Is Airbnb Killing Seaside Towns?

[@bythecurb]

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[@lisaclarke799]

I'm loving this Yorkshire tour you are on because you are showing all the little villages that people don't visit but are lovely!👍

[@catherinejones6250]

I think there should only be so many air bnbs allowed in small places like that , it should be for the locals first, not for profit making xx

[@philipwalton4877]

Hang on a minute. Where are the locals? If Air BnB’s are overtaking this village then that means the property’s were up for sale or rent

[@johnbreheny4155]

But sold at a price which was probably unaffordable to locals.

[@rebekahsalt26]

I stayed in Staithes when I was young with a boyfriend at his friends parents house which is on the left of the harbour. The village filled my imagination I loved it. It reminded me of Under Milkwood. I’m glad it hasn’t changed much. I loved that none of the houses had been done up.

[@rebekahsalt26]

Plus, first world, but some surfer 🏄 friends had stayed the week before and our bed was full of sand. I was horrified 😂

[@irenedavo3768]

Remember to Thumbs Up 👍👍👍

[@Theorbit1993]

Love this yorkshire coast travelogue.I live in teesside,watching you makes me really appreciate what i have on my doorstep.Your better than any tv travel programme.

[@neoxochitl]

I hope one day I will be able to visit England. The weather looks incredible. I wish it was cold where I live.

[@elainereed3985]

Re the AB&Bs We are in our 70s and are not driving anymore .This past Summer we took advantage of our Free Bus Passes and AB&Bs to explore Scarbrough ,Whitby and Staithes So I am all for AB&B hospitality as it enables us to get out and about for weekend trips and visit the little towns along our beautiful coastline. I really enjoy your videos and you give us great inspiration on places of interest.

[@dianeleahy3345]

Really enjoying this trip on the Yorkshire coast, as long as you’ get wrapped up.I also think it’s better out of season . The only way to get the abnb’s down is to open more hotels or b&b like it used to be. Anyway Staithes was lovely and quaint, don’t rush the trip because I don’t want it to end. Thanks James and merry Christmas and all the best for 2025.

[@garysides636]

Hi James...I personally think the main issue is money mate ....people are more addicted or driven by it than ever before and part of that as you which made you go into van life ....the rates, electric and other bills are killers....we pay the highest kWh in the whole world ! The cost of living is killing many hardworking families and the poor pensioners .... The pressure of life makes people want to live life in different places on the weekend and the Airbnb thing has exploded....add to that many hotels are now not even bookable to contain the 1000's who flock here illegally for purely economic reasons. Love the vlog as per mate, merry Christmas 🎄 🎄 Gary and Jane ☃️❄️🏔️⛄

[@robertthrossell4321]

Well said mate..

[@garyh8315]

Thanks for the parking tip at Staithes. Had a super night there, star lit after a foggy trip oop a bit further north. No room at Saltburn tho!!! Keep on rolling. All the best, Gary n Kathy

[@xakarooo]

I love how you have no fear raising really important issues-i respect and thank you for that... Good on ya... And yes I agree with the masses-there definately needs to be some kinda regulation especially in smaller villages.... Mind yourself

[@peterleigh8474]

My suggestion is both you and Helen flog walking the Cleveland way in a week passing through all those lovely places in Yorkshire

[@jonm4989]

I believe jet is made from fossilised monkey puzzle tree. It became very popular after the death of Prince Albert as Queen Victoria wore it whilst in mourning. Ref the Airbnb issue, it’s a difficult one. On the one hand locals will get priced out, but I expect holidaymakers spend more in the local shops and eateries than locals would so there are pros and cons. It’s also lovely to visit places like Staithes and enjoy the comforts of a local cosy cottage.

[@Jimwhitby2000]

Most of the Jet shops in Whitby are owned by large jewellers based outside of town with the jet imported from abroad, countries like Poland and Ukraine. There are a handful of locally owned smaller businesses. Choose carefully when looking for authenticity in Whitby.

[@merauble6658]

Thank you, I like all the facts you tell about each place. MERRY CHRISTMAS!

[@jpgreenwood]

If you watched The Fast Show when it was on TV, some sketches were filmed in Staithes, such as the artist who would go mental when he mentioned Black. Lots of other sketches filmed around Teesside, Darlington and N.Yorks.

[@alexisparker139]

Great vid. I learn so much from your town info!!! Your style is so down to earth and on a viewers level. It looks a lovely part of the UK!!

