Latest news with #Butlins
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.
The Sun
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
We're launching a search for Britain's best dad – find out how to enter and win £7k of prizes
DO you know someone who should be crowned Britain's best dad? To celebrate Father's Day on June 15, we are launching a search for the bravest, kindest or most devoted dad out there. Perhaps you know a real-life superhero who is always helping others, or maybe a superstar who has raised a fortune for charity. The one lucky winner will be showered with nearly £7,000 worth of fantastic prizes, including four tickets worth £1,000 in total to the star-studded Butlin's Big Weekender music festival this summer, where the headline acts include Chesney Hawkes, Blue and Billy Ocean. Safari tent On top of that, Britain's top pop will be spoiled rotten with a £500 relaxing trip to Celtic Manor hotel in Newport — with dinner, bed and breakfast for two and a round of golf all thrown in for good measure. We are also giving away a £700 stay in a luxury safari Tent at Lovat Parks in Cornwall or the New Forest. Also up for grabs are four tickets to the spooktacular Shocktober Fest, Europe's largest Scream Park held in Sussex this Halloween — worth £150 each. And there is a family set of four Micro Scooters to be won, worth £1,000, along with a £1,200 home technology upgrade from Netgear, £400 of fabulous Rock Face men's grooming products, a £149.99 top-of-the-range Instant Pot Grind and Brew coffee machine, family-sized multi-cooker worth £250, a brand new Char-Broil gas barbecue worth £665 and the Vax SpotWash Home pet and car cleaning kit, worth £220. To win the lot, tell us why your dad, or someone you love just like a father, deserves all these prizes! How to enter Email s undayfeatures@ with 'Dad Idol' in the subject line telling us why you believe he is a super dad. Include your name, address and contact number together with a photo. Or fill in the form at The nominated dad must be based in the UK or Ireland. Competition closes at 6pm on Friday June 6. T&Cs apply.
Scotsman
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
BGT rich list 2025: who are the richest judges and stars?
Britain's Got Talent has been on the air for almost two decades now - how time flies. It has helped to turn plenty of talented contestants into household names. Over the years winners have appeared on everything from the Royal Variety Performance to the big screen. Yet more hopefuls are looking to secure a place in the 2025 final. But which judges and contestants have made the most money since BGT started? We decided to take a look - here is the Britain's Got Talent rich list, according to Celebrity Net Worth . Have you got a story you want to share with our readers? You can now send it to us online via YourWorld at . It's free to use and, once checked, your story will appear on our website and, space allowing, in our newspapers. 1 . Diversity The series three winners have had plenty of success since pulling off a major upset and beating out Susan Boyle back in 2009. From stints at Butlins to live tours - and appearances on other shows - choreographer and frontman Ashley Banjo is a judge on Dancing on Ice. According to Celebrity Net Worth he alone is worth $1m. | Stuart C. Wilson/Getty Images Photo: Stuart C. Wilson/Getty Images Photo Sales 2 . Alesha Dixon - £6m Alesha shot to fame as a member of the group Mis-Teeq in the early 2000s and later branched out into solo releases. She won Strictly Come Dancing in 2007 and after a brief spell as a judge, joined the panel of BGT in 2012. According to Celebrity Net Worth she is worth an approximate £6m. | Stuart C. Wilson/Getty Images Photo: Stuart C. Wilson/Getty Images Photo Sales 3 . Bruno Tonioli - £7m A long-time judge on Strictly Come Dancing and Dancing with the Stars in the US, Bruno joined the BGT panel in 2023. He is worth an approximate £7m according to Celebrity Net Worth. |for BAFTA Photo:for BAFTA Photo Sales 4 . Paul Potts - £8m The very first winner of Britain's Got Talent has banked it in since first blowing the socks off the judges. According to Celebrity Net Worth he is worth approximately £8m. |Photo:Photo Sales
Daily Mail
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Butlin's viral Big Weekenders are back - and they're selling fast! Here's how to book for less than £60 in limited time offer
