Published: August 28, 2012
Wet Bank Holiday weather hits tourist trade in Burnham-On-Sea

Disappointing Bank Holiday weather has again hit the trade of some tourism businesses in Burnham-On-Sea after one of the wettest summers for years.

Umbrellas and raincoats were out in force on Monday, as pictured, as rain and gusty winds returned for the final summer Bank Holiday of the year.

The donkeys stood idle on Burnham beach, as pictured, and local traders who rely on good weather were not helped by the conditions.

Brean Down Cove Cafe's Manager, Jason Harmer, told Burnham-On-Sea.com: "It's been a very quiet Bank Holiday for us. Our trade is down by about 33 per cent this summer due to the weather. The number of visitors has been considerably down."

And Louise Parkin of Burnham Pavilion added: "After a good weekend, the Bank Holiday has been disappointing. It's a poor end to a poor season overall."

"We're just hoping for an Indian summer over the next couple of months to help recover some lost business."

Keith Holman of Brit Chips in Burnham said Monday had seen "OK trade despite the poor weather. At the beginning of the day, I wondered whether we'd open at all after watching the forecast but the conditions in Burnham were not as bad as they predicted."

Several accommodation providers said Monday's poor weather had not hurt them. Phoebe Pearce from the Round Tower Guesthouse on Burnham seafront told Burnham-On-Sea.com: "Fortunately, the weather didn't affect us. We had advance bookings and were fully booked for the weekend."

And Steve Atkinson at Home Farm holiday park added: "Our season has actually been on a par with last year - the wet weather hasn't helped trade, but it hasn't hit us greatly either."