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Camp closure hits business
ST Annes business owners will be hit hard by the closure of Pontin's holiday camp in Blackpool.
Janet Poyner who runs Mediconf will lose the use of the popular Dunes Conference Centre when Pontin's closes its doors for the last time on October 2.
Mrs Poyner who runs the health education conference business with her GP husband John says she has booked the site at least eight times a year for the last eight years.
She has no idea where she will use as an alternative venue.
Mrs Poyner, 46 of St Annes Road East, said: "I feel terribly sad for the wonderful staff at The Dunes who have worked so hard over the years.
"We held courses there regularly and it has become very well known by GPs and district nurses from all over the north who have been for courses over the years.
"It was a perfect venue because not only is it quite close to the motorway, it has car parking on site which is an enormous bonus."
Pontin's bosses announced on Tuesday the holiday camp will close at the end of the current season - ending 48 years of seaside fun.
Site owners Northern Trust want to build housing on the land on Clifton Drive North.
An application has still to go before planners.
Ocean Parcs, which operates Pontin's, claims the site is no longer "commercially viable" as they had no long-term lease.
Despite honouring a course booking Mediconf has organised for September 19, The Dunes have informed Mrs Poyner she will have to make alternative arrangements for two further courses scheduled for later in the year.
She added: "The closure of Pontin's didn't exactly come as a surprise, but the loss of the Dunes is a big loss to the area."
Mrs Poyner isn't the only business to be affected by the closure of Pontin's. St Annes swimming teacher Joanne Young also had fears for the safety of Fylde youngsters when it looked as though the lack of a pool was about to pull the plug on her swimming lessons.
After losing both Lytham Baths and St Annes pool over her 33 year career, Mrs Young was dismayed to lose yet another pool to teach in.
Talks are under way however and Mrs Young says she is optimistic about finding new premises in the coming weeks.
Ocean Parcs boss Graham Parr told The Gazette yesterday how, despite pulling the plug on Pontin's Blackpool, he would still like to invest in the resort and has not ruled out re-opening a holiday park in another location on the Fylde coast.
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Friday 25 May 2012
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