Butlin's Big Weekenders are back, and 2025 is already shaping up to be the biggest yet - and you can save 10 per cent right now. But hurry, the offer ends next week. Think live music, iconic headliners, laugh-out-loud comedy and brand-new daytime activities (yes, afternoon raves included). Butlin's Big Weekenders Butlin's Big Weekenders return in 2025 with bigger line-ups, daytime raves, and iconic themed events, think 90s Reloaded and Ultimate 80s, all from just £59pp. Book by May 20 to save an extra 10 per cent, with deposits as low as £15. From £59pp Shop The British holiday park is a great choice for an adults-only break, whether you're overdue a proper catch-up with mates or just need an escape. Right now, you can save an extra 10 per cent on 2025 Weekenders, with great savings on Butlin's popular weekend packages until May 20. The best bit? You can book from just as little as £59 per person, and it's all covered by Butlin's Lowest Price Guarantee. So if you spot it cheaper before you arrive, they'll match it. Deposits are as low as £15 per person, and booking now means you get first dibs on dates and accommodation. If you've never done a Butlin's Big Weekender, prepare yourself. Picture live performances from top headline acts, massive party vibes from morning till way past midnight, food and drink, and thousands of like-minded party people all letting loose. 90s Reloaded - 3 nights from £59pp Ultimate 80s - 3 nights from £76pp Back To The 2000s - 3 nights from £67pp Replay - 3 nights from £61pp Expect huge names like Fatboy Slim, DJ Spoony, Blue, Peter Andre, Wet Wet Wet and Cascada taking over four main stages, plus themed weekends like 90s Reloaded, Ultimate 80s, Back to the 2000s and Replay that guarantee the bangers never stop. One of the best things about a Big Weekender is that everything, from the activities to the accommodation, is all in one place, making trip planning amongst friends totally stress-free. Plus, there are extras you can add on during your stay, like the brand-new 6pm bottomless brunch session available at all three resorts. Dive into American-style breakfast classics or juicy made-to-order burgers, all while enjoying unlimited prosecco, beer, cider, cocktails, and soft drinks starting from just £37.50.
Telegraph
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Telegraph
Lisa Armstrong: Terrified of wearing red? This is how to pull it off
Red is a colour that many people won't even contemplate wearing, but also one that some folk probably wear too much of. These two facts may well be related. Butlin's, Virgin Atlantic, Father Christmas – all endearing figures in their way. But self-evidently not chic. They were not conjured into existence to compete with Wallis Simpson, nor Nick Cave, but to be jolly and sell a shedload of merch. Consider some of the world's most monetised products: ketchup, Coca-Cola, Kellogg's, KFC… the list is practically endless and, frankly, reciting this edited selection is almost putting me off, so I turn instead to what enticed me to write about red in the first place. Firstly, in all its myriad shades, red offers an uplifting glow-up for all. (If you're still searching for your red lipstick, Code8 will custom-blend one for you.) Second: the recent Toteme show in Paris. Rare is the catwalk that offers a simple, practical takeaway. But here it is: wear red – in small doses. Toteme, the Scandinavian label beloved by stylish women across the globe for its understated aesthetic, drizzled droplets of red across a grand total of two outfits. No need to scare the horses. But it was so unexpected, so stylish, that it made wearing a primary colour when you're a committed disciple of camel, cream and black look like the only sensible move to avoid dying of boredom. A small red clutch bag worn with a slim, oyster-coloured shirt dress and oyster satin boots, a pair of red shoes with black trousers and an oyster-coloured tie-back jumper, and – er, that was it really. Less is always more in some circles. Introducing the barest notion of red to its fans, albeit in micro-specks, was already quite a declaration. I've gone a bit mad in my embrace of red here – at least by Toteme standards. The thing is, the vest was a bit skimpy without the cardi, and before I knew it, I was full-on twin-setting. But note, please, the delicate white trim of the tank beneath, another little vest from Rise & Fall. It's remarkable how a contrast trim nearly always helps pull an outfit together, hence the enduring appeal of a classic Chanel tweed jacket. Flecks and tweeds are much more flattering and versatile than a block red jacket, for which it's almost impossible to find the exact match and hard to find a partnering colour that doesn't look brash. Red dresses are easy – it's all done for you. Case in point this cotton tiered maxi dress from Karen Millen below. No need for gold accessories, or anything much else. Stick with the one-bullet approach. Bull's-eye. Touches of red
