Butlins 2020

[Pushbutton]

:?: Let's assume for a moment that Butlins is still in existence IN SOME FORM OR OTHER in the year 2020.

What do you realistically imagine it WILL be like? (Note this is not the same as what would you like it to be like!) You can make any assumptions you wish, such as Bourne still being in control, or not.

Describe how many camps / resorts, or other types of properties Butlins will have, where they will be and what they will be like, what features they will have etc.

ALSO what, if anything, will remain of the existing 3 camps / resorts?

Try to be as realistic as possible.

I'll probably post my own answer to this question later...

[barryislandfan]

:?: Let's assume for a moment that Butlins is still in existence IN SOME FORM OR OTHER in the year 2020.

What do you realistically imagine it WILL be like? (Note this is not the same as what would you like it to be like!) You can make any assumptions you wish, such as Bourne still being in control, or not.

Describe how many camps / resorts, or other types of properties Butlins will have, where they will be and what they will be like, what features they will have etc.

ALSO what, if anything, will remain of the existing 3 camps / resorts?

Try to be as realistic as possible.

I'll probably post my own answer to this question later...Another good question Pushbutton, I look forward to these!

First off I think that in 16 years time Butlins will still be here but I have a feeling it would no longer be in control of Bourne Leisure, Bourne will probably be gobbled up by a foriegn leisure company - or even disney LOL!

I think that because the Butlins name is strong there could be more Butlins camps but not as they were. For example although Haven is popular it hasnt and never will have the pull of a Butlins holiday. Likewise Pontins is having a bad time at the moment and I can see a takeover (possible by Bourne in the not to distant). If that happens then I could forsee the following.

Minehead, Skegness and Bognor stay as Butlins but are re-branded as Butlins super centres. The flagship resorts in the companies portfolio and the ones that are the most popular and can accomadate the most holidaymakers. Then a mixture of Haven & Pontins camps are chosen to be Butlins Compact. They offer most of the facilities of a Butlins but in a smaller capacity, and they dont offer half board and are more caravan based. Ayr & Pwhwelli would become Butlins Compact, along with maybe Pontins Brean, Blackpool, Prestatyn & Camber Sands. Other Haven sites like Primrose Vally, Wild Duck, Caister in fact all the bigger Haven sites also become Butlins Compact.

This would in my opinion strengthen the Butlins brand and would boost business for the former Pontins & Haven sites as more people trust the Butlins name and there are still a lot of people who prefer Butlins over any other.

The Skylines would still be there but only at the 3 sites they are currently at, they wouldnt be introduced elsewhere. The Skylines would also feature more shows and entertainment as a money saving device, so that they could keep one of the venues shut during quieter times.

I think sadly the role of the Redcoat will be even smaller down to just a few hours in the evening, while during the day there will mostly be childrens entertainers or nobody at all with a Redcoat on.

There will still be funfares at the sites but they will never be any bigger than they are now and of course Splash Pools will still be there, and will also be introsuced into the new Butlins Compact. There will be a hotel in all 3 Butlins Super Centres. The Minehead Hotel will be built where the Beachcomber is now. Bingo will still feature and there will be more amusement arcades (yes even more)! All catering will be franchised as it is now but that includes Half Board which by 2020 will see you get vouchers for meals in Pizza Hut, Burger King, Harry Ramsdens or The Sun & Moon. Half Borad will be an even more expensive option than it is now as Butlins will want more people self catering, but feel phasing out Half Board would be bad for business.

I have a feeling that most original features will be long gone by then, and all the old Standard Chalets will be demolished with the bottom grade chalets being silver.

As for the compact sites they will have small funfairs, will be caravan based although will offer chalet accomodation, self catering only, will have a few Reds but not many and offer shows and kids entertainment etc as they do now. Butlins Compact will be cheaper to stay in.

Whats left of the Haven & Pontins sites will become British Holidays (thus wiping out the rival Pontins name & The Haven name), although all sites that arent moneymakers will be closed or sold. Warners will also be gone i think by 2020.

Probably a load of old rubbish that will never happen but I can see the demise of Pontins in the next 10 - 20 years and I still think Butlins Compact (IE with no Skyline) would work!

[Ian]

How about Virtual reality Butlins, where you can plug in to any camp in any time period without leaving home
Um!!!!
or maybe not, what do you all think of that

Ian

[gaietybarryboy]

I think the opposite of BIF:

There will only be one Butlins site left, Bognore Regis as it's close to attractions like Brighton, and not far from London. It will be run by a foreign firm who will run frequent trips abroad from the camp by ferry. Redcoats will be phased out except possibly one - a camp host type person. Bourne will no longer run it. By this time, the Pontins name will have collapsed, and Haven will have taken over Pontins and the other two Butlins centres.

