Pontins holiday park owners plan to redevelop - MP

The local MP says Britannia Hotels, which owns Pontins, has committed to redeveloping and reopening the site as a holiday destination

The owners of an East Sussex holiday park intend to redevelop and reopen the site as a holiday destination, according to the local MP.

Pontins, in Camber, attracted 80,000 tourists a year before its sudden closure in December 2023.

It has been empty ever since, leaving local businesses struggling.

Helena Dollimore, the Labour MP for Hastings and Rye, said she welcomed "the clarity for the Camber community that their intention it to redevelop it as a holiday destination".

Ms Dollimore held a meeting with Britannia Hotels, which owns Pontins, and Rother District Council (RDC), which owns the leasehold of the holiday park site, on Tuesday.

She released a statement she says has been signed off by Britannia and RDC which says the company "confirmed it was their intention to redevelop the site as a holiday destination".

It went on: "They intend to work closely with the local community in Camber."

Camber Parish Council, Rye and District Chamber of Commerce (RDCC) and RDC expect to meet with Britannia Hotels in January 2025.

The BBC has approached Britannia Hotels for comment.

MP Helena Dollimore said she cannot speak for Britannia on its timescales but welcomed the clarity

Ms Dollimore welcomed the "clarity" for the community but said it will "take time" and is "not going to happen overnight".

She said: "There has been lots of rumours flying around the community and a vacuum of information, so we have broken that deadlock."

'Action not words needed'

Sarah Broadbent, vice chair of RDCC said the news "appears positive" but warned "we cannot just have a vague pledge for redevelopment of the site".

She said the "devil will be in the detail" and a timeline will be "critical".

"We need action, not just words, so that the business community and the people of Camber have a clear understanding of the road map going forward."

She also urged Britannia Hotels to "be more open in their communications" and said "their policy of silence thus far has led to rumour and gossip which is unhelpful at best and doesn't engender trust".

Councillor Christine Bayliss, deputy leader of RDC and cabinet member for economic development and regeneration said she was "heartened" by Britannia Hotel's promise to work with local partners, including the district council.