Storms threaten beach huts' future, says council

North Norfolk District Council rents out huts at Sheringham, Mundesley, Cromer and Overstrand, in a mix of weekly and long-term leases

Rows of colourful beach huts lining seaside promenades may become a thing of the past as storms batter the coast, increasing maintenance costs, a council has warned.

A report by North Norfolk District Council has suggested it could become financially unviable to continue keeping its huts at Sheringham, Mundesley, Cromer and Overstrand.

Last summer's wet weather also left the council out of pocket because fewer people wanted to rent out them out.

Lucy Shires, Liberal Democrat cabinet member for finance, estates and property services, said safety was an additional issue due to fears people could be "put at risk because of more frequent adverse weather".

There are nearly 900 people on the council's beach hut and chalet waiting list, hoping to secure a five-year lease, according to the council's latest figures

The report for the overview and scrutiny committee said: "If adverse conditions become more frequent to the point it is no longer viable, officers may recommend that no beach huts leases are made available.”

The Liberal Democrat-run council's 2023 repair and maintenance costs for its portfolio of huts was 70% higher than the average amount it paid out in the last four years, as reported by the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

It faced a bill of more than £21,000, while expenses reached £181,000 - more than half the income the council predicted it would raise from the huts this year.

The authority is putting a clause in to its beach hut and chalet leases enabling it to remove them during winter months to protect them from storm damage.

That will also come at a cost - removing its huts at Overstand last year cost it £11,000.

Renting a beach hut in Cromer for a week costs £215 in peak summer months, while long-term leases are known to be in high demand with long waiting lists.