'Moor fire will have a big impact on tourism'

John Freeman, from the Whitby and District Tourism Association, said the wildfire would cause a "financial reckoning" for some businesses

Tourism-dependent businesses around the North York Moors National Park have said that a wildfire that has been burning for three weeks has been impacting their trade during peak season.

The blaze began on Langdale Moor on 11 August and spread earlier this week, although the fire service has now said the incident has been "contained".

It has led to road closures, diversions of the Coast to Coast walking route and evacuations of campsites and caravan parks.

John Freeman, from the Whitby and District Tourism Association, said: "Shops have closed because they don't feel comfortable about being in town, attracting people to the area."

The North York Moors National Park Authority did not advise against travel to the wider area, but told visitors to avoid the part of the moorland most affected by fire and smoke.

Mr Freeman said coastal businesses in Scarborough and Whitby were being "badly affected".

He added: "People don't come to the area just for the fish and chips. They want to be out on the moors, they want to be walking, they want to do cycling.

"So much of that is now being inhibited, so it's a real problem."

Smoke from the moorland fire billowed out to sea on Tuesday

He added: "It's so difficult to absolutely quantify what is happening.

"Nature is a savage beast."

He thought there would be a "dip in takings" by the end of the tourist season.

"There will be a financial reckoning later on."

Speaking on Thursday, Chris Bancroft, from Muir Lea Stores in Robin's Hood Bay, said: "I expect trade will probably start dropping off at the weekend.

"We run some holiday cottages as well and the people who were meant to come in then have already cancelled," he added.

Chris Bancroft owns a shop in Robin Hood's Bay, which has been impacted by smoke from the nearby wildfire

Mr Bancroft added: "I went home on Tuesday after being in here all day and my head was really hurting."

The Hotel Victoria, also in Robin Hood's Bay, relies on tourism from day and overnight guests, according to operations manager Liam Wilson.

"We're very much playing it day by day," he said.

Part of the A171, the main road linking Robin Hood's Bay to Scarborough and Whitby, was closed on Tuesday.

"The traffic in the village and footfall has decreased noticeably throughout the week," Mr Wilson said.

"There's definitely been an impact on trade.

"We also have a number of staff who can't come in from the Scarborough way."

One of his colleagues, Beverley Rutherford, said the business had not been "so badly affected" until the fire escalated at the start of the week.

She added: "We have been informing all of our guests who are due to arrive, just telling them the situation so they can make an informed decision.

"Telling them about the road closures and taking all of that into consideration.

Beverley Rutherford, from the Hotel Victoria in Robin Hood's Bay, said staff had been contacting guests to inform them of the incident

"We have had a few people cancel or move their stays, but it's a lot better now than it was on Monday," Ms Rutherford said.

Mr Wilson added: "We're encouraging people to still visit if they can."

'Open for business'

In an update on Friday, North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue's chief fire officer said the county was "open for business" and that people could still visit.

Jonathan Dyson said he understood the impact of the incident on the public, and businesses, and appreciated support given to authorities.

"All we ask is that you avoid the areas we've highlighted for safety and avoid the roads we've put the closures on," he said.

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