Latest News

The future of the Blackpool Spring and Illuminations Classic Bowling Festivals have been assured after organizers, Esselle Sports Management, have announced that due to the closure of the Pontin’s Holiday Centre, the two events will now be based at the Norbreck Castle Hotel from 2010.

Despite rumours that the Festivals would be re-located to Southport, Prestatyn or the East Coast, Festival co-ordinator Steve Rigby was adamant he always wanted to stay in Blackpool.

“Having run these events for 20 and 18 years respectively, and established a rapport with local referees and bowls clubs it was undoubtedly an easy decision to want to stay in Blackpool, and having looked at a few options, the Norbreck was a tailor-made replacement for what we had with Pontin’s”.

“The way I see it, in many ways it will retain the close-knit atmosphere by everyone staying in the same base as each other, but does offer guests some very attractive plus points that we didn’t have at Pontin’s - sea views, telephones to contact friends room-to-room, parking close to your room, internal leisure complex and there will be no need to get wet waiting for transport to the greens! We are very excited about the news!”

Sadly for Pontin’s staff and guests the closure of the Blackpool site was announced on September 8th whilst organizers Esselle were in North Wales for that Festival, as Pontin’s decided not to renew their lease on the privately-owned complex. Esselle hope to have booking forms available for the Spring Festival by October 15th, and guests are requested to register their interest at Esselle by calling them on 01257 450991, as at the time of going to press, they do not have access to the Pontin’s’ mailing list. Forms will also be downloadable from the website on www.essellesports.com.