[barryislandfan]

I think the opposite of BIF:

There will only be one Butlins site left, Bognore Regis as it's close to attractions like Brighton, and not far from London. It will be run by a foreign firm who will run frequent trips abroad from the camp by ferry. Redcoats will be phased out except possibly one - a camp host type person. Bourne will no longer run it. By this time, the Pontins name will have collapsed, and Haven will have taken over Pontins and the other two Butlins centres.I agree that I think a foreign company will take over at some point but im not sure your core Butlins holiday maker would go on trips abroad from Bognor, why book to go to Butlins then go abroad from there? Day trips maybe.

I dont agree when you say only Bognor will be left. If they were to close Minehead & Skeggy then they would just go ahead and close Bognor as it would be pointless keeping the Butlins name going. If there was to be just 1 Butlins camp it would be Skeggy, as its the biggest and is also near many big towns, aswell as Fantasy Island. Im not sure why everything has to be London based, if anything Skeggy would be ideal as the only Butlins becuase it would attract people from the north, the midlands and even Scotland whose combined population outweigh that of London/Brighton etc.

In reality though despite what I said, I have a feeling if Butlins is still around there will be just the 3 camps as now but with a much more watered down version of what it is now, yes they will be entertainment but even less will be free, maybe even having to buy passes to get into the entertainment buildings as you do with British Holidays!

[gaietybarryboy]

I think the opposite of BIF:

There will only be one Butlins site left, Bognore Regis as it's close to attractions like Brighton, and not far from London. It will be run by a foreign firm who will run frequent trips abroad from the camp by ferry. Redcoats will be phased out except possibly one - a camp host type person. Bourne will no longer run it. By this time, the Pontins name will have collapsed, and Haven will have taken over Pontins and the other two Butlins centres.I agree that I think a foreign company will take over at some point but im not sure your core Butlins holiday maker would go on trips abroad from Bognor, why book to go to Butlins then go abroad from there? Day trips maybe.Sorry, perhaps not explained very well, I meant day trips abroad. I can see your points about business from the north of England/Scotland as well. 8)

[barryislandfan]

I think the opposite of BIF:

There will only be one Butlins site left, Bognore Regis as it's close to attractions like Brighton, and not far from London. It will be run by a foreign firm who will run frequent trips abroad from the camp by ferry. Redcoats will be phased out except possibly one - a camp host type person. Bourne will no longer run it. By this time, the Pontins name will have collapsed, and Haven will have taken over Pontins and the other two Butlins centres.I agree that I think a foreign company will take over at some point but im not sure your core Butlins holiday maker would go on trips abroad from Bognor, why book to go to Butlins then go abroad from there? Day trips maybe.Sorry, perhaps not explained very well, I meant day trips abroad. I can see your points about business from the north of England/Scotland as well. 8)Ah I see. Yeah day trips to France would be pretty good, but i think it would be a slow decline for Butlins as they would offer less and less on the camp and I doubt the trip would be free!!

[Pushbutton]

OK not an easy question, but I'll have a try at it now:

Firstly, if you check out Bournes website you can see there is direct links and information about Haven and British Holidays parks, but no mention of Butlins.

This is yet another indication that Bourne regards Butlins as a minor part of their business only, and they're not exactly proud of it.

Here is my very controversial prediction for the year 2020!

Bourne decides to re-brand the remaining Butlins camps, as well as all its warner and British holiday parks as Haven but, realising there are still many of it's cutomers who are loyal to the Butlins name, decides to call the skylines "Butlins Skyline" and retains the Butlins Skyline company name for this purpose. To identify this to guests, large "Butlins Skyline" logos would be installed at each entrance to the skylines, and within the skyline venues. The name would also feature prominently in the relevant sections of the Haven brochures and websites.

Any existing Butlins, Warner, British Holdays and Haven sites which are not considered viable would be closed at this time and the land sold off to developers. Hopefully this would not include any of the existing Butlins sites though!

To offset anger from die-hard Butlins fans, Bourne announces that the Butlins name is being "expanded" by opening "Butlins skylines" at many of the larger new and existing Haven sites in Britain and Europe.

