Soaking Up the Sunshine: Jersey's Businesses Thrive in Record Heat

Jersey is basking in its hottest April since 2018, providing a much-needed boost to local tourism. With rainfall at around half the normal average of 56.7mm, residents have enjoyed an excess of 80 sunshine hours over a typical April. Jono Stevenson, owner of Jono’s Watersports, capitalized on the early warmth, stating it’s rare for him to open in April, making it a bonus for his business.

While some businesses, like Shimmon Monins’ Le Petit Train, experienced a quieter start to the season, Monins remains cautiously hopeful for more foot traffic as the summer progresses. Quaranta William, operational manager of Jersey Bus Tours, noted an uptick in English visitors enjoying the open-top buses in the warmth, although French visitors were notably absent.

As temperatures are predicted to soar to 26°C, just shy of the April record of 26.2°C set in 1984, islanders are gearing up for leisure activities this bank holiday weekend, particularly the Boat Show, which is seen as a kickoff for summer celebrations as per John Neal of Marquee Solutions.

Overall, Jersey’s tourism sector seems poised to benefit from this unusual April heatwave, creating a stark contrast between different types of businesses on the island.