WEYMOUTH was alive with tourists and businesses were booming as sunseekers made the most of the hottest day of the year so far.
Weymouth and wider Dorset soaked in the sunshine over the Bank Holiday weekend as temperatures reached as high as 22C.
Sunbathers were stretched along Weymouth beach as far as the eye could see throughout Monday, with people out in the water in pedalos and on paddleboards.
The new seafront attractions as well as the old traditions, including Helter Skelter, Hook-a-Duck, Trampolines and Bungee Trampolines, appeared to be a hit with children and families.
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The traditional favourite of donkey rides were also popular while the Sandworld attraction also attracted a few punters.
A number of seafront car parks were already full before lunchtime as visitors headed to the region's beaches.
Staycations and trips to seaside towns are expected to be popular once again this summer due to the ongoing foreign travel restrictions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.
'When it’s warm and sunny like this, you can’t beat it'
Tourists said they were 'excited to be back in Weymouth' while residents remarked they were glad to see the town busy again.
One tourist from Gloucester said: “We like to come here at least once every year for a few days away.
“When it’s warm and sunny like this, you can’t beat it. There’s something unique and special about Weymouth and its beach that you just cannot beat.”
One tourist from Coventry, who was visiting family, noted the large volumes of crowds on the beach and wanted to stay away – but conceded that people naturally want to come to seaside towns following easing of Covid-19 restrictions.
He said: “They have been housebound so naturally they want to get out and about.
“When people have been told to stay at home and with the year or so we have had, can you blame people coming here? No.”
One resident said: “It’s great to see people coming back and some normality. Today has been the first day I’ve come to the seafront so it’s been really nice.”
Businesses 'very busy' amid influx of tourists
Businesses have also thrived upon the return of tourists to Weymouth and reported an influx of customers throughout Monday and over the weekend.
Many seaside cafes and kiosks, such as The Boat, The Fish Place, saw social distanced queues while many people enjoyed al fresco dining at The Cactus Tea Rooms and Bistro.
Natasha, a manager at the Ship Inn opposite Weymouth Harbour, said it was ‘absolutely great’ to see tourists come into the town – but quipped they were struggling to keep up with the demand.
She said: “It’s been very busy but we haven’t got the team to keep up.
“It’s still table service but we have an app that customers can order from and people are quite responsive to it. It’s nice to see people back inside as not everyone wants to sit outside in the sun.
“We are all enjoying it but it’s hard work. It’s great seeing people back.”
Another popular place was Rossi’s along Weymouth seafront, with queues outside the ice cream parlour and just about keeping up with the volumes of customers.
Its manager, Kim Gay, initially commented it was ‘quite frightening’ seeing the crowds along the beach following the pandemic, but was amazed by the ‘non-stop’ customers visiting her parlour.
She said: “We are looking at the sea and it is jam packed with people and tourists and even people on pedalos or having a swim.
“We have been very busy and it’s brilliant. We are so glad the sun has come out.
“It feels like the summer has come out. We have had a fantastic weekend.
“We hope it continues as it’s half term this week.”
Ms Gay noted that Bank Holiday Monday could yield its best day of the year so far after a profitable weekend.
She added: “It’s been fantastic. I reckon today will be our best day and we haven’t stopped serving.
“We haven’t put our prices up and a lot of customers say we’re the cheapest for an ice cream.
“Everyone knows us and I hope people continue to see us again!”
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