Marks Opinion and Extra Photos

In the process of updating the website, I honestly believed that the Butlins Caribbean story would be a simple one; however, I was completely wrong. After discussing with a close friend, Mandy (click to see her story), I quickly came to understand that it was known as Butlins Bahamas, and this correction was necessary. As I embarked on my research, I realised that this project was much more significant than I had expected and has a fascinating story. To convey what this story means to me and the journey I undertook to obtain the details, I have organised the information into categories, concluding with my final opinion. I can genuinely say that it has been a privilege to share this information with you, and I believe that the location has a deeper meaning as it is crucial to the Butlins timeline.

Chapter 13 
The number 13 has been seen as unlucky by many, with some claiming it's 'lucky for some and not for others'. Personally, it reminds me of the brilliance of Sir Billy Butlin, as this number corresponds to the chapter in his story about Butlins Bahamas Ltd, which can be tied to the significance of this number for some. As we dive into the story, I realised how connected I felt to the words he penned in the book and their importance in the Butlin's timeline. I couldn't help but chuckle at the beginning, picturing Billy Butlin doing everything he could to avoid this break, as his heart was set on his Butlins in the UK, brimming with ideas for other ventures. The greatest hurdle for Billy Butlin wasn't launching new camps or hotels, but rather allowing himself to take a break; yet, he understood it was essential.

I appreciated the notion that Billy Butlin would attempt to caution himself about taking a break, especially since the last time he did this in Barry Island, it led to the founding of Butlins Ltd (which I believe is a pretty solid reason to take a break). Naturally, I find it amusing that Billy Butlin views an opportunity as he couldn't resist pondering what he could do in the Bahamas, even mentioning, "it's about eight hundred miles from New York," justifying why Butlin's could grow. I admire how he always held his business dear to him, and being on vacation in the Bahamas opened up another avenue for him to explore new possibilities. In chapter 13, he refers to it as a hobby, but for me, this section felt more like a testament to his passion for what he built. 

The Fort Montagu and Princess Hotel
It didn't come as a shock to me that Billy Butlin would acquire two hotels in the Bahamas, as he understood the great profit potential and the opportunity to serve those wishing to visit the Bahamas. I had never researched these two hotels until I began reading more about the area in Billy Butlin's storybook. This reading allowed me to develop a story about the locations, and I was intrigued to find that the Butlin's name wasn't prominently featured. In the UK, they are always referred to as 'Butlins Pwllheli' and 'Butlins Ocean Hotel', but in the Bahamas, it was simply known as 'The Princess Hotel - a Butlins hotel resort'. It was clear that Billy Butlin saw a promising future in these locations and made significant investments in them.

In my personal research of these locations, I could see how connections began to develop regarding the Butlins Bahamas Village, particularly at the hotel where he met Brigadier Critchley. I believe the resort concept was still in its very early stages for Billy Butlin, as he was focused on his UK company and these new hotels. His meetings with key individuals shifted the direction of this story, but I feel he was content to concentrate on the hotels, even though fate had other plans. I genuinely enjoyed researching these hotels and their significance, especially since the Princess Hotel was reopened after being closed during the war. Billy Butlin had a talent for transforming places into successful destinations. However, I think it's important to note what Billy Butlin tells us in his book regarding the Bahamas Holiday Village: "There were times in the next few years when I fervently wished I had stayed at home", showing that this storyline was far more important than I originally thought. 

The Butlin's Vacation Holiday Village
Billy Butlin had the idea for the camp in his mind, but he was uncertain about how to begin until he was taken to Grand Bahama Island, where the West End is found. It was from that moment that we could see Billy Butlin starting to imagine his new Butlins, along with a strong determination to start it. As with all of Billy Butlin's projects, he regarded challenges as obstacles to be tackled rather than reasons to stop. However, I believe that even Billy Butlin could not have predicted the multitude of obstacles that the Butlins Bahamas Ltd project would present, which would challenge him even more.

During my investigation, I observed that Billy Butlin was more passionate about the idea of establishing this camp, yet he was understandably frustrated by the ongoing issues. Faced with dock strikes, the devaluation of the pound, and the workers' attitudes, Billy Butlin worked harder than he ever had before. Still, it was clear that he was committed to getting this location built, and the Butlins name would soon be known in the Bahamas, leading to further expansion beyond the United Kingdom, with Butlins Monsey being the first. My research indicated that he was focused on preparing the resort and was determined to find what was necessary, but luck was simply not on his side. The withdrawal of financial support for the airport, the need to monitor the site, and the continuous hard work to gain further support must have been incredibly tiring for Billy Butlin. Yet, in the end, this was just another site, and nothing could deter him from making it happen.

When the camp opened in 1950, it wasn't fully prepared, which must have caused Billy Butlin a great deal of frustration since he truly wanted everything to be ready. Interestingly, at this point, Billy took an extra step by providing champagne to customers as a way to apologise. He was committed to ensuring that no one’s holiday was spoiled and aimed to showcase the Butlins experience to everyone who made a reservation. However, behind the scenes, the situation was quite different, as the financial aspect of the company was thriving, yet the booking numbers were insufficient to start repaying those who had supported the venture. I believe this is when Billy Butlin's feelings began to shift; as noted earlier, he was determined, but during this year, his focus was on maintaining progress.

