An abandoned holiday park has been pictured for the first time since it unexpectedly shut down.
Pontins Holiday Park in Southport closed its doors with immediate effect on January 3 following a decision by owners Britannia Hotels - prompting dismay from holidaymakers and locals alike.
Once a place where people came to holiday, to escape and create fond memories, the shell of the site in Ainsdale, Merseyside now lies empty - but it's still somewhat recognisable from its past glories.
The buildings that once housed holiday flats remain in situ, as well as the furniture and amenities within the accomodation - giving an almost eerie feeling of time gone by.
Some of the holiday flats have been left completely untouched (Exploring with Matt)Urban explorer Matt who lives 56 miles away in Rochdale, has shared new pictures revealing what the place looks like now. Posting under the username 'Exploring with Matt', the thrill-seeker enjoys visiting abandoned buildings and land that have otherwise been forgotten.
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He told Lancs Live that finding his way around old neglected hospitals is usually more his thing, but that he couldn't resist any opportunity to go nowhere else goes. On the Southport Pontins site, Matt said: "I'd saw that it closed online and I just happened to be in the area, so I checked it out along with my best mate No Limits Urbex, a great guy."
Matt is a keen urban explorer, and visited an abandoned hospital in 2019 (Exploring with Matt)Describing what he found at Pontins Southport, Matt said it was as if "time had stood still," with everything left behind in the holiday flats, including kitchen utensils and furniture. Outside, he saw a play area with wooden swings and a table where families once sat together on the grass.
People have been reacting to their photos sharing their fond memories of the holiday park online. One person said: "As a child we went here for our family holiday. It was the best, I have so many memories of Pontins, the bluecoats, donkey derby, the boating lake, miss Pontins competition, miss lovely legs competition, the goodnight children song, captain Croc, the party dances. Such a shame its closed."
The site of Pontins in Southport, two months after its closure (Exploring with Matt)Someone else mentioned: "The Morris dancing world will heavily miss it. A lot of us spent our championships here every year so it holds some great memories, it will forever be missed." Another added: "It's a shame it's closed and looks really tidy and clean! This place has probably made so many memories over the years with children making friends and people meeting their life long partners! ".
A fourth shared: "I was a contractor for a number of years and enjoyed working for Britannia and Pontins and seeing so many holiday makers enjoy their break away! Sadly last year it was quiet and this is mainly down to the cost of living crisis! ". And another person said: "Such a shame it's come to this, Southport was the flag ship for family holidays in the Pontins group."
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