Butlins
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Butlins Holiday Camps were founded by (later Sir) Billy Butlin to provide economical holidays in Britain.
The growth of the business was spurred by World War II when a number of camps were requisitioned for use as training camps, generating revenues for a post-war boom. The business was merged into the Rank Organisation, but sold off in the 1990s.
The camps were noted for their famous "Redcoats" who provided entertainment and organisation at every level. There was a UK TV satirical sitcom during the 1980s based on a Butlins-type holiday camp called Hi-De-Hi!.
In 2005, a new £10m hotel was unveiled at the Bognor Regis resort, which moved away from the Hi-De-Hi perception, adding hi-tech equipment and luxurious furniture in each of the 160 rooms. Art deco lines, floor-to-ceiling windows, king-size beds, leather chairs, widescreen TVs, DVD players and en suite facilities are set to become common features of Butlins accommodation.
Contents |
Locations
listed alphabetically
Current Butlins resorts
- Bognor Regis (1960—) - known as Southcoast World (1990–1998)
- Minehead (1962—) - known as Somerwest World (1986–1998)
- Skegness (1936—) - known as Funcoast World (1987–1998)
Defunct Butlins resorts
- Ayr (1947–1998) - known as Wonderwest World (1989–1998); still open, but operating as Haven Park (1999—)
- Barry Island (1967–1986) - operated independently until closure in 1996
- Clacton (1938–1983)
- Filey (1945–1983) - operated independently for six weeks in 1986, but the venture failed and the park closed
- Mosney (1948–1980) - operated independently until closure in 2000
- Pwllheli (1947–1998) - known as Starcoast World (1990–1998); operating as Haven (1999—)
Butlins and Dodgem Cars
Dodgem Cars, a brand of bumper cars, were manufactured in the USA by the Dodgem Cars Ltd. Billy Butlin saw them and obtained the UK franchise. As a result, Butlins Skegness camp saw the first Dodgems cars in the UK in 1923.
Bognor Regis Camp
Most of the chalets are original 1960 ones, but a new hotel called the shoreline has opened on the site. Entertainment is availible at many venues, and redcoats make it fun.
