WITH one of the wettest summers in 100 years, traders in the resort have claimed it has had a big impact on business.

However due to a relatively sunny August, including some of the hottest days of the year, it has not been all bad news for the town.

Andrew Rowdon, chairman of the town’s chamber of trade, believes despite the poor weather, there has been some success for resort businesses.

He said: “Whenever I have been in the town the shops seem to have been quite vibrant and restaurants seem to be quite busy.

“We have had quite a lot of wet days but we have had quite a lot of sunny days as well so I don’t think it’s all doom and gloom.”

Stan Harris, owner of Ocean Boulevard, in Sea Road, said: “When the weather has been good, business has been good.

“August this year has been better than last year. August (trade) has been up about 25 per cent on last year.”

David Ball, owner of the Sweet Hut in Hamilton Road, added: “I would say it has been fairly consistent for me.”

However Louise Juggins, owner of the Cork Bar, in Undercliff Road West, has been disappointed by the slow trade during what is normally a busy summer.

She added: “For June, July and August, the figures are certainly well down but the weather has certainly played its part. If it’s raining people won’t come to the seafront.”

According to the experts at Weatherquest, the weather is due to be more settled in September, which could be good news for traders.

Figures reveal that 240.7mm of rain fell over the area between June and August 30 – 158.9pc of the average rainfall for that time period.

“The biggest downpours were in July when 106.9mm of rain fell, with the average rainfall being 50.1mm.

Chris Bell, a forecaster with Weatherquest, said: “Generally I would say East Anglia as a whole is following the same trend as Britain with one of the wettest summers on record.”

n How have you enjoyed the summer in Felixstowe? Write to Your Letters, Ipswich Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, IP4 1AN, or you can send an e-mail to starletters@ archant.co.uk