Brixham ‘open for business’ despite parasite outbreak

Traders in a Devon town impacted by a water parasite outbreak have urged tourists to visit the area during half term.

South West Water (SWW) has been asking people in Brixham to boil tap water after cryptosporidium was found in its network on 14 May.

The water company said 2,500 properties in the Hillhead remained under boil water notices while work to flush the parasite out of the system was completed.

Business owners in Brixham said they had seen a drop in footfall during the outbreak and wanted SWW to help restore confidence in the water locally.

Sean Twomey, owner of the Golden Hind museum ship in Brixham Harbour, said the outbreak had affected all the town’s businesses.

He said it could have been a “bigger disaster” if the outbreak happened during the school holidays, but there had been a “huge drop” in visitor numbers in the past two weeks.

“The town is notably quieter than it normally would be,” he said.

Mr Twomey said he wants SWW to give more reassurance the water is safe to help get visitors back.

“Brixham’s an amazing place to stay and to visit for day trips and stuff like that,” he said.

“It’s heartbreaking to hear of all the Air B&Bs, guest houses and hotels having cancellations and stuff like that.”

Richard Gledhill, from the Torbay Communities charity, said it looked like people were cancelling their visits.

“I’m sorry to say that the word on the street is that people are cancelling,” he said.

“They’re making their own choices without doubt and some of the guys that I know who run restaurants, pubs or wine bars in the town are saying people are just not coming.”

Market traders in Brixham said business had “gone dead” in the town since the outbreak.

Alanis Oliver, who runs the Emalini Art stall, said there was a strange feel around the town.

“I’ve heard of some places who have had cancellations all the way through to August and it’s a bit disheartening really,” she said.

“But I think there will still be some people who come down for the half term and for the holiday.”

Carolina Vottero, who runs the Oyster Cove stall, said she was worried some people would not come back to Brixham.

But she said traders and the town were ready and “buzzing” for the summer season.

Ms Vottero said: “It has been quiet, I’m not going to lie, but we have the bank holiday weekend ahead and hopefully we’ll have everybody coming in.”

Some traders in Kingswear have also expressed their concerns as the village has been impacted by the outbreak as it has the same water supply as Brixham.

Sian Thomas and Jess Povey, who run the Ebb and Flow cafe, said the outbreak has had a “huge impact on trade” and they have felt “forgotten”.

Ms Thomas said: “Obviously it’s been really busy with the bank holidays and Dart Music Festival and I think we would have expected more people than we’ve actually have had.”

Ms Povey added: “It’s pretty sad really. At this time of year it should be exceptionally busy and we’re just not seeing the same numbers we did last year for example.”

Visit Devon director Sally Everton said there had been a downturn in trade since the outbreak happened and the organisation wanted to tell tourists it was safe to visit the county.

“I have had a few challenging times just assuring potential visitors coming to Devon for half term and the Whitsun bank holiday that we’re open for business and it is safe to come here,” she said.

“It’s absolutely 100% safe and we’re open as normal.”

Ms Everton said tourists heading to other parts of Devon can be assured they will not be affected by the parasite.

She said: “Action was taken immediately to limit any impact that it would have on the businesses and visitors that came to Devon.”

One tourist who has not been put off by the outbreak was Ian Pye from Manchester, who is spending two weeks camping near Berry Head.

He said people should “come on down” to Brixham and not to worry about the water.

“It’s got to be taken seriously, but I’m sure South West Water will fix it in no time,” Mr Pye said.

Additional reporting by Hattie McCann