THE land on which Pontins’ now-closed holiday park in Prestatyn is based is subject to a lease of nearly 1,000 years, it has been revealed.

Prestatyn Sands, which was run by Pontins’ parent company, Britannia Hotels Ltd, shut effective immediately on November 30, 2023, having been open since 1971.

A Denbighshire County Council spokesperson has confirmed that a 999-year lease was put in place with Pontins for the site on February 8, 2005 (Britannia Hotels then bought Pontins in 2011, months after the company had gone into administration).

This means that, for the next 979-and-a-half years, it is solely at Britannia Hotels’ discretion as to what happens with the land, rather than the council having any say on the matter.

It is also up to Britannia Hotels to notify the council if it wishes to end its lease early.

Britannia Hotels has made no comment on the future of Prestatyn Sands since the park closed 10 months ago.

Prestatyn Sands Holiday Park, August 2024Prestatyn Sands Holiday Park, August 2024 (Image: Submitted) Staff at Prestatyn Sands said that the reason they were given for the park’s closure was that it was due to make a financial loss in 2024, meanwhile.

Butlin’s, another holiday company, has previously expressed an interest in taking on the site.

Pontins has also closed two of its other parks, in Southport and Camber Sands, since last November.

Becky Gittins, who was elected MP for Clwyd East (Prestatyn’s constituency) in July, has also written to Britannia Hotels in her efforts to see the site re-open.

The Home Office said on March 13 in respect of Prestatyn Sands: “The Home Office confirms that this particular site is no longer being considered to house asylum seekers.”

Butlin’s has been approached for further comment.