Butlin's Opens in Bognor Regis

1960

Billy Butlin opened his Bognor Regis holiday camp in 1960, bringing the mass-market holiday industry to the town on a scale it had not previously experienced. The camp was built on a large site at the eastern end of the seafront, between the town centre and Felpham, and provided all-inclusive holidays with entertainment, accommodation, dining, and activities within a single fenced compound. The Bognor Butlin's was one of several camps in the chain, designed to provide affordable seaside holidays for families in the post-war era when foreign travel was still beyond the means of most working people. The camp brought thousands of visitors to Bognor each summer, transforming the resort's economy and its character. The Butlin's model was different from the traditional seaside holiday of guest houses, deckchairs, and pier entertainment. It was self-contained, and visitors could spend an entire week without leaving the camp. This brought economic benefits to the town through employment and supply contracts but also changed the visitor profile and the way the resort functioned. Over the decades, Butlin's evolved from a holiday camp with chalets and Redcoats into the modern Butlin's resort, with upgraded accommodation, indoor entertainment complexes, and a broader appeal aimed at families and short-break visitors. The site remains a major presence in the town and a significant local employer.