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Published:
March 24, 2008
Easter
tourism trade hit by cold weather in Burnham-On-Sea
Bitterly cold weather and an early Easter have hit Burnham-On-Sea's
Easter tourist trade this week, but holidaymakers have been putting
a brave face on it.
 Young
Madeliene Capper and mum Lydia from the West Midlands enjoyed
a donkey ride along the town's beach on Bank Holiday Monday (pictured).
"It's
been bitterly cold, but we love Burnham and have had a great time,"
said Lydia.
Donkey
rides manager Dave Banwell confirmed the weather had dented takings.
"It's been a very quiet weekend for us," he told Burnham-On-Sea.com.
"The school holidays have been messed about this year and
there have been far fewer people than usual for Easter."
While
ice creams may have not been on everyone's mind given the chilly
temperatures, the Towman family from Taunton (pictured above)
munched theirs while wrapped up in their winter layers outside
the Bay View cafe!
Louise
Parkin, Manager of the Pavilion, said the Easter holiday had been
far quieter than normal.
 "Our
trade was about 80 per cent down on last Easter," she told
Burnham-On-Sea.com on Monday.
"We
haven't been helped by the weather or the scheduling of Easter
this year, but 2009 should be far better becuse it falls in the
middle of April."
Sedgemoor
Tourism Association said on Monday that trade among its members
was also down. "It's been the earliest Easter for many years
and this has meant accommodation bookings have been down by around
25 per cent on last year. It has been disappointing," said
spokesman Tom Ashton.
Alex
Turco, Chairman of Burnham Chamber of Trade, added: "It's
been a mixed weekend for businesses in the town. There have been
day trippers in Burnham using the cafes, but gift shops have done
less well."
While
Burnham missed the snow that has fallen across much of the rest
of the country, the town still shivered in icy temperatures throughout
the weekend - although the beach was still busy with walkers on
Easter Sunday (above).
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