The A to Z of summer business in East Anglia

A Attractions The arrival of the school canada goose outlet new york city summer holidays opens the visitor floodgates for East Anglia’s tourist attractions. At Bewilderwood in Hoveton, around 50% of the visitors during its 10 month season come during the six week summer holiday. Millie Batch from canada goose outlet Bewilderwood’s marketing team said: “We have an entirely outdoor attraction so we are very weather dependent and in the summer we have a lot of competition.”

B Boats Taking to the water is a well loved canada goose outlet store uk summer activity in Norfolk and Suffolk, for the day or the week.

canada goose outlet in chicago Lisa Hodds, general manager at Ferry Marina in Horning, said all its boats are out in the yard ready for the summer season. While it has around 20 permanent staff, including engineers and front of house staff, its total headcount can increase to 40 over the canada goose outlet sale summer as it drafts in more workers to clean the boats after holidaymakers and day visitors return them to the boatyard. “There is a period from May to August or even September when we need that many staff as we have so many boats going out. I believe most boatyards will be in the same position,” she said. canada goose outlet in chicago

C Camping and caravanning This holiday choice remains as popular as ever in the region. Farmer James Strachan, who runs Birds and Bees campsite at Rendham near Framlingham with wife Emma, said their first full season had been “terrific” so far, with bookings spurred on by good weather and coming in up to the 11th hour.

D Drinking The good weather and the World Cup have helped bring people into the region’s pubs. Rooney Anand, chief executive of Bury St Edmunds based brewing and pub giant Greene King, said “good weather and popular sporting events” had increased momentum in its retail business in the first four months of the year.

canada goose outlet online store E Eating Central England Co op has been peering into customers’ shopping baskets this summer, traditionally a time for barbecues and vibrant salads. Beef burgers, sausages and chicken drumsticks make the top 10, along with salads, sauces and crisps. canada goose outlet online store

Youngsters enjoy swimming in Beccles Lido during the hot weather. Picture: Nick Butcher

canada goose outlet woodbury F Fishing and angling Fishing and angling stores reel in the cash during the summer months. Andy Flint, manager of Angling Direct’s Norwich shop, said: “Business gets better during spring and summer once the river season opens. Because of the Broads we get a lot of holidaymakers in.” canada goose outlet woodbury

G Gyms Summer can prove difficult for gyms with many people ditching their passes to lounge in canada goose jacket outlet the sun. Peter canada goose outlet online Dive, owner of Full Fitness Gym in Watton, said New Year was the peak, adding: “We thrive just before summer and then it’s quieter until the end of September.”

canada goose outlet online H Holidays The staycation trend is still strong and business is booming canada goose outlet parka for accommodation providers in Norfolk and Suffolk. Many, like Hoseasons and Norfolk Country Cottages, have seen short break bookings increase significantly in recent years while uncertainty over household finances has led to an increase in later bookings. canada goose outlet online

I Ice cream Working with this seasonal treat can be challenging. Chris Edye, who runs Ronaldo Ices in Norwich, said around 70% of the business’s trade is done in July and August, with production rising from one or two barrels a week to at least six and 1,000 litres of ice cream being churned out every day in the busiest period.

canada goose coats uk J Jam Recent weather has been good for fruit growers and, therefore, East Anglia’s most famous jam. Chris Newenham, joint managing director of Wilkin Sons in Tiptree, said: “It is really hot working in the jam factory at the moment and we as busy as we have ever been. The coastal tea rooms are really popular in the sunshine and people enjoy eating outside with the sea breeze.” canada goose coats uk

canada goose victoria parka outlet K Keeping cool Of paramount importance at this time of year, when the heat and humidity can cause office productivity to drop. canada goose victoria parka outlet

canada goose outlet london People enjoying Sea Palling beach. Picture : ANTONY KELLY canada goose outlet london

L Labour Seasonal work does come with challenges, particularly around staff.

