Seaside resort traders reflect season as visitors look to keep

Weston-super-Mare is famed for its stretches of golden sand and landmark pier, making it a popular place for tourists to visit. However, like many seaside towns across the country, it has seen a noticeable drop in visitors this summer which has had a huge impact on businesses in the area.

- JOHANNAH MATHEW

We spoke to eight Weston-super-Mare seaside businesses to discuss how the recent summer season. Almost all businesses had the exact same response: visitor numbers have been noticeably down, and customers are spending less money.

Many businesses equated this to the cost-of-living crisis. Alex Michael, the managing director of Revo Kitchen said “there’s a lot less buying on whim” this year due to people being “very conscious of money at the minute”.

Alex said: “People are very conscious of money at the minute. With the cost of living and everything else that we've been experiencing, I think people want value for their money.

“They're more than happy to outlay large amounts of money, provided they see value in it and that it’s for an experience or it's worthwhile. I think there’s a lot less buying on a whim. It’s more like planned days out”

He added: “Visitor numbers are definitely down compared to last year in the town. The visitors that we are seeing aren't staying as long as they used to. We're not seeing as many overnight visitors as we would have done. Before we would have had quite busy breakfast shifts but now they’re very hit and miss.

“While I have been a bit doom and gloom, in reality we have had a good summer. Business has been great and the team have coped with it really well,”

One member of staff at Cove West mentioned how they had noticed families often bringing old “buckets, spades and things to do with the beach” instead of buying new items when they arrive.

They said: “People haven't got the money and it shows. When people of my age group, grannies, say no to their grandchildren, that’s when you know money is quite tight. People used to buy new buckets, spades and everything to the beach, but now everyone just brings their old things in trolleys. At least that’s my opinion.”