THE sun might have heated up trade in Cleethorpes but it's yet to get on track following the catastrophic railway landslide.
Shoppers and tourists arrived with the sunshine this bank holiday, bringing welcome relief to traders who forecast a tough year ahead.
Despite temperatures as high as 20°C, the impact of the Hatfield landslide – which has cut Cleethorpes off for TransPennine Express passengers – was felt.
The chair of Seaview Street Traders and owner of In the Pink Jewellery in St Peter's Avenue, Karen Webb-Meek, said: "We are busier than a normal weekend and there are a lot of people wandering around the resort, but it isn't as bustling as last year's bank holiday weekend, even though it is sunny.
"The train line problem is definitely having an effect and sadly there is nothing we can do about that; it won't be resolved until the end of the season.
"We just have to grit our teeth and get through it. I don't think people realise what a lifeline that train is to Cleethorpes."
The owner of Hawaiian Eye Café, Jane Wood, said: "Trade has been great for us compared to Easter. We were looking forward to a good weekend for traders and visitors to the resort.
"Good weather is dreadfully important and the next three to four months are vital.
"With the trains still not running directly to the resort, we need all the sunshine we can get."
North East Lincolnshire Council and transport bosses are in discussions about running more trains into Cleethorpes following the landslide in Hatfield.
It has destroyed the line, isolating Cleethorpes from Yorkshire, which is where its main trade comes from, and it won't be fixed until September.
Then, bitterly cold winds swept tonnes of sand across the main promenade – resulting in its closure – in April, turning Easter into a nightmare for traders.
So bad was the trade, some businesses said they will not recoup what they have lost, as reported.
Now they are hoping the sun continues to shine until the end of September.
The owner of Jonny Doughnuts and Oliver's Eatery, Jonathan Dacombe, said: "Like everyone else, we were well down at Easter – probably by about 50 per cent.
"We will never recoup what we lost but we hope by the end of the year we won't be far off."
Davinia Lacey, the owner of JKs on Sea View Street, added: "It is on the up compared to Easter, which was really bad. There is more of a vibe going on.
"The train's had a slight impact on us, but not a worrying one."
Lindsey and Lee Bailey enjoyed a whole weekend in Cleethorpes with their five children.
Lindsey, 28, said: "We used to come for the day but we fancied a change from Skegness and stay the weekend. It's great when it's sunny."
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