Butlin's Memorabilia Website
Sir Billy Butlin

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Young William Butlin

William Butlin during the War

The Butlin Family

Sir Billy Butlin undoubtedly stands out as one of the greatest individuals to have ever lived. His remarkable talent for building a business that brings joy to countless people is a true blessing for all of us. Many individuals would love the opportunity to express their gratitude for his contributions, as his legacy remains vibrant even today. The way he established a fantastic company that fosters happiness and continues to thrive is a testament to his extraordinary vision and dedication to campers.

The Butlin family has a deep-rooted history that goes back to the 1500s, paving the way for the establishment of the Butlins holiday camps. To learn more, please check out the Butlins Memorabilia timeline page. In this part of the website, we shine a light on the founder, William Butlin, who is often called Billy Butlin. He was born in Cape Town in 1899, and alongside his brother Harry John, known as Binkie, they were raised by their parents, William Colborne Butlin and Bertha Cassandra Hill. The family operated a small cycling business, pouring their love and effort into raising their two sons.

Billy and Harry received devastating news when their parents' marriage ended, leading Bertha to return to England with her sons, where they settled in Coaley. The year 1907 brought further sorrow as Harry tragically lost his battle with polio, leaving a significant void in their lives. In her quest for a new direction, Bertha found love again and remarried, hoping to provide a more secure life for her family. She faced the painful decision to emigrate to Canada, leaving Billy in the care of his two aunts. Although it was a challenging choice, Bertha felt it was necessary for Billy to have a brighter future in England while she worked to build a new life in Canada.

Billy's transition to Canada was not an easy one; he felt unhappy and struggled to fit in. Nevertheless, his inner strength propelled him forward, leading him to a job at Eaton, the largest department store in Toronto. This role became a turning point, as summer camp experiences revealed the joy of holidays to him, setting the stage for his legen364 dary journey. In a further display of his resilience,  Billy decided to enlist in the army to aid in the war.

(Additional note: You can view the Butlin timeline here)

Video of Sir Billy Butlin

Sir Billy Butlin and his legacy

A video provides further insight into Billy Butlin and his significant role in shaping the timeline that contributed to the development of the beloved company. He is a hero to me and an inspiration to countless others; without this kind gentleman, many individuals, both employees and campers, may not have experienced the joy of smiling. 

William Butlin

William Butlin during the War

Once the war came to an end, Billy made his way back to England on a cattle ship, driven by a vision and a mission. A significant chapter in his life began when he opened a hoopla stall in Bridgwater. With his keen business sense, he provided his customers with better chances of winning prizes. Many of his fellow stallholders would joke, "You’ll be out of business soon, Bill; everyone keeps winning, and you’ll be in the red." Yet, Billy pointed out that the influx of customers at his stall resulted in much higher profits. He focused on small immediate gains that would lead to long-term success.

Billy Butlin's ambitious vision became a remarkable success as he launched amusement parks in Littlehampton, Bognor Regis, Skegness, and other areas, incorporating zoos into the attractions. However, a transformative day at a bed and breakfast in Barry Island would redirect his business focus. Being locked out for the day while the owner shopped made Billy realize that this was not the ideal way for people to enjoy their holidays. This experience, along with his strong connection to the Warners, laid the groundwork for the Butlins Holiday Camp.

In 1936, we arrive at a landmark moment with the opening of the first Butlins Holiday Camp in Skegness. This was a crucial time for Sir Billy Butlin, as it represented a decisive moment in his endeavors. The introduction of the Redcoats marked the beginning of a journey filled with memories. Sir Billy Butlin's legacy flourished as he established ten camps and thirteen hotels (later reduced to twelve in 1942). His dedication to supporting the war and his generous contributions to charity created a lasting impact, filled with joyful moments for many.

