A year on from the sudden closure of the Pontins camp at Camber, owner Britannia Hotels has confirmed the site is to be redeveloped as a holiday destination.
As we reported last week, a meeting took place on Tuesday, December 17 between Britannia and representatives from Rother District Council who own the freehold to the land at Camber. The meeting was organised by Hastings and Rye MP Helena Dollimore.
A joint statement was released after the meeting. “Britannia Hotels, the owners of Pontins, confirmed it is their intention to redevelop the site as a holiday destination. They intend to work closely with the local community in Camber as part of this, including with Camber Parish Council, Rye Chamber of Commerce, and Rother District Council who own the freehold of the site.”
Speaking after the meeting Helena Dollimore said it was welcome news. “For too long there’s been a vacuum of information, with the site in disrepair and people in Camber left in limbo.”
She was unable to confirm when work would begin. “It’s a positive step forward but I can’t speak for Britannia on timescales. For now I just welcome the clarity that they are clear about their intention to develop it as a tourist destination. There have been so many rumours about what the site may or may not be used for. It’s so important we get the right people together to move the site forward.”
There’s now an urgent need for more detail according to Sarah Broadbent, the vice-chair of Rye & District Chamber of Commerce. “Of course we welcome the news that something will be done, but the devil will be in the detail. We can’t just have a vague pledge. The time line will be absolutely critical.”
Cllr Christine Bayliss, Deputy leader and cabinet member for economic development and regeneration at Rother District Council, was at the meeting. “During discussions, Britannia Hotels confirmed its intention to redevelop the site as a holiday destination and I was heartened by its promise to work with local partners, including the district council.”
Pontins used to attract eighty thousand visitors at the 32-acre site at Camber. The closure has had a devastating effect on local shops and businesses. Work begins in the new year on the £2.5million Camber welcome centre.
Image Credits: Nick Forman .
They owe me a holiday they refused to refund because of the appalling conditions…
Hi that’s great news will it be called pontins or something else? My kids and grandkids love going to pontins for a family holiday, it’s located by a nice beach and easy to get to. You should keep the name, glad they’re doing it back up
I worked there many years ago keeping an eye on the kids in the boating lake, had to pull a 3 year old out who had fallen out of his boat,just noticed him out of the corner of my eye!! Very lucky.
They need to sort the roads out at the same time otherwise everyone’s back to 2 hours queues just to get into camber
Cleanliness seemed to be a continual issue by all accounts in it’s former life, which also looked like it had been stuck in the 60’s. Would the possibility of putting in a Centre Parcs bring it up a level and encourage greater spend in Camber and surrounding area?
Don’t hold your breath folks. We’re talking Britannia Hotels, check out the reviews of their ‘functioning’ hotels. On one well known and recognised review site they get 7% for 5 * and 84% for 1*. Nuff said.