Rising visitor numbers post-lockdown at Dudley Canal and Tunnel Trust
Families have been flocking to The Dudley Canal and Tunnel Trust this summer – with visitor numbers almost at pre-Covid levels.
Bosses at the Black Country charity have said how "impressed" they have been at the number of people enjoying a day out to the trust, based in Birmingham New Road.
Chief executive Traci Dix-Williams said August had been "absolutely fantastic".
She said: We had a soft opening in July which was brilliant. And August has been absolutely brilliant for us, we've certainly been impressed with how many visitors have come and do the trip and support us."
Dudley Canal and Tunnel Trust offers boat trips along the Black Country canal network, and is popular with families and groups.
Traci added: "August has been really good for us – we've seen similar numbers every day, over 200 people a day.
"August is ordinarily very good – we're actually on par with the previous year, and given Covid and the restrictions we have faced, that's brilliant.
"We've had a lot of feedback on how happy they have been to see attractions back open."
The attraction has put in place new social distancing measures, including limiting capacity on the boats and putting families and groups in their own pods, to make sure people are kept distanced.
Traci said: "What has been great for us is that this site has space – so social distancing has been really great, our building is basically designed for it to be honest.
"We have reduced capacity on boats, only two thirds of of passengers. but it's worked really well and visitors have been really appreciative.
"They have all been wearing face masks too.
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"In our coffee shop, we've reduced tables in there too but still accommodate people. The balcony has been really good as well for people who want to eat out but want the confidence of being outside.
"We just want to thank everyone supporting us who has come and enjoyed a great day out."
