A MULTI-MILLION pound North Somerset leisure park has been bought by a national resort business - sparking claims that around 40 people have lost their jobs.

Weston Mercury: Sand Bay Leisure Resort.Sand Bay Leisure Resort. (Image: Archant)

Sand Bay Leisure Park was put up for sale by owner Martyn Leisure last year with a price tag of £6million following the death of the company’s founder Martyn Harrison.

A Pontins customer relations officer has confirmed the take-over of the Beach Road resort - which the firm owned prior to Martyn Leisure taking control - and the park now displays three Pontins signs.

The attraction occupies 17 acres and comprises 330 chalet-style rooms and a ballroom capable of holding 550 people.

However, in an email to the Mercury shortly after the sale, a former park employee, who did not leave their name, said 40 people lost their jobs in one day and a number of changes have been made to the running of the resort, including abolishing table service.

The email said: “Guests complain about everything. Soon, no-one will come.”

The Mercury has contacted the company’s head office regarding the sale and the alleged job losses but representatives have so far stayed tight-lipped and refused to make any official comment on either matter.

In another letter sent to the Mercury, a visitor to the resort said more than 35 people have lost their jobs and the ‘hard-working staff are being treated badly’.

The letter, from P Mackin, of Worthing in West Sussex, said: “The boyfriend and I have just returned from a week there. We love to go there.

“Now Pontins have just taken over Martyn’s leisure resort at Sand Bay and the loyal and hard-working staff are being treated badly.

“Even the wonderful chef doesn’t know if he is staying on. It’s all a dreadful shame.”