Fred Pontin The Authorised Biography of Sir Fred Pontin Book

John Major when entertaining Sir Fred Pontin with other dignitaries at 10 Downing Street described him as a 'National Asset'. Lord George Brown thought he was an ideal candidate for the House of Lords when he was in power but the hint was not taken.

British holiday camps are part of the country's folklore and although Fred Pontin's business has changed hands on a number of occasions since he relinquished control in the late seventies and the concern was once again put up for sale and sold at the beginning of the twenty first century, deep down it is still the same operation catering for more or less the same type of customer. 'There's no place like Pontin's' can still be heard at Blackpool, Southport and Prestatyn and the future seems secure.

Days when Pontin's were delivering handsome dividends to shareholders are now long past but the show goes on and so did Sir Fred, until very nearly his 94th year. He had outlived all of his contemporaries and remarried very late in life to a long-lasting friend who had devoted many years to his wellbeing.

Sir Fred could look back on an eventful and fulfilling life which has had significant influence on other people.

This is the story of Sir Fred Pontin and his business. He had a meaningful impact on the holiday plans of many hundreds of thousands of people in the twentieth century.