Latest news with #ChristineBayliss
Daily Mirror
13-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Mirror
Abandoned Pontins camp handed 'top holiday spot' prediction in major update
The abandoned Pontins holiday camp near Camber Sands, just over the Kent border, could be set for a new lease of life as discussions over its future get underway An abandoned holiday camp may soon be transformed into a new holiday destination, as discussions over its future get underway. The disused Pontins holiday camp near Camber Sands, just over the Kent border, has remained empty since its sudden closure by owner Britannia Hotels last November. The shutdown has significantly affected the local community, with residents reporting declines in employment, business activity, and visitor numbers. Once priding itself on nearly 30 locations across the UK, Pontins has now dwindled down to just two surviving resorts: Suffolk's Pakefield Holiday Village and Sand Bay Holiday Village in Weston-super-Mare. However, at a meeting in December, representatives from Rother District Council and Hastings and Rye MP Helena Dollimore met with Britannia Hotels to discuss redevelopment plans. Councillor Christine Bayliss, deputy leader and cabinet member for economic development and regeneration, said she felt encouraged by the meeting. "The closure of the holiday park last year was a shock to everyone, including the council, which owns the site's freehold," she said. "We've been actively seeking clarity about its future." According to Bayliss, Britannia Hotels confirmed its intention to redevelop the site into a holiday destination and expressed willingness to collaborate with local stakeholders, including the district council. 'Pontins has been a key destination for Camber, and we recognise its vital role in the local economy,' she added. 'We're optimistic about working together to restore Camber Sands as one of the region's top holiday spots.' Currently, the site is fenced off, with only security lights illuminating the empty premises. Once capable of hosting up to 3,000 guests, the holiday park also featured a Nisa Local shop, which closed in September. The Camber Sands closure coincided with the shutdown of another Pontins site in Prestatyn, Wales. However, Britannia Hotels recently confirmed that redevelopment is already underway at the Welsh location, with plans to reopen it in the near future. Pontins Holidays confirmed the closure of the locations in November 2023. Sharing a statement on social media, they said: "Important announcement. We regret to inform you that our parks in Prestatyn and Camber Sands will be closing with immediate effect. Customers whose bookings will be affected by these closures will be contacted by our team and refunded. We apologise for any inconvenience caused." Pontins holiday camps were initially the brainchild of Fred Pontin, who opened his first Pontins in a former US army base in Weston-super-Mare in Somerset in 1946. Over the years, the holiday camp magnate bought more camps, expanding his empire to 30 sites at its peak. Smaller and less expensive than Butlin's holiday camps, Pontins had Bluecoats to entertain guests as opposed to the Redcoats of its major rival. TV stars who learned their comedy trade as former Bluecoats include Bradley Walsh, Shane Richie, Bobby Davro and Lee Mack.
Yahoo
27-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Plans to transform town centre shop into community hub gather pace
Plans to transform a town centre shop into a community hub are gathering pace. Rother District Council purchased the former Edinburgh Woollen Mill in Devonshire Road, Bexhill, in 2024 using money awarded by the then Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities. The council is now working with Rother Voluntary Action (RVA) to turn the idea into a reality, through this Levelling Up grant, to renovate the building for the benefit of voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations. Councillor Christine Bayliss, Rother District Council's portfolio holder for regeneration and economic development, who has driven the project, said: "I am so excited to see the plans for the Bexhill community hub moving forward. "This is a real win-win for the town, helping our residents to access key services in a central place and contributing to the regeneration of Devonshire Road." Read more: The new hub will make essential services and support much more accessible for all the residents of Bexhill and wider Rother area. It will also be used as a co-working space with the voluntary and community partners such as Citizens Advice 1066. Kim Richards, RVA chief executive, said: "We are thrilled to receive this funding to help support the groups we work with. "We are really looking forward to working with the hub partners to develop a valuable and useful new resource for the Rother voluntary sector. "This is great news for everyone in Rother and the wider community." Residents and community groups will have opportunities to engage with RVA to help shape what they want to see in the hub through workshops and events to be held later this year. Details for these will be shared on RVA's social media and The creation of the hub has been a partnership between RDC and RVA with other partners and came out of the Anti-Poverty Strategy. There is a lot of work still to do, but over the next year, residents and visitors to the town will be able to see its progress.
