| Journal: TWUK | Section: |
| Title: | Issue Date: 02/10/00 |
| Author: | Page Number: 3 |
| Copyright: Other |
Agents welcome £650m sale of Butlins to Bourne Leisure
TRAVELagents have given a positive response to the £650 million sell off of Rank Group’s entire UK and Europeanholiday division to mobile home park operator Bourne Leisure Group.
Holiday Hypermarkets managing director John Donnelly said a fresh outlook was needed, adding the new owners should consider dropping the Butlins name.
“The perception is still of hi-di-hi holiday camps from the 1950s and 1960s. It is a big decision to make but maybe it is time to consider that,” he said.
ARTAC managing director Julian Foster has praised Rank for turning around the Butlins brand following a £139 million refit.
He said: “The Butlins of old was appaling. Now it is a much better product.”
Advantage sales and marketing director Colin O’Neill added: “As far as I’m concerned, if it isn’t broken don’t fix it.”
The deal with Bourne also includes Haven, Warner and Oasis.
A spokesman for Bourne Leisure declined to comment on any future changes.
Upgrade: the move follows a £139 million refit of the brand