At the same time the concept of the Butlins skyline is revised. Each BUTLINS SKYLINE will contain ONLY the following facilities:

*McDonalds (Burger King will no longer exist because it has failed to move with the times)
*Another fast food franchise that's popular at the time (not Harry Ramsdens because I can't see that lasting long given the quality of their food!)
*Starbucks Coffee or similar
*A larger buffet style family restaurant
*A large amusement arcade containing 2 or 3 small kids funfair rides (pay per ride), and a couple of snooker and table tennis tables
*A stage for free live entertainment, with a large screen above it to show the action from the stage for those at the other side of the skyline
*1 nightclub (pay to enter), possibly franchised out to Planet Hollywood or similar
*1 pub, again franchised to Yates or similar
*Souvinir shop with photo processing facilities, limited groceries and an ATM
*Toys / Jokes shop
*Cinemas franchised to a major cinema operator such as village
*AMF Bowling centre

There will be entertainment on stage throughout most of the day, which will vary between kids and adult entertainment of various styles.

The redcoat tradition will continue, Bourne will realise that their "superstar wannabe" concept of redcoats is not what customers want, and will to some extent revert to using the redcoat role as it was meant to be!

This means all staff in ALL Haven sites who have a "guest service" role will wear a smart red uniform and be known as redcoats, including those at reception and concierge in the hotels.

ACCOMODATION
At the larger Haven parks, including Haven Skegness, Haven Bognor, Haven Minehead, Haven Pwhelli, Haven Ayr and others, there will be a large, resort style hotel (such as the one being built now at Bognor) with it's own bar, a la carte restaurant, pool, spa and gym. The pool will be partly indoors, partly outdoors and fairly large with a tropical theme, plenty of palm trees etc, with a childrens play section, waterslides, and spa. This will take the place of the current Splash waterworlds, which are about ready to collapse (from rust) due to poor construction and maintainence!

The hotel will run a variety of day trips or even 2,3 and 4 day trips in Britain and to Europe, with guests encouraged to stay for a couple of weeks and use the Haven complex mainly as a base to explore from, not as the main place to spend their whole holiday.

In adition to the hotel there will be approximately 200-300 delux individual detached cabins / lodges (replaces all existing chalets and flatlets), fitted out to a high standard and set among beautifully landscaped gardens, and of course plenty of caravans!

Sadly, there will be absolutely NO OTHER FACILITIES whatsoever onsite, which will allow for more caravans, more parking, and for some excess land to be sold off in order to cut costs and help pay for the new Butlins Skylines at other Haven parks.

All guests on the larger Haven parks will be entitled to free use of the hotel pool, spa and gym, and entry to the Butlins Skyline and on-stage entertainment. There will be no other "free" entertainments

There will be a variety of packages available however, and the more expensive ones will include vouchers for a limited number of free bowling games, movies, entry to nightclub and fast food and restaurant meals.

Hotel guests will get breakfast and dinner free in the hotel a la carte restaurant.

ALL THAT'S LEFT OF THE OLD BUTLINS WILL BE THE REMAINS OF A FEW OF THE OLD ENTERTAINMENT BUILDINGS AT SKEGNESS, MINEHEAD, BOGNOR, PWHELLI, AND AYR WHICH FROM PARTS OF THE BUTLINS SKYLINES.

The smaller Haven parks will remain much as they are, basic caravan parks with limited sports facilties and maybe a restuarant and bar. No Butlins Skylines there! However the guest service staff will be redcoats!

Later Bourne may be taken over by a major international company, (could well be Disney, who knows?) We can only hope they would keep the "Butlins Skyline" name and redcoats going.

:twisted: :roll: :twisted: Well, that's my prediction, scary isn't it!
Please don't have nightmares, it's only a possibility I can foresee, not necessarily what will happen!

[barryislandfan]

Im not sure Bourne see Butlins as a minor part of their business although I am surprised it doesnt appear on their website. However if you look at Bourne business literature, as I have, Butlins always comes top as the list of business they own.

It is of course hard to predict the future, but I cant see Butlins being downgraded to what amounts to a big dome and lots of caravans and the like, if UK holidays are going that way then god help us all! Your right it is a scary thought and hopefully it wont happen!

[Pushbutton]

I was deliberately being controversial there, and it's certainly NOT what I would like to see happen, but I do think it's a possibility by 2020!

[jcmelbau]

Butlins 2020......

After some major discussions back in late 2012, Butlin's decided that the camps are looking tired and need something new.... After racking their brains, Connie (The YTS Filing Clerk) finds a file named 'what to do in the case of an emergency Dated 1986 and 1997'

Following the clear instructions laid out, the plan hatches.....

