SEAFRONT businesses in Weymouth are looking forward to another bumper summer this year.

Managers and owners in tourism-reliant trades said that, with the sun shining, they are confident business will be good.

Melanie Rush, custodian of West Hill Donkeys, said: “I am looking forward to another season. We were voted Trip Advisor best beach this year so I think that is going to draw people to Weymouth.”

Jorgina Downs, manager of a beach kiosk, said: “I am looking forward to business, I think there will be a lot of people going on staycation this year due to Brexit and other factors.”

Cllr Jason Osborne, spokesperson for Weymouth and Portland Borough Council for tourism, culture and harbour, was also confident Weymouth traders would receive a Brexit boost.

Referencing the effect of higher exchange rates, he said: “Brexit will drive up tourism numbers across the UK and we will get the lion’s share of the increase in tourists.” 

Jo West, manager of The Boat Café, appeared to agree: “I think we are going to get a lot more tourists here because of Brexit.” 

However, Natalie Wright, owner of The Beach Café said: “I don’t think Brexit will affect us very much.”

Some believed they would benefit from the rise in staycations because of increasing conflict in popular holiday spots abroad.

Jo West said: “I am looking forward to a busy summer. With what is going on in the world I think a lot of people are worried to go abroad.”

Traders were agreed that last year was a great year for them, with the warm and sunny weather throughout the summer keeping the tourists coming.

Cllr Osborne said Weymouth received 1.7 million visitors in 2016 and he believed Weymouth could build on that in 2017.

“I’m confident that this year will be better than last year.

“A Warner Brothers film is being released in the summer, Dunkirk, which will highlight Weymouth and Weymouth beach was voted best beach this year.” 

He added that other local factors would play their part, including the regeneration of the peninsula, Weymouth beach’s Blue Flag excellence award, increased investment in the town and the return of the fairy lights.

Traders stressed that so long as the warm weather holds, they should be in for a full-on season.

Melanie Rush said: “My business is completely dependent on the weather. We don’t necessarily need the sun, but so long as it is dry business should be good.”

Likewise, Jo West said: “As long as we’ve got the weather we should have another bumper year.”

Cllr Jason Osborne, spokesperson for Weymouth and Portland Borough Council for tourism, culture and harbour, was also confident Weymouth traders would receive a Brexit boost.

Referencing the effect of higher exchange rates, he said: “Brexit will drive up tourism numbers across the UK and we will get the lion’s share of the increase in tourists.” 

Cllr Osborne said Weymouth received 1.7 million visitors in 2016 and he believed Weymouth could build on that in 2017.

“I’m confident that this year will be better than last year.

“A Warner Brothers film is being released in the summer, Dunkirk, which will highlight Weymouth and Weymouth beach was voted best beach this year.” 

He added that other local factors would play their part, including the regeneration of the peninsula, Weymouth beach’s Blue Flag excellence award, increased investment in the town and the return of the fairy lights.