Pontins Pakefield holiday park to close to public from 2025

Sizewell C is set to take over the whole of Pontins Pakefield Holiday Village in Lowestoft from January next year.

This means that the site is set to close to the public from early 2025 - as it provides accommodation for "about 500 workers" who will be constructing the Sizewell C nuclear power station.

After Sizewell C reached a rental agreement with Pontins Pakefield this week - which will deliver a "considerable refurbishment" of the site and "a long-term legacy for the area", Sizewell C said construction workers would be housed at the site from January 2025.

An artists impression of the Sizewell C plans.

The firm said that as Pontins "have just over 500 chalets" that they will "be using that full allocation, which will not be bookable for the public during that period".

Pontins and its owners Britannia Hotels have however remained tight-lipped over the developments.

Yet, when people try to book a holiday or short break online for Pakefield Holiday Village there are no dates available for 2025 after January 2.

The Pakefield Holiday Village sign. Picture: Pontins Pakefield (Image: Pontins Pakefield)

Regular performers and weekend event organisers - many who have entertained at the park for decades - have expressed sadness and dismay.

For over 20 years rock 'n' roll manager Ritchie Gee has held annual weekend events - sometimes twice a year - at Pontins Pakefield.

With the Wildest Cats in town events at Pakefield attracting tens of thousands of visitors, and cavalcades being held in Lowestoft as part of the entertainment, two Wildest Cats weekenders are planned for the Pakefield park in the summer and at Christmas this year.

Crowds turn out for Rock 'n Roll on Royal Green, Lowestoft. Picture: Philip Mummery) (Image: Philip Mummery)

In a post on Facebook, Mr Gee said: "It is true that sadly Pakefield holiday village will be closed from January 2025.

"I have not been told the reason for this probably due to contractual rules.

Rocking - Lowestoft welcomed the Wildest Cats in Town for the popular annual rock and roll bonanza at Pontins in Pakefield. The crowds flocked to the Royal Green, after a classic vehicle procession in 2013. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Archant)

"We have been at Pakefield Holiday Village for 22 years and we all have had fantastic memories which will never be forgotten.

"The Wildest Cats in town will continue and we are looking for a new venue, so we can continue to fly the rock ‘n’ roll flag in the UK.

Lowestoft welcomed the Wildest Cats in Town for the popular annual rock and roll bonanza at Pontins in Pakefield. And at the Royal Green, after a classic vehicle procession, world jive champions Mark and Genevieve got into the spirit of the occasion. Picture: MICK HOWES (Image: Archant)

"So don’t miss the last two Wildest Cats (Summer and Christmas) 2024 at Pakefield this year."

Live band Sounds Imperial, who recreate the sounds of the 1960s and 1970s, have performed at Pontins Pakefield for 35 years.

In a post on Facebook they said: "Really saddened by the news that Pontins Pakefield will be closed to the public from January 2025.

"We have performed there for 35 years, for Pontins and also for private businesses who have put on their own events.

"We have met so many lovely people over the years, worked with some fantastic acts and made some amazing friends, both staff and guests."

With construction of the power plant set to last almost a decade it is understood that on completion the park will be handed back to Britannia Hotels.

Sizewell C said that no staff at the Pontins Pakefield venue would lose their jobs with "additional employment opportunities" available at the site.

This relates to "longer employment periods, rather than seasonal" jobs as "Sizewell workers will be there all year round".

For the 500 workers living at Pontins they are due to be transported by bus from the park on London Road, Lowestoft to the east Suffolk power plant from January - a 21-mile (34 km) journey.

Sizewell C, which is partly funded by the French energy company EDF, is set to be built on land between Aldeburgh and Southwold - with construction costs earmarked about £20bn to £35 billion.

The Stop Sizewell C campaign group said: "The industrialisation of our coast for many years to come will deter visitors and lead to long term change in the character and appeal of our region."