Step 1. Choose 1 or more existing camp and close it down to make some extra cash.

Step 2. Change the redcoat uniform, where possible try to steer away from anything too traditional

Step 3. Ensure that the exisiting centres are open all year round and try to attract the best possible clientel (where this is not possible, advertise in The Sun newspaper for ?10 per person)

Step 4. Move the swimming pool.

Following these 4 steps Bognor Regis becomes a home for retired chalet maids and Skeness is flattened to make way for a multi-story carpark and a Starbucks.

Minehead survives and is renamed Butlins's Holiday Entertainment Resort Sunny-Somerset-World incorporating Burger King.

The Beachcomber remains closed.

The staff are still living in the flatlets

The different camps/villages are put up for sponsership auction and customers are now staying in Wal-mart village, Channel 4 bay, McDonald Villas and Wilkinsons gardens (Budget accomodation)

Customers are now required to make their beds, not actually provided with linen but Ikea flat pack furniture.

The staff still have Butlin's '76' sheets

The fairground rides are removed as the cost of insurance has become so expensive that it was no longer commercially viable to have them there. They have been replaced with a shopping mall.

This continues quite happily until 2020 when the camps start to look tired and need something new.......

Back to the 'What to do in an emergency' file.......

Hang on.... we ran out of camps.........

[Anonymous]

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrg!!! :shock:
AND I THOUGHT MY PREDICTION WAS SCARRY!

Well if you run out of camps I guess there's only one solution, OPEN SOME MORE!

[Anonymous]

Butlins 2020......

After some major discussions back in late 2012, Butlin's decided that the camps are looking tired and need something new.... After racking their brains, Connie (The YTS Filing Clerk) finds a file named 'what to do in the case of an emergency Dated 1986 and 1997'

Following the clear instructions laid out, the plan hatches.....

Step 1. Choose 1 or more existing camp and close it down to make some extra cash.

Step 2. Change the redcoat uniform, where possible try to steer away from anything too traditional

Step 3. Ensure that the exisiting centres are open all year round and try to attract the best possible clientel (where this is not possible, advertise in The Sun newspaper for ?10 per person)

Step 4. Move the swimming pool.

Following these 4 steps Bognor Regis becomes a home for retired chalet maids and Skeness is flattened to make way for a multi-story carpark and a Starbucks.

Minehead survives and is renamed Butlins's Holiday Entertainment Resort Sunny-Somerset-World incorporating Burger King.

The Beachcomber remains closed.

The staff are still living in the flatlets

The different camps/villages are put up for sponsership auction and customers are now staying in Wal-mart village, Channel 4 bay, McDonald Villas and Wilkinsons gardens (Budget accomodation)

Customers are now required to make their beds, not actually provided with linen but Ikea flat pack furniture.

The staff still have Butlin's '76' sheets

The fairground rides are removed as the cost of insurance has become so expensive that it was no longer commercially viable to have them there. They have been replaced with a shopping mall.

This continues quite happily until 2020 when the camps start to look tired and need something new.......

Back to the 'What to do in an emergency' file.......

Hang on.... we ran out of camps.........Yawn and you are a total snob aswell. In 30 odd years of going to Butlins I have NEVER known it be the domain of the rich its usually been full of working class people, wasnt that Billy Butlins idea in the first place so the average working man can have a holiday? So what if Sun readers go, maybe they know how to have a good time. I hope to god you no longer go to Butlins, someone from a council estate might sit next to you :?

[gaietybarryboy]

Please read other topics for my opinions on you guest.

[barryislandfan]

Butlins 2020......

After some major discussions back in late 2012, Butlin's decided that the camps are looking tired and need something new.... After racking their brains, Connie (The YTS Filing Clerk) finds a file named 'what to do in the case of an emergency Dated 1986 and 1997'

Following the clear instructions laid out, the plan hatches.....

Step 1. Choose 1 or more existing camp and close it down to make some extra cash.

Step 2. Change the redcoat uniform, where possible try to steer away from anything too traditional

Step 3. Ensure that the exisiting centres are open all year round and try to attract the best possible clientel (where this is not possible, advertise in The Sun newspaper for ?10 per person)

Step 4. Move the swimming pool.

Following these 4 steps Bognor Regis becomes a home for retired chalet maids and Skeness is flattened to make way for a multi-story carpark and a Starbucks.

Minehead survives and is renamed Butlins's Holiday Entertainment Resort Sunny-Somerset-World incorporating Burger King.

