Pontins found to have blacklisted people based off specific surnames and accents following investigation
Pontins' have found themselves in hot water following an investigation that found them guilty of discriminating against specific potential guests.
The holiday firm, owned by Britannia Jinky Jersey Limited, were found guilty following an investigation carried out by The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) according to Liverpool Echo.
Following the investigation, the UK based holiday parks were found to have a blacklist of common Irish surnames, aiming to avoid Irish Travellers.
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Employees were instructed to refuse or cancel bookings if these names were included on them, labelling them as 'undesirable guests'.
In addition to this, the EHRC discovered that Pontins had a rule in place that required guests to be on the electoral register, once again discriminating against Travellers, who are unlikely to be registered.
The commission have therefore served the business with an unlawful act notice due to the 'multiple instances of race discrimination against Irish Travellers' found throughout its investigation off the holiday firm.
The EHRC were alerted of the malpractice in 2020 by a whistleblower, which progressed to a legally binding agreement to end all practices of discrimination at the parks in 2021.
Pontins failed to follow through with the agreement, which was ultimately terminated in 2022.
Britannia CEO Alex Langsam later denied an apology to staff who were sacked from the Southport-based hotel without notice.
Chairwoman of the Equality and Human Rights Commission, Baroness Kishwer Falkner, stated: "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."
Falkner added: "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."
A member of the Irish Traveller also shared their thoughts on the discovery at Pontins.
Chris McDonagh, from Friends, Families and Travellers, stated: "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."
He also added that Pontins 'are not the only ones' that have these discriminatory policies in place, though gave credit to the EHRC for their investigation and have also commended the whistleblower for speaking up.
McDonagh concluded: "Everyone deserves to live free from hate and prejudice."
LADbible has contacted Pontins for comment.
Joshua Nair