Butlin's water park closure upsets families

A mother has cancelled her Christmas holiday to the resort because of the pool closure

A major attraction at Butlins in Lincolnshire has been forced to temporarily close with affected holidaymakers saying compensation offered by the firm is "an insult".

The Skegness site's Splash Waterworld, which features rides, rafts and flumes, has been shut due to a burst pipe.

One mother said she was "completely disgusted" by the offer of £25 in compensation she received for the loss of swimming on her £1,829 holiday.

A spokesperson for the firm said it was planning to reopen the attraction "within the next two weeks".

Stacie Pollard said she didn't want to break a promise to her children that they could swim on Christmas Day

Stacie Pollard, from Kettering in Northamptonshire, was due to arrive in Skegness resort in the next few weeks with her partner, sister and four children.

She said she was "completely disgusted" by the compensation she was offered for her booking.

"That's not going to get you very far to do the extra activities which range from around £7 each to around £15 each so £25 per booking is an insult," said Ms Pollard.

She said she had cancelled the holiday and swapped to the company's resort in Bognor Regis on the south coast despite the extra cost and travelling time.

Ms Pollard said she made the move because of fears the pool may still be closed for her Christmas trip.

"The pool is so important for people, especially during the winter months when you can't spend hours on the fairground because it's too cold," she added.

'Left in limbo'

Michael Davies said he had not been contacted by Butlin's about his family's holiday

Michael Davies, from Oldham near Manchester, was due to go to the resort with his partner and two children alongside his sister-in-law's family.

He said he had been left "in limbo" as to whether the pool will be open for his holiday from 23 December.

He said he had not been contacted by the firm, and had not been offered compensation.

"We've heard multiple stories of what's happening. We've been told it wasn't going to be available until February next year," he said.

"It's been horrendous."

A Butlin's spokesperson said: "We unfortunately encountered a burst pipe which has caused the temporary closure of Splash Waterworld in our Skegness resort.

"We are planning to reopen the pool within the next two weeks and we have contacted any impacted guests on breaks up to this point with some further information."