RISE AND SHINE!
How the hot weather has helped to lift the fortunes of Britain’s seaside towns
BRITAIN’S seaside resorts are enjoying a bumper summer bonanza, with millions flocking to the coasts during the ongoing heatwave.
With research revealing that more than half of Britons have this year opted for staycations, the coffers in coastal resorts across the country are receiving a muchneeded boost.
Tourism chiefs and hotel operators yesterday said the heatwave has allowed the traditional British seaside resort to firmly find itself back in vogue.
As a result bookings have doubled this year compared to two summers ago.
From Scarborough and Skegness to Brighton and Bournemouth, record numbers are now packing our traditional resorts rather than jetting off to foreign destinations.
And the financial benefits are already being felt, with hotel chains, food outlets and tourism attractions all reporting record trade.
Travelodge spokeswoman Shakila Ahmed said: “Our bookings data and the 2018 Travelodge holiday index report both report British seaside resorts are back in vogue this summer.
“We are experiencing a surge in bookings for last-minute jaunts to the seaside, inspired by the tropical heatwave.”
UK tourism chiefs said our seaside destinations were reaping the rewards of the increasing liking for staycations.
Patricia Yates, director of strategy at Visit Britain, explained: “The ease and certainty of budgeting for a holiday at home, as well as the delightful weather we’ve been having, contribute to the many reasons why people are choosing staycations, distributing the economic benefits of tourism throughout the country.
Enchanting
“From enchanting coastal towns to cool cities, from rambling in the countryside to adventures in our outstanding attractions, England is packed full of wonderful holiday experiences that you can’t get anywhere else.”
Around the country business is now booming at the seaside.
In Bournemouth, the borough council yesterday revealed it had already reached this year’s income target of £5.3million from the hiring out of deckchairs, sun loungers, beach huts and from fares for the cliff lift and land train.
In Brighton, the newly revamped Palace Pier has been packed for two months and with Gay Pride Festival being held this weekend traders are expecting one or their busiest ever two days.
One trader said: “The whole city is bustling and preparing for the biggest party of the year.”
And it is the traditional seaside towns – such as Southend-on-Sea, Margate, Scarborough and St Ives – that are cashing in as they all see a surge in popularity with the extreme hot weather showing no sign of abating.
Southend-on-Sea has seen the biggest growth in visitor numbers with train bookings to the Essex town for July and August up an incredible 210 per cent compared to the same period in 2016.
Bookings to Margate have increased by 164 per cent, while St Ives and Scarborough have seen a rise of 79 per cent and 76 per cent respectively.
The spike was identified after analysts compared the Trainline app’s booking data for July and August to the same period in 2016.