Trade bemoans bank holiday washout

Licensees across the country are counting the cost of a monsoon bank holiday weekend that washed out hopes of a major financial return for thousands of pubs.

Heavy rain ruined hundreds of outdoor events planned by hosts, with southern counties hardest hit. And in traditional seaside towns, anticipated holiday trade was decimated as trippers stayed at home.

Licensee Kath Duffy, who runs the Newcastle Packet at Scarborough, North Yorkshire, said the town's promenade had been deserted. "It was a bank holiday to forget," she said. "We were ready for the usual rush, but it didn't arrive."

Adrian Clay, who runs the Raikes Hall, Blackpool, Lancashire, said the weekend was only saved by the exploits of the town's football team, which clinched promotion to the Championship on Sunday afternoon. "It was a great afternoon in the pub, but in general the town suffered badly through the bad weather," said Clay.

Host Rob Findlay, of the

Sun, in Windlesham, Surrey, said the three days had been very disappointing. "The weather was clearly against us, but the fact we have now had three bank holidays in the space of seven weeks did not help. Easter was late this year, which meant the bank holidays were squashed together and this was obviously one holiday weekend too many for a lot of people. The rain meant our garden trade was non-existent."

JD Wetherspoon chief executive John Hutson said: "It rained for three days solid in the south, which didn't help anyone."