Tuesday 9th February 1954
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Scunthorpe Evening Telegraph
Showing the details of the former Butlins camp up for sale.
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Butlins Bahamas Ltd has entered liquidation, marking the conclusion of Billy Butlin's involvement with this remarkable camp, which operated for just one year and had many challenges and setbacks. The story of the former Butlin's camp persists as liquidators prepare to sell the former resort. Bids are invited and must be submitted by March 17, 1954; otherwise, the property will be offered at public auction.
Image © Reach PLC.
Scunthorpe Evening Telegraph
Showing the details of the former Butlins camp up for sale.
On March 18, 1954, Chief Justice Guy Henderson authorised a bid of £110,000 from Cape and General Finance Company. In-depth negotiations were held with Mr. R. T. Symonette from Nassau and Mr. F. B. Proctor, an accountant in London, regarding the sale, which requires a ten per cent deposit by March 27. The plans included a £900,000 renovation of the resort to align with their vision and aimed for completion by December. A notable and surprising detail in this account is that Mr. Robin Grey, the representative from Cape and General Finance, stated to the Daily Express that he was collaborating closely with Mr. William C. Dunn, who had been the last to place a bid for the previous Butlins site before the negotiations fell through. It is also noteworthy that the current offer for the site has decreased a great deal from last year's £805,000. Mr. William C. Dunn intends to establish a new company with the backing of Cape and General as minority shareholders.
It has come to light that Cape and General previously invested £1,000,000 in the Butlins Bahamas project prior to its failure. Notably, the head of Cape and General is Mr. Harold Drayton, a familiar figure who collaborated with Billy Butlin and later acquired the majority of the controlling shares in the Butlins Bahamas Story. When Mr Grey returned to the United Kingdom, he would tell the Sunday Express, "The holiday camp is finished. It is going to be a resort on the Miami model. We shall work with William Dunn, the Chicago distiller, and he's optimistic" The director of the Cape and General, Mr Robert Adeane, added, "The results can't be worse than before". The former Butlins Bahamas ltd will now be known as Grand Bahamas Property Ltd.
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Leicester Daily Mercury
Showing the new information about the new owner of the former Butlins Bahamas Ltd resort.
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Coventry Evening Telegraph
Another newspaper article showing about the new owners of Butlins.
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Daily Express
An excellent article by the Daily Express once again showing further details about this important moment in the Butlins Bahamas Ltd story.
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Sunday Express
This story confirms he details about Mr Drayton's involvement in the purchase.
On May 5, 1954, new information regarding the former Butlins site emerged, revealing plans for a casino that are currently under consideration by the Bahamas House of Assembly. A prominent figure in this matter is the Earl of Ranfurly, the Governor of the Bahamas, who stated, "The company which ran the village -- Butlin's Bahamas Limited -- went bankrupt, after it is believed, spending more than £1,750,000". Given the Bahamas' regulations on gambling and the unsuccessful attempt by Lionel Marks to acquire the resort with a similar proposal, it remains to be seen whether Mr. William C. Dunn will succeed in obtaining approval from the Bahamas Government.
On June 6, 1954, the Sunday Express reported growing concerns regarding the casino license. It was shared among his colleagues in the legislature and church communities that the Earl of Ranfurly had assured Mr. William Dunn of the license for the redevelopment of the former Butlins resort. Many Bahamians feared that the casino would attract a surge of gamblers, leading to an increase in crime. Just prior to this, there had been reports of police raids shutting down illegal gambling houses, heightening concerns about the potential impact of a casino on the island. The Earl of Ranfurly stated that the license was promised upon the approval from the Bahamas Legislature and the bill to rehabilitate the Butlin village. However, an additional hurdle remained: the approval of the Queen and the colonial office advisors, who opposed the establishment of casinos in the colonies.
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Daily Express
Showing the news of the Casino plans.
Image © Reach PLC. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.
Sunday Express
Showing how there was additional pressure on Earl of Ranfurly.
In the background, Billy Butlin would take up the opportunity to offer a service called "The Butlin's Travel Services" which visits to the Bahamas.
Image © The Stage Media Company Limited. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.
The Stage
An excellent advert showing the Billy Butlin and his Butlins Travel Service.
On August 11, 1954, the Birmingham Mail reported that Mr. A. G. H. Gardner-Brown, a colonial secretary from the Bahamas, was under pressure to clarify rumors suggesting he had stated that a gambling license had been issued to Mr. William Dunn. Mr. Brown denied this claim, stating that the government was still reviewing the agreement and had not yet finalized any arrangements to officially establish the casino or gambling operations. The rumors began when Mr. Dunn announced that he had received permission to move forward with his plans to open the casino, which was slated to open on December 15.