[@thesolidsnakealpha]

If I can play devil's advocate? Maybe the reason Staithes still looks the way it does (cleanliness, general beauty) is the fact that people take care of their properties and charge accordingly? If there were more Turkish barbers and litter and dog shit all over the place, people would still complain. Can't win

[@StaMel604]

To be fair. There is a lot of dog shit in Staithes.

[@davidgardner7565]

Hey up James Staithes is lovely …..with regard to air bnb certain part of Amsterdam apparently the local council taxed owners of air bnb’s and 2nd homes much heavier to give locals a chance to be able to get a place to live and work and it worked…..another great vlog stay safe James 👍🏻👍🏻

[@beverleybrown5365]

Yes definitely Air BB are killing small villages near the sea, for the poor people who live there whole life in the villages it must be awful, no community spirit in the winter and most of the houses empty. I think they should only allow 50% of houses to be sold to people that will not reside in the house, that way it’s 50% populated by locals all year.😭🎄they sell a lot of Jet in Whitby, brought some myself🎄

[@joline2730]

Bev: I think 50% is far too high ... 20% or 25% at most ... otherwise the town is desolate (or decimated) and yes, there should be restrictions ... Whitby is already restricted to some extent ...

[@Jimwhitby2000]

​@@joline2730Whitby is completely ruined already.

[@philallin5071]

Thanks for another really interesting vlog. I'm really liking your new series of Yorkshire Coast towns and villages. Your bite sized chunks for local history mixed with modern issues works really well, I'm big fan of this and very glad to see you leave the endless fish n chip reviews behind.

[@tommotheeagle4549]

Great video James, your a very lucky man, I’ve never been to the coast on a winters day and been blown off. 😂

[@bobbythomas200420032]

Hi an excellent video and what a lovely seaside village and the character looks lovely in the buildings.

[@johnbreheny4155]

We went there last year. Now in our late 70s the hill was a challenge. Love your belief in stop and stare. We miss so much when we just rush through a visit.

[@resurgem]

I'm really enjoying this travelogue, and seeing all these little towns and villages. That hill looks a k;ller, much like the one in Looe. Not for the faint-hearted. I love to stand and take in the weather, wind a waves, it is a very zen thing to do. I find the sound of the wind quite soothing especially when its stormy.

[@tracyirwin8681]

Soup and beer what a combination! The Royal George is worth a visit too, great good and good atmosphere. That hill is definitely a killer! The cafe at the harbour sells coble cake a local speciality. Regarding the Air B&B situation Staithes isn't on its own, so many coastal towns and villages have become dead during the winter months, it's a difficult balance as tourists spend money in the local economy and as one of your previous commentors posted a lot of the properties would be derelict. But I agree a percentage of housing stock in these places should be made available for locals. Thank you for the vlogs the Yorkshire coast is beautiful. We love Filey❤

[@matthewvaughan6327]

I’ve been visiting Staithes for years. The Post Office went a few years ago. Then the butcher, the baker, there’s only the candlestick maker(well, shop😁) left. There used to be a couple of fish mongers, and a lot more fishing boats.

[@garethmorgan7474]

Pretty little village, thanks for another video keep them coming

[@peterbatten2818]

Great vid, I think I recognise those bottles from somewhere... [18:37]

[@dannyrants7787]

Enjoyed the vlog. Never heard of Staithes tbh. But looked beautiful We will try get up the Yorkshire coast in 2025. Look forward to next Vlog. Thanks Take care Si thee.

[@KevinPollard-m1v]

A up pal I think theses videos you’re doing are spot on I’m going to try to do the same in January when I’ve got mi van

[@leeyoung9469]

Feliz navidad James, thanks for showing this nice town but oh dear the weather! On the other hand something to be said for enjoying a coffee in a sun soaked plaza in southern Spain. Get yourself over here.

[@catherinejones6250]

I love staithes I used to go in the 80s on the motorbike with my boyfriend . Happy memories xx

[@lexwalker]

I absolutely loved the vlog! Staithes was totally unfamiliar to me, but it looks incredible.

[@jimmyd12001]

We spent a week in Staithes in a cottage in 2019 at the start of June. It pissed down everyday and it was 9 degrees, so enjoyed a week in the Cod and Lobster 🤨

[@ivanhogg5018]

I have a consort van. Re the wind. We dont close blackout blind during windy nights. To keep the van dark during the light mornings we have a sheet of silver insulation which we velcro to the skylight frame and it works well.

[@michaelkelly2708]

Wow what a lovely old world town, love it 😊

[@AndrewSmith-el5fs]

Really appreciate those drone shots, amazing to see the town in the lanscape and the colours of the sea on the tide. Another great place to visit, thanks James !