The Beachcomber remains closed.

The staff are still living in the flatlets

The different camps/villages are put up for sponsership auction and customers are now staying in Wal-mart village, Channel 4 bay, McDonald Villas and Wilkinsons gardens (Budget accomodation)

Customers are now required to make their beds, not actually provided with linen but Ikea flat pack furniture.

The staff still have Butlin's '76' sheets

The fairground rides are removed as the cost of insurance has become so expensive that it was no longer commercially viable to have them there. They have been replaced with a shopping mall.

This continues quite happily until 2020 when the camps start to look tired and need something new.......

Back to the 'What to do in an emergency' file.......

Hang on.... we ran out of camps.........I know this was tounge in cheek, but what are you trying to say about the millions of loyal Sun readers :D Im pretty sure The Daily Mail hasnt ever been a big seller in Newsbreak :wink:

[jcmelbau]

Guys,

Yes very tounge in cheek ;)

My point was that Butlin's seem to try an attract what they consider a 'better class of customer' at the end of the day, Butlin's was and does remain a working man's holiday and no, I have no issue in that whatsoever. If I did I sure as hell wouldn't of holidayed there or worked there for that matter. That is one of the great things about Butlin's and I do wish however, that they would go back to one class of accomodation as Sir Billy created it, the creation of 'premier' accomodation or whatever the hell they are calling it now brings class distinction to the camps and that is not how they should be.

As for me, Budget all the way, I love that musty smell!!!

[barryislandfan]

Guys,

Yes very tounge in cheek ;)

My point was that Butlin's seem to try an attract what they consider a 'better class of customer' at the end of the day, Butlin's was and does remain a working man's holiday and no, I have no issue in that whatsoever. If I did I sure as hell wouldn't of holidayed there or worked there for that matter. That is one of the great things about Butlin's and I do wish however, that they would go back to one class of accomodation as Sir Billy created it, the creation of 'premier' accomodation or whatever the hell they are calling it now brings class distinction to the camps and that is not how they should be.

As for me, Budget all the way, I love that musty smell!!!Ah that musty smell, the wodden bed with sharp corners, windows that are painted shut - I love Budget too. Saying that I am trying Silver for the 1st time in September, and thats only because I got a cheap deal and my girlfriend wants to try it! If I go self catering at Minehead it has to be budget as id dont like those flats you get in Silver.

[Pushbutton]

Guest, this is a forum for friendly people who treat each other with some respect! They do not always agree with each others opinions but do respect them.

Also many of the posts on this forum are "tongue in cheek" and are not meant to be taken completely seriously. The "Butlins 2020" topic is a good example of that and I did not like the tone of your last response to it. :x

[Rainbow]

:?: Let's assume for a moment that Butlins is still in existence IN SOME FORM OR OTHER in the year 2020.

What do you realistically imagine it WILL be like? (Note this is not the same as what would you like it to be like!) You can make any assumptions you wish, such as Bourne still being in control, or not.

Describe how many camps / resorts, or other types of properties Butlins will have, where they will be and what they will be like, what features they will have etc.

ALSO what, if anything, will remain of the existing 3 camps / resorts?

Try to be as realistic as possible.



I'll probably post my own answer to this question later...

just bringing this thread back to the 1st page incase anyone wants to have ago at answering it, quoted it so you dont have to go back to the beginning of the topic to have a go.

[MAXDON]

i think within a few years butlins will open a new camp i agree bourne lesure will not be the owners but i think it will be taken over by a large company in uk maybee virgin in a blaze of publicity will relaunch butlins as a british insttution air travel will be restrictive and the home grown holiday will be back but this will only happen if the bed tax is ditched at the moment butlins time share and the ammout of caravans will put butlins in the position were the camps they have have nowaire to go and a new camp will attract more intrest in the media also a purpuse built camp for the future

[Pushbutton]

glad to see this topic brought back.

anyone else got a vision for 2020?

[rocky mason]

:?: Let's assume for a moment that Butlins is still in existence IN SOME FORM OR OTHER in the year 2020.

What do you realistically imagine it WILL be like? (Note this is not the same as what would you like it to be like!) You can make any assumptions you wish, such as Bourne still being in control, or not.

Describe how many camps / resorts, or other types of properties Butlins will have, where they will be and what they will be like, what features they will have etc.

ALSO what, if anything, will remain of the existing 3 camps / resorts?

Try to be as realistic as possible.

