Center Parcs issues reopening update and new social distancing guidance for guests

The holiday company has its HQ in Notts

Popular tourist attraction Center Parcs has outlined what measures it is putting in place for when its sites reopen following the lockdown.

Center Parcs, which is headquartered in Nottinghamshire and has a holiday park in Sherwood Forest, near Mansfield, closed its sites on March 20 and has since confirmed it will not reopen until at least July 5.

Customers who had booked holidays at its UK destinations are being offered a full refund or to reschedule their stay, while the firm has also outlined planned changes for when it does reopen.

For example, guests who booked packages between July 6 and September 4 will have already received requests to cancel activities like the Aqua Sana and restaurant bookings.

The company says it is "reviewing all areas of operation" as it looks to reopen.

A spokesperson said: "This decision continues to support government advice and our priority to keep our staff and guests as safe as possible.

"We’re busy exploring the changes we need to make to ensure that when we do, we can safely welcome our guests.

"We recognise the importance of treading cautiously away from lockdown in order to control the pandemic.

"Our planning is well underway to consider the future Center Parcs experience and ensure that we can open with appropriate social distancing and additional cleaning in place.

"We know we will have to make changes but we are confident that we can adapt and still offer a great experience."

The company runs five holiday parks across the United Kingdom, and all will remain closed until July 5.

The Longford Forest site in Northern Ireland is scheduled to reopen on July 19.

Center Parcs says it feels confident government guidelines on social distancing will be met once it does reopen its doors.

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A spokesman added: "We don’t have all the answers just yet but we know we have lots of space, nature and fresh air to share.

"Center Parcs is all about spending time together and although we know we will have to make some changes, we are confident that we can adapt.

"We know that we have to amend timings of activities, restrict numbers of people in any one place and also allow extra time for cleaning.

"We will need to create a new timetable and programme for our activities to meet these requirements.

"Guests visiting on or after July 6 will have the opportunity to rebook things once the new schedule is in place. We know cancelling things is inconvenient but this will allow us to load a new programme."

To find out more about refunds or rescheduling, visit Center Parcs' website here.