Take a peek at how Bognor's Butlin's resort will look when it opens for Christmas

Butlin's in Bognor Regis has 'gone to town' in ensuring Christmas 'lives up to guests' expectations', the resort director has said.
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Jeremy Pardey said his team are 'raring' to go as the resort gears up to reopen to guests, for a second time, on Friday (December 11).

Having been forced to close in March, due to the coronavirus pandemic, Butlin's was able to welcome back up to 2,500 guests in July, down from its usual capacity of 7,000.

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Mr Pardey admitted it was 'frustrating' when the resort had to close again for the second lockdown, in November, but stressed 'the most important thing' is the safety of staff and guests.

Butlin's in Bognor Regis is reopening for ChristmasButlin's in Bognor Regis is reopening for Christmas
Butlin's in Bognor Regis is reopening for Christmas

He said: "It is about making people feel safe and secure and doing what the government advises is the right thing to do. We've made sure that we put that foremost in our minds.

"Doing the right thing for the country as much as doing the right thing for our business is really important."

On being able to open again for the festive season, he said: "It's fantastic. Returning from furlough is really important and the team are really engaged. They can't wait.

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"The Christmas trees are going up and all the activities are in place. We want the experience to be just as good for our 3,000 guests as it would have felt for the 6,000 guests that we would normally accommodate.

Butlin's in Bognor Regis is reopening for ChristmasButlin's in Bognor Regis is reopening for Christmas
Butlin's in Bognor Regis is reopening for Christmas

"We've gone to town in ensuring Christmas lives up to the guests' expectation.

"It's really exciting for us all. From our feedback socially, you can see guests still really enjoy coming.

"Our plans for next year are already full steam ahead."

Mr Pardey said the protocols 'are as tight as they were before', with no day visitors permitted on site and procedures in place to check that no one is travelling from tier 3 areas.

Butlin's in Bognor Regis is reopening for ChristmasButlin's in Bognor Regis is reopening for Christmas
Butlin's in Bognor Regis is reopening for Christmas

"That's done prior to arrival," he said.

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"We've done lots similar to what's happening in the high street, in relation to signage and distancing. We've also got dividers in restaurants.

"The biggest development has been our 'plan my day'. Everybody is guaranteed a place on the show so they aren't queuing. They know they are going to get a designated table and they order on an app with the service delivered to them. It's about cutting down on contact points as much as we can.

"That's been really successful and the guests have really embraced it.

Butlin's in Bognor Regis is reopening for ChristmasButlin's in Bognor Regis is reopening for Christmas
Butlin's in Bognor Regis is reopening for Christmas

"That worked brilliantly prior to close down and will continue to work in the same way throughout Christmas and new year."

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