Caravanners pack up and go home as more parks along the coast close

Only the Golden Sands Haven Holiday Park in Mablethorpe had fully closed before the weekend, with others - including Blue Anchor Leisure Ltd sites , closing facilities and taking no new bookings on touring fleets.

However, after a weekend which saw hundreds flock to the coast, Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced tougher measures and called on people in holiday homes to go home where they could best be cared for should they get sick.

As a result, other parks, including and East Lindsey District Council's Kingfisher site in Ingoldmells, announced they would close.

Skegness Water Leisure Park said: "We are putting the health and welfare of our staff and customers first.

"Skegness Water Leisure Park, Greenacres and Waterford will be closed from March 25. This will stay in affect until the Government allow us to re-open.

"We are not allowing customers to travel to the park and stay overnight. We are closed.

"We need to prioritise our work and at the moment we are taking urgent steps to protect people on our park. It is in everyone's interest that you leave as quickly and safely as possible."

Skegness Sands Static Caravan Park announced: ""With immediate effect our caravan parks are now closed until further notice for owners who have a primary residence elsewhere.

"For our owners who use their caravan as a primary residence during our open period these owners may stay on the park in their caravans and follow the Government advice on social distancing.

"The gas, electricity and water will remain connected throughout."

Parkdean Resorts, who run Southview Holiday Park in Skegness, closed its park yesterday (Tuesday) until May 1.

A statement reads: "Following direct Government instruction, Parkdean Resorts announced the closure of its parks to holiday home owners until May 1.

"As instructed by Government order, the communication on March 24 to holiday home owners asked them leave their holiday homes and return to their primary residence.

"If they felt unable to do so, they were asked to contact their General Manager as a matter of urgency.

"Parkdean Resorts is fully complying with Government’s guidance which allows for people to continue to stay in caravan parks temporarily if they are unable to return to their primary residence, in circumstances such as needing to self-isolate.

"Our General Managers are handling requests to stay on park on a local, case-by-case basis."

Steve Richards, Chief Executive Officer of Parkdean Resorts, said: “We are dealing with an extraordinary and fast-moving situation, and our park teams are working round the clock to ensure our holiday home owners are kept abreast of the latest Government information.

"The timing of the Prime Minister’s announcement late on Monday evening unfortunately gave our teams less than 24 hours to shut our 67 parks, and communicate with our 22,000 owners.

"Even though people have had to react quickly to a changing situation, the health, safety and well-being of our holiday home owners, and our people is our absolute priority, so it is important that people follow Government instruction immediately and return to their homes if they can.

“Our holiday home owners can be assured that access to parks up and until May 1 will be denied to third parties and controlled by our grounds maintenance and 24 hour security teams.”

Blue Anchor Ltd has also now closed its sites, including Golden Palm at Chapel St Leonards and Robin Hood.

Mark Slater commented: "Had a text last night saying from 3pm all sites and offices would be closing.

"The sites are deserted, only a few who spend most of the season still around.

"Hope that this does not have to last too long. Love going and seeing all my friends and family, but understand the decision which has been made.

"Stay safe everyone and hope to see you again soon."