I'll probably post my own answer to this question later... Hi Push, what an interesting topic!! I once had a conversation with a few of Butlins 'higher ups', on similar lines and I have no doubt that, all things being equal, there would have been Butlins 'complexes' in Spain, and possibly other places abroad. They would have been coastal, but away from established resorts. If anyone had been foolish enough to build near an established Spanish resort the competition in the evenings would have been too strong to ensure the guests stayed on the complex. I think a lot was learned from the failure in the Bahamas, and everyone agreed there had been many mistakes out there. Nobody really 'knew' the American market and billiards, English breakfasts and bingo were non-runners! Maybe obtaining the El Greco was putting a toe in the water? I do strongly feel that it had become realised that the sun had become so important for a holiday that Butlins, to remain as a main participant, would have had to chase it in some form. Barry Britten would be the perfect person to give an opinion here as he spent some length of time as EM at the El Greco. Or the future might have been with hotels out there similar to what we are building now? I would value Ron Stanway's opinion too, but I personally think we would have been abroad in some form!! Times change but I am confident that Butlins could change with them and, despite the views of others, especially with Bobby Butlin at the helm!!! In the early days a problem would have been visitors wanting to go exploring these 'new' foreign places, but I understand that touring has dropped off considerably now and I think Butlins could have given them enough to keep them in the complex! But,like everything else that's only one man's opinion! I am surprised you haven't had more response to this Andy. I am equally confident that we would have still had camps in England. Anybody else got a view on this? What does Les Melville and Mike Onions think?? Come on lads - it's worth voicing an opinion!! Rocky.

[Pushbutton]

Another good question Pushbutton, I look forward to these!

First off I think that in 16 years time Butlins will still be here but I have a feeling it would no longer be in control of Bourne Leisure, Bourne will probably be gobbled up by a foriegn leisure company - or even disney LOL!

I think that because the Butlins name is strong there could be more Butlins camps but not as they were. For example although Haven is popular it hasnt and never will have the pull of a Butlins holiday. Likewise Pontins is having a bad time at the moment and I can see a takeover (possible by Bourne in the not to distant). If that happens then I could forsee the following.

Minehead, Skegness and Bognor stay as Butlins but are re-branded as Butlins super centres. The flagship resorts in the companies portfolio and the ones that are the most popular and can accomadate the most holidaymakers. Then a mixture of Haven & Pontins camps are chosen to be Butlins Compact. They offer most of the facilities of a Butlins but in a smaller capacity, and they dont offer half board and are more caravan based. Ayr & Pwhwelli would become Butlins Compact, along with maybe Pontins Brean, Blackpool, Prestatyn & Camber Sands. Other Haven sites like Primrose Vally, Wild Duck, Caister in fact all the bigger Haven sites also become Butlins Compact.

This would in my opinion strengthen the Butlins brand and would boost business for the former Pontins & Haven sites as more people trust the Butlins name and there are still a lot of people who prefer Butlins over any other.

The Skylines would still be there but only at the 3 sites they are currently at, they wouldnt be introduced elsewhere. The Skylines would also feature more shows and entertainment as a money saving device, so that they could keep one of the venues shut during quieter times.

I think sadly the role of the Redcoat will be even smaller down to just a few hours in the evening, while during the day there will mostly be childrens entertainers or nobody at all with a Redcoat on.

There will still be funfares at the sites but they will never be any bigger than they are now and of course Splash Pools will still be there, and will also be introsuced into the new Butlins Compact. There will be a hotel in all 3 Butlins Super Centres. The Minehead Hotel will be built where the Beachcomber is now. Bingo will still feature and there will be more amusement arcades (yes even more)! All catering will be franchised as it is now but that includes Half Board which by 2020 will see you get vouchers for meals in Pizza Hut, Burger King, Harry Ramsdens or The Sun & Moon. Half Borad will be an even more expensive option than it is now as Butlins will want more people self catering, but feel phasing out Half Board would be bad for business.

I have a feeling that most original features will be long gone by then, and all the old Standard Chalets will be demolished with the bottom grade chalets being silver.

As for the compact sites they will have small funfairs, will be caravan based although will offer chalet accomodation, self catering only, will have a few Reds but not many and offer shows and kids entertainment etc as they do now. Butlins Compact will be cheaper to stay in.

Whats left of the Haven & Pontins sites will become British Holidays (thus wiping out the rival Pontins name & The Haven name), although all sites that arent moneymakers will be closed or sold. Warners will also be gone i think by 2020.

