STAFF at Pontins’ holiday park in Prestatyn were informed that the site has shut due to a decline in business, it is claimed.
Prestatyn Sands Holiday Park, which opened in 1971, closed effective immediately on Thursday, November 30.
No public explanation has yet been given by either Pontins or Britannia Hotels (which owns the park) for the closure.
But the Leader's sister title, the Rhyl Journal has learnt that employees were e-mailed at about 10pm on November 30 – several hours after an initial statement was posted online - detailing the reasoning behind the decision.
The park was projected to make a financial loss in 2024, staff were told.
Extracts from e-mails addressed to employees and shown to the Journal read: “Due to business levels, Pontins Prestatyn Sands will be closing with immediate effect.
“The company have been reviewing the business levels of the park throughout the 2023 season, and have concluded that continuing trading at this park in to 2024 is no longer a viable business decision.
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“Therefore, it is for that reason that the company have made the difficult decision to implement proposed redundancies at Prestatyn Sands.”
Some members of staff had their employment terminated with immediate effect, while others were instructed to continue working at the park until further notice.
There are now vacancies at Prestatyn Sands for security staff only, with employees also invited to consider jobs at Pontins’ other holiday parks.
An e-mail to employees added: “The hospitality industry all suffered a dramatic downturn during COVID.
“The company continues to review the business levels for the park, and since COVID, this park has not been able to return to reasonable business levels.
“Current projections are that the park will make a financial loss in the 2024 season and beyond.
“The company are looking to close the holiday park to the public for the foreseeable future.”
Pontins and Britannia Hotels were approached for comment.
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