Britain’s favourite holiday camp Butlin’s has reopened for the first time in four months - and Diversity star Ashley Banjo stunned early arrivals with a VIP welcome.
The dance guru, who will be performing with the group at the Bognor Regis Resort, West Sussex, was rehearsing on a new outdoor stage, specially built as part of the new normal, when Peter Nicholas and his daughter Lucy were the first to come through the gates.
And in a sure sign that the great British staycation is underway, the pair were also greeted - at a distance - by Butlin’s mascot Billy Bear and the iconic Redcoats.
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As the resort - that has been dormant since lockdown began - slowly starts to come back to life, the 2,500 guests booked into the centre’s three hotels can expect a different style Butlin’s experience.
For the normal capacity of 6,500 has been slashed by a third and all activities including 90 minute slots in the swanky £44 million pool and entertainment to food and drink must be booked online.
Social distancing means the Pool’s popular wave machine will be switched off, one flume will be closed and the pool will be closed for 30 minutes after every 90 minute session for cleaning in the changing rooms, lockers and public access areas.
Swimmers will be asked to shower back in their rooms afterwards, although the pool’s public showers remain open.
But the biggest difference at all three Butlin’s resorts is a new, purpose built festival style outdoor stage with seating area for 500.
Each set of wooden tables with benches that can seat a family up to eight has to be pre-booked via the Butlin’s app.
Every table is on a ring of artificial green turf to give the arena a socially distanced garden party feel and each one has a number so food and drink ordered on the app can be delivered to the table.
Looking around the impressive amphitheatre where the stage is flanked by two large screens, Ashley, 31 said: “It is so exciting to be able to rehearse again and start doing live shows.
"We have been trying out new routines on TikTok but to be able to perform in front of a family audience is going to be very special.”
Ashley and 11 other members of Diversity have created their own family bubble and been self isolating on one floor of the Shoreline hotel at Bognor for the past week.
They will stay together for the next two months travelling by minibus to the two other resorts at Minehead, Somerset and Skegness, Lincs over the summer with no home visits in between - even though Ashley became a dad for the second time just four months ago.
He said: “We’ve all been Covid-19 tested and while waiting for the results was incredible nerve wracking, everyone was negative.
“But we have pared the group down by half and everyone is doing an extra job as we normally have a crew for on the road. We’re all doing our own washing and my mum has given us all washing kits so it’s a bit like when we first started.”
The TV star and choreographer is no stranger to the Bognor resort as he not only holidayed there as a young teenager with his family 15 years ago but also taught Redcoats street dance before Diversity hit the big time after winning Britain’s Got Talent 11 years ago.
And as he went through his dance steps yesterday, thrilled father and daughter Peter and Lucy from Essex got an exclusive preview as the early birds were so excited to finally get their longed for break, they arrived two hours before the resort officially opened.
Pest control worker Peter, 51, of Grays, Essex rebooked three times after the cornonavirus pandemic saw his holiday cancelled at Easter and then again during May half term.
He said: “We are both really excited to be able to spend some quality time together. It’s important to be able to getaway but there’s no need to go abroad when and everything we want to do is here.”
The pair - who are Butlin’s regulars - have already booked their swimming and entertainment for their week long stay with seats for Diversity top of the list.
Lucy, 13, said: “I think I’m more excited than dad but can’t believe I have met Ashley as I really wanted to see Diversity.”
As more families started to arrive in the afternoon, they found social distancing markers on the ground, hand sanitiser stations scattered around the resort, a new outdoor entertainment venue, a big top for the first time - and more space than usual.
Mum Colette Christopher has been visiting for the last two years with daughter Lily aged nine-years-old and son Freddie aged seven.
Freddie said: “I’m so excited to be here - I love everything about Butlin’s.”
His excitement was matched by the Redcoats who were equally thrilled to be back and team leader Rowena Kelly said: “It felt incredible to put my red jacket on this morning for the first time in months.
“I can’t wait to welcome the guests and see the happy smiles on the children’s faces.”
Butlin’s managing director Jon Hendry-Pickup added: “It’s great to be back.
Everyone needs a holiday - the last few months have been fraught whether you’ve been working or furloughed.
“While the numbers we are welcoming back are smaller than usual we hope families will feel safe and the experience is as good as ever.”
So far 650 staff out of 1,300 are back at the resort including 26 out of 28 Redcoats with the remaining two in the vulnerable category so they are still self isolating.
Bosses are hoping to bring the furloughed staff back as restrictions ease and more people are allowed to book and they want to add a Christmas panto to the entertainment schedule.
Mr Hendry-Pickup revealed the resorts’ indoor Centre Stage venues are a guinea pig for how theatres might operate when they get the green light.
He said: “We are providing the Government with a pilot scheme to see how an indoor entertainment area can work before theatres get the go-ahead to reopen.”
