'Our fingers are crossed' Yorkshire's best beach seaside traders on fight to survive the cold months
On a sunny day Yorkshire's best beach resort can be bustling.
But as the dark nights draw in and the weather gets even colder and wetter fewer and fewer people venture out to seaside towns. So we asked local traders about how they become resilient and gear up for the ‘quieter’ months of the year.
For towns such as Redcar, the main highlight that draws everyone there is the perfect beach and after being named one of Britain’s Best Beach 2024 - Redcar has a crown jewel. So, what happens when the weather isn't beach weather and tourists are not frequent?
Frosty penguins putting adventure is right next to the beach and is the first point of call for tourists. The site is a joint business of put-put golf with a café on the side which offers small snacks and hot drinks.
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Debbie Housely, who has been working there since it opened a year ago, believes that the ‘tourism season’ never really ends and that a business survives by adapting to each season and what you do during that time.
She said: ”Of course if the weather isn't great then we don't open but that means no one gets paid. So, we always try to be open for a lot of the ‘colder months’ as people do come out to the beach for walks especially before and after Christmas and New Year.
“I don’t think the owners are that worried about business this autumn and winter as we always seem quite busy both with our little café and the mini golf, but I suppose it depends on weather - as no one wants to be sandblasted when playing golf or eating a snack / drinking coffee.
“Last January we were open most of the month as people still want to come to the beach and we always get told that they are surprised we are here. Mind saying that we only opened last year at the end of June - but we have gained regulars who come whatever the weather.
“This summer has been really good for us as the weather has been great. It has been lovely to watch the kite surfers on the sea while serving customers and it is such a great location.
“I always try and spend time to talk to guests and I’ve been surprised where people have come from Australia and Canada and London to visit Redcar.
"Normally they have family but sometimes they want to take a trip around the different seaside towns but it is great when they want to come here. “
Owner of the Gypsy Rover Micro Pub, Jackie Pink feels that there has been a 'surge' of tourists coming to the town which has helped during the summer and does not think it will be 'too bad' during the 'quieter months'.
The pub has been open for nine years in December and Jackie has seen an increase of tourists in Redcar, especially people from the South of England. She thinks this is down to the the transport links to Manchester Airport and daily trains from Leeds and York - which has helped with tourism in the seaside town.
She said: ”Thanks to the train service for the past four years goes which goes from Redcar direct to Manchester Airport. We get many visitors from Leeds York coming for a day or two over the weekend or when the races are on. The races always brings a good crowd.
"Luckily I'm a community pub, I have a strong regulars base and I put on lots of free entertainment most weeks and a weekly quizzes which does help to stay open- especially during the quiet months."
However, Jackie believes a lot of things like the cost of living crisis and other factors play a huge part in why it seems quieter in town and its not always because its in the autumn or winter months.
Jackie said: “I have noticed in the past few years with the current situation of living crisis that couples don't seem to come out during the week. Going for a meal to a restaurant then a pub for a few drinks then a taxi home can cost £100, which is a lot to spend on a weekday. So of course, my business does decline during the week.
"But, I suppose there is a positive for the ‘quieter months’ as maintenance / restoration work can start in the town and contractors working at nearby sites make up for this shortage of tourists as they are mainly here Monday to Thursday then go home on a weekend.
"All winters are quiet, no matter what you do, so I hope this year it's not too bad.
"The high street itself is dying like most of the country and pubs are closing daily as the prices of beer has gone up massively but hopefully people will still come out to socialise in the winter months.
"l think all winters months is hard for small businesses, especially when they have to keep up with the rising of commercial bills but fingers crossed pubs and any small business survive this year."
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