ANP Productions | Source: ANP
Yesterday at 11:44
Asten
Peter Gillis will step down as boss of Dutch Oostappen holiday parks, he announced on Thursday. The organization will be in the hands of a new operator. The entrepreneur will continue to manage the Belgian parks, which will continue under a new label.
Gillis lost the catering permit at a number of parks and he did not receive an operating permit for the Prinsenmeer park in Ommel in North Brabant. That is why he has come to the “painful” solution of getting rid of the Dutch holiday parks. However, he remains the owner of the real estate at the locations, he reports. The Dutch Oostappen holiday parks will also continue under the same name and the current employees will continue to work there, but with a new boss.
“For me, the most important thing is that employees can continue to work at my parks and the head office and that loyal guests can continue to come back for an affordable holiday. It is with a heavy heart that I hand over the operation,” said the television celebrity.
Migrant workers
Migrant workers have been housed in Gillis’ parks on several occasions, even though this is illegal. The celebrity also failed a so-called Bibob test, an investigation into possible criminal activities. As a result, Prinsenmeer had to close.
The entrepreneur does not indicate when he will transfer the parks, but does say that the upcoming holiday season will be run by the new team. It is unknown who the new operator will be. Gillis could not be reached for comment on Thursday afternoon.
Long-running conflict
One of the Gillis holiday parks is located in Ommel in the municipality of Asten. That municipality has a long-running conflict with the owner because, according to Asten, rules are regularly violated in the Prinsenmeer park, including prohibited permanent residence. For example, summary proceedings will be filed at the end of the month regarding the disconnection of the gas supply to the park. The municipality says it has taken note of Gillis’ decision to stop and states that if a new operator comes along, permits will have to be reassessed.
