TRADE for Weston’s businesses boomed at the weekend when thousands of people rocked into the seaside resort for T4 On The Beach.

Hotels were full, the pubs and clubs were busy and refreshment kiosks consistently had long queues during the weekend, which was helped by the good weather.

It is thought about 50,000 people came to the town for the event to see the stellar line-up of pop stars and television actors on the beach stage.

Most came on the train and bus for the day and remained in the town after the show’s finish at 6pm for a drink and some food.

But many also made a weekend out of the event, staying overnight in one of the town’s many hotels and bed and breakfasts.

Weston Chamber of Trade and Commerce president, Gail Parsons, said: “The feedback I’ve received so far is that it was a bumper Sunday for Weston.

“The hotels could have catered for another 20,000 people had there been room - all of them were full.

“Out of every 10 guests questioned, four were new to Weston and said they would definitely come again.”

Jon Harrup, owner of the Saxonia Guest House in Locking Road, said: “It was the busiest day of the year so far, we had a lot of T4-goers in.

“All the people who were new to the town said how fantastic it was and that they would be coming back to Weston next year.

“It was a great weekend for the town I think.”

Bars and clubs stayed open until late on Sunday with people wanting to see the weekend out with a few drinks, including many of the stars from the event.

Chairman of the town’s Pubwatch scheme, Paul Koumis, said: “I think having the event was good for Weston and it was great for everyone to see the positive changes that have been going on.”

Extra police were also dragged into the town because of the high number of people on the seafront during the day. But there was no major incidents to report, ‘only a handful of minor problems’, according to a police spokesman.

North Somerset Council and the police worked closely with the organisers of the event, who paid to rent the land and policing bill.

The council had staff out on the day controlling traffic and managing a centre for lost children.

See www.westonmercury.co.uk for galleries of pictures from the event and our double page centre spread special in this paper.