ANY JOURNO FEEL FREE TO PICK THIS UP

[lowwtide]

Parkdean resorts refusing to shut their 67 parks across the UK. All open for business as usual including pools, restaurants, bars, arcades, the lot. No consideration for the local healthboards where these parks are based, no consideration for the elderly / vulnerable permanent residents that live in the areas these parks are based. No refunds being offered as they are 'open for business' so customers who aren't willing to lose their money are travelling regardless of government advice and blatant disregard for their customers and staffs health! Haven, Center Parcs, Pontins, Butlins even small independent businesses are closing but this large corporation REFUSES.

[TheMagiciansMewTwo]

If they were open but everyone stayed home then they'd close. The individuals holidaying there are as much to blame. And, of course, the government by making suggestions rather than decisions.

[ShesGotBetteDavisEyes]

Dh ringing the hotel were supposed to be staying in at Easter to cancel today but I doubt we’ll get our deposit back as they are still claiming to be “open for business”. I really feel for them as if they have to refund everyone they may fold. I’m hoping at the very least they’ll let us move the date to later in the year.

[Genevieva]

The government has been trying to do this without infringing civil liberties by getting people to cooperate rather than forcing them, but I think that will change. Next week they will probably ask venues to close. If that is widely ignored and the infection curve doesn't show signs of improvement then the following week they will use more heavy handed measures. It will be a matter of "thank you to everyone who has pulled together to achieve what has been achieved so far - your efforts have made a huge difference. It is unfortunate, but we are having to take further measures to get others to fall into line with what you are already doing."

Public transport usage is down to about a third of its normal level, so I think the majority of us are listening and responding. There is huge social pressure to cancel all non-essential social gatherings, though I worry when I read on here about teachers saying "I would go because I an teaching 150 kids this week anyway". It shows they don't get it. We teach the same group of kids week in week out. Holding or attending a wedding reception with a completely different group of 150 people is irresponsible. Every interaction with another person is a potential opportunity for this virus to spread, so we all need to do our bit.

[severalboxes]

It is not unlawful to stay open. Boris Johnson was very clear yesterday - thankfully - about being a strong proponent of personal liberty

So someone who willingly gets infected, gets to hospital and has priority treatment over someone else who is older or has pre-existing conditions - where's the personal liberty of the person left to sink or swim?

Libertarianism is all well and good for young white male students, which is the section of society it seems to thrive in. Everyone else know we're part of a society and owe each other something. Once you have a kid, experience discrimination, have a health condition - poof! You need other people.

[Hoppinggreen]

I don’t understand the “I can’t afford to lose the money” mentality
It’s gone, it would be nice to get it back but if you isn’t and don’t go away you have not lost the money, it’s your holiday you lose and you will save on not spending money there
I’m not unsympathetic and hope everyone does get their money back from holidays they can’t take or get to rebook with no extra charges but going on a holiday when it’s a risk just because you “can’t lose the money” makes no sense at all

[severalboxes]

The government isn't looking to avoid infringing on civil liberties, it's looking to save money for its corporate donors.

[lowwtide]

The majority of comments on Parkdeans social media are negative, but there are a worrying amount of people commending them for staying open, saying people need a holiday at a time like this and even some utter cretins saying that they have confirmed cases in their areas, and none at the area of the park so it's safer to go than cancel. If you are that stupid, then clearly you won't be a decent enough person to think about other people and cancel. Boris is clearly to spineless to do anything about it. Parkdean resorts need to take the lead of their competitors and shut the park. They are the only major UK holiday provider still open.

[Genevieva]

@severalboxes That is not true. The government is working very well with the Opposition during this emergency. It is taking its advice from the world-leading specialist team of researchers at Imperial College London. A group set up in the 90s, who have advised governments internationally on every major epidemic and pandemic since then. Please don't make this a divisive part-political thing. It transcends that.

[YouAreTheEggManIAmTheWalrus]

Thank you, we have 3 locally, people need to stay the fuck home.

[Genevieva]

www.imperial.ac.uk/news/196313/in-pictures-imperial-developing-covid-19-vaccine/

[alloutoffucks]

Most people do not get insurance for UK holidays.

[DandelionDahlia]

Similar approach from PGL, which is a bit disappointing.

The DC are booked on a PGL holiday starting in two weeks’ time.

“All PGL holidays are currently operating as planned and we do not anticipate any changes to your programme”

So they won’t refund it.

I have their own PGL insurance, makes no difference at all.