As news came in that the company might face liquidation, we see Billy Butlin working even harder to gather support for keeping his resort afloat. The number of trips he made to the United Kingdom and the USA was impressive, demonstrating that Billy Butlin was not panicking but rather doing what he does best: finding solutions to obstacles. However, everything changed when the company's control shifted, and that's when Billy Butlin began to feel differently about the resort, as he was no longer in charge and unable to implement his plans. I can only imagine that Billy Butlin felt more frustrated, yet at the same time relieved to know that the resort would continue, and that saving it was the best course of action.

As I mentioned before, the experience of obtaining the funds needed to rescue the resort transformed at that crucial moment when he encountered the news about the war in Korea. He understood that the only viable option left was to sell the resort he had played a part in creating. It was at this juncture that we witnessed a shift in Billy Butlin's mindset, as he took on a new mission to sell the property and return money to those who had invested in his project. He tirelessly continued to travel back and forth to the United Kingdom, managing to delay the liquidation for a few years until the appropriate moment came. I feel that during this time, Billy Butlin experienced a sense of sadness as his project was coming to a close, as he states on page 194, "There was criticism that we had entered into the Grand Bahama project without proper thought and planning". Nevertheless, as I highlighted earlier, the entire situation stemmed from the devaluation of the pound, the withdrawal of financial backing for the airport, and the preference shareholders not providing the necessary funds, which ultimately doomed the project. Personally, I sensed that this was not just a feeling of loss for Billy Butlin, but more of a significant frustration and the urgent need to sell the resort to return funds to the minor shareholders.

When the resort was sold, Billy Butlin shared that the failed project had a profound impact on him, and the manner in which it unfolded truly shocked him personally. This was not the only hurdle he faced, as Billy Butlin had to attend a general meeting in July 1950. He describes the meeting as feeling like being in front of a headmaster with no place to sit, while twenty people stared at him, and the spokesperson declared "We have a lot shares in your company, and we are not satisfied with the way your running it. We prepose to put in a new chairman and managing director". This deeply affected him, as it felt like he was being told he would be dismissed from a company that was incredibly dear to him. He was aware of some problems within the company, but not to the extent that he thought he would find himself in such a situation, which he never imagined could occur.

Billy Butlin once remarked, "Butlins was my creation; it was my life. Butlins is me and I was Butlins", showing how crucial this situation at home was. Managing the issues in the Bahamas while also fighting for his position in Butlins Ltd in the UK must have been incredibly challenging, as this company meant everything to him. This was the turning point for Billy Butlin, as he recognised the need to keep his Butlins company relevant to customers and, more importantly, to keep his dream alive. The story shifted significantly for Billy Butlin during this meeting, where he received support from many, including staff members who had been part of the company. A major shareholder of Butlins Ltd, Jack Trevor Senior, played a vital role in defending Billy Butlin, as it was noted that there were both boos and cheers during the meeting. The meeting proved successful for Billy Butlin, but it also served as a significant wake-up call, making him realise that Butlins in the UK was not meeting the current demands and that he had lost his touch. It was at this meeting that he decided to resign from his other responsibilities to concentrate more on his Butlins empire, satisfying a large number of shareholders.

The story of the Bahamas illustrates a pivotal moment in the Butlin's timeline, revealing that Billy Butlin was not just attempting to salvage his Bahamas project but also defending his Butlins Ltd company in the UK. With only five shareholders opposing him, Billy Butlin managed to pursue his vision, yet there was still much to accomplish, and he now had to juggle responsibilities between both locations until one was sold. This narrative highlights the strength of Billy Butlin, showcasing his journey from passion to project, his determination to see it through, and his unwillingness to back down when faced with the toughest challenge of his life. Personally, I found this truly inspiring, as it demonstrated that the idea of taking away the creation he built was something he would not permit.

Grand Bahama Club and Jack Tar
We know that Sir Billy Butlin and Lady Butlin would return to the place where he had once worked hard to achieve success, under the ownership of the Jack Tar group, performing very well. I sincerely believe this moment was more about closing chapter 13 for himself, as the idea was spot on, but the timing was just a tad off. The fact that the resort was doing so well clearly showed that Billy Butlin had the right concept, and if it had continued, it would have been a massive success. The Jack Tar group stayed true to the original layout, and I believe Billy Butlin appreciated this a lot. It must have felt strange for him to walk the grounds again, remembering the times when it was just land, turning into a popular destination.

My final thoughts
This story has been wonderfully engaging to explore as we see Billy Butlin take on a project that faced significant challenges, ultimately leading him back to his beginnings. From his book, I see no ill will towards the new owners, and it seems he is appreciative to be able to close this chapter of his life. I have found that this story is powerful in revealing more about who Billy Butlin is and the hard work he put in, even though it resulted in a negative outcome. My respect for Sir Billy Butlin has only increased, and the connection to the Bahamas story has certainly impacted me, as it was this location that changed the annual meeting venue, threatened his position in Butlins Ltd, influenced decisions, faced financial difficulties, and stirred a lot of emotions. Butlins Bahamas Ltd is much more significant in the Butlins timeline than we often recognise, as it was this location that altered the history of Butlins, and for that, I am extremely honoured to share this with you.

Researching this significant location took me almost three months to finish, during which I reviewed over 574 files to gather the information delivered to you. I've gained a lot of insight about Butlins Bahamas, and moving forward, I will no longer view it as 'Billy Butlin attempted to establish Butlins in the Bahamas, but it didn't succeed.' Instead, I will see it as 'Butlins Bahamas Ltd is crucial to the timeline, and the story reflects determination, progress, and a major shift in the operations of Butlins Ltd.' Not a single moment was wasted during these three months, as my passion for this site has significantly grown. I truly hope you enjoyed this as much as I enjoyed creating it.