Update one year after Pontins closure as rumours quashed

Pontins in Southport closed in January 2024 and has remained derelict ever since

13:13, 05 Jan 2025Updated 13:13, 05 Jan 2025

A general view of Pontins Southport(Image: Liverpool Echo)

It is exactly one year since Pontins in Southport was permanently closed after being deemed economically ‘unviable’ by the park’s owners, Britannia Hotels (BH). Over the last 12 months, there have been many rumours about who will take over the site and speculation continues to mount about it’s future use.

In September last year, it was revealed that Britannia Hotels (BH) have a 150 year lease agreement with Sefton Council who own the land encompassing the holiday outlet. Britannia is a budget hotel group with 64 hotels across the United Kingdom – including the Adelphi in Liverpool city centre – and are 20 years into their Southport Pontins lease.

The Southport Pontins site was originally built in 1970, when the British seaside resort was in its prime. However, in recent years the holiday park became a shadow of its former glories with numerous reports documented by disappointed former guests.

The final blow came in January 2024 when BH confirmed their decision close Pontins’ doors for the last time and said their assessment of its “future viability” meant the park could no longer continue. The news came soon after the park was shut down following major flooding during Storm Henk and BH’s closure of two other resorts – Camber Sands and Prestatyn which both shut in 2022.

The Pontins in Ainsdale has been left vacant for one year since its permanent closure last January, but remains under the control of parent company, Britannia Hotels who acquired the popular holiday chain in 2011. As a result of the lease agreement, it’s possible the Southport Pontins could be left empty for another 130 years and means Sefton Council have no recourse to challenge the current status quo – any decision on the future use of the land is solely in the hands of Britannia Hotels.

A general view of Pontins Southport(Image: Liverpool Echo)

The ECHO understands there have been a number of rumours about what will happens at Southport Pontins in the next 12 months, but that all these rumours are unverified and unfounded. One proposal which gained some traction on social media is the Pontins site being turned into a golf course – the ECHO can confirm this is not true.

The local authority confirmed BH would only have to notify the council if there were any intended changes to the site or if there was termination of the contract. Addressing the current impasse, a spokesperson for Sefton Council said: “While Sefton Council are the land owner the long term lease for that land remains active and is currently held by Britannia.

“As such the leaseholder is responsible for issuing any site updates, until any such point that the council as landlord are informed of any intended changes or termination.

“Sefton Council aren’t aware of [any rumoured plans] taking place.”

Britannia Hotels was approached for comment on future plans for the site.

Image Credits and Reference: https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/update-one-year-after-pontins-30700903