Mr. Brown stated that Mr. William Dunn, according to the provisions of the act enacted in the last session by the Bahamas legislature, is unable to seek an exemption to operate a gambling casino until December 1st or until the village is completed. Reports indicated that the bill was under review by the House of Assembly and that the Governor in Council was ready to approve an exemption. However, the Legislature amended the bill, citing specific reasons, which has complicated Mr. William Dunn's plans for the former Butlins Resort. Mr. William Dunn disclosed the presence of two English businessmen and several U.S. businessmen who were associates, although their names were not revealed at that time. The article also states that during the operation of Butlins Bahamas in 1951, there were seven directors rather than a single managing director. Additionally, it confirms that the site covered more than 24,000 acres.
Image © Reach PLC.
Birmingham Mail
An excellent article showing more details about the gambling ruling with the Bahamas government.
Details regarding Butlins Bahamas Ltd are no longer available as the company has ceased to exist. The only other document I could locate related to its former name is presented below, an individual previously mentioned in this Butlins Bahamas story. Nevertheless, the resort's story did not end there; it transitioned under new management and was rebranded as the Grand Bahama Club. In the 1954 and 1955 Bahamas Annual report, on page 29, it quotes: "The Vacation Village Grand Bahama (Rehabilitation, Remodelling, and Re-opening) Act 1954, authorizing the entering into of an Agreement with the Grand Bahama Development Company, Limited, for the reviving of the tourist resort known as the Vacation Village at West End, Grand Bahama". You can read this by clicking on these words, going to page 264 (page 29 in the 1954/1955), and reading it in the top paragraph.
Image © Reach PLC. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.
Daily Express
From what I can find, this is the last time Billy Butlin and the Butlins name is motioned in regards to this location.
A remarkable newspaper article titled "Vacation Spot - In Bahamas to be opened" was published in the St. Petersburg Times on November 13, 1955. This article discusses the brief history of the former Butlins Bahamas resort site and its establishment by William E. Butlin. It goes on to reveal that the former Butlins Bahamas resort averaged 150 guests per day during its operation, along with approximately 43 day visitors; however, it was compelled to close in the same year it opened. Additionally, the article mentions that over $500,000 has been invested in maintaining and securing the property since its closure, and that a portion of the resort is currently being managed by the Grand Bahama Club, operated by the Midet Aviation Corporation. Additionally, it notes that Midet Airlines is still operating 21 passenger DSS flights from West Palm Beach to Miami and Bahamas Airways Ltd. You can read this captivating article by clicking on these words.
Details regarding Butlins Bahamas Ltd are no longer available as the company has ceased to exist. The only other document I could locate related to its former name is presented below, an individual previously mentioned in this Butlins Bahamas story. Nevertheless, the resort's story did not end there; it transitioned under new management and was rebranded as the Grand Bahama Club. In the 1954 and 1955 Bahamas Annual report, on page 29, it quotes: "The Vacation Village Grand Bahama (Rehabilitation, Remodelling, and Re-opening) Act 1954, authorizing the entering into of an Agreement with the Grand Bahama Development Company, Limited, for the reviving of the tourist resort known as the Vacation Village at West End, Grand Bahama". You can read this by clicking on these words, going to page 264 (page 29 in the 1954/1955), and reading it in the top paragraph.
Butlins Memorabilia website is the unofficial website for Butlins!
The research and details provided on the Butlins Memorabilia website have been thoughtfully assembled by Mark Banks, the site's owner. It is important to emphasize that Butlins and its owners have not reached out to me or requested that this information be collected and displayed here. Butlins has a rich legacy, with its founder, Sir Billy Butlin, celebrated for his success in establishing a company that continues to offer joy and create cherished memories. The official website for Butlins is www.butlins.com. As such, the information on this site should be considered unofficial, as the Butlins Memorabilia website is a fan-oriented endeavor.
Billy Butlin and The Grand Bahama Books
The information I discovered while investigating my favourite subject, the story of Butlin's and Sir Billy Butlin, has been incredibly engaging, as it highlights the importance of each site and its meaning to the Butlins timeline. To assist with my research, I have used notes from Sir Billy Butlin's autobiography and The Grand Bahama book for reference. The sections presented below are brief excerpts from these works, aimed at shedding light on a particular area of the Butlins Bahamas story. Each excerpt will provide full credit to the source, including the page number and details on how to obtain a copy. No scans were included; only small excerpts are provided to enhance this historical educational topic regarding the Butlins Bahamas project and its importance within the Butlins timeline.
