Cornish sunshine

10 August 2020

In a sense, the 4 July American national holiday was also ‘independence day’ on this side of the Atlantic as it coincided with the easing of lockdown restrictions in England.

And many people flocked to holiday destinations like Cornwall to enjoy their freedom. One local described the tourist influx as being like an August bank holiday weekend every day.

It’s a trend that has continued since, and particularly during the unusually hot weather recently, with temperatures in the south of England reaching the mid thirties Centigrade.

Most visitors head for the well-known beaches and beauty spots, leaving the rest of the region less swamped, according to Rick Biddiscombe, general manager of Euro Tool Hire. The company has three depots in Redruth, St Austell and Helston, all of which re-opened as soon as the government confirmed that hirers had essential supplier status, shortly after the lockdown was imposed..

Rick joined the business last November and was in the middle of a house purchase to relocate when the lockdown was announced.

Software system

“I decided to work from my current home in Frome and I was able to do tasks that can be very time-consuming, such as updating our inspHire software system, which I could do remotely.”

Much hire business in the region is driven by tourism and it has come back strongly. Holiday parks, caravan sites, camping facilities, hotels, restaurants and other attractions have been gearing up to welcome visitors while ensuring social distancing.

“Builders are very busy now and demand for hire equipment is across the board, from breakers to excavators,” says Rick.

Given the disruption to international travel, the ‘staycation’ is likely to become the holiday of choice for many. Over the long term, this could bring steady demand for hirers and contractors serving tourist attraction and amenities.

(Photo: Charisse Kenion, Unsplash)