Almost all accommodation providers in Devon, Somerset and Torbay stayed shut over the Easter Bank Holiday weekend.

On March 23 the Government announced that, with very few exceptions, all hotels, bed and breakfasts, hostels, holiday rentals, campsites and boarding houses must stay closed until further notice.

Last week Trading Standards appealed to owners to follow the lockdown rules to stem the spread of coronavirus.

And despite the weekend being one of the warmest of the year so far, trading standards officers have confirmed that most accommodation providers abided by the restrictions and remained closed.

There are more than 5,000 hotels, B&Bs, campsites, boarding houses, hostels and guest houses in Devon, Somerset and Torbay.

However during the warmest weekend of the year trading standards officers received just 18 complaints from residents across Devon, Somerset and Torbay, who were understandably concerned that businesses were breaking the lockdown restrictions.

And of those 18, only two businesses may have breached the restrictions, and inquiries into those businesses are continuing.

Trading standards officers also issued a reminder to all businesses about the serious implications of failing to comply with current COVID19 related restrictions and warned that any breaches of the legislation will be investigated.

Councillor Christine Carter, Cabinet Member for Corporate and Community Services for Torbay Council, said: “I am very relieved to be able to say that the vast majority of businesses stayed shut and remained closed over the weekend.

“I recognise this must have been very difficult given that the weather was warm, and Easter is traditionally seen as the start of the summer season.

“I want to thank each and every business who followed our advice last week. I have no doubt that the decision not to open will have saved lives."

You can find the latest advice at the Growth Hub website.

Information on support for businesses in Torbay – including hotels and B&Bs - during the shutdown is on our financial support for businesses webpage.