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Couple gutted after Butlin's break was cancelled because their group aren't all on the electoral roll

A couple who forked out £5,000 on a Butlin’s holiday to celebrate their anniversary were left gutted after it was cancelled – because they’re not on the electoral roll.

Phil and Denise O’Hara booked the break to the popular holiday company’s Bognor Regis resort with 26 family and friends to celebrate their ruby wedding anniversary on New Year’s Eve.

But they were left heartbroken after they were told by Butlin’s that their three-night break, set for December 30, had been cancelled.

Denise, 59, said the travel company they’d booked through had called saying they had received a letter addressed to them to say Butlin’s had cancelled the holiday.

“The letter said it had been cancelled because not all members of our group were on the electoral roll,” she said.

<em>Cancelled – the couple say they were told their break had been cancelled because not all of their party are on the electoral roll (Picture: SWNS)</em>
Cancelled – the couple say they were told their break had been cancelled because not all of their party are on the electoral roll (Picture: SWNS)

And while their travel company tried to resolve the issue, they were unable to, leaving everyone “gobsmacked”, she said.

“I can’t understand why Butlin’s didn’t say they wanted any other information when the holiday was booked.”

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She added: “Surely then, or the other times we’ve made payments, they could have asked for more, if that’s a requirement.

“Even if we did send proof of addresses and photo IDs, it still wouldn’t be guaranteed their decision would be retracted.”

<em>Security – Butlin’s has said it never compromises on safety and security (Picture: PA)</em>
Security – Butlin’s has said it never compromises on safety and security (Picture: PA)

Denise, from Sheerness, Kent, said she had hoped the break would cheer her family up, as she recently lost her brother and mum within ten months of each other.

Instead, they have now had to book a table at a local restaurant and a game of bowling.

She added: “It’s obviously not going to be the same, but at least we’re going to be together.”

“My husband and brother were at Butlin’s on the first weekend of November for my son Shaun’s stag do. There were 20 of them and their names weren’t checked against the electoral roll.

“If this is part of Butlin’s terms and conditions, they should apply it for every booking, not just at Christmas. It’s disgusting.

“It’s not even a given law to have to be on the electoral roll – you can opt out. We were all so excited, especially the children – it left me devastated.”

A statement from Butlin’s said it was never nice to cancel breaks but it never compromised when it came to safety and security.

A spokesperson added: “We have refunded the guests and are obviously disappointed that they won’t be joining us.”

(Top picture: SWNS)