Second lockdown 'shouldn't affect' Scarborough tourism economy

A Scarborough business leader says the second lockdown shouldn't affect the local tourism economy.

John Senior, who's Chairman of the South Bay Traders' Association, says he thinks the area will still be able welcome visitors for Christmas.

It's as it's hoped the national restrictions will be lifted on December 2nd.

John said:

"We have had a brilliant summer, it's actually been one of the best on record so we're now in a very different position.

"We've been able to employ all of our staff throughout the season and now have enough in the 'bins' if you like, to carry our teams through the next few months pretty much whatever happens.

"Scarborough has a reputation for being a Christmas resort; and actually for the 10 days maybe two weeks over Christmas starting from boxing day, we've always been extremely busy with people wanting to get out of their houses, come over to Scarborough, watch the football matches, watch the raft race and have some really good family fun.

"We removed 40 percent of our seats from all of our restaurants for social distancing.

"The first day we re-opened in early July, we had a record day.

"We were just scratching our heads figuring out what was happening; and most of it was to do with people coming in throughout the day rather than just lunchtime and evenings

"There are certainly question marks over the activities at Christmas.

"It has been announced that we won't be supporting the raft race, which the South Bay Traders support every year. We can't fund it this year, we've decided to cancel it.

"I'm hoping that we will come out of national lockdown when they say we will; and I'm hoping that there will be a sensible set of plans in place, which will allow people to come to the coast and enjoy fresh air and good family fun with walks along the promenade."