Mixed Bank Holiday Business

“Our coffee shop takings were up 15%, but you wouldn’t have known it was a bank holiday if you went into the farm shop: sales were average. We expected this, because business usually picks up just before the kids go back to school. We’re therefore hoping to see sales increase this coming weekend instead,” says Stuart Beaton owner of Ainsty Farm Shop, Yorkshire.

However, one farm shop benefited from a significant increase. “We’re on a main holiday route from Birmingham to the coast, so sales are usually up 20% during bank holiday weekends. This one was no different. We lost a fair amount of local custom because we had a Steam Rally right on our doorstep, but we more than made up for this in extra trade from both the exhibitors and visitors,” says Sue Clarke, owner of Churncote Farm Shop, Shropshire.

Statistics from VisitEngland’s August Bank Holiday Trip Tracker, showed that four out of five people taking a break would be staying in the country this year, compared to only one in five going overseas.

“All of our research so far this year and anecdotal evidence from the industry confirm that Britons are indeed rediscovering the joys of holidaying at home in 2009,” concludes James Berresford, chief executive of VisitEngland.