THE bumper trade over the bank holiday brought a "significant boost" to the local economy.
With temperatures hitting a high of 24 degrees, trade also heated up as thousands flocked to the resort.
Drivers were forced to park near Lock Hill Roundabout, in Grimsby, and walk the two miles into the resort as traffic came to a standstill along Cleethorpe Road and backed up to the A180.
Portfolio holder for leisure and tourism Councillor Mick Burnett said: "This weekend has brought a significant amount of money to the local economy. It is a start in the right direction. The weather really made all the difference. People were out in droves.
"Tourism is so important for the local economy. Numbers are still being evaluated but, from what I saw, it is clear a significant amount of money was spent here."
Pleasure Island alone welcomed 2,200 visitors and takings shot up 50 per cent compared to this time last year.
And following Easter's bitterly cold weather, the horrendous sand storm days and the Hatfield landslide cutting the resort off from Yorkshire rail passengers, it was a welcome boost for traders.
And it wasn't just Cleethorpes that was booming this weekend. The glorious sunshine brought scores to Grimsby's People's Park, who enjoyed the surroundings and the new cafe run by Tukes volunteers.
Send us your pictures of you enjoying the beautiful weather to pictures@grimsbytelegraph. co.uk
BUCKETS and spades flew from the shelves of Tom's Bargain Centre to tourists "digging" the hot weather.
For owner Gary Harding it was the busiest he had seen the resort in 20 years.
He worked 48 hours over the long weekend and was still flat out yesterday.
He said: "It was the busiest weekend we have ever had.
"The whole town was gridlocked with traffic – it was great to see it so busy.
"We really needed this weekend after Easter, it has been a real boost to trade for everyone."
YOU won't find cooler prices for ice cream than in Cleethorpes.
Queues of sweet-toothed visitors spilled onto the road as they waited for their customary ice cream by the seaside.
It comes as national newspapers reported the Bannister family who were charged a staggering £54 for four ice creams in Rome – prompting disgust by local traders.
Bob Macdonald, owner of Clee Rock Co on the North Promenade – where you can buy a single ice cream for £1.20 – said: "You could buy all our ice creams together for less than that.
"It is the best place to be."
HUMANS were not the only ones working hard over the bank holiday. The animals put in a fair shift, too.
Hundreds of children enjoyed donkey rides on the beach by Nutall's Donkeys.
Owner Sally George said: "It has been brilliant. The beach was absolutely packed – the busiest I have ever seen it. We had a really poor Easter because of the weather, so this is just what we needed."
Grandfather Robert Croxan took his grandson Benjamin Wike, 3, for a ride yesterday.
Mr Croxan, from Barnsley, said: "We didn't come on Monday because of the traffic, but today has been perfect. We love being by the seaside and Benjamin loves the donkeys."
FISH and chip shops were the "plaice" to eat in Cleethorpes.
Hungry visitors spilled out of Ernie Becketts Fish and Chip Shop, in Market Street, which served double the number of customers than normal.
Other restaurants ran out of fish and were forced to turn people away.
Manager Wayne Shearer said: "It was absolute mayhem – we had just enough to cover it but we have had to restock today.
"People were queuing out of the door and down the street. It was just what we needed after the bad start to the season."
CANDYFLOSS and sweet stall workers barely left their counters all day.
Owner of Hawaiian Eye Jane Wood hadn't seen the resort so busy since Radio One hosted Party On The Pier.
She said: "We started at 8am and as soon as we opened the doors people were queuing. My cook never got away from the griddle and my two candyfloss girls worked flat out from start to finish.
"It was a brilliant day both financially and personally. People came, spent their money and left feeling happy with full bellies. As long as that happens, we have all done our jobs properly."
IT WASN'T just the catering businesses that enjoyed a roaring trade.
The Jungle Zoo enjoyed its busiest weekend since it was taken over by Craig and Sharon Gledhill two years ago, and enjoyed a 20 per cent rise on last year.
Craig said: "It was absolutely mental – a lovely start to the season, which should have started earlier. I have never seen the resort so packed. Every car parking space was taken. There were cars parked on the verges until late afternoon.
"We were worried because of the railway landlslip, but this has really picked us up."
THE GRIMSBY TELEGRAPH EDITOR'S VIEWSunshine, sunshine...and more sunshine! At last the prayers of desperate business owners were answered in Cleethorpes – and seaside resorts like it right along the east coast. All they want is the warm weather at the right time, and for once, they got their wish. The result was a resort that was simply heaving with people. The fact that there are no trains running into Cleethorpes at the moment further compounded the highways issue and cars jammed the main roads. People even decided to abandon their vehicles on the outskirts of town to make sure they did not miss their day at the beach. All good stuff with traders and venues reporting a massive increase in footfall and the money coming through the tills. This is music to the ears of all who have an interest in the well being of Cleethorpes and the surrounding area. Let us just hope we have more sunny days and pots of gold at the end of any storm rainbow that blows our way! *Let us know how you enjoyed the Bank Holiday sunshine. Comment on this at www.thisisgrimsby.co.uk Follow the editor on Twitter @michellelalor