Seaton and Beer beach huts to reopen

Beach huts in Seaton and Beer will be opening their doors this weekend following the relaxation of the government's lockdown restrictions.

Beach huts and chalets across East Devon, including in Seaton, Beer, Budleigh, Exmouth and Sidmouth, will reopen from Saturday, July 4.

East Devon District Council has 417 seasonal beach huts in Beer, Budleigh, Exmouth, Seaton and Sidmouth, as well as 20 chalets and a further 68 beach huts which can be used all year round in Exmouth.

They have remained closed since the announcement of lockdown in March but are now reopening with social distancing guidelines in place.

The council will be putting up signage and ground stencils at each site. Tenants will be given brief guidance on steps they should take at their sites, and will be required to adhere to detailed government guidance on social distancing and hygiene, to ensure that the huts and chalets are used safely and responsibly.

For beach hut tenants who are shielding or are unable to use their hut this season, the council has agreed that no charge for the hut will be made this year and they will be able to take up their normal rental next year if they wish.

Access for erecting huts or collecting keys began this week, and the council is requiring that all huts are up within a strict three-week period, to minimise any impact on the summer holidays.

Tenants will be responsible for ensuring the safety of hut erections, adhering to COVID-19 secure guidance and safe methods of operation or ensuring their contractors do so.

To compensate for the lost time due to the lockdown, the council is holding beach hut charge rate from last year and reducing it pro-rata for the remaining season.

Councillor Paul Hayward, deputy leader of East Devon District Council and Cabinet portfolio member for Economy, Asset Management and Regeneration, said: "I am delighted that these much-loved and well-used public amenities are now able to be re-opened, subject to the necessary social distancing and signage.

"Cllr John Hart, leader of Devon County Council, is absolute spot on when he states that 'Devonians are sensible people, who behave sensibly and follow the rules'. We all have personal responsibility for ourselves, and to protect our loved ones and neighbours.

"Summer is an intrinsic part of Devon life and the ability to sit by the seaside is an oft overlooked pleasure and will allow us to return to some sense of normality whilst recognising - at all times - that the virus still exists, and will not hesitate to strike again if we are not all very careful.

"It would be remiss of me not to mention that revenue from the hire of these huts plays a part in balancing the council's books and thus every day that they remained closed worsened our financial position, and made the job of providing quality services to all residents that much harder.

"But I wholeheartedly believe that council has struck the right balance between public safety, and public amenity, in this decision and look forward to seeing our beaches and tourist spots bustling with laughter and fun again - in a safe, secure and sensible manner of course."