Economy takes a hit as businesses count cost of wet summer

The cost of cancelling the Great Yorkshire Show alone after just one day was £2m. Many more outdoor events have had to be cancelled or postponed.

The weather has left farmers struggling with the harvest. Tourist accommodation businesses have had fewer customers and outdoor attractions have sold fewer tickets, meaning the final impact is likely to run into many millions of pounds.

Shoppers’ footfall in flood-ravaged Hebden Bridge is down about 50 per cent since the first of this summer’s floods, according to Duncan McKie, chairman of the town’s business association.

He said: “There are still a few shops battling to open but without any people coming in, the businesses that aren’t closed won’t get better.”

Mytholmroyd is also suffering, as is Todmorden where The Golden Lion pub has had to close because of flood damage.

Steven Leigh, head of policy at Mid Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce, said: “It’s a bleak situation. Some people are thinking they may never start their businesses up again and there are problems with insurance.”

Other axed events such as M-Fest at Harewood House face large losses. Sheffield’s ill-fated Cliffhanger event has cost the city council £35,000.

Charities and community organisations have also been hit by cancelling and rescheduling events.

A Welcome to Yorkshire spokeswoman said it was hoped the boost to Yorkshire’s economy from the Olympic torch relay and Diamond Jubilee celebrations could help offset any blow to the region’s tourism industry.

“If we’re to have a late summer as we did last year and a mild winter that would be a considerable help,” she added.