West Somerset tourism still hit by floods hangover

Even though the worst of the flooding which hit the Somerset Levels has long since receded, and despite the fact the West Somerset region was barely affected back then, businesses reliant on the lucrative tourism trade say flooding is a major reason thousands of visitors have stayed away.

Paul Conibeare, general manager at the West Somerset Railway, said: “From the figures for the first six months of this year and last year’s, we’re down on numbers but we did have a rough couple of months with the flooding.

“All of our coach companies have been unable to sell coaches when Somerset’s name is involved. They think it’s still flooded, but that’s not the case.”

Marcus Kravis, owner of The Arkade on the seafront, added: “Anyone who would think West Somerset is flooded or other areas of Somerset are, is a bit odd.”

However, Graham Sizer, who is the chairman of Minehead Chamber of Commerce, says there is no reason to panic, and plenty of signs that things may be taking a turn for the better during the school holidays.

Mr Sizer, who is currently running a survey on tourism figures around Minehead, said: “A few businesses in Minehead are very worried that their figures for the first two weeks in July are way down.

“But Butlin’s are full up, they’re always full, and have done a good job with marketing work.

“Car parks are filling up and all the hotels on the seas front are open for business this year.

“About two or three months ago, small businesses were saying that they were 30 to 40% down on last year’s figures, but things are improving.

“I say ‘come on down’ to visitors thinking about coming to Minehead.

“We have the Minehead Summer Festival running for five days for the first time this year, the weather is perfect and the beach is fantastic.

“The big corporate names, like Costa, are coming back into our town too.”

Mr Conibeare said things were also picking up at the West Somerset Railway.