canada goose factory outlet vancouver Chris Edye of Ronaldo Ices said finding skilled labour for the “volatile” trade can be hard, with production hardly stopping during the busiest periods in July and August. “We are on six days a week at the moment and very often during the school holidays we will be on seven days, desperately trying to keep up with demand,” he said. “We will only have one or two guys on during the winter making ice cream and additions whereas we could do with five or more at the moment. But people with the skills want a bit more security.” canada goose factory outlet vancouver

canada goose outlet jackets Lisa Hodds of Ferry Marina said after having trouble recruiting extra staff to clean its fleet of holiday and day hire boats in previous summers, the firm has canada goose outlet store now contracted in a cleaning firm to ensure it gets the staff it needs. canada goose outlet jackets

canada goose outlet michigan M Motivation How do you keep your staff motivated when the office hots up? Be sympathetic, advises Chris Scargill, tourism and leisure partner at regional accountancy firm Larking Gowen, which has implemented a more relaxed dress code for hot days and allows more flexible working hours during the https://www.winterdownparkas.com summer. “Individuals’ pressure levels can also change when the heat is distracting and you have to accommodate that,” he said. canada goose outlet michigan

canada goose outlet legit N Night time The summer’s longer daylight hours can present opportunities. Norwich Business Improvement District (BID) has seen success in canada goose outlet black friday keeping residents in the city for longer with its Head Out Not Home campaign, while the newly launched Colchester BID hopes to keep visitors in canada goose factory outlet the town for a “great evening out” as well as shopping. canada goose outlet legit

canada goose outlet kokemuksia O Optimism After a cold, wet start to 2018 the prolonged good weather in May and June has lifted businesses’ spirits. Accommodation providers have said that sun early in the summer can improve consumer optimism and lead to more bookings. canada goose outlet kokemuksia

The Birds and Bees campsite at Rendham, near Framlingham. Picture: James Strachan

P Planning In a seasonal business, planning particularly around income and expenditure is key to survival. Chris Scargill of Larking Gowen has some simple advice: “Create a plan and stick to it.”

Q Quick! Make the most of it. For any seasonal business, time is valuable make sure your business is prepared with staff, stock and strategy to beat the unpredictable British summer.

canada goose outlet authentic R Revenue When canada goose outlet canada the canada goose outlet online uk majority of your revenue is earned in three months, ensuring it will cover expenses through the whole year is key. Chris Scargill said: “With the weather people are booking and capacity will be filling up, but the important thing canada goose outlet in usa is not to spend the money before you have it.” canada goose outlet authentic

canada goose outlet toronto S Swimming The temptation to jump into the water when the mercury rises is proving beneficial for Beccles Lido. Director Shaun Crowley said had welcomed around 12,000 visitors in its first five weeks, with the busy summer holiday period when it normally does two thirds of its business still to come. canada goose outlet toronto

canada goose jacket outlet uk T canada goose black friday sale Tanning Tanning businesses pick up ahead of and during summer. Leanne McKenzie, manager of Glo Hair, Beauty and Tanning in Norwich, said: “A month or two months before summer, canada goose outlet uk people buy all their tanning courses and come throughout the summer.” canada goose jacket outlet uk

U Umbrellas How does hot weather affect companies selling these and associated wet weather gear? Unsurprisingly, during a hot Royal Norfolk Show last week, those stands selling coats, umbrellas and wellies lost out to hat sellers as the weather influenced consumer demand.

Chris Scargill, tourism, hospitality and leisure partner at business advisory and accountancy firm Larking Gowen. Picture: Sylvaine Poitau

V Visitors According to Visit England there were 9.5 million trips to and 28.8 million nights spent in the East of England by tourists in 2016. Larking Gowen, which compiles a yearly tourism and leisure business survey, expects Norfolk, Suffolk and official canada goose outlet Essex to have seen an increase in visitor numbers in 2017 Norfolk and Essex by around 5% and Suffolk by 4%.