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).
