters and a recently refurbished seafront complete with restaurants, cafes, and colourful beach huts. But back in 1966, the town also featured a Butlin's resort that had the capacity to accommodate 7,000 overnight visitors every single week. According to reports, Sir Billy Butlin is rumoured to have been inspired to create his holiday camp business after his family was accidentally locked out of a B&B in Barry Island by the landlady. The all-inclusive complex - which consisted of 800 'no-frills' chalets - featured heated swimming pools, a cable-car ride, a miniature railway, bars, restaurants, and even a Fish & Chip shop - and of course, the iconic Red Coat staff. But, similarly to the Butlin's resort in Filey, business started dwindling when package holidays to destinations like Spain started becoming more affordable. Hindered by the 'Benidorm boom', Barry Island's Butlin's, located on Nell's Point, ran for just 20 years. It was then taken over by Majestic Holidays - and renamed The Barry Island Resort - but only managed to last a further 10 years. In its last decade of welcoming tourists, the Red Coat staff were forced to wear blue uniforms following threats of legal action. But in 1996, following a storm that worsened growing maintenance issues, the entire site closed. Rows of once fun-filled cabins, swimming pools, and restaurants were left to rot for almost an entire year, when Vale Council bought the site for £2.25 million. It was later sold to Bovis Homes and bulldozed to make way for a new housing estate as part of a £3 million regeneration project in the area. Now, the Butlin's resort looks like any normal residential area - filled with new-build properties and green space. While Brits heading over to Barry Island for a weekend of sun and ice cream won't be able to watch an iconic Red Coat show - or spend their days by the pool - they'll still be able to find a tiny slice of nostalgia. This is because in 2014, a blue plaque was erected at the seafront garden to commemorate the holiday entrepreneur. Former Red Coat Tony Collier told the BBC: "We couldn't want for a better position in this lovely garden for the plaque. Hundreds of thousands of holidaymakers and staff came from all over the country each summer and Christmas, to enjoy the facilities offered on site, and the beautiful Welsh countryside on its doorstep."
