Newquay Business Improvement District (BID) has created some promotional material in an aim to educate and inform visitors and residents about the negative effects of feeding seagulls.

A series of signs will be erected in high visibility areas and key spots such as the Killacourt and near the Fore Street car park benches. The BID will also be providing posters to distribute to food outlets and accommodation providers so that they are able to share the information with their customers and guests. Newquay BID will also be running a social media campaign to further raise awareness.

When gulls are fed regularly it creates an artificially high population; encourages further breeding pairs to take up residence in the area and changes their behaviour so they scavenge for food in the town. Visitors must be strongly advised not to feed the seagulls as this will not only increase the seagull population but will also cause unnecessary annoyance and possible injuries to other residents and visitors to the town as they seek food in the town rather than at sea.

Colin Paull, owner of Pauline’s Creamery in the centre of town has had many problems with seagulls directly outside of his business, “The number of incidents of stolen food involving seagulls outside of my business has risen considerably since last summer and the problem needs to be tackled. Informing visitors to Newquay is essential to help address the situation. As a business, I am ensuring that all visitors who have food to take away are aware of this and urge other businesses to do the same.”

BID Manager Carla – Marie Jones said: “Residents and businesses in Newquay are already aware just as we are that seagulls are an ongoing problem, not just in Newquay but in seaside resorts all over Cornwall. Here at the BID we’ve taken a proactive stance to try and discourage the feeding of seagulls and research has shown that education is the first step towards this.”

John Burbridge, director of Impact and Chair of the Newquay BID Board adds: “We are aware that we are not able to solve the problem directly but as a board we feel that it is important to respond to business needs by being reactive and providing some promotional literature which is of a minimal cost to BID. Clearly this is an issue which is affecting a number of businesses within the town.”

If you would like a copy of the poster to display in in your shop window, these can be collected from the Visit Newquay Tourist Information Centre on Marcus Hill. Alternatively, if you would like to have a digital version for use on social media and website, then please email the Newquay BID at info@newquaybid.co.uk.