Do you think Cornwall will be 'open' in July?

[NoSoapAndGory]

Hi all.

A purely speculative post to gauge opinions, as I know we don't know, don't have a crystal ball, etc etc.

We have booked a self catering holiday cottage near Bude for the first 10 days of July. We live in the South East, so it's about 5 hours drive to get there on a good day. We have a dog so would need to stop at a service station at least once.

As part of general future-focused conversation, DH and I are ruminating about

1: will we be 'allowed' to go
2: if we are, would we want to anyway?
3: if it's 'allowed', will the Bude community welcome us or hate us?
4: will the tourist industry want revenue or not?

Etc. Etc. Etc.

Anyone else having similar discussions, and if so, what are you thinking?

Actual tractor 😂😂👍

I live here..and we will definitly want you to come! When restrictions are lifted and we get the go ahead. If they say yes the do come. So many livelihoods depend on tourism here

I agree Wiferofbikerviking* I live here too, I'm the main earner and work in tourism. If tourists don't come, many, many jobs will be lost and Cornwall will suffer really badly. I was heartened to see a letter from over 80 Tory MPs asking the Chancellor for special consideration for the hospitality industry, although my useless MP didn't sign, despite claiming to support the tourist industry in the county.

I’m coming. I’m bringing money and I intend to spend it ALL!

@Daffodil101. Me too !! 🙂🙂

I hope they’ve got those shops stocked.....in on a mission

Totally agree @Wifeofbikerviking

And in the meantime, if any lovely people want to support Cornish small businesses by buying online, it all helps. Homewares, food stuffs, art... lots of little pieces of Cornwall can be found and bought online.

I've ordered Cornish pasties and a cream tea from a bakery in Padstow and bought a Tim Cotterill bronze frog from a gallery also in Padstow.

If those are The Chough pasties Pink then they are lovely. I live and work near Padstow.

They are, and the cream tea as well. We're supposed to be going to Padstow in September and part of me is hoping we can but realistically I don't think we will be.

Can only guarantee rain.

We have a few much saved for days booked for late August, self catering holiday park, two lots of friends and their families in their own accommodation on same site. So so hoping. Was a special that allowed us to book and we all hope it’s safe to do so, but of course will respect rules and local comfort level. Right before September school term starts so more hopeful than July but I still think it’s 50/50.

The Chough are lovelly pasties, I'm really tempted to order a box myself, but live in hope that July may have a miracle. Otherwise we will order a box.

I think I’m going to have to order some now

From an article in the Guardian on Friday:
Measures currently being considered to ensure Cornwall can safely welcome visitors include timed-ticketing at attractions to control numbers, vehicle restrictions in towns to keep numbers of visitors at a manageable level, and even a change in the law requiring holidaymakers to have documentation proving they are allowed to visit. “These might be seen as draconian, but let’s not rule them out at the moment,” said Bell. “The alternative is to keep everything shut – but we have businesses in despair, it’s causing mental health issues. We have to come up with a solution to help the economy while minimising the risks to visitors and the community.”
I don't see these measures, or any similar, being able to be implemented in the next few weeks, but perhaps for the late summer/autumn to next spring? I wonder if Monday - Friday breaks only would work as well, leaving a good amount of time for holiday accommodation to be deep cleaned...

Unless you are there for a fortnight.

How would they run places like Haven parks? Haven’t been to one but suspect there’s a clubhouse and other communal areas?

Timed tickets to attractions is a good idea, but as far as I can tell, people often go to the beach. Small beaches like Kynance would struggle.

Limiting numbers in towns also a good idea, though I’d say most visitors to st Ives use public transport. Padstow ? Park and ride?

I think overall I’d limit accommodation, as that limits other things? Suggested upthread self catering cottages and bed and breakfast?

No easy answer is there?

I guess as long as there was a 48/72 hr break between occupants, it doesn't matter really how long people stay.
Maintaining distancing on beaches is my obstacle - it'll be the main occupation for people esp if attractions are closed or limited, and then when the tide comes in people end up sitting in each other's laps almost.
Car parks could be limited to 50% capacity with advanced tech like big boulders in every other space...
The bridge at Tintagel already does timed entry so I guess that could be rolled out wider...Would improve the experience for everyone, if you forget about the loss of income...

True. But they’d still drive to the beach only to find they could park, turn around, cause a jam?

Also, a 48-72 hour turnaround is pretty difficult if people are staying for one week. Guest leaves Saturday, accommodation not ready until Monday night?

Meant to add...bring own linen, including pillows. Disposable mattress covers

Yep that's why I think it has to be arrive on Monday, leave on Friday. Gives the cleaners a safety window as well, so they can just leave the property untouched for 48 hrs.
Perhaps different providers would stagger changeovers, but I think (from my perspective of trying to protect my elderly parents who have a property and a cleaner who helps them but is also high risk) that I would want the property to be completely vacant for a period before someone going in.
I haven't got an answer for beaches. You can't restrict arrival time, as everyone would just try to arrive all at once. Perhaps like they do in some cities, restricting access according to your number plate, or visitors get a parking permit with their accommodation? But public transport is so crap down here, there is little alternative to the car.

It's the kitchen and bathroom that I think would be high-risk areas for cleaning, not necessarily the linen, which generally goes straight in a bag and off anyway.

I think staggering the days would be better. I wouldn’t bother going to Cornwall for less than 7 nights, it’s not worth 5 or 6 hours in the car for that for me.

Good point. And from our pov if we can fill the bookings with as few people as possible, that reduces risk. Stay for a month!

I'm getting over-invested in this thread.

I’m in the same position, 6 hour drive. Shortest I’ve ever been down for is three nights. Never again!