Holiday cottage booking companies have reported huge demand from people hoping to book holidays in England when lockdown restrictions are eased from 12 April.
The holiday home firm Cottages.com said two-thirds of its properties in coastal locations or with hot tubs have already been booked that week. It is the earliest date that self-contained accommodation providers and outdoor visitor attractions can start welcoming back customers under Boris Johnson’s plans for easing the coronavirus lockdown in England.
Simon Altham, the chief commercial officer at Cottages.com’s parent company, Awaze, told the PA Media news agency there was “no doubt” that continued uncertainty about foreign travel had led to a rise in “staycation” bookings.
He said: “We’ve definitely seen a marked increase in demand and traffic to our sites over the last week or so as we get nearer to restrictions being lifted and people look to lock in a UK getaway.
“The south-west and traditional honeypot…
