Spotlight on new stage as Butlin's in Skegness re-opens

Music is a massive part of the attraction of the resort and now guests will now see the stars and characters they love in a special festival arena - one of the new additions to meet with Covid-19 and social distancing restrictions.

Chris Baron, the resort director, said the re-opening on Friday has been a long time coming.

"Since March we have been planning to open and have had quite a few setbacks along the way - whether we could have live entertainment inside or not - and we think we have come up with the perfect solution.

"We've got a festival atmosphere, we're outside and people will be able to see our headline acts - such as Diversity, Rak-Su, Paul Zerdin and our in house acts like Telly Tubbies and the Skylight Gang."

In spite of social distancing, Chris - who retires as resort director later this summer - says his team have worked hard to make sure families have a good time.

"Hopefully, we have kept the essence of what a Butlin's holiday is about," he said.

"But because of the nature of what is happening we are having to be more structured.

"Everything will be bookable online, so you will be able to book if you want to go in the pool at a certain time and whether you are coming to the festival stage here.

"It will be more organised in that way but hopefully it will give people peace of mind that everything is being done with social distancing in place."

Normally at this time of year there would be 8,000 visitors on site, but initially there will only be 2,000, rising to a maximum of 3,000.

And this means fewer staff have been employed for the time being. "It's a great shame we have had to reduce numbers because of social distancing," said Chris.

"It's great to have the team back though.

"We normally have about 1,300 at this stage but now it's only going to be 600 because of the numbers.

"They will .naturally have some nervousness but hopefully we have reassured them with the training we have given.

"But we'll learn a lot over the first weekend."

We asked what Chris thought Billy Butlin would have said at a time like this. "I hope that Billy would be proud that we have reacted exactly as he would - you've got a problem and you have got to find a way of sorting it - and that's what we've done with the outside stage," he said.

"We're making sure we are still providing great holidays the way he always did."

In spite of the losses while the resort was closed, Chris said there were still plenty of people wanting to go on holiday.

"I think it could be a good end to the season," he said.

"but what we have to remember though is no matter how big the demand is, the supply is going to be a loy less, whether it's here with 3,000 guests or in town with bars and restaurants not able to take so many people.

"So that's not going to make up for all that we have lost over the past few weeks."

Arriving on the first day was Fiona Searby, of Holbeach and her her family. "This is the first time we have been but we've driven by it before and my 10-year-old grand-daughter wanted to come.

"She wanted to go on the climbing wall and the staff were brilliant with her.

"We'll never get the opportunity to come again when it is not so busy so we are making the most of it - booking outside activities where we can.

"Yes, it's rained - but we are British and we have brollies!"

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