A hotel in a Welsh town is counting the cost of Storm Darragh’s aftermath, as the Port of Holyhead faced a temporary closure due to the damage caused. The closure of the port had a ripple effect on businesses in the area, with one hotel operator reportedly losing around £14,700 in cancelled bookings alone. The closure of the port was attributed to the damage caused by strong gusts exceeding 93mph on December 7, leading to the suspension of ferry crossings from Terminal 3 and Terminal 5, utilized by Irish Ferries. However, there was a glimmer of hope when Stena Line announced plans to resume crossings from Terminal 5 beginning January 16.
The impact of the port’s closure has been described as “devastating” by a local councillor, with traders in the area feeling the financial strain. Business owners have reported a significant decrease in trade, particularly from ferry passengers who would usually frequent their establishments. Erdinc Baysan, who runs Mete’s Smash Burger on Market Street, revealed a drop of about 25% in customers since the cancellations began. Alongside, Adriana Antocci and Ahmet Kacar from the Holly Molly Cafe expressed concerns over the decline in passing trade, hoping for a swift resolution to the port’s closure to boost their business once again.
The closure of the port has hit hard for Claudia Howard, operator of The Boathouse Hotel, bar, and restaurant near Holyhead Marina, who disclosed a loss of 147 bookings due to the closure. Despite the setbacks, Ms. Howard remains optimistic, focusing on revamping hotel bedrooms and diversifying revenue streams with new events planned. Isle of Anglesey County Councillor Keith Roberts emphasised the impact on local trade due to the absence of ferry passengers and haulage drivers, underlining the importance of their contribution to the area’s economy.
Councillor Trefor Lloyd Hughes raised concerns about the extended timescale for the full operational restoration of the Port of Holyhead, stressing the need for prompt repairs to the T3 berth used by Irish Ferries. However, there is hope on the horizon with Stena Line’s commitment to repairing and reinstating the T5 berth by January 16, signalling a potential return to normalcy for the town. The challenges faced by businesses in the aftermath of the storm and port closure are significant, with financial losses and decreased footfall impacting various establishments in the Welsh town.
As the local community navigates through this challenging period, resilience and adaptability are key to weathering the storm – both literally and figuratively. The story of the hotel’s financial losses serves as a reminder of the interconnectedness of businesses and the wider community, highlighting the need for support and collaborative efforts to overcome adversity. With hopes pinned on the restoration of ferry services and a resurgence in trade, the town looks towards a brighter future post-Storm Darragh’s aftermath.