Probably a load of old rubbish that will never happen but I can see the demise of Pontins in the next 10 - 20 years and I still think Butlins Compact (IE with no Skyline) would work!

I've found it fascinating to look back on this now and think about how much has already changed since I first started this thread. Thanks for finding it and bringing it back up Rocky.

Well the hotel being built on the site of the Minehead beachcomber ay? He was right about the beachcomber being demolished and what has been built is not a hotel but who knows, perhaps it's possible that by 2020 it will become one. They could use the existing BlueSkies building and just hire out the apartments as hotel suites (in fact you can already book a BlueSkies apartment as if it were a hotel room) so that prediction has more or less come true!

As for Blackpool Pontins becoming Butlins Compact, sadly that looks highly unlikely now!

I hope the bit about half board being semi phased out doesn't happen, and in fact at the moment they seem to be making it more and more upmarket. However it's possible that by 2020 half board dining at Butlins might be very different to what it is now.

The battle of the Haven and British Holidays brands appears to have been won by Haven not British holidays now. As for Pontins I think they are at a critical turning point right now and if they make the right decisions now and invest wisely, they may have a very good future. It's possible though that even if they do invest wisely, it may only make them a more attractive target for aquisition by Bourne Leisure or some other company, so anything could still happen there by 2020 I think.

It all makes for very interesting reading.

[Pushbutton]

I think the opposite of BIF:

There will only be one Butlins site left, Bognore Regis as it's close to attractions like Brighton, and not far from London. It will be run by a foreign firm who will run frequent trips abroad from the camp by ferry. Redcoats will be phased out except possibly one - a camp host type person. Bourne will no longer run it. By this time, the Pontins name will have collapsed, and Haven will have taken over Pontins and the other two Butlins centres.

Yikes! I certainly hope not!!!

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OK not an easy question, but I'll have a try at it now:

Firstly, if you check out Bournes website you can see there is direct links and information about Haven and British Holidays parks, but no mention of Butlins.

This is yet another indication that Bourne regards Butlins as a minor part of their business only, and they're not exactly proud of it.

Well I can't remember which website I was referring to there but as Bourne don't seem to have a general website about the company, I think it must have been www.bournejobs.co.uk (http://www.bournejobs.co.uk), in which case it's very pleasing to see that not only do they now display the Butlins name on it, but Butlins is FIRST in the list, before Haven and Warners, demonstrating that they obviously do now have a lot of pride in it!

Here is my very controversial prediction for the year 2020!

Bourne decides to re-brand the remaining Butlins camps, as well as all its warner and British holiday parks as Haven but, realising there are still many of it's cutomers who are loyal to the Butlins name, decides to call the skylines "Butlins Skyline" and retains the Butlins Skyline company name for this purpose. To identify this to guests, large "Butlins Skyline" logos would be installed at each entrance to the skylines, and within the skyline venues. The name would also feature prominently in the relevant sections of the Haven brochures and websites.

Any existing Butlins, Warner, British Holdays and Haven sites which are not considered viable would be closed at this time and the land sold off to developers. Hopefully this would not include any of the existing Butlins sites though!

To offset anger from die-hard Butlins fans, Bourne announces that the Butlins name is being "expanded" by opening "Butlins skylines" at many of the larger new and existing Haven sites in Britain and Europe.

At the same time the concept of the Butlins skyline is revised. Each BUTLINS SKYLINE will contain ONLY the following facilities:

*McDonalds (Burger King will no longer exist because it has failed to move with the times)
*Another fast food franchise that's popular at the time (not Harry Ramsdens because I can't see that lasting long given the quality of their food!)
Well so far the Harry Ramsdens brand seems to still be going strong, but it's not at Butlins anymore, so I am already partly right about that!


*Starbucks Coffee or similar
*A larger buffet style family restaurant
*A large amusement arcade containing 2 or 3 small kids funfair rides (pay per ride), and a couple of snooker and table tennis tables
*A stage for free live entertainment, with a large screen above it to show the action from the stage for those at the other side of the skyline
*1 nightclub (pay to enter), possibly franchised out to Planet Hollywood or similar
*1 pub, again franchised to Yates or similar
*Souvinir shop with photo processing facilities, limited groceries and an ATM
*Toys / Jokes shop
*Cinemas franchised to a major cinema operator such as village
*AMF Bowling centre

There will be entertainment on stage throughout most of the day, which will vary between kids and adult entertainment of various styles.

The redcoat tradition will continue, Bourne will realise that their "superstar wannabe" concept of redcoats is not what customers want, and will to some extent revert to using the redcoat role as it was meant to be!

