‘It’s really hit us now’: Newquay becomes England’s Covid capital

North Cornwall town reeling and people urged not to visit as thousands of cases linked to festival

At first glance it looked like a pretty perfect day in the self-styled surfing capital of the UK. The sandy beaches were packed, the pubs, cafes and shops humming.

Look at little closer, though, and it became clear all was not quite right. A tapas bar was closed because a team member had tested positive; a surf shop shut its doors at lunchtime because of staff shortages; a scribbled note stuck on the window of a fudge shop summed up the problem - Covid in Newquay is on the increase" - and urged customers to wear a mask and socially distance.