Thursday, June 5, 2025
Teesdale Mercury
  • News
  • Features
  • Test Drive
  • Business
  • Sport
  • Art & Leisure
  • Buy your paper
  • Buy our photos
  • Digital edition
  • Contact
No Result
View All Result
  • News
  • Features
  • Test Drive
  • Business
  • Sport
  • Art & Leisure
  • Buy your paper
  • Buy our photos
  • Digital edition
  • Contact
No Result
View All Result
Teesdale Mercury
No Result
View All Result
ADVERTISEMENT

The Cummings effect still being felt by town

by Teesdale Mercury
July 29, 2023
in News
The Cummings effect still being felt by town

FLASHBACK: Barnard Castle at Easter in lockdown 2020

THE Dominic Cummings effect is still being felt in Barnard Castle, say retailers who are preparing for another bumper summer holiday season.

During lockdown in April 2020, the former government advisor drove from Durham to Barnard Castle with his family to”test his eyesight” .

The scandal led to his resignation but brought an influx of visitors to Barnard Castle when restrictions were eased. B&Bs and shops all reported a boost to their businesses as the international media spotlight shone on the town.

ADVERTISEMENT

Tourism levels are still high, although they have “calmed down from the initial surge” , says Claire Robinson, the manager of McNabs bookshop. Chocolate Fayre owner Kenny Walker says is there is now “tourism 12 months of the year” compared with seven or eight months before Cummings’ ill-advised trip.

However, Michael Coverdale, who works at McNabs cafe, says he has noticed a slight drop-off in visitors this summer as people forget about Barnard Castle.

But, Angela Baitson, the owner of The Curiosity Shop, says they are just as busy as last year.

ADVERTISEMENT

Meanwhile, shops are still selling ironic eyesight tests and tourists can be seen taking selfies in front of Barnard Castle signs or outside Specsavers.

The town’s popularity is in contrast to Visit England’s latest findings. The tourism agency said that while visits overall to attractions across England last year showed recovery, numbers were still significantly down on pre-Covid levels. Visits to attractions increased by 42 per cent overall last year but this was still down by 35 per cent on 2019.

VisitEngland Director Andrew Stokes said: “While it is good to see that many of England’s attractions made up lost ground last year, and to see the very welcome return of international visitors, these statistics are a timely reminder of the ongoing challenges for the industry with many still rebuilding from the pandemic.”

ADVERTISEMENT
Previous Post

Pupils run colourful gauntlet to celebrate end of term

Next Post

Success on a plate for mobile Butty Market

ADVERTISEMENT
No Result
View All Result

Stay connected

Facebook Twitter
ADVERTISEMENT

Most popular

Royal date for youngsters to collect awards

Royal date for youngsters to collect awards

June 5, 2025
Happy birthday to life-changing group

Happy birthday to life-changing group

June 4, 2025
1940s hut to be knocked down behind primary school

1940s hut to be knocked down behind primary school

June 3, 2025
Barnard Castle promoted to Wearside League Premier Division

Barnard Castle promoted to Wearside League Premier Division

June 3, 2025
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

15C Harmire Enterprise Park
Barnard Castle
Co Durham
DL12 8BN

Email: [email protected]

Registered in England as Barrnon Media Limited. No: 12475190

VAT registration number: 343486488

Explore

  • Art & Leisure
  • Business
  • Country Life
  • Features
  • News
  • Sport
  • Test Drive
  • Digital edition

Useful links

  • Contact Us
  • Advertise
  • Buy your paper
  • Photosales
  • Digital edition
  • About us

Follow us on

© Barrnon Media Limited 2025

Terms & Conditions / Privacy Policy / Cookie Policy

This website and its associated newspaper are members of the Independent Press Standards Organisation
No Result
View All Result
  • News
  • Features
  • Test Drive
  • Business
  • Sport
  • Art & Leisure
  • Buy your paper
  • Buy our photos
  • Digital edition
  • Contact

© 2024