Pontins owner Britannia Hotels has surprised stakeholders by announcing record revenue for the 2023/24 financial year, during which the company closed Pontin’s Prestatyn, Camber Sands and Southport without warning.

Britannia Hotels has reported record revenue for the 2023/24 financial year, despite the company continuing to face criticism for its sudden closure and neglect of several Pontin’s holiday park sites after citing financial concerns.

Accounts show that the hospitality group’s revenue rose from £154.8m to £162.5m over the 12 months to 1 April 2024, during which time Pontin’s Prestatyn, Camber Sands and Southport were shuttered with immediate effect.

“This result represents a credible performance achieved during a period of difficult trading conditions which continues to limit opportunities for growth,” said a spokesperson. “Our priorities continue to be maintaining occupancy levels and to manage operating costs whilst ensuring that the business is well-placed to exploit the opportunities of the future.”

“The directors remain confident that the company is in a good position to meet the challenges and opportunities of the future.”

Though pre-tax profit for the company fell from £39.4m to £31.3m year-on-year, Britannia was able to report operating profit of £29m for the period. 

The news may surprise former Pontins employees, who were not given advance warning of the park closures, and were only told by Britannia that the decision was “financially-driven.”

In Prestatyn, locals are still feeling the effects of the closure, with former Vale of Clwyd MP, James Davies urging the council “to progress a compulsory purchase of the site.”

In Brean, local business owner Palanisamy Thurairaja said takings had dropped by £300,000 last year after Pontins closed, telling the BBC “we need some certainty about what will happen.”