TRADERS along Cleethorpes sea front have reported mixed fortunes during 2009.

It was a year of variable success – with the economy drawing more people to the local resort, but businesses being apparently hampered by other factors.

Jane Wood, co-owner of the Hawaiian Eye and Johnny Donuts, faced moving because of a proposed development on Dolphin Square.

However, she has now been given assurance nothing will happen until 2011. She said: "I felt we had a good summer. I believe that's down to the recession – people have spent more time in this country than they have anywhere else."

She also had reservations about their current status, saying the cafe was on "tenterhooks" with no news as to exactly when the Dolphin Square development will go ahead.

It has also been a significant year for Mohamad Kayali. He took sole control of Boater's Restaurant in November. He said: "It has been a good year for us.

"It would be nice to add to the success with an event like Cleethorpes Carnival at Easter, which would get more visitors from places like Louth and provide entertainment for young people during the school holidays."

Chris Shaw, owner of Cleethorpes Light Railway, said transport issues dented what could have been a bumper year for his business.

He said: "We had no trains coming into the area during a year when we should have had more visitors. This meant we broke about even on what could have been a bumper year."

As reported, the Cleethorpes to Doncaster railway line was closed for 11 weeks during the summer for major engineering work.

But things were more optimistic for The Cleethorpes Mermaid Fish And Chips shop in North Promenade.

Business owner Laura Spavin said: "It has been a really busy year for us – our best year on record."

Like others, she attributed it to the recession and holidaymakers staying in the country.

She said: "Takings were up at least 15 per cent on the previous year."