Mixed fortunes from Boardmasters, say businesses

Mark Warren, from Newquay Business Improvement District, said the message needed to be that the resort was open for business during the Boardmasters week

Boardmasters festival 2025 has brought mixed fortunes for businesses in Newquay, a survey has shown.

Supermarkets and some larger shops said they had benefited from the event, but some restaurants and bars said they had experienced no boost in trade, the Newquay Business Improvement District (BID) said.

The survey showed businesses near Fistral and those near the bus and train stations had been busy compared to those elsewhere in the town during the August event.

A spokesperson for the festival said: "While we acknowledge that some businesses face challenges during Boardmasters week, we also know many benefit from the festival."

Topher Chard said the festival had brought more business to the cafe at the train station

The music and surf event took place between 6 and 10 August across two sites at Watergate Bay and Fistral Beach.

Charlie Hester, the manager of Clover Club bar and restaurant on Bank Street, said evening bookings during the festival week had been as expected for the summer, and there had been no additional business from the event.

He said: "If you came on Boardmasters Saturday, which is the middle of August, and you walked through the town you'd think it would be mid-January."

Topher Chard, who runs the Saltd cafe, said he had seen a boost to business which he attributed to being based at the train station.

He said: "For the hospitality sector this side of town, where the buses and trains come in, it's very good, as well as towards Fistral."

Newquay BID said its survey showed businesses had appreciated improvements by the festival organisers Vision Nine, including traffic management and road access.

It said more festival-goers had arrived by coach which eased pressure on the town's roads.

Mark Warren, from Newquay BID, said: "Getting festival-goers in and out was so much more efficient this year.

"The days of talking about 'don't come to Newquay, you'll be stuck in traffic', it really wasn't the case.

"Together, we need to strengthen the message that Newquay town centre is open as usual - not just open, but offering visitors a fantastic experience with more space, more availability and the same great businesses that make Newquay special," he added.

The music and surf event took place between 6 and 10 August