[@tftlred5454]

My first school holiday away from home in the 60 s was here James , I spent a wonderful week with my school pals and teatchers , lovely memory 💖🦋💖👍

[@catevanslife]

It's the same down here in Broadstairs - all Air B&Bs.

[@JimmyCall]

The wind makes me sleep. It's when it's cold and chilled and sounds carry from long distance is when I can't sleep. One of Captain Cook's cottage was disassembled and rebuilt in Melbourne, Australia.

[@lindagent9831]

Hi James I really love the coast in winter. We live 5 mins from a wonderful beach and we can also walk to other towns along the beach. Nice and quiet just for locals. Did a small tour of the coastline your doing, it was lovely. Peace 🧚

[@Rameman33]

There's two fishing villages five minutes from me that are side by side James. Absolutely dead at the present. Fishing has gone and someone who has lived there all their lives said to me the other day that over 80% are holiday homes. We Cornish are kind of used to it really but it has caused an obvious shortage of homes for the local families, we've traditionally left for other parts of the country or emigrated over the years gone by.

[@theabandonedhunter3604]

Looked a lovely place this! The soup looked good to James, great video as always and look forward to the next one! All the best ….Smithy

[@bythecurb]

Thanks Smithy

[@domholah9058]

Last year we stayed at the Captain Cook inn, Staithes. We got talking to a local and we asked him what his opinion on the affect of tourism was on Staithes. He told us if it wasn't for the tourists Staithes would be completely derelict because all the young people have moved away. When the fishing industry ended there was nothing for the young people except unemployment and all the problems that comes with it.

[@tessab2800]

I absolutely love watching you walk around those little towns! The history of each is fascinating. you are so friendly to everybody. Really like your variety of channel content 😊

[@bythecurb]

Thank you

[@kennethmoore7651]

What a lovely place James as you say not many people about nice little pub though, Healthy oasis soup, you got a roll with it too and a nice pint 😂

[@SianRussell]

Hi James great to see beautiful Staithes, we visited last January during our tour of Yorkshire. It's horrible to think there are none of the old characters left that must of once filled them narrow streets. I live in Wales and there's a massive problem here, like you say we're all hypocrites and I don't have the answer for sure. I remember how knackered I was walking back up that hill 😫

[@TanyaRando]

I love the seaside, in the summer I love the junk food and tat shops, in the winter I love the sea, the drama and majesty. When I was in a bad mood, many years ago lol, my "go to" place is the seaside, a surfing beach, the rougher the weather and the more dramatic the sea, the more it calmed my soul. I can't imagine not living within a couple of miles of the sea, but my family have a long history of sailing, merchant navy and royal navy, plus a great granddad who used to paint the figureheads on the sailing ships!

[@ChrissyloveUK]

Thanks

[@bythecurb]

Thank you 😊❤️

[@Strokes1983]

James when you go to whitby make sure you stop off in sandsend. It's a stunning little seaside village. Just a couple of miles down the road. It'll be perfect for drone footage. I've been going to Whitby since I was young and only found it few years ago. There's a decent pub called the hart inn on the front for a pint as well. and a car park with a view over the sea front. Beautiful in the summer and I'm sure it will be fine now. Great content mate 👍

[@bythecurb]

Thanks I have some interesting Whitby stuff coming up :-) I love Sandsend btw

[@Strokes1983]

@bythecurb yeah it's a beautiful little place. I was working in Whitby most of 22' building industrial estate behind the big sainsburys and in the summer we'd call there for a pint on our way home

[@DannyHarris-vc4ct]

This brings back fond memories camping there most weekends and made many friends with the locals and would go drinking in Hinderwell about a mile away and Runswick Bay looks just the same now as it did in the early 1970's. The locals pronounce it Steers.

[@hazels27]

Hi James, liked this video. It was good to see the place with fewer people. It was good that you patronised the businesses. By the way, I think in the last video I mentioned that I thought Staithes had a kipper smokery. I realised that it was Craster not Staithes. Craster would be worth a visit as it is very near where you are going. Look forward to future explorations along the Yorkshire Coast.

[@doreenjackson7287]

Agree,, the Yorkshire coast is just the best especially this time of year , definitely a special place incredible never tire of it ,never ceases to amaze you always something different to discover , whenever you go . Thank you for the pleasure you bring to all who have discovered your channel. Great James thank you .

