10/04/2006
Venus Launches new Webcams & Weather Stations
Beach goers to some of the region’s top beaches this Easter will have the opportunity to check out the weather as well as what’s going on at the beach with new webcams & weather stations installed at the beaches of Blackpool Sands, East Portlemouth and Bigbury on Sea in Devon and Tolcarne Beach at Newquay in Cornwall.
The new service operated by the UK’s leading beach café and shop operator, The Venus Company, is expected to prove popular with local people, holidaymakers and surfers with 15 minute webcam updates giving temperature, rainfall and wind speed and direction directly to the world wide web.
“We know that our existing webcam at Bigbury on Sea in Devon is much appreciated and extensively used by local people, visitors and researchers,” said Michael Smith, Venus managing director. “Now they can see the latest weather as well for all our sites rather than relying on forecasts – often meaningless with the varying micro climates we have here.” He added, “For our business, the Venus webcams mean we can develop forecasting models linking purchasing and sales information to the weather, so we can improve our customer service on busy days and further eliminate waste – an important part of our environmental policy.”
Robert Green, South Hams Council’s marketing and tourism manager said, “This is a great opportunity to attract visitors to the area by showcasing our wonderful beaches. It will be ideal for people booking a holiday at short notice. The innovative use of the Venus webcam as a business management tool is another good example of green tourism business practice here in the South Hams.”
“This is another boost for tourism to Newquay and a wonderful way to show off our beautiful beaches, especially Tolcarne, a favourite with families.” said Cllr Lesley Clarke, Restormel Borough Council’s Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Tourism including Beaches. “It’s a great way of encouraging more holidaymakers and water sport enthusiasts to visit.”
The £6,600 Venus investment received Catalyst4Growth funding. Venus webcams, developed by Ben Boulton of JAB Networked Solutions Ltd, can be seen via www.venuscompany.co.uk which in 2005 had over 64,000 visits and 2.2 million hits. For further information, contact Su Beswick on 07968 905373.
The new service operated by the UK’s leading beach café and shop operator, The Venus Company, is expected to prove popular with local people, holidaymakers and surfers with 15 minute webcam updates giving temperature, rainfall and wind speed and direction directly to the world wide web.
“We know that our existing webcam at Bigbury on Sea in Devon is much appreciated and extensively used by local people, visitors and researchers,” said Michael Smith, Venus managing director. “Now they can see the latest weather as well for all our sites rather than relying on forecasts – often meaningless with the varying micro climates we have here.” He added, “For our business, the Venus webcams mean we can develop forecasting models linking purchasing and sales information to the weather, so we can improve our customer service on busy days and further eliminate waste – an important part of our environmental policy.”
Robert Green, South Hams Council’s marketing and tourism manager said, “This is a great opportunity to attract visitors to the area by showcasing our wonderful beaches. It will be ideal for people booking a holiday at short notice. The innovative use of the Venus webcam as a business management tool is another good example of green tourism business practice here in the South Hams.”
“This is another boost for tourism to Newquay and a wonderful way to show off our beautiful beaches, especially Tolcarne, a favourite with families.” said Cllr Lesley Clarke, Restormel Borough Council’s Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Tourism including Beaches. “It’s a great way of encouraging more holidaymakers and water sport enthusiasts to visit.”
The £6,600 Venus investment received Catalyst4Growth funding. Venus webcams, developed by Ben Boulton of JAB Networked Solutions Ltd, can be seen via www.venuscompany.co.uk which in 2005 had over 64,000 visits and 2.2 million hits. For further information, contact Su Beswick on 07968 905373.