Welcome to Mark Banks Butlins Memorabilia and Friends Website

Sir Billy Butlin is without any doubts, one of the very best to walk mother Earth. His ability to create a business that made so many people smile is a gift to us all. There a lot of people that would love to say thank you to him for all he has done as his legacy continues today. Born in cape town in 1899, Sir Billy Butlin and his brother Binkie was raised by their parents William Colborne Butlin and his mother, Bertha Cassandra Hill. The Butlin family was very supportive of each another and would work hard to put food on the table.

Unfortunately, bad news had arrived for Sir Billy and Binkie when their parent's marriage had failed. Bertha had returned back to England with her two sons and they in lived in Coaley. It was in 1907 that Sir Billy had to deal with a large change in his family as Binkie passes away from polio. This devastating news had impacted the family greatly. Wanting a change, Bertha falls in love and remarries to help support her family better. Emigrating to Canada, Bertha moves to leave Billy in the care of his two aunties. This was not an easy decision however, Billy would have a better life in England whilst she settles down in Canada and tries to get things ready for Billy.

Moving to Canada, Sir Billy was not very happy and found it hard to settle in. Being a strong person, he never gave up and got a job working in Eaton, Toronto's largest department store. This was the turning point for Sir Billy as he would go to summer camp, helping him see what holidays were all about, a legend had started. Continuing to show strength, Sir Billy would join the army to help with the war.

When the war was finished, Sir Billy moved back to England in a cattle ship with a vision and a goal to achieve. Extremely important time was recorded as Sir Billy would open a hoopla stall in Bridgewater. As a strong businessman, he would allow his customers to have a higher rate of winning a prize. Many of his fellow stallholders would often say "You will be out of business soon Bill, everyone keeps on winning and you will be out of pocket" However, Sir Billy explained that his stall had many more customers and from this, he earnt much more profit. Small profits now with long term achievements.

Sir Billy Butlin idea worked well as he made a success and expanded. History shows that Sir Billy would only go uphill from here as he opens up zoos and fairgrounds. From one stall in Bridgewater, we see the birth of a name that so many people know of today.

Becoming an amazing figure, we fast forward to the future to the year 1936 and the first Butlins Holiday Camp was opened in Skegness. This is an important time for Sir Billy Butlin as this was a make or break situation. The creation of the Redcoats was born and the memories had started...The legacy of Sir Billy Butlin. Opening ten camps and thirteen hotels (down to twelve in 1942), Sir Billy Butlin would support the war, give millions to charity and create so many new memories. 

It was on the 12 June 1980 that a sad day had arrived, "Sir Billy Butlin passes away. The camps and hotels remained in place as the founder of the resorts was laid to rest. As we continue into the future, we see that more bad news was to arrive as Filey, Clacton, Monsey and Barry Island was to close. The reason for these was closure was due to the competition going abroad had deeply affected the number of people who went on holiday in the United Kingdom. It was in the late 1980's that we another transformation to the company name as only five resorts remain to represent Sir Billy Butlin legacy. They are AYR, Pwllheli, Bognor Regis, Minehead and of course Skegness. Lets also not forget the hotels as they remained under the name Butlins

The Rank group invested a great deal of money to upgrade the sites to the new demand and it worked well. Extending the Butlin's name, those from this era witnessed a birth on a new site, Butlins Hotel - London. Back on top, Butlins would host dance competitions, darts and even the Radio one roadshow. However, there was a need to keep with the demands and big change had arrived at Butlins in the year 1999. The Pavilions was introduced to three locations, Minehead, Skegness and Bognor Regis. Butlins was also to be now known as resorts and no longer holiday camps. Pwllheli and AYR was transferred to the sister company, Haven, where they remain today and the hotels closed down.

With changes in the business world, the Rank group said goodbye to Butlins in the year 2000 when the current owners Bourne Leisure Limited purchased the locations and name. Here are details of how Bourne have invested and kept Butlins going well.

.

.

Bognor Regis Butlins


Bourne have invested a great deal into the smallest of the three resorts. They reintroduced the hotels back into Butlins and placed them on this resort. Today, there three hotels that you can stay in at Butlins Bognor Regis.

They are also just recently spent £40 million pounds into a brand new swimming pool. Still going strong, Bourne has kept Butlins name alive.

Butlins Minehead

Based in Somerset, this location has seen a new design of chalet introduced. Keeping closely to the design of the original by Sir Billy Butlin. We see a more up to date version. We also see the funfair upgraded a great deal giving you that feeling of Sir Billy Butlin vision. The site is extremely clean and brilliant to go to.

Butlins Skegness

Where is all started and the eldest resort in Butlin's history is this gem. Bourne has kept the original chalet in remarkable condition, You will also see the old tennis courts and large investment into the chalets. With the Sir Billy Butlin spirit, I found this location to be pleasant and welcoming.

From here the future is yours to make at Butlins where you can create brand new memories. Book a well-deserved break at Butlins and you will see that your love for the name will only grow. I am confident that Bourne will only invest more into the company and that means better options for us all.

I am thankful to the current owners for keeping this name going and for spending money on them to keep them updated. It's a nice feeling to know that all of you that visit here can experience what I do.

Thank you for visiting, Kind Regards, Mark Banks.

Please note: Butlins own the copyright to the logo, not me. This website is shown as a fan site only. Butlins have no involvement with this site, only the name. You can visit them at  the official website www.butlins.com for further information. They are an amazing company that offer so much to so many people and I thank them from my heart. My website is not the official website for Butlins. 

Send Mark a message on Facebook

Send Mark a Tweet

Send Mark a message in MeWe