Pontins

Shopping on line can be easy, simple and save you lots of money. It can also take a lot of your time, frustrate you, and result in unwanted purchases. Now the same can be said for regular high street shopping, but with the vast opportunity presented by the Internet it will pay you to spend a few minutes reading this and understanding how to better optimize your Pontins shopping experience:

1. Compare - without doubt the biggest advantage that the Pontins offers shoppers today is the ability to compare thousands of Pontins at a time. This is a great thing, but not necessarily all the time! Too much can be daunting at times so take advantage of the great comparison sites and where possible let them do the hard work for you.

2. Research - if it has been said it will be on the internet. Ignorance is no longer a justifiable reason for buying the wrong thing. Take the time to research in detail everything that you could possible want to know about

3. Testimonials - don't know anybody that has bought a Pontins? Wrong! If the Pontins is good the internet will let you know. Use the Internet as a friend and get testimonials before you buy.

4. Questions - Got a question about Pontins then search the Forums, FAQ's, Blogs etc. Don't be afraid to ask .....

5. Reputation - Never heard of the company selling Pontins? Don't worry, no reason why you should know every company in the world, but you know someone that does! Use the internet to find out what people are saying about Pontins and build up a picture of their reputation for sales, returns, customer service, delivery etc.

6. Returns - still worried that even after all of the above your Pontins wont be what you want? Check out the returns policy. There is so much competition now that someone, somewhere is bound to offer the terms that you are comfortable with.

7. Feedback - happy with your Pontins then let people know, after all you are depending on others people input in your buying decision, so why not give a little back.

8. Security - check for the yellow padlock on the Pontins site before you buy, and the s after http:/ /i.e. https:// = a secure site

9. Contact - got a question about Pontins, or want to leave a comment then check out the sites contact page. Reputable companies have them and respond.

10. Payment - ready to pay for your Pontins, then use your credit card or PayPal! Be aware of companies that don't accept them, there may be genuine reasons but given the huge amount of choice you have when buying online there is no reason at all not to buy via credit card or PayPal.

{{Infobox Company| company_name = Pontin's| company_logo = | company_type = Private| foundation = 1946| location = Chorley, England, UK| parent = [Trevor Hemmings| homepage = pontins.com-->

Pontins is a British holiday company founded in 1946 by Fred Pontin. It specialises in offering half board and self catering holidays with regular entertainment on offer. Accommodation is usually in the form of chalet. The company once grew to be a major operator of seaside holiday accommodation, but has now been shrunk considerably.

History In 1978 the company was sold to Gala Coral Group in a £56 million deal. In 1980 Coral (including Pontins) was taken over by Bass (beer) who later disposed of the Pontinental side of the business. In 1987 Pontins was sold to a management buyout team lead by Trevor Hemmings. In 1989 Pontins was sold yet again, this time to Scottish & Newcastle. Over the next ten years the company closed or sold a number of sites. In a 3-year programme in the mid-1990s, the remaining camps were modernised. In 2000 the company, which now owned only eight camps, was sold back to Hemmings.

Its headquarters are located in the Lancashire village of Eccleston, near Chorley.

Resorts Pontins currently runs eight resorts (known as "centres") in the United Kingdom.

Camber Sands, East Sussex
Southport, Lancashire
Prestatyn Sands, Denbighshire
Brean Sands, Burnham-on-Sea, Somerset
Hemsby, Norfolk
Wall Park, Brixham, Devon
Blackpool, Lancashire
Pakefield, Kessingland, Suffolk

Former resorts These are a list of former Pontins resorts in the United Kingdom and Ireland that have either closed or been sold off.

Barton Hall, Torquay, Devon
Bay View, Brixham, Devon
Bracklesham Bay, Chichester, Sussex
Broadreeds, Selsey, Sussex
Buckleigh Place, Westward Ho!, Devon
Dolphin Holiday Village, Brixham, Devon
Homelea Holiday Camp, Brixham, Devon
Jersey Holiday Village, Portelet Bay, Jersey
Little Canada, Wooton, Isle of Wight
Middleton Tower, Heysham, Lancashire.
Osmington Bay, Weymouth, Dorset
Plemont Bay, Jersey.
Riviera Chalet Hotel, Weymouth, Dorset
Sand Bay, Weston-super-Mare, North Somerset.
Sands Hotel, Prestatyn, Clwyd
Seacroft, Hemsby, Norfolk.
South Devon, Paignton, Devon
South Downs, Bracklesham Bay, Nr Chichester.
St Mary's Bay, Brixham, Devon
Torbay Chalet Hotel, Paignton, Devon.
Tower Beach, Prestatyn, North Wales
Trabolgan, Nr Cork (city), Ireland
Wick Ferry, Christchurch, Dorset

Bluecoats Bluecoats were, like their redcoat counterparts at Butlins, both guest hosts and often entertainers:

Shane Richie
Helen Chamberlain - Sky Sports Soccer AM presenter

Popular culture

The 1973 British film On The Buses was filmed at and set in the Pontins Prestatyn resort. The same venue hosts professional snooker each year.
Pontins are the long-term sponsors of reserve football leagues in England.