Pontins 'undesirable guest list'

ronnyb

So a whistleblower has reported that Pontins has an undesirable guest list on its database so that staff taking bookings can screen out gypsies and travellers, it includes people with an irish accent and about 40 surnames including McGuiness, O'Reilly, Gallagher and Murphy. I can't imagine it being very successful though, in my previous occupation i've met dozens of travellers and the majority didn't have irish accents or surnames you think you would associate with travellers.  

SPECTRUM001

Well that puts Pontins on my undesirable destination list...

Sassafras

That doesn't leave many people who'd want to holiday at Pontins.

axisus

Shocking and disgraceful. 

Stevepage

My family (specifically mums side of the family) are Murphy's, we're not travellers and don't know any one in the family tree who was. Obviously moved over from Ireland generations ago. 

Not that Pontins ever crosses any ones mind to go on holiday.

McToot

I think, in all honesty, that this is all about Pontins not wanting Noel and Liam pitching up for a nice week off and kicking seven bells out of each other. Then Pontin's rightly realised that just banning Gallaghers would be too obvious, so extended it to a few other Oyrish surnames. 
 

Hattigol

I read this story and genuinely couldn't believe it was happening in 2021.

What's their policy on blacks and dogs?

Absolutely incredible...

boogieman

My wife’s previous husband, and therefore my stepson, has an Irish name. The family haven’t lived in Ireland for over 80 years. How’s that going to fit in with Pontins’ hit list? 

Sassafras

I remember a thread not so long ago where lots of us were moaning about how awful gypsies and travellers were.
So, is it OK for us to criticise them but not for a company that might've had bad experiences with them?

Sassafras

Hattigol said:

I read this story and genuinely couldn't believe it was happening in 2021.

What's their policy on blacks and dogs?

Absolutely incredible...

Dogs are welcome.

EricTheWeary

I usually stay on campsites and owners are quite often verbal about having security measures in place specifically to stop travellers. Some sites ban certain brands of caravan as those are ones associated with travellers. Many campsites in France have no twin axle rules which are their way around this as large twin axle caravans are associated with travellers. 

Perhaps a bit shocking these days if Pontins do what is said but not that surprising either maybe.

Emp_Fab

Sassafras said:

I remember a thread not so long ago where lots of us were moaning about how awful gypsies and travellers were.
So, is it OK for us to criticise them but not for a company that might've had bad experiences with them?

I was going to post this news article but didn't want to cause a riot here !  You raise a very valid point.  In today's 'woke' society, it's deemed unthinkable to admit to any hint of discrimination against any group.  You will be smited and struck down if you dare suggest that any group is not completely equal to any other group.  However, within this, there are unspoken prejudices that are considered acceptable, because of course everyone is equal.....   it's just that some are more equal than others.

Whilst people in this thread are scoffing that Pontins' behaviour is reprehensible etc, I do wonder whether they would be so virtuous if a load of travellers set up camp near their house.  The rejection by name only is a stupid and clumsy way to try to keep travellers out though.

BlueStrat

I don’t know if the travellers who destroyed my lad’s cricket ground holiday at Pontins; tbh i didn’t even know Pontins still existed, but summer 2019 we had to spend a few weeks repairing the pitch they’d done quad bike donuts on, clearing tons of dumped rubble and a huge amount of human waste. Perhaps they thought back and regretted their actions as they had a pint at the bar in Pontins. 

But somehow i doubt it

eoinzy

I agree with the list. 99% of those names are not to be trusted. And I'm on the list.

PhilW1

I a nightmare break with two young kids at Pontins where a group of travellers turned up,there must have been twenty of them, young and old ,and they were just lawless ,no care to anybody but themselves .We cut our holiday short.

SPECTRUM001

Emp_Fab said:

Sassafras said:

I remember a thread not so long ago where lots of us were moaning about how awful gypsies and travellers were.
So, is it OK for us to criticise them but not for a company that might've had bad experiences with them?

I was going to post this news article but didn't want to cause a riot here !  You raise a very valid point.  In today's 'woke' society, it's deemed unthinkable to admit to any hint of discrimination against any group.  You will be smited and struck down if you dare suggest that any group is not completely equal to any other group.  However, within this, there are unspoken prejudices that are considered acceptable, because of course everyone is equal.....   it's just that some are more equal than others.

Whilst people in this thread are scoffing that Pontins' behaviour is reprehensible etc, I do wonder whether they would be so virtuous if a load of travellers set up camp near their house.  The rejection by name only is a stupid and clumsy way to try to keep travellers out though.

Yep, it is the tried and tested problem of prejudice. Pre-judging people due to the behaviour of others.

I wouldn’t want to have anyone living next door who is unsociable and obstructive - be them Students, City Bankers, Hooray Henrys, Manicurists or people who work in A&R (they are the worst).

Might be considered woke or PC, but a sad state of affairs when a corporation can legally ring fence a group of people to single them out.

Legionreturns

SPECTRUM001 said:

Well that puts Pontins on my undesirable destination list...

