ON PONT
We live at Pontins after it was closed to holidaymakers – my six kids love going to the arcade and beach
FAMILIES who live in Pontins resort that was closed to holidaymakers have told how much they love living in the park.
The holiday park in Brean, Somerset, was once a thriving hot spot for holidaymakers from all over the UK but is now home to 900 staff from Hinkley Point C nuclear plant.
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The park is set to undergo a major refurbishment which will see upgrades to its 600 chalets and to its Wifi before reopening to the public in three years.
But the site is being used as accommodation by workers at the Hinkley Point C nuclear power plant in the meantime, as construction continues on a new nuclear power plant due to open by 2027.
Residents have told how they love living on the site - with their children able to pop to the arcade or beach everyday.
Dad Tommy Marshall told Somerset Live: “I’ve been living here for six months, and it suits me because I can really make my chalet my own.
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“My partner and six children, who live in Ireland, also come to stay with me regularly.
“The kids absolutely love it because there’s loads for them to do – like the beach, the amusement and getting an ice-cream.
“They wish they could live here all the time.”
It comes as nearby residents told how they were worried the park’s closure to tourist would hit the local economy.
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Pontins isn’t the only holiday park in Brean but it’s the largest and best known so it was thought its closure could make a dent in the profits of local businesses.
However, now its believed that with the workers moving in - and the park being revamped - it could bring even more money to the area.
Andrew Cockcroft, head of stakeholder relations at Hinkley Point C, said: "The cost of living crisis has hit tourism everywhere and Brean has been affected by uncertainty over the future of the holiday camp.
"Our £2m investment in the holiday park will give it a viable future and provides 83 year-round jobs in the community.
"Our workers will spend millions throughout the year, not just in the holiday peak season. Many businesses are thriving but where businesses are impacted, we are stepping in with marketing support and business grants.
“The community will also benefit from access the Hinkley Point C community fund which is already supporting local organisations and charities."
It comes after locals of Brean revealed the area is home to a little-known idyllic beach.
Julie Quinlan, 59, and her retired partner Ian Merchant, 68, have a static caravan there and come with their two dogs, Arthur and Merlin.
They said that Brean is “always quiet” and they love walking up near Brean Down, as cars aren’t allowed to park on the beach and there are very few visitors anyway.
Julie told : "We love the wildlife and stargazing at night. This panoramic view is beautiful. When the sun rises here, you could be anywhere in the world.”
The peace and quiet is embraced by many day trippers who call the peninsula and coastal walk a “hidden gem”.
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A National Trust volunteer who wanted to remain anonymous told the paper: "It's a beautiful place, I just love the Brean Down.
“There's some lovely walks in the countryside and all the people get on so well."
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