Joining more than 80 attractions urging changes to weather app icons they say deter visitors, Clacton Pier, the Grand Pier in Weston and Blackpool Pleasure Beach have put their weight behind a growing national campaign.
Clacton Pier, the Grand Pier in Weston-super-Mare and Blackpool Pleasure Beach Resort have joined the national campaign calling for changes to how weather forecasts are displayed on popular apps.
More than 80 outdoor visitor attractions across the UK have backed a joint letter – led by Chester Zoo and Navigate Agency – urging the Met Office to help set clearer standards for presenting daily forecasts.
“Right now, a single raincloud icon summarising a full 24-hour period can give the impression of a total washout – even when most of the day is completely dry,” said a joint statement from the Grand Pier and Pleasure Beach Resort. “For outdoor attractions, that small symbol can have a big impact, costing thousands of pounds in lost visits.”
They believe the campaign represents a real opportunity to set a new standard for clearer, more accurate daily forecasting, encouraging other apps and providers to follow suit. Clacton Pier director Billy Ball echoed this sentiment, explaining how “it’s a small change that could make a big difference”.
“An unfavourable forecast can mean our number of visitors dropping by around 30 per cent or even more,” he detailed. “Sometimes there are just a few early morning showers yet the only symbol potential visitors see is rain and therefore stay at home fearing a washout.”
Ball added that there “must be a better way to present forecasts”, concluding that “clearer presentation” would give families more confidence to plan their visits – providing a much-needed boost to attractions across the UK.
Industry un-appy at apps
Billy Ball said… “Sometimes there are just a few early morning showers yet the only symbol potential visitors see is rain and therefore stay at home fearing a washout…there must be a better way to present forecasts…
Originally published on Coinslot on March 16, 2026. Republished with permission.