Frequency Asked Questions
The updated FAQ requested for the Butlins Memories website. I have revised some of the answers to reflect more current information and fill in missing gaps, in the hope that this will assist with your research.
The updated FAQ requested for the Butlins Memories website. I have revised some of the answers to reflect more current information and fill in missing gaps, in the hope that this will assist with your research.
Between 1986 and 1990, a total of around £100 million was invested to try and make up for the years of neglect. The camps all received new 'Holiday World' identities.
Minehead: Somerwest World
Skegness: Funcoat World
Bognor Regis: Southcoast World
Two of these camps were named twice during this era of Butlins (the only two to have this done) and they were;
Pwllheli: Pwllheli Holiday World , but was then later renamed to Startcoast World
Ayr: Ayr Holiday World but was then later renamed to Wonderwest World
The term “Hi-de-Hi” was banned. The money was used to build new subtropical indoor fun pools, improve accommodation, add new food and restaurant facilities, and carry out a general refurbishment of the buildings. New Butlin’s Rank Organisation chalets were added at the five remaining camps. However, in 1999, the Rank Organisation decided to change how Butlin’s was presented. The camps were renamed Butlin’s Family Entertainment Resorts, and the brand was reduced to three locations: Minehead, Bognor Regis, and Skegness. The word “camps” was replaced with “resorts,” and the sites featured pavilions, often referred to as “tents.” A total of £130 million was invested in the three remaining resorts, including the refurbishment of every chalet.
Butlin’s Pwllheli and Butlin’s Ayr were reportedly failing to generate good returns. Following storm damage, it was decided that they would be transferred to the sister company, then known as Haven. In September 2000, the Rank Holiday division was sold to Bourne Leisure for £650 million. Bourne continued investing in the Butlin’s brand, but subsequent changes within the company eventually led to Butlin’s being put up for sale again. Blackstone, which had invested in Bourne Leisure, wanted to sell the brand because it did not fit its preferred profile for holiday parks. As Haven was very different from Butlin’s, the resorts were listed for sale once more, and the Harris family purchased the remaining three. This arrangement continues today, while Pwllheli and Ayr are no longer part of the Butlin’s family.
Billy Butlin had always been heavily involved with charitable causes and this increased upon his retirement, mainly with the Variety Club. He also established a number of business ventures in Jersey, including a small holiday village and several hotels. He was knighted in 1964 and in 1972 was awarded the Variety Club's annual Humanitarian Award, being only the seventh British person to be honoured since 1938. In 1977 he suffered a heart attack but fell ill again in 1979 with stomach cancer. He died on 12th June 1980. He was buried in the cemetery of St John's Church in the north of Jersey. His headstone is engraved with an amusement park, a camp scene and the Jolly Fisherman from the famous railway poster, bearing the legend "Skegness is so bracing".