This means all staff in ALL Haven sites who have a "guest service" role will wear a smart red uniform and be known as redcoats, including those at reception and concierge in the hotels.

ACCOMODATION
At the larger Haven parks, including Haven Skegness, Haven Bognor, Haven Minehead, Haven Pwhelli, Haven Ayr and others, there will be a large, resort style hotel (such as the one being built now at Bognor) with it's own bar, a la carte restaurant, pool, spa and gym. The pool will be partly indoors, partly outdoors and fairly large with a tropical theme, plenty of palm trees etc, with a childrens play section, waterslides, and spa. This will take the place of the current Splash waterworlds, which are about ready to collapse (from rust) due to poor construction and maintainence!

The hotel will run a variety of day trips or even 2,3 and 4 day trips in Britain and to Europe, with guests encouraged to stay for a couple of weeks and use the Haven complex mainly as a base to explore from, not as the main place to spend their whole holiday.

In adition to the hotel there will be approximately 200-300 delux individual detached cabins / lodges (replaces all existing chalets and flatlets), fitted out to a high standard and set among beautifully landscaped gardens, and of course plenty of caravans!

Sadly, there will be absolutely NO OTHER FACILITIES whatsoever onsite, which will allow for more caravans, more parking, and for some excess land to be sold off in order to cut costs and help pay for the new Butlins Skylines at other Haven parks.

All guests on the larger Haven parks will be entitled to free use of the hotel pool, spa and gym, and entry to the Butlins Skyline and on-stage entertainment. There will be no other "free" entertainments

There will be a variety of packages available however, and the more expensive ones will include vouchers for a limited number of free bowling games, movies, entry to nightclub and fast food and restaurant meals.

Hotel guests will get breakfast and dinner free in the hotel a la carte restaurant.

ALL THAT'S LEFT OF THE OLD BUTLINS WILL BE THE REMAINS OF A FEW OF THE OLD ENTERTAINMENT BUILDINGS AT SKEGNESS, MINEHEAD, BOGNOR, PWHELLI, AND AYR WHICH FROM PARTS OF THE BUTLINS SKYLINES.

The smaller Haven parks will remain much as they are, basic caravan parks with limited sports facilties and maybe a restuarant and bar. No Butlins Skylines there! However the guest service staff will be redcoats!

Later Bourne may be taken over by a major international company, (could well be Disney, who knows?) We can only hope they would keep the "Butlins Skyline" name and redcoats going.

:twisted: :roll: :twisted: Well, that's my prediction, scary isn't it!
Please don't have nightmares, it's only a possibility I can foresee, not necessarily what will happen!

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Butlins 2020......

After some major discussions back in late 2012, Butlin's decided that the camps are looking tired and need something new.... After racking their brains, Connie (The YTS Filing Clerk) finds a file named 'what to do in the case of an emergency Dated 1986 and 1997'

Following the clear instructions laid out, the plan hatches.....

Step 1. Choose 1 or more existing camp and close it down to make some extra cash.

Step 2. Change the redcoat uniform, where possible try to steer away from anything too traditional

Step 3. Ensure that the exisiting centres are open all year round and try to attract the best possible clientel (where this is not possible, advertise in The Sun newspaper for ?10 per person)

Step 4. Move the swimming pool.

Following these 4 steps Bognor Regis becomes a home for retired chalet maids and Skeness is flattened to make way for a multi-story carpark and a Starbucks.

Minehead survives and is renamed Butlins's Holiday Entertainment Resort Sunny-Somerset-World incorporating Burger King.

The Beachcomber remains closed.

The staff are still living in the flatlets

The different camps/villages are put up for sponsership auction and customers are now staying in Wal-mart village, Channel 4 bay, McDonald Villas and Wilkinsons gardens (Budget accomodation)

Customers are now required to make their beds, not actually provided with linen but Ikea flat pack furniture.

The staff still have Butlin's '76' sheets

The fairground rides are removed as the cost of insurance has become so expensive that it was no longer commercially viable to have them there. They have been replaced with a shopping mall.

This continues quite happily until 2020 when the camps start to look tired and need something new.......

Back to the 'What to do in an emergency' file.......

Hang on.... we ran out of camps.........

Still hilarious, but I like the bit about Minehead still being intact by 2020 (although the beachcomber is a bit more than just closed now sadly!)

Love the idea of Bognor becoming a home for retired chalet maids. Hopefully by then I'll be one of them LOL!