30 under threat at holiday village
THIRTY jobs could be lost with new that a Brixham holiday village is to close.
The Wall Park Holiday Village will shut permanently in January.
The skeleton crew of maintenance men, gardeners and office staff employed by Crofton Ltd have now entered a 30-day consultancy period with the management.
The sprawling holiday centre in Wall Park Road was bought by Crofton Ltd but was previously owned by holiday giants Pontins.
Poor bookings and the general economic downturn are said to be the reasons for the closure of the park which has been a holiday centre since the 1940s.
A summertime staff member from Brixham who did not want to be named said: "I worked there for three summers, the last one after it was taken over by Crofton Ltd."
She claimed hours were reduced, pay rates went down and the staffing system was 'disorganised'.
She added: "There were always rumours flying about that it was shutting down or that it would be given over to housing.
"We all worked hard this summer and the visitors were happy. We also had a really good crowd of language students from several countries who were fine."
Speaking on behalf of Crofton Ltd, David Rydell of public relations firm Bell Pottinger Group, said: "Crofton has now entered a statutory month's consultancy period with 30 staff .
"I cannot say what was in the notification. The outcome will only be determined after the consultation.
"The business is a single holiday centre owned by the Hemmings family interest. There are no others like it although the group still owns the Centry Touring Caravan Park next door, which is seasonal.
"The site will close during January and there are no plans at the moment for its future use."
The Hemmings group also controls a large chunk of top holiday destination Blackpool including the Blackpool Tower and pleasure beach, a British hotel chain and a string of successful racehorses.
Brixham Chamber of Commerce chairman Joe Cloutman said: "This is very bad news, not just for the existing staff but for seasonal employment in the summer. There will certainly be a knock-on effect in the visitor business next year."
Brixham Council planning chairman Brian Harland said he regretted the closure plan.
7 Comments
by Howard Coakley, Brixham
Tuesday, February 23 2010, 11:22AM
“It's always sad to hear of another Pontin Centre closing. However, it does appear that the fashion for this sort of holiday is diminishing. I run a group for ex-pontin employees and guests. It's called Pontin's History and it's a non-profit organisation which reunites people and shares memories. Please feel free to pop over and join in the discussions there:
www.pontinshistory.co.uk
Thanks, Howard.”
by EX BLUECOAT, YORKSHIRE
Saturday, January 03 2009, 9:35AM
“In my opinion it was the best desicion that has been made in years, the park was shabby, dirty and run down, Pontins wall park has had its day and it was the right time for it to close, people no looonger want damp chalets, they prefer clean modern caravans,
Bring on the bulldozers !!!!!”
by Diane Davies ( affectionatley known as 'mother' to, from Chester
Friday, December 12 2008, 10:15PM
“So sad to hear of the demise of Wall Park my family had many happy years of really good holidays there and made life long friends at the same time. I pray the site does not go the way that Dolphin went ( that was not local hoodlums who did that but an ex disgruntled member of staff)
Wall Park may be in for the chop but at least we have our memories. Farewell Wall Park & Bluecoats Rest in Peace.”
by jackie, oxford
Friday, December 05 2008, 8:06PM
“i feel sad to hear this news we have holidayed there for about 17 years. i feel sorry for all the staff that have worked there for some while now they all have to find new jobs. which i dont think will be easy.”
by ex staff member, Torbay
Friday, December 05 2008, 2:18PM
“I worked there for 3 years,I feel very sorry for all the staff, but all good things have to come to an end eventually.
The site has been run down for many years now, there's only so much the maintenance team can do with the meager budget they get.
I would like to wish everyone all the best in finding future employment especially,Natelie,Sharon,Stuart,Mrs Pete,Sally,Sean,Gordon,Shaunagh,Shirley,Mark H.
Ps.... There IS life after death.”
by Dave, Barwell. Leicestershire
Friday, December 05 2008, 12:22PM
“It's sad to hear about 'Wall Park' and of the job losses as I'm sure it's difficult to get employment locally.
In the late 60s, as a part-time barman at what was then 'Pontins' I met my future wife and we've been married for 35 years, so I have a lot to thank the camp for.
But trends change and the holiday village style is a relic of the past but they were good days.
I suppose the site will now become housing -if anybody can afford to buy in the current economic climate.”
by cynical bunny, Butlins
Friday, December 05 2008, 11:25AM
“Can you say housing estate?
Reckon that's what this will become once the local hoodlums have done what they did to the Dolphin holiday camp!”