[@davidgardner7565]

The bank coming up from Robin Hoods bay is steeper than that one James😂😂good cardio for you after your beer tho 😂😂

[@janicehartley8525]

How lovely is Staithes. I have never heard of this place before. Thanks for showing us ❤

[@vaughnwilliams1208]

For a minute I thought you were going to miss Runswick Bay, I'm so happy that you're going there next. Many years ago I was going to buy a small house in Staithes for £32k 😊but I worked not far away. Video looks so good in high definition

[@cassvonsnoffen]

Grand as always x

[@lynmoore8355]

OMG how beautiful is this place, so beautiful, your old drone footage is lovely.... Oh please go to Scarborough and whitby, heatbeat country, my Mother had a great Aunt Jane who lived in Scarbourough, in a big house or castle, she was a witch..... love heartbeat country....hey what camera are you using?, looks like a osmo pocket, I have the 1st one.

[@ChristopherLuke-s7i]

Love your videos, and your approach to them, more of them soon I hope.... I know at the moment your focus is on North Yorkshire coastline Perhaps you might give some consideration to explore by van the Northumberland Coastline (Northumberland is the least populated county in England) again its rugged and windswept but beautiful, north of Newcastle....all the way to Scottish borders - city of Berwick

[@annrimmington8690]

Loving the vlogs James, keep em coming. Seems really strange you talking from the front seat that’s not Dorothy. 😊

[@bertibear1300]

In Cornwall it’s the same , I think as the fees go up and taxation goes up on these they will decrease.The greedy government will put up council tax .

[@asylumgamingcartel6137]

When u were talking about that little girl it was on the other side on the beach were everyone seems to sit under a big red sign warning about the rock fall, that year was the last year I was part off the firework team that does the display for rnli lifeboat weekend

Great videos james ...ive always found Staithes really odd almost Royston Vasey even before airbnbs...lacks any atmosphere .

[@SOLOMOTOUK]

That steep hill coming back up and out is hard 👍

[@elainereed3985]

Oh and by the way we managed that steep hill ok good for working off the carbs from the great fish and chips in the God & Lobster .

[@Gardener46]

When I lived in Buckinghamshire the small villages suffered from houses being bought as weekend places. The knock on effect was loss of village schools, small shops closing due to lack of trade and even local buses. Weekenders often bring little money into the local economy. Don’t know how to solve this problem.

[@angeroper6839]

I love it there like you say much better In winter .That's why we are looking forward to Scarborough over Christmas going for a walk along the beach Christmas day afternoon Ange loved your vlog l

[@bythecurb]

I might be there just after Christmas

[@angeroper6839]

What a shame we won't bump into you and Helen Ange

[@FlyFree2023]

Just found your Channel and thoroughly enjoying your content. Your eyes and comments bring a refreshing view and perspective, so easily overlooked, to this area I have spent 70 plus years of my life. 👍

[@bythecurb]

Thank you, glad you like the videos

[@lesleyjoanne782]

Loving your tour, such a beautiful part of the country, the air B&B issue is a difficult one trying to keep these stunning places going and alive there will always be debate at a local level, but I guess seaside towns have always relied on tourism to survive and good or bad if it helps. I guess in an ideal world it would all be locals running the show. Looking forward to the next one!

[@quickclipsbyjmj]

We stayed at the top of Staithes in the early 1990s. There was or still is a caravan park entrance across the road from a working men's social club. But that was in the years before the Internet and Air B&Bs.

[@kathyhayden2499]

Thankyou James ❤

[@suzieq2958]

You've opened a can of worms there James! Where I live there is only one B6B = not exactly a tourist trap😃 having said that I likr living here, we're walking distance to 4 bars and a club!😉I had a little giggle at your ending

[@leemacgregor]

As always great video mate love the drone ive got 2 but agree been not the best weather Hi Helen !!

[@stevenbarnard1958]

Another great video have a great Christmas to Helen and yourself

[@TanyaRando]

At least you can get some more sleep later if the weather calms down, you have a bed all ready!

[@KathySiddle]

The hill at Robin Hoods Bay is a killer!!!! The old photos of fishermen at Staithes and the women who gutted the fish-such a hard life.Now just two boats. Watching the sea is very therapeutic,stop and breathe-destress. It's sad that the locals can't buy houses-but tourists bring money into Staithes.The season is short but how does the place survive through winter?l like the coast in winter, but many need the sun.A lot for and a lot against.Still a lovely place though. Thank you James will look forward to Runswick Bay 👏

[@ericstorr9880]

Hi. I used to live opposite the lift in Saltburn. I miss it a lot. Have you thought of doing something during the city of culture in Bradford next year? It has its problems, but growing up there, I know the little gems and lovely people. You could incorporate the Word Heritage site at Saltaire. History. Curry. Culture. Keep on keeping on. 🕊️

[@Scud_and_thesTig]

