'It won't be a total washout' - Traders hopeful ahead of bank holiday weekend

Cristiano Magaglio

3 May 2024 at 7:13 pm·3-min read

TRADERS are trying to stay optimistic despite more rain forecast for the bank holiday weekend.

Some much-needed spring sunshine is expected today - but rain isn't far away with showers expected Sunday and Monday.

The past few months have been rainy, murky and generally miserable. According to Weymouth weatherman Roger Willis, previous months have all seen well more than the average rainfall. April saw 55.7mms of rainfall, up from the long-term average of 47.5mms.

Wednesday, May 1 alone saw 38.9mms of rain, which is already 73 per cent of what we usually see for the entire month.

The previous bank holiday, at Easter, got off to a glorious start with a few days of very welcome spring sunshine - providing local businesses with a boost as visitors headed to the coast. But the school holidays were generally wet and miserable.

Traders in Weymouth town centre were trying to keep their spirits up - and fingers crossed - ahead of the long weekend for the Early May Bank Holiday. However they say they have noticed customers have not been spending as much recently.

The manager of the Queen of Hearts gift shop on St Alban Street, Mya Simpson, says she has high expectations and is even prepared to put the inflatable rings and toys outside.

She said: "There are a lot of people around, but they do not want to spend any more.

"We are hoping for a more positive situation and get the street vibing. It is not going to be a total washout."

Dorset Echo: Queen of Hearts gift shop on St Albans Street

Queen of Hearts gift shop on St Albans Street (Image: Cristiano Magaglio)

Over at the Cutter Hotel Ice Cream Parlour, manager Gill Edwards was stocking up on ice cream ahead of the break.

She said: "I am hoping it's going to be good. This (ice cream) is very weather-dependent, we would love for it to be sunny all the time.

"We have got to be positive because if we are negative it will make our customers negative. It is what you make of it."

Dorset Echo: Cutter Hotel Ice Cream Parlour, Mel Westward and manager Gill Edwards

Cutter Hotel Ice Cream Parlour, Mel Westward and manager Gill Edwards (Image: Cristiano Magaglio)

Rosie Lawlor, the owner of Rosie's Retro Classics, says some people have been put off from shopping by the cold weather.

She said: "I am looking forward to the bank holiday, it usually brings people into town.

"It could potentially be a washout, but it can help because people spend less time on the beach and come into shops to take shelter. But people do spend more when it is sunny.

"Hopefully, by the end of next week, it is going to get warmer and busier."

Dorset Echo: Rosie Lawlor, the owner of Rosies Retro Classics on St Albans Street

Rosie Lawlor, the owner of Rosies Retro Classics on St Albans Street (Image: Cristiano Magaglio)

Barry Coleman, the owner of Baan 57, which sells global gifts, says the weather has a sure impact.

He said: "With the weather, the footfall is definitely lower.

"Easter holiday was down from the previous year. We had in the footfall but they are not spending as much. People are being cautious with how they spend their money."

Dorset Echo: Barry Coleman, the owner of Baan 57 on St Alban Street

Barry Coleman, the owner of Baan 57 on St Alban Street (Image: Cristiano Magaglio)

For Paul Cox, the owner of the St Alban Street Gallery, the business has been steadily climbing regardless of the weather.

He said: "Our trade has been really good up until the past few days and I can only put that up to the weather. We are looking forward to the bank holiday."

St Alban Street Gallery (Image: Cristiano Magaglio)

Spencer Priddice, the assistant manager at The Fantastic Sausage Factory, said: "If it is nice and sunny people will come down. But if it is rainy people may not, so hopefully it will be nice."

Dorset Echo: Spencer Priddice, assistant manager at the The Fantastic Sausage Factory

Spencer Priddice, assistant manager at the The Fantastic Sausage Factory (Image: Cristiano Magaglio)

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