Seaside traders in Skegness, Lincolnshire, believe that visitors are spending fewer evenings and less money in the resort this summer. Restaurateurs, publicans, and shop owners have reported a significant decrease in business.
Craig Watts, who operates a fish and chip cafe, noted that despite good weather, people are coming but spending less. He stated that his cafe is now struggling to remain open until 5:30pm, closing earlier than before, and observes visitors departing by 4pm.
Hilary Fox, owner of a factory rock shop, echoed these sentiments, stating her shop now closes around 7:30pm, compared to 9pm previously, due to a lack of people. Richard Underwood, landlord of the Suncastle pub, has reduced evening entertainment from nightly to weekends only, citing a gradual trend over the last two to three years where people appear to be holidaying on tighter budgets.
Official visitor figures for 2026 are not yet available, according to East Lindsey District Council. However, 2025 saw 2.94 million visitors to the coast, an 8% increase from 2024, contributing almost £752m to the economy, a 15% rise. Data also indicated a shift in accommodation, with visitor days for serviced accommodation in East Lindsey falling from 856,000 in 2023 to 722,000 in 2025, while non-serviced accommodation rose from 8.1 million to 8.9 million over the same period.