The British Newspaper Archive
The significant and noteworthy newspaper articles featured on the Butlins Memorabilia website have been sourced from a platform known as "The British Newspaper Archive." You can explore their offerings at www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk. I am providing this link as a gesture of appreciation for their ongoing and professional service, with the hope that you may discover something of interest. The research conducted on Butlins has greatly benefited from extensive newspaper involvement, which has significantly enhanced the Butlins Memorabilia website.
The Butlins Memorabilia website operates as a non-commercial platform, created to provide free access for everyone to celebrate the remarkable history of Butlins and the legacy of Sir Billy Butlin. Each document features a watermark to recognize the copyright of the image, along with a direct link to the British Newspaper Archive website. We encourage you to review their terms and conditions regarding the sharing of items from their collection at this link: terms and conditions.
The National Archive website
This website showcases images obtained from research conducted on The National Archive website. I would like to emphasize that this site is dedicated to non-commercial use and is created, maintained, and overseen by me, Mark Banks. I invest my personal time into this project, which centers around a brand I hold dear, Butlins. The site is open to all visitors, and it is important to clarify that Butlins and its owners have no connection to this site or its content. Each image is accompanied by a credit and a link to its original source. The Butlins Memorabilia website is a personal endeavor that aims to preserve historical memories and, in some instances, provide educational insights into its history. You can find the terms and conditions of The National Archive by clicking on these words
Archive Website
This website features materials obtained from archive.org, which is known for its vast collection of memorabilia. It is essential to clarify that archive.org has no affiliation with this website or its creation. I would like to highlight that this site operates on a non-commercial basis, dedicated to celebrating Sir Billy Butlin, the holiday camps, the hotels, the campers, the guests, and the staff. Resources sourced from archive.org are presented here with watermarks to recognize their origin, and each item includes a direct link to their site. I invite you to explore their terms and conditions of use by clicking on these words to gain further insight into the applicable Creative Commons license.
Harold Charles Harley Drayton and Sir Bede Edmund Hugh Clifford Photos
I would like to clarify that the image in question is not owned by the Butlins Memorabilia website; it has been sourced from the National Portrait Gallery's website. A direct link to the original image location is provided just below the photo. It is essential to understand that the National Portrait Gallery in London is not affiliated with the Butlins Memorabilia website. This site serves as a non-commercial platform dedicated to the historical elements of Butlins. Additionally, Butlins itself has no connection to the Butlins Memorabilia website, which is a fan-driven initiative established by Mark Banks, an amateur web designer who invests his personal time into this endeavor. In accordance with the guidelines of the National Portrait Gallery, this website is categorized under Creative Commons - Websites. For further details on the available licenses, please click on these words to access the National Portrait Gallery and to review the Creative Commons license, please click on these words.
Library of Congress Newspaper Clippings
The Butlins Memorabilia website wishes to clarify that the newspaper clippings sourced from the Library of Congress website are utilized solely for educational purposes related to the historical narrative of Butlins Bahamas Vacation Village. In compliance with the established terms and conditions, these clippings will exclusively depict the history associated with Butlins. A discreet watermark will be included on the newspaper to indicate the website, along with a link to the document and any pertinent information. For further details regarding the terms and conditions, please refer to the section titled "Rights and Reproductions" by clicking on these words. I would like to clarify that the Library of Congress has not requested me to promote their website, nor do they have any affiliation with the Butlins Memorabilia website. I am sharing this link as a gesture of gratitude for the valuable service they provide to the numerous visitors who explore their site. To view their website, please visit https://www.loc.gov
The New York Historic Newspapers
The Butlins Memorabilia website wishes to clarify that the newspaper clippings sourced from the New York Historic Newspapers website are utilized solely for educational purposes related to the historical narrative of Butlins Bahamas Vacation Village. In compliance with the established terms and conditions, these clippings will exclusively depict the history associated with Butlins. A discreet watermark will be included on the newspaper to indicate the website, along with a link to the document and any pertinent information. For further details regarding the terms and conditions, please refer to the section titled "Copyright and Reproductions" by clicking on these words. I would like to clarify that the The New York Historic Newspapers project has not requested me to promote their website, nor do they have any affiliation with the Butlins Memorabilia website. I am sharing this link as a gesture of gratitude for the valuable service they provide to the numerous visitors who explore their site. To view their website, please visit https://www.nyshistoricnewspapers.org
Get in touch
When I engage with any material on the website, I always check the relevant terms and conditions. It is a privilege to share resources that provide a more comprehensive view of history, as these additional documents can enhance the narrative significantly. Prior to sharing, I make sure to gather all pertinent information regarding usage rules and give credit where appropriate. As the only person dedicated to designing and uploading these details, I wish for the process to be as smooth as possible. If you believe there is an error in the newspaper clippings that needs my attention, please feel free to contact me at your earliest convenience to discuss the matter by clicking on these words
