Pontins staff told of closure by social media, Senedd told

Pontins says customers affected by the closure will be contacted

The behaviour of a holiday park company which suddenly closed its site in north Wales last week has been criticised in the Welsh Parliament.

Conservative Senedd member Gareth Davies said some staff found out about the immediate closure on social media.

He estimated that up to 200 jobs could been lost as a result of the decision.

Welsh Labour Economy Minister Vaughan Gething said Pontins' conduct was extremely disappointing.

Prestatyn was one of two sites the company shut with immediate effect.

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Mr Davies, Conservative Vale of Clwyd Member of the Senedd, attacked the firm that bought Pontins in 2011, Britannia Hotels.

"Britannia have had a bad reputation for many years across their portfolio, and you only have to look on TripAdvisor and google any of their parks or hotels to see for yourself.

"They're an apology for a holiday company, and have compounded my constituents and tourists to north Wales to perennial misery with the loss of up to 200 jobs."

He accused the company of ignoring Mr Davies and the local MP, James Davies, and said "some staff found out on social media" that they would no longer be employed.

'Extreme disappointment'

Vaughan Gething, Labour's Welsh economy minister, said he shared Mr Davies' "extreme disappointment of the conduct of the company and the way they have made the announcement.

"It is not what should happen."

He said officials were looking to see if there was a recognised trade union on the site.

"We stand ready to support any workers affected by the job losses and we'll work with Denbighshire County Council and other key partners to do just that," he said.

Plaid Cymru North Wales Senedd member Llyr Gruffydd questioned whether Pontins had breached employment law.

He asked Mr Gething if he believed Pontins had breached its "statutory responsibilities with respect to redundancies by announcing the closure of the Prestatyn site without proper notice and prior consultation with the employees".

The economy minister said Britannia Hotels had made £33m in profits last year.

Mr Gething said there are "specific circumstances where there is not a duty to consult".

"The bar is normally quite a significant one to get over that this was a surprise event and could not be anticipated, and obviates the clear legal duty to consult in advance."

Britannia Hotels was asked for comment.

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