15 February 2024 , 08:01
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Pontins has been called out for discrimination against Irish Travellers who wanted to make a reservation at their resorts.
The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) discovered that Pontins, owned by Britannia Jinky Jersey Limited, created a list of typically Irish last names and marked these as "undesirable guests". They also found that Irish Travellers and those associated with them were categorised as 'unwanted'.
Workers were trained to listen out for Irish accents in order to identify and decline these bookings. Another rule required guests to be on the voting register, which could disadvantage Travellers who are less likely to be registered.
The EHRC believes this amounts to multiple breaches of the Equality Act. The company has received an unlawful act notice from the organisation due to the "multiple instances of race discrimination against Irish Travellers" found during the investigation. Britannia was contacted by ECHO for comment on these accusations.
The EHRC found out about the unlawful practices happening at Pontins in 2020 from a whistleblower. The commission made a deal with Pontins in 2021 to prevent further breaches, but the company didn't comply. The EHRC pulled out of the agreement in 2022 and started checking in on them more. Pontins in Southport shut down suddenly on January 6 after its buildings sustained storm damage. Southport MP Damien Moore said the resort wasn't making enough money to stay open.
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Alex Langsam, the boss of Pontin's parent company Britannia, refused to apologise to workers who lost their jobs without warning. Pontins used to have 30 parks, but now there are only three left.
Baroness Kishwer Falkner, who leads the EHRC, detailed the commission's findings: "Our investigation into Pontins uncovered flagrant breaches of the Equality Act 2010. Their business practices demonstrated shocking overt race discrimination towards Irish Travellers and there was a culture of denial."
"We remain deeply concerned about these discriminatory practices. They were instigated and supported by senior managers and their leadership failed to take any action or accept corporate responsibility. Such unlawful and discriminatory behaviour is completely unacceptable, and it must never be tolerated."
Chris McDonagh, campaigns officer at Friends, Families and Travellers, said: "It is deeply saddening that Irish Traveller people have become so used to hate and prejudice that the Pontins 'blacklist' did not come as a surprise."
"Whilst we are certain that Pontins are not the only ones operating such discriminatory policies, we welcome the EHRC's investigation and commend the whistleblower's principled stance. Everyone deserves to live free from hate and prejudice." Britannia has been approached for comment.
A spokesperson for Pontins said: "We are in the process of reviewing the unlawful act notice and investigation report from the Equality and Human Rights Commission. The specific incidents reported by the EHRC are historic issues, pre-dating 2018. The call centre where the incidents took place has now closed and the majority of the staff involved have now left Pontins. We apologise to all who may have been affected. Pontins is committed to ensuring ongoing compliance with the Equality Act 2010."