Latest news with #TheFunFactory
ITV News
30-07-2025
- ITV News
Pontins owner denies corporate manslaughter after ceiling collapse at Somerset holiday park
The owner of Pontins holiday parks has pleaded not guilty to corporate manslaughter after an air conditioning duct fell on guests at a resort in Somerset. Wendy Jones, 68, died in August 2019 after spending six months in hospital following the incident at the Brean Sands resort. She was among 18 people injured when approximately 40 metres of structural ducting and ceiling collapsed into the bar area inside the entertainment centre, called The Fun Factory, in February 2019. Britannia Jinky Jersey Ltd, the parent company of Pontins, appeared before Bristol Crown Court on Wednesday for a plea and trial preparation hearing. Judge Julian Lambert confirmed that the company had pleaded not guilty to the two charges it faces, corporate manslaughter and failing to discharge a duty under the Health and Safety at Work etc Act. It is alleged that, between 1 January 2015 and 5 August 2019, Britannia Jinky Jersey Ltd 'managed and organised its activities in such a way as to cause the death of Wendy Jones'. The company is said to have 'exposed Wendy Jones to the risk of death from the collapse of ventilation ducting, which was positioned at height in the Fun Factory at Pontins Brean Sands, in gross breach of its duty to take reasonable care for the safety of Wendy Jones'. The second charge alleges that, between 1 January 2015 and 21 February 2019, it failed to ensure that members of the public were not exposed to risks to their health and safety. It names the risk posed as 'the installation of soundproofing materials in the Fun Factory at Pontins Brean Sands'. Judge Lambert said a trial, expected to last up to six weeks, would take place at Bristol Crown Court on 12 October next year. He added that a pre-trial hearing would take place on a date to be fixed.
BBC News
15-04-2025
- BBC News
Pontins owner charged with corporate manslaughter after grandmother death
The owner of Pontins holiday parks has been charged with corporate manslaughter after an air conditioning duct fell on guests at a people were injured at Pontins Brean Sands, Somerset. when a section of the ceiling and ducting inside its entertainment centre, called The Fun Factory, collapsed in February them was grandmother Wendy Jones, 68. She spent the final six months of her life in hospital before she died on 4 August parent company, Britannia Jinky Jersey, will appear in court next is part of the Britannia Hotels group. The BBC has contacted Britannia for comment. In addition, contractor Stephen Bennison, 58, from Faringdon in Lancashire, has been charged with an offence under Section 3 of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.A BBC News special report into the incident last year highlighted the concerns from a former employee about the installation of insulation on top of the ceiling and ducting in 2015. Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue said in 2019 that the incident involved the collapse of approximately 40m (131ft) of structural ducting and ceiling sections, exposing live damaged 100 people were in the entertainment hall about to play bingo when the collapse charges follow a joint investigation by Avon and Somerset Police and Somerset Supt Roger Doxsey, senior investigating officer, said: "First and foremost our thoughts are with the family of Wendy Jones."This has been a complex investigation and we're grateful for the support of Somerset Council and other partners to reach this stage."The defendants are due to appear at Bristol Magistrates' Court on 6 May.
