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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Entertainment
Daisy Jackson

When will caravan and holiday parks reopen? Pontins and Butlins outline their plans

Holiday park giants Pontins and Butlins have both outlined their latest plans to reopen as the UK's lockdown measures begin to relax.

Both companies have said they expect to be open in July, though activities and entertainment will be strictly limited.

Pontins has six holiday parks across the UK, including the adults-only Sand Bay and Pakefield, and north west sites at Southport and Prestatyn.

All have been closed since March, and under the current government guidance will not be permitted to reopen until early July.

The latest update from the company says that all sites are scheduled to welcome guests again from July 6 - though it won't be business as usual.

Pontins in Southport (Andrew Teebay/Liverpool Echo)

Pontins will only be offering self-catered breaks, with no entertainment provided at any of its parks.

Activities at the destinations will also be limited due to social distancing restrictions.

The statement says: "Pontins Holidays takes the health & safety of all its guests and staff very seriously and as such please be advised we will review and update this information as it is released by the government.

"All our parks and holiday villages are situated a stone's throw from the beach; the weather is set to be fantastic; we look forward to welcoming you back."

Meanwhile Butlins, which has three locations in popular seaside destinations, has said it will remain closed until July 16.

Butlins in Skegness (Handout)

Butlins' parks at Bognor Regis, Skegness and Minehead were originally pencilled to reopen on July 2, but this date has been pushed back this morning.

The company has said it is 'hopeful that we can open again in the not too distant future'.

Butlins now has a free Coronavirus 'book with confidence' guarantee, which will allow guests to transfer their bookings to a future date.

This applies for holidays affected by government guidance, sickness, and even for people who feel unsafe to go on their booked holidays.

Parkdean Resorts (handout)

Elsewhere, Hoseasons is taking bookings for arrivals from July 4, and Parkdean Resorts has said its locations will remain closed 'up to and including 5th July'.

The current government guidelines forbid people from staying away from their own homes overnight, though restrictions have been relaxed enough this week to allow groups of up to six people to meet in parks and private gardens.

People in England are allowed to drive elsewhere for visits, but must return to their primary residence.

This has meant that hotels, Airbnbs, campsites and holiday parks have been closed, and will remain so until at least the beginning of July.

Non-essential retail stores will be allowed to reopen from June 15, with pubs, restaurants, hotels, cinemas and places of worship remaining closed until at least July 4.

 

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