Brixham is open for business!

“We are open for business” is the message traders and residents of Brixham are giving after a cryptosporidium outbreak left some parts of the town without drinkable tap water.

Cryptosporidium is a tiny parasite and can lead to vomiting, stomach cramps and diarrhoea, lasting about two weeks.

While over 40 people have been diagnosed with the water-borne parasite as well as over 100 people reporting symptoms, an indirect victim has been local business, which has seen trade fall off a cliff since the outbreak began.

Business owners are now stressing that action was taken immediately to make Brixham safe for both visitors and staff and that almost every part of the popular town is now clear and in desperate need of returning trade.

The outbreak began last week after residents, predominantly in Hillhead and surrounding neighbourhoods, reported falling ill. While initially, South West Water maintained that there was nothing wrong with the water supply, the advice soon changed.

On Wednesday (15 May), South West Water stated that traces of cryptosporidium had been found, and issued a boil water notice to around 17,000 households and businesses in the Alston and Hillhead water supply areas. Bottled water collection points were also set up in car parks at Fresh Water Quarry, Broadsands and the Churston car boot sale field.

A damaged valve on private land in the Hillhead supply area was identified as the possible cause of contamination, which has since been isolated from the network and repaired.

At the time of publishing, 14,500 households in the Alston supply area have been given the green light to use tap water as normal after seven separate and independently analysed tests were carried out. Just 2,500 properties in Hillhead are still being advised to boil drinking water before consumption.

While over 200 staff and contractors are working to resolve remaining water contamination issues, Brixham traders are worried that the event will cast a much longer shadow over the summer season.

After already being hit by Covid and the Cost of Living Crisis, traders fear that this could be the “nail in the coffin” for some businesses.

Mark Coysh is the General Manager of the Greenway Group, which operates eight businesses in the town such as the Prince William and the Mermaid. Mark said that action was taken immediately to continue business as normal in a safe manner, despite not actually being in the affected area.

Nonetheless, Mark said that the downturn in business has been on a “huge scale”.

He continued: “Many bookings have been cancelled and the town is essentially a ghost town on what should be a very busy weekend with the good weather. We envisioned a downturn naturally due to this, however not to this extent, particularly as the majority of Brixham was not affected.”

Will Ford, Managing Director of the Greenway Group reported a downturn in trade across the business portfolio of about 75% since Thursday.

He said: “For this to occur right on the cusp of the May Bank Holiday Weekend and right in season in a holiday destination is shocking. I can confirm that we are seeing the effects of the damage already in these early stages, and the knock-on effect with cancellations up to and including the month of August.”

While SWW has offered compensation to residents of businesses of £115 and £215 for those in Hillhead, Will Ford called this “one-size-fits-all offer” an “insult”. He called on the utility company to fund an extensive business compensation package, as well as run a national campaign to spread the word that Brixham is back to normal.

He added: “This is the only way to secure the town, the businesses, the jobs and the tourism trade to the area. A short-term minuscule amount of compensation will not make up for long-term damage to the area and businesses.”

Conservative MP Anthony Mangnall called South West Water’s response to the outbreak “contemptible” and “incompetent”.

He continued: “The predominant failure is the fact that earlier in the week, South West Water was asked whether or not this had to do with their network and they categorically ruled it out, only for them to change their position 24 hours later.

"I think this is contemptible and just generally incompetent – it’s put a lot of people’s health at risk.”

Mr Mangnall also emphasised the need for compensation. 

Until those details are worked out, however, Brixham needs people to come out and enjoy the town as they always have done.

Mr Mangnall added: "Brixham is a fantastic place to come and spend your bank holiday weekend, whether it's touring the world-famous fish market, seeing the Golden Hind or strolling down the breakwater. Whatever it may be, Brixham is open, ready for business.

"I hope we're going to see lots of people come down and support fantastic businesses and tourism and hospitality sectors that we have."

Carolyn Custerson, CEO of the English Riviera BID Company, said: “It is very important that we keep the messaging very positive now with final restrictions expected to be lifted by the end of the week.

“May Half Term is one of our peak weeks and worth millions to Torbay’s Visitor Economy. We are planning additional marketing activity to reassure visitors.”

Mark Coysh added: “Brixham now needs you to support it more than ever. Not just for us, but for many independent businesses which keep Brixham going. Brixham survives on the community along with visitors and the tourism trade.

“We need everyone to spread the word that Brixham is open for business as usual - The Town Centre was never affected by the water supply issue.”

Cllr Andrew Strang (Cons, Furzeham with Summercombe), who has been helping with the relief efforts, said: "I would very much like to put out a message of support to all our businesses who have been affected in one way or another by a drop of custom over the past week. Brixham is indeed open for business and remains a beautiful and safe place to visit.

"As it turns out the majority of our tourist accommodation and business are outside of the Hill Head supply and as such never actually were at risk."

South West Water boss Susan Davy said: “To those in the affected area and our customers across the South West, I am truly sorry for the disruption and wider anxiety this has caused. While incidents like these are thankfully very rare, our customers expect a safe, clean, and reliable source of drinking water. I know on this occasion we have fallen significantly short of what you expect of us.”

Laura Flowerdew, of South West Water, added: “We are going to look at businesses which have seen an impact and deal with any compensation case by case.”