Pontins closes two resorts with 'immediate effect': Holidays are thrown into chaos as firm announces Camber Sands and Prestatyn sites will shut as customers with bookings are offered refunds

Pontins has revealed that it has closed two of its seaside resorts 'with immediate effect.'

The Official Pontins Holiday's Facebook page released a statement on Thursday afternoon to let customers know it would be closing its Prestatyn and Camber Sands locations with 'immediate effect.'

The post reads: 'We regret to inform you that our parks in Prestatyn and Camber Sands will be closing with immediate effect. 

'Customers whose bookings will be affected by these closures will be contacted by our team and refunded. We apologise for any inconvenience caused.' 

Pontins is owned by Brittania Hotels, which earlier this year was voted the UK's worst hotel chain for the 11th year in a row by Which? magazine. 

Brittania's decision slashes the number of Pontins locations in the UK down by a third. 

It is not currently known why Britannia chose to close down the two locations, given that the company posted record profits earlier this year. 

It posted pre-tax profits of £33.3m for the 12 months to March 31, 2022, after falling to a loss of £9.5m in the prior year, while accounts filed to Companies House shows it achieved a turnover of £117.8m, up from just £38.4 million. 

Despite the clean financials, Pontins, along with other Britannia hotels, have long been criticised for their lack of hygiene. 

One TripAdvisor review of the Camber Sands centre reads: 'I would rather eat my own eyes. 

'Rice in the drawers!? Aggressive notes stuck on every door, barbed wire surrounding it, don't even get me started on the pool.

'No staff so could only open for 45 mins at a time and smelt like drains changing rooms dirty, legitimately felt like we were in a dystopia prison.' 

Meanwhile, a review of the Prestatyn centre describes it as the place 'where happiness and hygiene go to die.'

'The rooms are a health hazard. I know it's cheap but you shouldn't have to clean somewhere when you arrive!!

'Don't waste your money! Butlins, Haven or Parkdean are a little more money but much better.'

MailOnline previously reported that a woman who spent £195 for a weekend away at Pontins' Prestatyn site left early after she discovered the area was 'littered with broken glass', had 'vomit everywhere' and 'stained beds'.

Becky Swiers, from Harrogate, North Yorkshire, said: 'There were marks on the walls; the curtains were hanging off the rails… it was just an absolute dive. I wouldn't let my dog stay there.

She went on to describe how no one was working at reception when they went to complain about their chalet, which she thought had 'never been cleaned.'

'I just wanted to bring this (experience) to everyone's attention; in this day and age, not to have a clean room or site, and unkept grounds with litter, vomit and broken glass everywhere, I just don't know how they're allowed to get away with it.' 

In 2021, it was revealed that Pontins circulated a blacklist that told its staff not to book accommodation for people with Irish or Romani sounding surnames. 

The list included names such as Carney, Boylan, McGuinness and O'Mahoney, and was shared with the message: 'Several guests are unwelcome at Pontins, however some of these will still try and book – especially in the school holidays.'

The document, first reported by The i newspaper, was headed with a cartoon of a wizard-like character and the words 'You Shall Not Pass', a phrase from Lord of the Rings.

The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) found, following an investigation, that Pontins was 'directly discriminating on the basis of race.'

Britannia later signed an agreement with the EHRC promising to end the practice.  

MailOnline has contacted Pontins for comment.