MANY businesses in Newquay saw a drop in trade during Boardmasters despite tens of thousands of people descending on the town.

Newquay BID manager Mark Warren said local traders have reported it was their quietest week in August.

But the expanded surf and skate offering has been praised as well as the one-way traffic management system brought into place, which resulted in a less congested town centre.

Mr Warren said: “The Newquay Business Improvement District (BID) has gathered feedback from town centre businesses regarding the recent Boardmasters 2025 weekend.

“While the festival continues to attract tens of thousands of visitors to Watergate Bay and Fistral, many local traders reported that the event coincided with one of their quietest trading weeks of the year—particularly unusual for August, which is typically a peak period for tourism and retail.

“Businesses reported that, although festival-goers do come into the town centre, they tend to be a younger demographic who spend selectively—most often in supermarkets and general food outlets. This targeted spending does not offset the loss of the broader holiday-making public who, during a typical August week, would visit the town to shop, dine, and enjoy local attractions such as the beaches and independent retailers.

“Even with initiatives such as the £10 multi-use shuttle bus service into Newquay and the “Boardies Offer” promotion through the Boardmasters app, BID businesses did not see a significant increase in footfall.

“One notable positive was the improved traffic management plan, which resulted in smoother arrivals and departures for festival-goers and less congestion in the town centre. However, several businesses noted that supermarket car parks were unusually empty for the season—an indicator that some visitors and locals may have avoided the area during the event.

“The Fistral element of the festival, however, was widely praised. The skate and surf competitions, combined with excellent swell conditions, created a vibrant and enjoyable atmosphere. Locals and visitors alike engaged with the half-pipe and skateboarding displays, showcasing Newquay’s active lifestyle culture.

“From a long-term perspective, Boardmasters continues to raise Newquay’s profile to a younger audience from across the UK, including London and other urban centres. The hope remains that these visitors will return in future years with family and friends to experience all that Newquay has to offer beyond the festival.

“However, the immediate economic impact during the festival week remains a challenge. As BID Manager, our priority is to work with event organisers, local businesses, and stakeholders to explore ways of increasing the town centre benefit from major events like Boardmasters — ensuring that Newquay’s vibrant business community thrives during one of the most high-profile weekends of the summer.”