Yes; just like Spain they need to limit the percentages somehow. Nice to have someone else sharing that experience of the winds hurtling onto the shoreline at Saltburn that night. I was on the top prom, believing I’d be joining you on the bottom one (and not by driving) if the wind picked up any more 💨😳💙❤️

[@deanmacartney7111]

If that asda skelton should parked on road between Aldi Asda buildings would shelter

[@stevengardner81]

spent many days out as a kid picking winkles in staithes

[@dexterfitben]

Me mum was evacuated there in 39. Cameron's Strongarm ale from Hartlepool...old skool...nice. @ 15:20 mins...that rock face is Jurassic. Was part of the sea of pangea and closer to the equator 200+ mil years ago so yeah - yonks.

[@catevanslife]

We have Botany Bay down here in Broadstairs, much the same.

[@debfryer2437]

Merry Christmas James! 🎄🎁🎄

[@bythecurb]

Merry Christmas

[@ianmclellan1392]

I thought for a moment there James you were going to give us all a brief Poem "It's brutal and scary but it's beautiful"

[@davidwoodham1307]

Hi there James nice little sea town mate I fink they at heartbeat T.V. show once mate great little town in ENGLAND got some great sea towns mate

[@andyWalks22]

Turned out nice again! Great video pal and I think it's important to talk about these things. Honestly and this isn't a popular opinion, but imo buying a 2nd home for an airbnb/holiday home etc is bad, for the reasons you said, it's pushing out locals and driving the price up. Even richer f**ks will do what you said and buy multiple places in a village. I think it's terrible, we're constantly pushing money one way, into the rich peoples hands. Either way, love the videos pal, that last road/hill you walked up looked so steep! Keep it up pal, cant wait for the next vid

[@jameshallen007]

Wind???? Can't possibly the lines in the sky that no one appears to see!! 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@martthom]

james love your vlogs m8 best by far..n ive seen lots of vlogs...helen makes me laugh.. with her bluntness..hahaha

[@LisaJust-lv9ed]

How beautiful!thanks James 🥰

[@elizaphe58]

Looks a lovely place.

[@samandjennysambrook]

Brilliant as per James, informative and interesting, beautiful place, but unforgiving in the winter months, as for the b+b situation, if people can earn a good wedge from it in the summer,then good luck to em. Once again James, Top stuff mate.✖️❤️✖️

[@y0rkiebar]

The wind causes the blackout blind on that rear (vented) Heki to flap around causing noise. Place a mat or something with a little bit of weight on top of the blind when you draw it closed, this will stop it flapping in the wind and rattling. We have the same issue in our Reef.

[@bythecurb]

Great tip, thank you!

[@paulrduffield]

Eh up good blog again. Stitches is part of my childhood and also later parts of my career lovely place. Sadly dead in out season. Happy memories. Thanks for your bloggs .love to both. Ps. Hop you sacked the chocolate of them nuts and spat it out for health reason s !! ( like Hell ya did ) 😂

[@Keyikaty]

Jet is only found around the whitby area and one other place in the world apparently, anyone know where else?

[@michaelkelly2708]

Love your life in a van , I was going to buy a campervan over 20 year's ago but I thought my daughter's were too young at the time,even though I was living alone, 😞😊 , I was sick and tired of Bills coming through my door😮😢❤

[@Jacqui-e7k]

I think the Air BB culture will affect the up and coming generations get on the property market. We have a similar problem with the student culture in Liverpool, people who are renting are struggling to find homes because owners are converting properties to HMOs which brings them more money in.

[@bigwideworld387]

The problem with properties like those in Staithes would only be affordable to high earners and it's where do those high earners commute to a job. Cities should set limits on letting properties for definite but I think it's more complicated in little villages like Staithes.

[@sandimoo]

When I was a child we used to go to Staithes to see ‘the quaint ladies in funny hats’!! So in those days there were p,entry of locals living there………. 😍

[@cherrypickingdiaries]

My hometown of padstow is like a ghost town right now due to 2nd, 3rd and 4th homes. It kills the schools and shops. Banks close and post offices etc have no demand. The councils should stop the pure greed from happening. The seaside towns need protecting from the toffs.

[@Barbara-yj5tl]

I love hearing the wind outside when I’m tucked up snug in bed. x

[@simonjobson6591]

Try Grasmere or parts of Keswick full of 2nd homes that people only use probably 2 weeks out of the whole year

[@sharononeill8049]

The Yorkshire coast is beautiful I would love to be nearer it's a dream of mine but hay that's a dream. But being a west Yorkshire lass I'm blessed anyway xxx