Running a Hospitality Business in a Seaside Town: The Highs, the Lows, and Why Local Support Matters
Running a hospitality business is never easy, but running one in a seaside town? That’s a whole different challenge.
When the sun is shining, the beaches are packed, and holidaymakers are flooding in, it’s an incredible place to be. The town comes alive—families, tourists, day-trippers, locals making the most of the season. The energy is amazing, the bars and restaurants are buzzing, and the trade is booming.
But then, as quickly as it came, it’s gone. The weather shifts, the tourists head home, and suddenly, a town that was heaving a few weeks ago feels almost empty. And that’s the reality of running a business in a seasonal town—you have to learn how to survive both extremes.
The Highs: Why We Love It
Despite the challenges, I love what I do. There’s something special about running a venue in a seaside town—you meet such a diverse mix of people. One day, you’re serving a family on holiday from up north, the next, a group of surfers who’ve been coming to the same spot for years. Then there are the locals—the people who come back week after week, all year round.
Being part of this kind of community is incredible. We get to create experiences that people remember, whether it’s someone’s first taste of mezcal, a birthday celebration, or just a perfect summer evening with friends.
And when it’s busy, it’s really busy. The energy in the town is electric, and businesses thrive on that rush. But here’s the thing—hospitality in a seaside town isn’t about making money when it’s busy. It’s about making enough to survive when it’s not.
The Lows: The Quiet Season Struggle
People often assume that because a venue is packed in July and August, it must be rolling in profit all year round. But the reality? That summer trade has to stretch through the off-season—January, February, and beyond.
The bills don’t stop when the tourists leave. Rent, wages, suppliers, maintenance—they all keep coming, even when the customers don’t. It’s a constant balancing act, making sure that what we earn in peak season helps us survive the quiet months.
That’s why every decision matters—pricing, menu changes, special events, how many staff we keep on, even how many discounts we offer. We have to think ahead, plan for the dips, and get creative to keep people coming in when the town is quiet.
Why Local Support Matters
And this is where local support makes all the difference.
Every time someone chooses an independent venue in the off-season, it helps keep a team employed, a business open, and a town thriving.
A lot of venues try to bridge the gap with winter events—themed nights, seasonal deals, community gatherings. We do everything we can to give people a reason to come out, even when it’s cold and dark.
But the truth is, hospitality in a seaside town is a year-round game. The more people support their favourite spots in the quiet months, the more likely those places will still be there when summer comes back around.
The Bigger Picture
Things are improving. More people understand the reality of seasonal business, and more businesses are finding ways to adapt. But at the end of the day, the hospitality industry relies on people—people choosing to dine out, support independent venues, and recognize the value of what they bring to a town.
So next time you walk past a bar or restaurant in winter and assume they’re fine because they were packed in summer? Think again. The places you love don’t survive just on peak season—they survive because people support them all year round.
And that support? It makes all the difference.
Like what you’ve read?
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