A FAMILY that owned Butlin's until last year has re-bought the holiday business in a deal reportedly worth £300 million.
Butlin's has been sold to Harris Family Trusts, a newly formed company, by Bourne Leisure Group and its controlling shareholder, Blackstone.
Blackstone acquired Butlin's from the founding Harris, Cook, and Allen families in January 2021.
Butlin's operates holiday resorts in Minehead, Bognor Regis, and Skegness.
The company was founded by Sir Billy Butlin in 1936, who opened the first site in Skegness to provide a “place of colour and happiness”.
Butlin's used to operate sites in Mosney (Ireland), Barry Island, Ayr, and Pwllheli.
Its three remaining sites attract over 1.5 million visitors every year.
Paul Harris, on behalf of the Harris Family Trusts, said: “We are delighted to reaffirm our love for Butlin’s and once again be the new owners of this great brand.
“We look forward to working alongside the Butlin’s leadership team as they strive to deliver their strategic plan for the business and help them accelerate their investment plans to give our Butlin’s guests an even better holiday experience.”
Bourne Leisure will continue to operate Haven and Warner Leisure Hotels and plans to use the proceeds from the Butlin's sale to upgrade both brands' sites.
Lionel Assant, European head of private equity at Blackstone, said: “Staying true to our high-conviction investment approach, we believe we are well positioned to drive the continued success of both the Haven and Warner businesses.
“Proceeds from the Butlin’s sale will enable us to continue delivering our ambitious investment programmes across both brands, supporting upgrades to the existing estates and adding new sites to the portfolio, to the benefit of millions of customers.
“Butlin’s is in a strong position to take advantage of the continued growth in the staycation market, and I have no doubt it will continue to flourish. We wish everyone there every success for the future.”
Paul Flaum, group chief executive officer of Bourne Leisure, added: “I am immensely proud of what Butlin’s has achieved over the past few years, continuing to deliver Billy Butlin’s vision of family fun.
“It has been a privilege to work with the Butlin’s management team and I would like to thank both the Bourne and Butlin’s teams for their commitment and contribution to this great British institution over so many years.
“We wish the whole Butlin’s team the very best of luck.
“Everyone at Bourne is now excited to focus on developing and growing our brilliant Haven and Warner brands.
“We have a tremendous opportunity, building on our success to date and working together with Blackstone, to create the most loved holiday and holiday home brands in the UK.
“I’d like to thank all the teams in Bourne, Haven and Warner for their outstanding commitment and ongoing support in delivering our Bourne mission, to give our Warner and Haven guests and holiday homeowners a great time with memories that last a lifetime.”
Star names to perform at the Minehead resort this year include Stephen Mulhern, Fleur East, and dance group Diversity.
It has a range of festive entertaiment shows lined up and will host The Masked Singer Live from 2023.
Read more: How Butlin's has shaken off its Hi-de-Hi image
Read more: Butlin's reveals plan for 'staff accommodation village' with around 200 beds
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