DAY-LONG sunshine and temperatures of over 20 degrees brought welcome bank holiday crowds back to West Somerset to give resorts and tourist centres their busiest weekend for over a year.

Beaches from Porlock, Blue Anchor and Watchet to Doniford and Kilve had packed car parks as day-trippers flocked to the coast to soak up the sunshine. And hotels and B&Bs reported that they had to turn away potential guests who had arrived without a booking.

“Over the bank holiday, the town and seafront suddenly came alive,” said a spokesman for Minehead Chamber of Trade. “Cafe and restaurant businesses said they were busier than they were on any weekend back as far as 2019 before the pandemic. And you would be hard-pressed to find a restaurant table available.” 

At Blue Anchor seafront, hundreds of bargain hunters converged on the first massive car boot sale of the year and seafront ice cream sellers reported brisk business.

Watchet welcomed its largest number of weekend visitors this year and almost every car park was full. Many shops were open for the first time and visitors queued for ice creams by the marina.

One shopkeeper said: “We have a constant stream of customers. It’s such a contrast to the start of the year when nearly every business was shut and independent traders were struggling to keep afloat. If things go on like this we could be set for a really decent summer.”

“The bank holiday saw a real buzz in the village and a sense that the holiday spirit had returned at last,” said Debbie Stanyon, manager of Porlock Visitor Centre.

“The car parks were brimming, the pubs, cafes and restaurants were really busy, and shopkeepers were saying how lovely it was to welcome people back. B&Bs and camping sites were particularly busy,

“What was particularly great was that many people were first-time visitors. Everything looks positive and hopeful for a busy season.”

But Debbie warned would be visitors to book ahead. “This weekend hotels, B&Bs and camp sites were having to turn people away, and we hate to have to disappoint potential guests,” she said.

The retail and hospitality heart of Minehead showed real signs of renewal over the bank holiday weekend with new bunting and 140 more hanging baskets around the town centre organised by the BID business organisation.

“It is all about working together,” said Jon Lee from Stuarts Home Furnishers and a Minehead BID director, who headed up this year’s bunting project.

“BID did the preparation, but it was Minehead town councillors who turned out on Friday evening to help install the bunting, manage traffic and keep the process moving. We just wanted to give our visitors that happy carnival feel.”

Councillors Anne Lawton and Terry Venner from Minehead Town Council, who helped out on Friday, said: “The bunting and flower displays in place around the town have really added an extra dimension to the centre as both a holiday destination and a beautiful place for residents to enjoy and take pride in.

“The council is delighted to collaborate with Minehead BID to achieve this and we welcome the opportunity to work in close partnership on other projects in the future, as far more can be achieved for the benefit of the town than both organisations working individually.   

“A doubling of hanging baskets outside shops, and new planters around the town will complement existing displays and make the flower display one of the best for many years.”

Andrew Hopkins, Minehead BID manager, added: “We are pleased our continuing constructive working relationship with both the town and district councils continues to bring the best results for Minehead.

“It is gratifying to see new businesses opening and a real buzz returning to our High Street. After a really promising bank holiday, we look forward to a busy season ahead.”