Popular UK seaside town dealt huge blow as businesses close and festival binned
Residents of a seaside resort are mourning the loss of two popular restaurants and a festival.
Weymouth in Dorset has had a significant setback as a family that owns two of its restaurants has been forced to sell up, blaming the seasonal nature of the trade in the coastal town for making it too hard to make ends meet.
The owners of Crustacean and pizzeria The Loft expressed their sadness at having to shutter up. In a social media post they wrote: "To clear up all rumours and speculation it is with deep regret that I inform everyone that it is correct that we unfortunately won’t be reopening here at Crustacean or at our sister restaurant The Loft.
"We had hoped to push through these hard times and into another busy season but that has not prevailed. We have had lots of fun across the two years between the two places and have loved meeting the new faces and of course the regulars but that has now unfortunately got to come to an end with how seasonal Weymouth has become and the current economy."
Weymouth has no trouble attracting day-trippers (Getty Images/iStockphoto)It is not the only departure from the well-heeled coastal spot so far this year. It was recently announced that popular seafood festival Seafeast - which last year attracted 10,000 visitors - will not be coming back in 2024.
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Festival director Laura Avant told the BBC said: "The festival has always been a labour of love, everyone who gets involved ends up putting in more time than they really should. The reward for our small team has always been more about a sense of achievement than anything else, however, the recent cost increases are such that we must now go with our heads and not our hearts."
The festival organisers previously claimed that the town benefitted to the tune of £3.1m thanks to its presence there. "However for the small local team who run the event, justifying the time and colossal effort involved in the organisation has become increasingly difficult," Laura added.
While one festival and two restaurant shaped swifts don't necessarily make for a recession, for an upmarket town such as Weymouth to suffer such losses because of price rises is arguably a little concerning.
The town has never had trouble attracting visitors and has long been held in the affections of seaside daytrippers from across the country who make their way there to admire its pretty Georgian seafront set in the heart of the wild Jurassic Coast.
Weymouth's bay provides shelter and a sense of seclusion for those on the beach, which has gentle sloping sand beds that make it perfect for families looking to safely paddle in the water. Although the beach is widely loved and gets very busy on warm summer days, its long sweeping sands are big enough that it can feel like the place to be without becoming overcrowded.
Weymouth has everything for walkers of all fitness levels, from gentle ambles along the beach to hiking up and along the stunning coastline. Its scenery includes the famous Lulworth Cove and Durdle Door, which are perfect to include in any afternoon hike.
Its Instagrammable scenery extends beyond just the backdrop of the sea and the cliffs too. Head up to Purbeck Hills and look inland, where you can take in the villages and centuries-old Corfe Castle ruins ensconced between the breathtaking green hills. Walkers have plenty of choice in pubs and coffee shops back in the town if you're looking to end your amble with a cold pint or comforting brew.
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