Skip to content

Sunny weather opens wallets wider says tourism man

Andrew Turner
BBC News, Norfolk
Reporting fromGreat Yarmouth sea front
Andrew Turner/BBC From right to left, Doreen has fairly short light grey hair, and is wearing a blue coat with light blue collar and a purple bag strap over her shoulder. Next to her is Joan, with medium length blonde hair, wearing a light blue jacket, clutching a black handbag on her lap, and to the right is Jill, wearing a blue fleece. All three are wearing sunglasses, and are sitting on the front seats of a road-train tourist ride. Behind them are other people. In the background are buildings and cars.Andrew Turner/BBC
Doreen, Joan and Jill, from Ellesmere Port say they have enjoyed the summer-like weather in Great Yarmouth

A tourist attraction owner said good weather means "wallets have opened wider" over the Easter holidays.

Thousands of people have visited Great Yarmouth, Norfolk over the school break, staying in hotels, holiday parks and visiting local attractions.

Businesses on the Golden Mile say that, despite the cost of living meaning many people are watching what they spend, they are still having a good time.

Michael Cole, director of Joyland Children's Fun Park, said: "When the sunshines, the wallet opens a little bit wider. It puts a smile on everyone's face and when people feel good they tend to spend a little bit more, we tend to find."

Andrew Turner/BBC Michael Cole, is smiling at the entrance of Joyland Children's Fun Park. He has a shaven head, and greying goatee beard. He's wearing a tee-shirt and there are colourful gates and a large sign to the right of him. Beyond him, to the left of the image, is the facade of the Britannia Pier.Andrew Turner/BBC
Michael Cole, director of Joyland, says wallets open wider when the weather is good

He added: "I think it's [the sunshine] been a big boost. The weather's been sunny and we've had a few chilly days but the people have been out.

"We've noticed a slight increase in people we'd normally see this time of year and I do think the weather's had a big effect on it."

Andrew Turner/BBC Esther Roberts is wearing a red apron over a white top. She has long brunette hair, tied back, and sunglasses. She is holding a cardboard carton of chips, in front of her stall.Andrew Turner/BBC
Esther Roberts, who operates a chips, ice cream and cold drinks stall, says while busy, customers on a budget have been careful with their spending

Esther Roberts, who runs a stall selling chips, ice creams and slush drinks, said it has been busy but that did not translate to a boom in sales for her business.

"Not really [taking money] but the sun's shining, there's blue skies, everybody's enjoying their time and they're happy, so roll with it.

"The last two Easters there was torrential rain and it wasn't very good, so hopefully it will stay dry and be prosperous for us, as it feels like summer."

Andrew Turner/BBC Alli is wearing a beige baseball cap and is on the right, in a grey and yellow hoodie. Mina is wearing a Union flag headscarf, has a brunette fringe on show, and is wearing a black teeshirt, with a couple of badges. Both are eating cheesy chips from cardboard containers, outside a stall called Slush Hut.Andrew Turner/BBC
Mina and her mum Alli enjoying the summer weather in the Easter holidays in Great Yarmouth

Mina, 15, from Stalham, said: "It's quite nice feeling like it's the summer during Easter. You can actually do a lot more than you usually would. It's quite pleasant; we can go to the beach."

Her mum Ally, added: "It's lovely today, especially the weather we had earlier in the week. We've had a few wet days but you need a few days at home to do stuff."

Three friends Jill, Joan and Doreen, from Ellesmere Port, Cheshire, said they were having a holiday on the east coast, taking in a ride on the sea front road train and enjoying a series of day trips.

"We've been on a couple of trips, to Cromer and Lowestoft tomorrow," said Jill, 79.

"We're on a coach and they're looking after us and we're enjoying it!"

Andrew Turner/BBC Yvonne is on the left, wearing a floral dress top with a denim jacket over the top. She has light blonde hair. Next to her is her granddaughter Emmy, who has long auburn hair, and is wearing a black top. Further to the left is Emmy's brother Harvey, who is wearing a faun sweatshirt and is holding two cuddly toys he won in an arcade machine behind him - and then the mother of the children, Emma, who is wearing a white jacket, and has a blue bag on a strap over her shoulder. Emma has long blonde hair which is combed back, and has sunglasses on her head.Andrew Turner/BBC
Emma, with her mother Yvonne and children Emmy and Harvey, have been winning lots of toys from arcade machines

Harvey, eight, had been winning prizes from grab machines at some of the amusement arcades.

He said "We got two teddies and yesterday at the arcade we won a giant one and some other toys; and the lady came with the key to the machine to get the prizes for me.

"We won so many things."

Their mum Emma, 34, said: "They like coming down here to the beach, and especially to the arcades."

Andrew Turner/BBC Jason is on the left of the image, in a blue hoodie with a logo across the front. He has a dark goatee and is wearing sunglasses and a baseball cap. His son Jayden is next to him, wearing a grey jacket. He has medium length brown hair. Debbie, the wife of Jason and mother of Jayden is next to her son, wearing a red hoodie. She is wearing glasses and has long auburn blonde hair. They are standing outside the Joyland Children's Fun Park, which has signage to their right.Andrew Turner/BBC
Debbie, her husband Jason and their son Jayden are enjoying a mini break despite being mindful of how much they spend

Debbie, 43, from Northampton, is on a short break with her husband Jason, 46 and their 15-year-old son Jayden.

She said: "We needed this weather and we needed a little break and Great Yarmouth's a place we've always come to for mini breaks so we are really excited to be here again.

"We're not too bad [financially]. We only do what we can afford, but it's nice weather and we've got the beach. What can go wrong?"

Follow Norfolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.