Good Friday brought the sunshine to the south west for the start of the Easter weekend which meant that Dawlish Warren was full of visitors enjoying the sunshine and also visiting the shops and businesses in the area.
As Easter is seen as the official start of the tourist season, many businesses in the area were glad to see the sun and as a consequence able to report a busy weekend.
The Warren Trading Company, on the seafront, capatalised on the start of the tourist season by making sure they were open for business for the Easter period, after rebuilding their premises following last year's devastating fire.
Simon Broom, area manager, said that it had been a good start to the new trading year.
'We have been open since the Wednesday before Easter. Friday was good because the sun came out and when that happens people head for the beach,' he said.
'Saturday and Sunday were not as busy because people head in land when the weather isn't so good, but we ticked along.
'We will now be quiet until the bank holiday in May but we have got a few bits and pieces to finish off in the shop and we will also be getting more stock in'.
Despite the lack of continual sunshine, Mr Broom said the first few trading days in the new store had been a success and he felt it had gone extremely well.
'The new building has a very positive vibe about it and we are looking forward to a successful season'.
The Boathouse restaurant in Dawlish Warren, a popular eatery with both local people and visitors, also reported a thriving weekend.
Operations manager Vicky Turner said that it had been a very similar story to last year.
'We thought the weather was going to be lousy,' she said, 'but the clouds broke on Thursday and held off over the weekend.'
She also said that the opening of The Warren Trading Company had probably helped other businesses in the area.
'It helped that the new shop was open and we might even have done a bit better than last year,' she admitted.
'We are now geared up and ready for what the summer has to offer,' she concluded.
The Mount Pleasant Inn was also able to report a good start to the holiday season.
'It was a good Easter,' said Malcolm Protheroe, commenting that the weather, as in most cases, had played an important part in the success of the Easter weekends trading.
'Overall, as it was dry, it meant better business for local traders – it was a busy weekend and a welcome start to the tourist season and I think everyone at the Warren is looking forward to a lively summer.'