PONTIN’S ANNOUNCES £50 MILLION DEVELOPMENT PLAN FOR ITS HOLIDAY CENTRES THAT WILL CREATE 2000 NEW JOBS

OCEAN Parcs, owner of Pontin’s Ltd. on Tuesday, 3 February 2009, announced plans to invest £50 million in developing and refurbishing its holiday centres.

• Initially the existing substantial entertainment, catering and bar facilities will be refurbished

• Holiday Centres at Brean Sands and Prestatyn Sands will be completely refurbished with the next generation of guest accommodation

• Holiday Centres at Camber Sands and Southport will be completely re-designed and re-built.

• The Pakefield Holiday Centre near Lowestoft will double the size and capacity of the centre

• Over 2000 new jobs will be created

• 2009 key Half Term, Easter and Summer Bookings significantly up

Ian Smith, Chief Executive of Ocean Parcs and Pontins commented:- “We are tremendously excited about the investment planned for the development of our Pontin’s Holiday Centres and the employment and tourism revenue that will be generated by this substantial investment. It is particularly rewarding to be able to announce these plans which will not only generate increased tourism but create over 2000 new jobs whilst the country is in a recession. Our total development costs will exceed £50 million.”

Initially all the entertainment, catering and bar facilities will be refurbished and redesigned. This will co incide with the launch of a re-styled entertainment programme coupled with a substantially enhanced food and beverage offer aimed at satisfying all tastes and budgets.

The holiday Centres at Brean Sands and Prestatyn Sands will, subject to planning approvals, see a complete renewal of the accommodation facilities and re-furbishment of the retail, entertainment, restaurant and bar facilities.

Following the initial programme of works the Holiday Centres at Camber Sands and Southport (Ainsdale-on-sea) will, subject to planning approval, be re-developed with our vision for the future of integrated Holiday Centres. Ian Smith said that:- “As I was born and raised in Southport the Ainsdale-on-Sea development is particularly exciting to me. The potential is enormous. However; we have much work to do, as the holiday centre borders an SSSI (Site of special spcientific interest). Although the existing site is just 30 acres of tarmac and concrete the surrounding area is home to important fiora and fauna which we will ensure is not adversely affected in any way by our future development plans.”

Clarke Osborne, Property Director commented:- “We have been working on our next generation of Holiday Centres for over 9 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. We 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."

"It 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.  I have no doubt this is due to the outstanding value for money offer enhanced in all areas this year including nationally and internationally renowned entertainment acts.” Ian Smith added.

ANSWER TO SOCIAL WORKER CRISIS IN TORY HANDS