Andrew moved to Bruton, Somerset, 60 years ago and has seen the town – known for its green countryside – change since then, and he believes tourism has been a big factor
A pensioner says he can’t park on his own street because of the influx of tourists.
Andrew said Bruton, Somerset, was “rather depressing” when he moved to the town some 60 years ago but has changed significantly since then. However, he now believes it has transformed so much – largely as a result of tourism – and new issues have arisen.
The man can no longer park on his road as there are “large vehicles cluttering up the street” each day. Tourism has become an important of the economy in Bruton, known for its pleasant countryside.
“There are large vehicles cluttering up the street – parking is a problem. Sometimes I have difficulty parking my car – everyone seems to have a car now,” Andrew said, adding that the high street was “rather depressing” even six decades ago.
He has also blasted the rise in second home ownership in the town, with many properties used as Airbnbs to support the tourism industry. He says this trend has increased house prices significantly in the community, which is approximately 30 miles south of Bristol.
Andrew told MailOnline: “Local people like me would find it difficult to buy a house. A lot of people use their houses as Airbnbs rather than selling them.”
The publication reports wealthy Londoners have flocked to Bruton in their droves for a tranquil way of life, particularly since the coronavirus pandemic.
But this has created divisions in the community, as Andrew highlighted, with parking a major concern. It is shared by Angeliki, the manager of Stripy Duck café. The 57-year-old woman said: “I noticed in 2021 there was a big influx of people actually moving here. We all woke up one morning, went up to the street and went ‘Oh, where did all these people come from?’ – so it has been very quick.
“Somerset itself has become more expensive and a lot busier. It prices people out of being able to stay here and I think that is true of anywhere.”
However, Bethany Taylor, 33, moved to the town from London. She does not know how to drive and so has found challenges in getting about. Bethany, who is training to be a counsellor, said: “There is a Londoney vibe to it – people that I have met, the restaurants and it is not your classic Somerset town. It is quite trendy here. It is an up and coming place with very nice restaurants.”