If indeed it wasn't already on your list, remind me to never listen to any holiday related recommendations you ever make! 

SPECTRUM001

Legionreturns said:

SPECTRUM001 said:

Well that puts Pontins on my undesirable destination list...

If indeed it wasn't already on your list, remind me to never listen to any holiday related recommendations you ever make! 

Off to Southwold in May - it’s great !!!

Dominic

I've had lots of experience with Travellers...........some good ,some bad
I wouldn't say they are always bad but having shared a holiday location with them I wouldn't want to do it again .
They are oblivious to the normal social behaviour/courtesies that people expect when living next door or in the next Chalet / Camping spot etc .
They also enjoy raucous behaviour amongst themselves and although it's not necessarily aimed at the Gorgers or meant to offend others it's still uncomfortable to be around for most people.
 

RandallFlagg

Well I guess that means the High Flying Birds won't be appearing at a Pontins near you this season then.

axisus

Sassafras said:

I remember a thread not so long ago where lots of us were moaning about how awful gypsies and travellers were.
So, is it OK for us to criticise them but not for a company that might've had bad experiences with them?

You honestly can't see the difference between a specific bunch of unpleasant travellers and random human beings that have nothing on them other than a blacklisted surname???? Wow ...

jonnyburgo

I've been to Pontins when the kids were younger a couple of times, it is what it is, and it is ROUGH AS FUCK!!! but the kids love it and that's a big deal for a parent, even for those with 5 bellies and neck tattoos. Don't judge

Wazmeister

PhilW1 said:

I a nightmare break with two young kids at Pontins where a group of travellers turned up,there must have been twenty of them, young and old ,and they were just lawless ,no care to anybody but themselves .We cut our holiday short.

It happens.

You see, Pontins have done this for a reason. Something happeneD somewhere, which they thoughts involved a certain group of people.

Racist ? Yes.

But there’s a reason behind most things, and thE powers that be at Pontins are more concerned with the well being of thoese peacefully staying there, and the property itself, than the PC  brigade.

So, in their minds, how do they prevent this happening with online bookings ?

By the surnames.

It is discriminatory and affects many good people with similar names.

Emp_Fab

It's difficult to choose the right words when even discussing the subject because it's such a sensitive matter.   I think I have a solution to the problem though; once a person from the traveller community gets suspected of an offence, they have their surname changed to "Thepikey".  Then, all Pontins need to do is just pretend they're fully booked whenever someone with that surname calls, thus leaving the normal people free to book their holidays in a tacky shithole camp without prejudice.

zepp76

Dominic said:

I've had lots of experience with Travellers...........some good ,some bad
I wouldn't say they are always bad but having shared a holiday location with them I wouldn't want to do it again .
They are oblivious to the normal social behaviour/courtesies that people expect when living next door or in the next Chalet / Camping spot etc .
They also enjoy raucous behaviour amongst themselves and although it's not necessarily aimed at the Gorgers or meant to offend others it's still uncomfortable to be around for most people.
 

As have I, LOTS of experience and good friends too. When looking from the outside the “Gorga” have to think how a lot of our “normal” (as emp put it) society acts too. I see a lot worse behaviour out there among the non traveller community.

Sassafras

axisus said:

Sassafras said:

I remember a thread not so long ago where lots of us were moaning about how awful gypsies and travellers were.
So, is it OK for us to criticise them but not for a company that might've had bad experiences with them?

You honestly can't see the difference between a specific bunch of unpleasant travellers and random human beings that have nothing on them other than a blacklisted surname???? Wow ...

That's very patronising, I'm not a fuckin moron.
Of course I can see the difference.
I just wonder how we would handle the situation if we were running a place that had been trashed, possibly suffered physical attacks to our staff and customers, as well as financial loss.
Pontins aren't advocating gassing or sterilising travellers, they're just safeguarding themselves from further trouble.

Stratavarious

It’s def implemented completely wrong. Wondering what alternative system could be deployed.  National ID?

Pubs bar individuals..  

The piles of rubbish, the human excrement in the park, the noise at all hours, the blocked roads and pavement/verges... and that was our usual citizens last Easter here enjoying breaking the rules in the nice weather.

TTony

Hattigol said:

What's their policy on blacks and dogs?

They're welcome.


Provided they're not  called McGuinness, Gallagher, O'Reilly or Murphy.

tekbow

Personally, after the scenes at the likes of Bournemouth beach etc Last year, I decided I don't get to judge travellers anymore, because when it suits them, the general Population are no better.

Sassafras

TTony said:

Hattigol said:

What's their policy on blacks and dogs?

They're welcome.


Provided they're not  called McGuinness, Gallagher, O'Reilly or Murphy.

I had a Yorkshire terrier called Murphy.
Couldn't take him anywhere.

PC_Dave

TTony said:

Hattigol said:

What's their policy on blacks and dogs?

They're welcome.


Provided they're not  called McGuinness, Gallagher, O'Reilly or Murphy.

No black dogs though.