Tighter belts and grey weather make for a mixed summer for Shropshire visitor attractions
It's been a mixed bag for visitor attractions across the county this summer, as poor weather and the cost of living crisis kept many at home.
With one of the wettest Julys on record followed by a miserable August amid the cost of living crisis, tourist attractions around the country have faced a series of challenges.
Ironically, a mini-heatwave has descended on Shropshire and Mid Wales this week – just as children go back to school.
Bernard Donoghue, director of the Association of Leading Visitor Attractions, which has the National Trust, English Heritage and zoos among its members, said many outdoor attractions were having a bad time amid the downpours.
He said: “Where a destination is quite weather dependent, they’re having quite a tough time at the moment.
“So people are making the switch to go to museums, galleries and indoor attractions.”
One business that has been bearing the brunt of the bad weather is Telford's Exotic Zoo.