Council Issues Updates On Its Tourist Facilities After New Government Guidance

East Riding of Yorkshire Council has issued updates on its tourism facilities in the light of the revised government advice issued earlier this week, and offered advice to those thinking of visiting the area in the coming days.

Councillor Richard Burton, leader of the council, said:

“If people do feel the need to come and visit the East Riding coast this weekend or our Local Nature Reserves, I urge them to observe social distancing at all times, and to be respectful of our local communities, and to be responsible in their actions.

“I must stress that all tourism businesses like hotels, guest houses and most restaurants and cafes remain closed, as do facilities like toilets. Caravan sites are of course also still closed. Visitors should be aware that a trip to the coast this weekend will not offer the usual facilities.

“We look forward to welcoming visitors in the future when all our facilities will be open again, and of course I would remind people that the beauty of the East Riding coast and our Local Nature Reserves will still be there in time to come, for people to enjoy.”

The council has also issued updates about its facilities as follows :

Bridlington Spa

The UK Government has issued a recent statement on the gradual easing of the current lockdown restrictions.  However, the Government advice does not currently give dates that theatres and venues like Bridlington Spa are able to reopen and is conditional on further progress being made.

All shows that were due to take place in June have been cancelled or rescheduled and our Box Office team is working hard from home to contact customers who are affected by this change.  Our position will be reviewed on Wednesday 1 July, or sooner if government advice changes, and we will continue to keep in contact with up to date information.  

South Cliff Holiday Park

The Government advice does not currently give the dates that campsites and touring sites are able to reopen and is conditional on further progress being made. We will continue to liaise with associate organisations to ensure best practice protocols are developed for when we are able to reopen.

Whilst the government has stated that people are now able to travel to various destinations, this does not include holiday homes. South Cliff Holiday Park will not be permitting any customers to enter the park at this time for any reason. 

The position will be reviewed on 1 July 2020, or sooner if government advice changes, and we will continue to liaise with customers directly with up to date information.

For customers who have booked holidays with us during this period, the team will be in touch over the next few days to discuss various options.

For customers who do need to contact us on the phone – please be aware that we have a limited service available, and are experiencing a high number of calls.

South Cliff Holiday Park will continue to take bookings for future dates in 2020 and will also continue the offer of booking a holiday in 2021 at 2020 prices with the booking guarantee in place (see website for further details).

Sewerby Hall and Gardens

The updated Government advice does not currently give the dates when historic houses are able to reopen and is conditional on further progress being made. We will continue to ensure best practice protocols are developed for when we are able to reopen.

The parkland will remain open for use for daily exercise as previously; however, no other facilities on site are available at this time. This includes toilets.

Our position will be reviewed on 1 July, 2020, or sooner if government advice changes and we will continue to liaise directly with up to date information.

For customers who have booked holidays within our cottages, the team will be in touch over the next few days to discuss various options.

Coastal Services

The facilities provided by our Coastal Services team remain closed, such as the beach chalets and land train services, and government advice does not confirm when these can reopen and is conditional on further progress being made.

We will continue to ensure best practice is developed for when we are able to reopen.

The foreshore and beaches remain open and we would like to take this opportunity to remind users to maintain social distancing and ensure that dogs are kept on leads at all times. We also ask people to pick up after their dogs, and dispose of the waste in the litter bins provided.

All this will continue to be monitored by our team, and government instructions will be reinforced where necessary.

The position will be reviewed on 1 July 2020, or sooner if government advice changes.

For customers who have booked chalets within the seafront facilities, our team will be in touch over the next few days to discuss various options.

Countryside Access

Our public rights of way and Local Nature Reserves remain open to use for daily exercise purposes – however, planned countryside events are not currently taking place. This will be reviewed on 1 July, 2020 or sooner if government advice changes.

Cycling is great for fun and fitness, but please do not cycle on public footpaths. Please utilise quieter roads, cycleways and cycle routes, and public bridleways.  Cycling on public footpaths causes safety issues for the increased number of people out walking, spoils their enjoyment and is not permitted by the owners of the land.

Our four disused railway lines in the East Riding offer quieter places to cycle away from cars, and all offer informal or larger car parks. 

The East Riding has some great walks. Choose a short walk or something more challenging, but remember to keep two metres away from other people. Plan a walk from home using our Public Rights of Way map to see where there are countryside paths near you. Visit www.walkingtheriding.eastriding.gov.uk

At all times, follow the Countryside Code which has information for dog walkers and etiquette about gates. Please respect other users and the owners of the land and take your litter home.