| Journal: TWUK | Section: |
| Title: | Issue Date: 30/04/01 |
| Author: | Page Number: 2 |
| Copyright: Other |
Butlins sees 30% hike in forward bookings
BUTLINS has seen a 30% increase in forward bookings for winter 2001/02 compared to the same period last year.
Ruth Mortimer, head of sales for Bourne Leisure, which bought the brand from the Rank Group last October, said Butlins’ three centres, at Minehead, Skegness and Bognor Regis, have received over 500,000 advance sales.
“Bookings are currently well ahead of last year and I believe this is down to our customers’ confidence in the brand,” Mortimer said.
Previously, industry critics had said Bourne Leisure should consider dropping the Butlins name because of its outdated Hi-de-Hi image.
Mortimer said: “We have proved everyone wrong because Butlins has been more popular than we expected.”
The figure is a massive turnaround for the UKholiday company, which battled against poor sales with a £139 million upgrade two years ago.