Pontins guest slams company for 'astronomical' electricity cost during stay

Holidaymakers at Pontins couldn't believe how expensive electricity was when they stayed at one of the chalets.

Guests took to the Pontins Facebook group to share their shock and concern at how much the bill was after staying at the Southport resort, reports the Liverpool Echo.

With the rise in energy bills coming in this April, the cost of living will increase for millions of households, but this will also impact businesses, especially in the leisure and hospitality industries.

One user wrote: "Little advice when booking, only book the club, the standard has these new electric things in and the cost is absolutely astronomical!

One guest said the rise in costs was 'astronomical' (Andrew Teebay/Liverpool Echo)

"We have been here less than 24 hours and it has already cost us £30!

"As soon as you switch anything on you can watch the meter literally count down.

"I did complain and had the maintenance round [to the chalet], who said themselves that it is ridiculous and that we should speak to the manager, which we did."

The user continued: "He [the manager] told me himself that head office has raised the electric price 10-fold and they will again in March.

A guest said they'd only been at the holiday park 24 hours and their energy bill was already £30 (URL:)

"Having a standard apartment with pay-as-you-go electric will end up costing you more than going club in the first place."

Staying 'club' at Pontins gives the guests extra perks that would normally not be included with a 'standard' stay, perks such as free electricity and free linen for your beds.

Another user on the Facebook group told the ECHO: "Luckily I had booked through a third-party and the electric was included in the price, but the meter showed us what it would have been.

Both households and certain businesses will face a rise in costs come April (Liverpool echo)

"We arrived at 9pm on the Friday, and left at 7pm Sunday, we were out all day Saturday and Sunday, during this time we cooked twice and had the hot water on for an hour each morning to take a shower.

"The charge would have been just over £52."

The same customer posted in the Facebook group explaining that in less than 24 hours the price on the meter was just under £25.

They told the ECHO: "We go back because it used to be cheap before they started charging [huge] costs for the electric.

"I hope they do something, we are supposed to be going back and I refuse to pay those charges as we have booked direct, it is almost like they are trying to drive visitors away."

The Mirror has contacted Pontins for comment.