It has been one year since the Pontins shut down, marking a significant change for both holidaymakers and the village that had played host to the park for over five decades.
A recent visit to Ainsdale Village uncovered the local sentiment and business impact following the unexpected closure by Britannia Hotels. Lorraine Griffin, who has lived in the village for over three decades and works at The Chocolate Box newsagent, shared her perspective: “I work and live in the village and have done for more than 30 years.”
She remarked on the absence of the holiday park, noting: “It’s a shame really because it did bring people into the town and into the village. It helped the shop too because we sell buckets and spades, sweets for the kids, so it did bring people into the shop, but having said that the shop is doing well without it.”
Despite this, Lorraine pointed out that the village, nestled between Birkdale and Formby, is actually enjoying a resurgence. With redevelopment efforts visible and a growing appeal, Station Road in Ainsdale pulses with life, featuring bars and restaurants among its shops.
Just a brief stroll from the hub of the village reveals the now desolate Pontins site, known locally as the gateway to the beach. The former holiday hot spot lays abandoned near Toad Hall, covered with murals, and across from the derelict The Sands pub, reports the ECHO.
Life in Ainsdale is being injected with a fresh vibrancy thanks to new establishments such as The Beach House, a recently introduced pop-up food and drink stall. Meanwhile, the boarded-up Sands, closed since 2017, is currently under offer by an unidentified bidder, sparking hopes of a beachfront revival.
Ainsdale Village has become a microcosm for the everchanging hospitality industry in recent years – the Golden Monkey being a prime example. Another recent addition is The Mallard, a more traditional pub serving a range of drinks and food. And in an age of sampling beers from around the world, the just last month In Den Engel opened its doors on Liverpool Road, where it offers customers more than 130 beers.
Lorraine Cross spoke about the future of Pontins and the thriving village one year on from the closure of the holiday park
Lorraine Cross, bar manager at the Golden Monkey, told how people no longer leave the village for a day out, preferring to stay local and support businesses. She said: “I’ve only worked here for a year but I don’t think we’ve lost out since it’s [Pontins] shut. It’s just been normal.
“Even though we’re quite close to Pontins, being next to the train station, we’ve not lost out at all. We have a strong customer base here with people who live in the village.
“Once upon a time it used to be Formby and Birkdale that were the places to be but the number of people that now rave about Ainsdale village, I think it’s great. It’s good to have all these thriving businesses in the area.”
Pontins in Ainsdale
Originally from Chester, Lorraine has lived in Ainsdale on-and-off for more than 20 years with her husband. Having spent much of her adult life with a corporate career she left the rat race to work in a local, independent business close to home and hasn’t looked back. She explained how she loves the ease of having the beach and pinewoods on her doorstep like most living in the village south of Southport town centre.
But despite all the positive signs from Ainsdale, the question still remains – what will happen to Pontins? In September last year, it was revealed Britannia Hotels has a 150 year lease agreement with Sefton Council which owns the land the holiday park sits on.
Britannia Hotels is a budget hotel group with 64 hotels across the United Kingdom – including the Metropole in Blackpool – and it has owned the holiday park in Sefton since 2011. Some people in Ainsdale told the ECHO how it should be “knocked down” if not immediately repurposed. Recently, LancsLive reported on one persistent rumour claiming the park would be turned into a golf course, but this was quickly squashed.
Alistair Urry, of Shore Road in Ainsdale
Alistair Urry, who lives a stone’s throw from the Shore Road site, has lived in Ainsdale on-and-off for the last 30 years and claims the village hasn’t missed the visitors the park would usually attract. He said: “People are coming into the village from around the town, it’s good to see businesses busy and making money.”
Speaking to the ECHO, local MP Bill Esterson said: “We now have an eyesore in Ainsdale and people are fed up with the situation. I ran a consultation and it was the biggest response I have ever had. There is a real desire for investment in what is known as the beach gateway. People want it to be an attraction for people locally and those coming from out of the area.”
He also revealed how he will be meeting with senior councillors and officers from Sefton Council to discuss further steps and whether there is anything he can do to help the situation. He said: “My understanding is the council is trying to have a conversation with them.”
Mr Esterson also added he plans to speak with other members of parliament about the situation with Britannia Hotels, with the company also shutting the doors at its Prestatyn and Camber Sands camps in 2022.
Britannia Hotels was approached for comment about the Ainsdale site.
Subscribe to our daily newsletter LANCS LIVE NEWS and get all the biggest stories from across Lancashire direct to your inbox