RESIDENTS, local businessowners, councillors and more attended an open evening to learn more about the upgrades made to Pontins Brean Sands Holiday Park yesterday evening (Tuesday, June 20).
Hinkley Point C is in the process of investing £2 million into the holiday park, where hundreds of workers will be living over the next three years.
In total, it is expected that 900 workers will be housed there, some of them with young families.
The move follows discussions with the local community, councillors and business groups which began in autumn 2022.
Andrew Cockcroft, a spokesperson for Hinkley Point C, attended the meeting last night, which also included a tour of one of the newly refurbished chalets.
Andrew told the Burnham and Highbridge News that Pontins was in dire need of major investment, and that the presence of the workers doesn't necessarily mean the surrounding businesses, many of which rely on tourists, would suffer: "Pontins was falling into ruin.
"We will be trying to push workers out of the door and get them to spend money at local businesses. We are marketing to get even more tourists to come to Brean."
The Hinkley team explained that, before they were refurbished, the chalets were in desperate need of modernisation, with some of the walls not even connecting to the ceilings and being wobbly.
Whilst the outside of the accommodation does look the same, the inside sees new kitchen fittings and improved insulation, to name just a few upgrades.
However, not everyone was impressed. Upon inspecting the chalet, one local pointed out chips on the worktop, as well as rickety-looking cupboard doors. The Hinkley team said that they would take these comments under consideration.
The chalets weren't the only things that have been given a makeover. There has also been improvements made to the gym, restaurant and sports bar.
In the future, the team plan to focus on the sports pitches, which will remain open to the public. The park’s swimming pool is also being maintained and it remains open for community use.
Pontins will be closed to the public to stay for three years, which has caused some concern amongst local businessowners, especially those that rely on trade from young families. To combat this, the Hinkley Point team have set up a £20 million community fund – with groups in Berrow and Burnham already receiving over £200,000 in grants.
Other business owners voiced their support for the move, saying: "The grants mean that there are endless possibilities, it's exciting."
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