One of the UK's most picturesque coastal spots is yearning for a sun-kissed season, following a slump in temperatures that has notably left it feeling "stuck in February." Looe, with its idyllic Cornish charm, has been a beloved retreat since Victorian times.
The town boasts stunning beaches and an enchanting quayside at the river valley's mouth, while its historic old town weaves a maze of narrow passageways lined with age-old cottages, drawing holidaymakers by the droves. Nevertheless, confusion might have played a part due to a BBC show suggesting it was set in neighbouring Devon, as Looe's usually bustling streets have largely been empty - until the sun finally came out this week.
Amidst the dip in tourism, local enterprises expressed unease about enduring the prolonged, hushed winter months. Yet, the long-awaited warm spell has raised spirits significantly, with townsfolk now remarking on the bustling beach scene, unseen in ten years.
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The Express visited Looe amidst the sweltering mini-heatwave and observed the town alive with visitors. Despite the recent uptick, the tepid start to the tourist season sparked concern among some shop owners regarding what lies ahead.
Among them is Sara Barron, 54, who assists in running The Haven, home base for the Boundless Trust, which not only operates as a community centre offering holiday activities for children but also serves as a beacon in the fight against local poverty and homelessness.
She commented: "It feels quieter this year. We call the rumours that go around Looe Looe-mours. The Looe-mour is that the holiday lets haven't had as many bookings this year - the Looe-mour is that it's quieter."
Sam Chapman, a 30 year old local, has spent his entire life in the Looe area. After dedicating 15 years to the fishing industry, he has been the proud owner of Pengelly's fishmongers for the past three years.
He noted: "It's been slow - it's been much later to get going this year. We had a really good Easter, but then it was back to February figures. It's only just starting to get going again now. And it's actually been busier than I thought it would be. The beach has been the busiest I've seen it for 10 years. Everyone has less money and the beach is a cheap day out."
"The weather has been a big part of it," Sam added. He explained that the poor weather had been a double blow for his businesses, as it means there are not just fewer people around - but also fewer people having barbecues and wanting to buy his fresh fish.
However, Sam also believes it's not just the weather that's to blame for the slow start to the season. "It's everything else that's happening in the world," he says. "There's been a lot of uncertainty, ahead of the election. People just don't want to part with their money."
Hidden down an alley in Looe's old town we discovered Clive Gardner. He was celebrating his 71st birthday sitting outside his gallery, framers and waffle hut, recycling crabbing lines and fishing nets.
Clive, who has owned and operated Clive's Cat's Cartoons since 1996, lives above the shop with his partner Mandy Rose. When asked about the current season, he said: "It's been a very slow start - the streets were empty. The cost of everything has increased. Car park fees have risen. Restaurant prices have gone up.
"If you're a family of four, you go out for breakfast and buy some ice creams - that's £100 spent. The weather has also been terrible - that's been a major factor. But it's picked up now - it seems like summer is finally here."
Not far from Clive's shop is the Uncharted gift shop, which enjoys a prime location on the quayside, overlooking Looe's river-mouth harbour. During our visit, the shop was bustling with customers buying buckets and spades, as well as crabbing lines and bait, to the delight of tourists who catch hundreds of crabs from the blue waters.
However, Kelly Jones, 41, co-owner of the shop, suggests that today was an anomaly. Kelly, a lifelong resident of Looe, worked in the care industry for 25 years before her back "gave up". She took over the gift shop 18 months ago and admits "we're still finding our feet".
When asked about the tourist season, she responded: "Slow. It's been slow. It hasn't been great, to be honest. We're very dependent on the weather. The tide and weather are very important to us, because we're on the quay."
Kelly, who works long hours in a local shop, is hopeful for the summer season. She said: "It is just starting to pick up - and we just hope the summer is going to get us through the winter. We just want to make enough to pay the bills. We have to make the most of it while we can," adding that she's already feeling "exhausted".
Across the harbour in West Looe, Kelly's sister Carla Jones, 44, runs an estate agency. Speaking to the Express, she revealed: "[Holiday let] Bookings are down. I have friends who clean cottages and they say the number of cottages they are cleaning is down."
"Their numbers are partly down because some of the holiday homes and second homes have been sold and gone back to being residential. But [holiday rental] bookings are down by as much as 30 or 40 per cent. My friend has got three holiday rentals and she still has vacancies for August."
Carla attributes the decline in bookings to several factors. "People are still trying to find their feet from covid," she explains.
"People lost their jobs, people lost their family - people lost their heads, a little bit. And now people are worried about spending money. I think the election also had a big impact. People have been nervous about spending their money."
Now that the election is over and summer is here, businesses in Looe are hoping that the uncertainty has passed. They're praying for sunny weather and a steady stream of tourists.
