Butlins of Tommorrow!

[Redcoat Jase]

We seem to talk alot about Butlins past (Well duhhh it's a Butlins MEMORIES site!! Tit!) and some seem to moan about Butlins Today!

But what would we like Butlins to be like in the future? - It seems soo obvious but non of us ever seem to talk about it!

I would like to see many of Butlins older values bought back! Eg. Radio Butlin (Abit more toned down of course) maybe renamed RFM!, Possibly more Butlins Revisited Events, A Chance to stay in a Butlins CHALET, not an apartment a CHALET!...

What about you!?!

[Pushbutton]

Well of course this has been discussed a lot in the past, but hey you can never get too much when it comes to Butlins!

The most important things I would like to see (being realistic) are:
- to keep most of the attractions free of charge
- to open some new butlins camps
- to keep the Butlins name and expand its use if possible (eg, maybe re-brand some of the Haven or British Holidays parks to Butlins)
- to maintain as much as possible of the things that we all know and love from the past (redcoats, some of the original funfair rides, and at least maintain some of the original buildings for old times sake

As well as this there's plenty of room for new attractions at the camps too.

[nattyjane]

I don't think Butlins will change too much over the next 10 years or so, I do think that they will eventually have the Hotels at all three camps.

Any one know how long the skyline thing will be up for?

It looked really shabby last year when we last went, so I am guessing it will have to be replaced at some point.

Over the next 20 years who knows, will there still be a place for the free rides, i mean they are looking dated allready. They have allready done away with snooker at one camp ~ that'll probably follow suit.

I don't like to sound unoptimistic but Butlins wont be around as we love it forever. The free facilities are fading away. But I'm sure they will always have arcades, go karts, fast food outlets.

I hope the kids clubs and swimming pools remain the same or get better (longer opening, bring back swimming lessons)

[Redcoat Jase]

Butlins will get better before getting worse!

[barryislandfan]

I agree with Jase. Butlins does seem to be getting better and better but of course a time will come (I think in the next 10 years) when it will go into decline again but will hopefully pick up!

RFM sounds like a good idea jase although like you said it would have to be toned down not sure people would want to be woken up at 7.30! Like your enthusiasum jase already got the makings of a red I reckon.

[Redcoat Jase]

Thank You Very Much!! - i do try....lol :P - I agree people like to have independence which is one of the reasons why an old style Butlins camp just wouldn't work! Its Butlins that have had to change with the people really!

Also on the Subject or RFM n the likes... When you go to other Butlins resorts other than Skegness do they actually have Programming on the Butlins channel or do they just loop a Powerpoint Presentation all day?

[James1]

Each of the resports simply loops the same presentation on the Butlins channel all day, just as it has done for many years now. (Its not powerpoint though!)

I often wonder if Butlins ever planned to make better use of the 'RFM' and 'RTV' brands that they developed for use in REDS for 1999?

[barryislandfan]

Did I imagine it or did Minehead have a TV channel I think in 1997. Im sure I can remember seeing live broadcasts with redcoats telling you what events were on that day. Anyone?

I know Pontins had PTV the one time I went in 1990 and I thought that was quite a good idea.

[James1]

Maybe Minehead were trying out a possible idea for what could have been used for RTV in the future?

Or somebody simply decided to get a bit creative and decided they would have some live broadcasts to replace the computerised slides! I am sure though that they could easily pre record such footage and play it week after week, as for the bulk of the summer, the entertainment doesnt really change.

[Jintygirl]

You know - ALL through the years Butlin's has had to fight off the regimented image. From day 1, almost. I think it all got a bit caught up with the war.

There's NEVER been a rule that you HAVE to do this that or the other. People have always been independent. But people also like joining in - community spirit sort of thing.

People are still independent and want to do their own thing. But there's not enough joining-in stuff these days. No-one encourages you to join in. The Redcoats certainly don't. And that was supposed to be their job!!!!

In the future, I'd like Butlin's to look to its past - see what was popular and adapt it for today (mostly adaptation unnecessary). I'd like them to retain more, rather than starting again and guessing at what'll be popular. What's the point of history if we don't learn from it??

[Pushbutton]

A very good point Jintygirl!