Leisure park that wouldn’t refund a grieving grandmother has now made another faux pas
A holiday park which refused to refund a pensioner the cost of her holiday following her partner’s sudden death has finally issued a refund – into the pensioner’s deceased partner’s bank account.
As reported last week, bereaved grandmother, Jean Kinahan, 78, was denied a refund on her Bunn Leisure caravan holiday following the death of her husband because, according to the popular leisure park company, death is not covered in the terms of the comany’s cancellation policy.
Jean told the Mail Online: “I was banking on that money so I could pay for the funeral. I’m not sure what I’m going to do now.
“I am relieved that they are repaying it, it’s more the principle than anything else.”
Jean had been with her partner James Burgess, 76, for 20 years. They had planned to marry, but had to postpone the wedding when James was taken into hospital with heart disease.
They postponed the big day from June to August in the hope that James would be out of hospital in time, and then booked a caravanning honeymoon at West Sands Holiday Park in Selsey for September. Sadly, James sadly passed away two weeks ago.
Bunn Leisure’s reluctance to refund Jean outraged one local resident, who set up a petition gaining over 1,000 signatures.
“I was shocked to get so many signatures on the petition. After it reached 1,000 I had a phone call from John Bunn himself,” Jean said.
“He didn’t apologise but did say the refund was being done.”
Jean explained to the company that her late partner had paid for the holiday with his bank card, and she had then repaid him in cash. But, now that the money has been refunded into his bank account, it could take weeks for Jean to have access to it, because his estate has to be managed.
John Bunn, managing director of the leisure park, has confirmed that the company has received James’ death certificate – a necessary procedure, which enabled the company refund the full £434 for the week long stay.
He said: “‘We have never had this situation arise before, but in light of this case, we are reviewing our terms and conditions and will undoubtedly be including bereavement in the policy terms moving forwards.”
What do you think about this series of unfortunate events? Do you feel as though Bunn Leisure should have moved the goalposts in this instance to handle the matter with a bit more dignity? Let us know in the comments below.
