Early signs for Newquay trade during Boardmasters ‘extremely encouraging’

Early indications suggest Newquay town centre enjoyed a busy Boardmasters weekend, according to the town’s business improvement group.

Newquay BID manager Mark Warren said feedback gathered from businesses on Monday had been “overwhelmingly” positive, although a full survey will be carried out later this week.

Businesses will be asked to compare their performance with last year’s festival weekend and the preceding week to establish whether trade increased, fell or remained steady.

Mr Warren said the town remained busy with families as well as festivalgoers, while businesses reported a positive atmosphere.

He said the Boardmasters crowd had been well behaved and that regular cleaning and waste collections had helped keep the town centre clean.

Newquay BID launched its Beyond Boardmasters campaign this year in response to concerns that people avoid the town during the festival.

As part of the campaign, entertainment was held on the Killacourt throughout the weekend. Newquay RNLI Lifeboat Day also attracted visitors on Saturday.

Mr Warren said one business whose concerns helped shape the campaign reported a much stronger weekend than in 2025.

He said two businesses told him they'd achieved their highest-ever single-day sales on Saturday. A café reported record breakfast sales, while a pasty shop also recorded its best takings after adapting its offer to festival visitors and holidaymakers.

Several businesses changed their opening hours or remained open later to attract people returning from the festival site.

Mr Warren said parking had been busy from Wednesday onwards, but the festival road closures appeared to have prevented significant disruption within the town centre.

He added that more work was needed to support the evening economy, with fewer visitors remaining in town later in the day.

Newquay BID will publish a clearer assessment after receiving responses to its business survey.