Center Parcs closure leaves autistic mum of cancer survivor ‘extremely stressed’

Gemma, Joe and Artie may have to cancel their long-for Center Parcs trip (Image: Submitted)

A mum who has autism and ADHD is “extremely stressed” due to Center Parcs’ decision to close for the Queen’s funeral bank holiday, which also happens to be the day their holiday was supposed to start. According to Gemma Vickerage, the family’s four-night stay at Center Parcs will probably have to be cancelled.

The 39-year-old and her son both need routine, so the disruption caused by having to change their trip is too much for them to handle, reports The Mirror.

Gemma’s son Artie, six, survived cancer in 2019 and has not been to school for nine months as Gemma and her husband Paul, 42, have struggled to find him a place that can meet his needs.

Their biannual trips to Center Parcs are the family’s “moments of joy” in what has been a difficult few years.

Gemma, from Rochford, Essex, is one of many people angry at the holiday company’s decision to close all of its UK sites for 24 hours from 10am on Monday, September 19, as a “mark of respect for the Queen”.

Initially, guests partway through seven-day holidays—which generally cost more than £1,000 for a family of four at this time of year—were told they would be forced to spend the night elsewhere or go home early.

But after a huge backlash from angry customers, the company made a u-turn and said those who were in the middle of their stay could remain at their accommodation.

But the facilities, such as the swimming pools, will still be shut. Guests will be offered a discount to compensate.

As Gemma’s family were due to arrive on Monday, they would not be able to stay on-site and would have to arrive on Tuesday.

Gemma says Artie has been really excited about going back to the holiday village (Image: Submitted)

She said: “It’s very disappointing. I understand people want to show respect for the Queen, but I think there needs to be an understanding that most people’s lives don’t revolve around the monarchy – especially when you have a child with disabilities.”

The family is booked to stay at Longleat Forest Centre Parcs, in Wiltshire, where they have been many times before.

She added: “I’ve been going to Center Parcs for 15 years and we’ve been visiting as a family with Artie since he was little.

“We stay in the same room, and we know ahead exactly what activities we’ll be doing on what day and time.

“It means both Artie and I feel calm and safe. The environment suits us too – it’s a little haven. We don’t holiday anywhere else.

“Now that we can’t go on Monday, I feel extremely stressed as it changes the routine.

“I know Artie will be upset if we don’t go as he loves it there, but I’m thinking it might be best to cancel the whole trip.”

Gemma said despite her disappointment with Center Parcs’ decision to close, she will continue to visit with her family in the future.

“On the whole, I think they’re fantastic and won’t stop going.

“It’s just very frustrating they’ve taken this decision, especially after so many people missed out on holidays during Covid,” she said.

Artie on a previous visit to Center Parcs (Image: Submitted)

Center Parcs said in a statement: “Like many businesses, we have taken the decision to close all our UK villages on Monday 19th September.

“This decision was taken as a mark of respect and to allow as many of our colleagues as possible to be part of this historic moment.

“We have contacted all the guests due to arrive on Monday 19th September and offered them a number of different options.

“The vast majority of our guests are either due to arrive or depart on Monday 19th September.

“We have however, reviewed our position regarding the very small number of guests who are not due to depart on Monday and we will be allowing them to stay on our villages rather than having to leave and return on Tuesday.

“The villages will still remain closed on Monday and we will be offering a discount for the lack of facilities available on that day.”

Anyone who has a four-day break cut down to three will be given a 30 per cent discount.

Center Parcs’ five UK sites include Elveden Forest, Suffolk; Longleat Forest, Wiltshire; Sherwood Forest, Nottinghamshire; Woburn Forest, Bedfordshire; and Whinfell Forest, Cumbria. Holidays at the villages start on Fridays or Mondays and last three, four or seven nights.