A FURIOUS cafe owner has slammed “dodgy” weather forecasts for driving beach-goers away from the seafront and his business.

Peter Grubb, owner of Uncle Tom’s Cabin in Shoebury, says incorrect national weather reports for the borough have meant visitors staying at home and avoiding trips to the seaside - even when it’s sunny.

He says forecasts often predict it will be raining all day when it barely spits outside.

Mr Grubb, who has been in charge of the cafe on Shoebury Common Road for over 45 years, has now called on bosses to come up with a more local solution to the problem and believes Southend should now have their own visitors weather forecast to stop the confusion.

He said: “Over and over again we have these dodgy forecasts which come across so certain and keep people at bay, they’re simply just predictions.

“Just this Sunday it was meant to rain all day so it was really quiet here. It turned out to be nice weather with a short shower. It was a total disaster which has been getting worse for years.

“I understand it’s difficult on our island because we have our own micro-climate, especially in Shoebury, which is largely influenced by the waters around us. This is why we need our visitors forecast for Southend – it’s affecting the tourist trade and is putting people off coming here.”

Antony Tomassi, owner of Tomassi’s Cafe on Southend High Street, added: “It is very annoying that the weather doesn’t always reflect what actually happens in our town.

“It’s very disappointing - people end up just staying home when it’s forecast to rain.

“As far as I’m aware the airport has their own kind of weather reporting, monitoring the wind, air speed and temperature for when the planes land and fly. Maybe the council could liaise with them and do something more local that way. I think it would encourage more to come if we had a more reliable kind of monitor.”

Councillor Kevin Robinson, cabinet member for business, culture and tourism, said: “As a seaside tourist town, the council and local businesses are very aware of the importance good weather plays when it comes to the tourism trade.

"Whilst there are various different weather forecasts available, arguably the most commonly used would be the Met Office forecast, which give local forecasts for each individual area of the country.

"It’s important to stress that the Met Office has the latest forecasting technology, something we do not have in Southend. We will discuss the concerns raised with the Southend Tourism Partnership.

“I sympathise when any business loses out on trade, particularly following the challenges businesses have faced with Covid-19, and I would remind visitors to check the Southend weather forecast on the Met Office website when planning a trip to the seaside.”