[doomedbar]

We are meant to be going to parkdean today. We are not. They will move it but you have to pay the difference. We were going this weekend as it was cheap and it was the only one we could all do. The only other time we can all do is August and you’re looking at a difference of £500.

We will cut our losses. I don’t blame them for staying open with Boris and his wish washy advice. That said it is absolutely greed over people’s health (possibly lives) but how can we be surprised at that? It’s the way our world works, Coronavirus or not unfortunately.

[BanningTheWordNaice]

Fml - one of their parks is in Torquay, where one of the worst outbreaks in Devon has been....

[Alsohuman]

It is not unlawful to stay open. Boris Johnson was very clear yesterday - thankfully - about being a strong proponent of personal liberty

It’s not unlawful but it is morally reprehensible. I seriously wonder what your hero will have to do - or not do - to provoke your criticism, Xenia

[sewingsinger]

They are staying open because they don't want to pay if the government forces them to shutdown we will all pay. So the people who are responsble for this are both Parkdean AND their customers. I see this as the government trying to spread some of the financial fallout of this. Why should the general public pay for everything, can't people just take a small hit themselves?

[NettleTea]

Its not their fault - if they voluntarily close they will not be able to claim on their insurance due to disruption of business

We are only a tiny glampingsite and holiday cottage, but we are in the same boat. Until the government make the decision to ban all travel within the UK, or to close holiday accommodation, we are still officially open.

Im personally hoping it will come after the weekend because my child is extremely high risk and we are going to have to decide ourselves and lose potentially a years income to keep her safe.

We are offering full refunds at the moment

We are asking guests to check if they have travel insurance included in their bank packaged deals or home insurance, as anything booked prior to the advice on the 17th I believe will qualify and it doesnt leave small business in the lurch. Then we are offering the option to reschedule. Then we refund.

As a farm we are exempt from rates as agricultural. So dont either qualify for the grants for hospitality and leisure. And our mortgage is agricultural so we get no mortgage break either.
I get most of my income from this period - running courses, doing forest school, hampers, extras, etc.
We are probably going to lose circa £80K this year. Plus still need to pay all the bills.

If you are booked with a small company consider splitting the hit - it may be a couple of hundred to you, but it could be that times every booking they didnt get for the small business.

[gottastopeatingchocolate]

I agree that the government need to tell them to close. I booked a cheap break at a parkdean for a special birthday (over the Government's age for high risk). Parkdean have offered me to transfer, but the only other time I can go in the time frame they have given us is peak summer, and I can't afford it (especially as I now have no work at all, as the arts have shut). I too, am holding out for the small chance that thye will shut and give me a refund/credit!

[Nquartz]

I commented on Breakfree's Facebook page because I booked a park dean holiday though them for 6 April. Even if they're open & not letting people change I'm not going but so many people see saying they still would.

[HPFA]

That is not true. The government is working very well with the Opposition during this emergency. It is taking its advice from the world-leading specialist team of researchers at Imperial College London. A group set up in the 90s, who have advised governments internationally on every major epidemic and pandemic since then. Please don't make this a divisive part-political thing. It transcends that.

Sadly it is no longer possible to believe that. I do not doubt the good faith of the CMO and indeed some members of the Cabinet and Tory party.

But there are too many instances of the govt simply failing to do the obvious. Of course pubs, holiday parks, etc need to be tols to close. Of course the transition period needs to be extended (and I don't CARE whether you voted Leave or Remain - it's patently bloody obvious that the country can't cope with two massive disruptions at the same time).

Cummings and the whole cabal are persistently showing that they are putting ideology before the welfare of the country. They are true sociopaths. This is not about the government making mistakes and getting things wrong - we all accept that that will happen. But that isn't the problem.

[PlugholePencil]

So irresponsible.
Butlins only two days ago contacted us about our holiday. They are being surprisingly flexible about allowing us to rebook.
Away resorts are staying open but letting people rebook for the future (which we will be doing).
We’ve lost both our Easter holiday and May half term holiday, but thankfully we shouldn’t lose any money. To keep them open or to go is just insane.

[Alsohuman]

My comfort is that some Tory MPs are getting pretty bloody angry with the lack of action, in the absence of a strong opposition, the Tories seem to be providing their own.

[Bringringbring12]

-* The individuals holidaying there are as much to blame. *

They’re not. There are people out there with very low IQs who won’t grasp the serving; there are irresponsible people out there; there are people out there desperate not to lose money paid on things.

Park dean will know this and is leveraging the situation.

[Bringringbring12]

wont grasp the severity of the situation

[sestras]

Haven still open but no on site facilities open apart from on site shop.