South West Water pollution - Michael's story

Michael Caines MBE owned seafront restaurant Mickeys in Exmouth and relied on seasonal trade linked to beach use and tourism.

Following repeated sewage pollution incidents during summer 2024 and beach closures during peak periods, Michael saw a sharp fall in the number of customers and revenue.

After investors withdrew their support due to concerns about the ongoing pollution issues in Exmouth, and the loss of summer income, Michael made the decision to close the business at the end of 2024.

Michael said:

“We had a short period to make business. The restaurant had only been open for a couple of years so having a good year was really crucial for us.  

“The summer business is fundamental, but an interruption like this where people are told that it's not safe to go in the sea - it was like the nail in the coffin to us and at the end of 2024, we had to sell the business.  

"People in Exmouth have always been aware of pollution but it's never been to the extent of recent times. The residents and businesses have been affected by poor planning and an infrastructure that has not kept up.

"Exmouth was a fine, stunning beach but residents can no longer enjoy it due to sewage pollution. It's a real ongoing concern and it does not seem to be addressed seriously - not just for the environment but for local residents and the community.

"Initially we were reluctant to join the legal case, but then we realised that this case highlighted why our numbers were affected so heavily. Our town relies heavily on tourism, so this has had a catastrophic effect on the numbers of people going to the beach and in doing so, the local economy.”