It was a very sad day in Butlin History

 A sad chapter unfolded on June 12, 1980, with the death of Sir Billy Butlin. As he was laid to rest, the camps and hotels he founded remained in operation. Yet, as we looked ahead, we were met with more unfortunate developments: the closures of Filey, Clacton, Mosney, and Barry Island. These closures were largely influenced by the growing competition from overseas, which significantly impacted holiday trends in the UK. By the late 1980s, the company experienced another shift, with only five resorts left to represent Sir Billy Butlin's legacy: AYR, Pwllheli, Bognor Regis, Minehead, and Skegness. The hotels continued to operate under the Butlins name, preserving a piece of his vision.

The Rank Group invested heavily in upgrading the sites to align with new demands, and the initiative was successful. This period marked the expansion of the Butlin's brand with the establishment of the Butlins Hotel in London. Butlin's regained its former glory by hosting dance competitions, darts events, and the Radio One roadshow. However, to adapt to the evolving landscape, Butlin's underwent a significant transformation in 1999. The introduction of the Pavilions at Minehead, Skegness, and Bognor Regis represented a pivotal change, as Butlin's redefined itself from holiday camps to resorts. Meanwhile, Pwllheli and AYR were passed on to the sister company, Haven, where they remain today, leading to the closure of the hotels.

In the year 2000, the Rank Group parted ways with Butlin's as Bourne Leisure Limited acquired the brand and its locations, marking a significant shift in the business landscape. Then, in 2020, it was announced that Butlin's, Haven, and Warner Hotels would have a new part-owner, Blackstone, which has taken a substantial share in the company. This new chapter appears to hold great potential for positive growth.

The last three Butlins hotels and resorts were on the market in 2022, as Blackstone had a vision that excluded this historic name. Luckily, the Harris family, who had significant involvement with Bourne before, took the initiative to repurchase Butlins. This is excellent news for all, as it suggests that Butlin's will now have the focus it needs to thrive and cater to today’s demands.

Do you have any memories of Sir Billy Butlin that you would like to share with the Butlins memorabilia website?

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Who and What is Butlin's Memorabilia Website
The Butlins Memorabilia website was originally established as a place on the internet where people could view Mark Banks' Butlins collections. As a passionate enthusiast of the brand, Mark took the initiative to explore the extensive history that led to the website's transformation. Now, the Butlins Memorabilia site has matured into a historical education platform, demonstrating to visitors the meaningful ways in which Butlins has fostered joy and created unforgettable memories.

Are you the official Butlins Archive?
There exists only ONE official website that represents Butlins and that is located at www.butlins.com. The Butlins Memorabilia website is NOT the official archive of Butlins, nor does it serve as the authentic historical record of this extraordinary company. Butlins and their respective parent company have no role in the development of this site and have not participated in its creation. The singular official source for all Butlins information is the one indicated above. This site is strictly a fan-created platform, and any material presented here should be viewed as unofficial. Butlins and their esteemed parent company have NOT reached out to me to create this site, nor have they requested me to promote them. I undertake this effort solely to demonstrate my appreciation for their remarkable name and brand.

If you want to know more about this website
If you would like to read more about this website, you are more than welcome to click on these words. This special page will show you more about this site, how my Butlins collections started, how to get in touch with Mark, Social media links, our Facebook experts and the friends of this website. 

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The Untold Stories of Butlin's
An exciting addition to the website is the section titled "Untold Stories of Butlin's," which includes a range of personal stories. These narratives have been contributed by members of the Butlins Memorabilia social media groups, who have shared their individual experiences at Butlin's. It is important to understand that these stories are not sanctioned by the official company but are personal recollections from the individuals, as indicated on the page. The accounts shared reflect the magical atmosphere of Butlin's and the memorable moments it has inspired.

Can I get in touch with you about my situation at Butlins for some help?
For any issues related to bookings, inquiries on how to use the app, or to file a complaint, it is essential to follow the official procedure by contacting Butlins directly. Unfortunately, the Butlins Memorabilia website is not equipped to handle these matters, and no assistance can be provided through this platform. Complaints must be directed to Butlins, as they are the only ones capable of addressing them; this site lacks the direct control or involvement necessary to assist. The sole website that can provide help is the Butlin's official site, www.butlins.com. Everything you need can be found there, including their contact page, which is available on this link, and assistance with the Butlins app can be found on this link.

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