The North Yorkshire town of Scarborough is thought to have become England's first seaside resort more than 350 years ago thanks to the mineral-rich waters of its spa. However, the topic of conversation today is sea water, not spa water. Due to the poor water quality in the town's bays, both residents and visitors have been advised against swimming there. BBC News went to the event to observe how the bathing "ban" was handled.
For John Dalton, going for a swim in the ocean is both nothing to be concerned about and something to eagerly anticipate.
The 69-year-old doesn't think his bathing water is contaminated.
"There are seals and dolphins out there, and the water is incredibly clear; you can see the bottom.
After his second dip of the day, he tells me as he enjoys a coffee in a cafe close to the beach, "When people tell me the bay is dirty, I don't believe them.
"I do believe it is scandalous that businesses are allowed to release toxins and effluent into the ocean. "Media coverage will turn people off. You should rely on your own intuition and the fact that there is a lot of marine life here.
"Now, because of something they have heard, people don't want to enter that lovely sea, which is crystal clear today. ".
The day is hot and sunny when we meet in Scarborough. ideal conditions for going to the beach.
However, there is no one swimming in the enticingly cool water as one looks out across South Bay's expansive sandy crescent.
As they slowly float away from the shore, a lone paddleboarder enters the picture.
The stark warning signs at the entrances to the sand describing the area's poor water quality may be the cause of the lack of activity.
North Bay of the town presents a similar scene after a brief stroll past the arcades, ice cream carts, and harbor.
The signs have been present in South Bay since 2018, but the warning to stay out of the water only became effective on June 20 as a result of a "pollution incident.".
A damaged screen at a storm overflow that allowed debris and sewage to spill out into the bay is to blame, according to Yorkshire Water, for the drop in quality after the water was previously rated excellent.
According to the company, a quick temporary repair was made, but the advice will continue to be followed pending additional tests.
A "profound" impact has been felt on his business, according to Steve Crawford, owner of the Fluid Concept Surf School in the South Bay, who claims that the low water rating has cost him thousands of dollars in lost revenue.
The 54-year-old said, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service: "I don't work much in the winter because it is colder, and this is the time of year when I pay my winter bills, make plans for next year, and replace stock, but I've barely made a penny.
"As a business, I can't give lessons, and the lifeguards are actively warning people not to swim. ".
Another businessman showed me a spot just offshore and claimed to have seen what appeared to be a brown sewage spill on the water the previous week.
The warning against swimming, they claimed, had not directly affected their customers, but it was "a big issue" in the town.
Christine Sykes and Carol Voakes, two tourists, are examining an information board that Yorkshire Water installed a while ago on the expansive Marine Drive that connects the two bays.
The heading reads, "Making Yorkshire's beaches the best in Europe," and it details the £50 million that was invested there between 2011 and 2014.
In order to "store more storm water at times of heavy or prolonged rainfall when the sewerage system can become overwhelmed," the firm is now able to do so thanks to the investment, the document explains.
The couple tells me they would think twice before letting their dogs swim in the water as they are out walking their dogs.
"This is terrible, in our opinion, and we regret it.
Christine says, "We worry about the dogs getting in the water and it's a shame for the little kids because all they want to do is get in the water.".
Since we pay a sufficient amount for water, the water quality should be good, says Carol.
Hotelier Lynn Jackson from the Scarborough Hospitality Association claims members of the group haven't noticed a decline in bookings so far, but she worries that families considering summer vacations may change their minds.
I don't believe there is any body of water in the UK that does not receive sewage, so entering any body of water carries some risk.
I have attended meetings about it and am well aware of the situation, but it seems that no matter what we do or say, nothing seems to change. I also have friends who are surfers. ".
However, she cautions against blaming only water companies, adding that waste, oil, and fuel spills from boats as well as litter on the beach can enter the water and have an adverse effect.
Returning to the South Bay, a man who is renting out deck chairs pointed out the warning signs for bathing water before moving on to two poles that he claimed marked a safe swimming area.
For guests, he calls it "confusing.".
Volunteers for a charity shop named Sue Emms and Val Humphreys claim they have been swimming in Scarborough's sea since they were young children but that people are now becoming more aware of water quality.
There is a lot more information now, Sue said to me. I don't believe I would enjoy going in at this time; I wouldn't do it myself.
"People bring their kids to Scarborough, so maybe they'll go somewhere else now," I would have guessed. ".
The water quality in the South Bay, according to North Yorkshire Council, has been a problem for a number of years and calls for a "multi-agency response.".
According to authority councillor Derek Bastiman, a "dedicated business growth hub team" is in the process of getting in touch with businesses that are directly impacted by the bathing water quality status to see if they can offer assistance.
Although the council continues to promote tourism along the coast, he claims it is "obviously disappointing" that the water quality was once again rated poor in 2022.
Numerous elements, including sewage, industrial and agricultural inputs, wildlife, birds, and road drainage, have an effect on water quality, according to a Yorkshire Water spokesperson.
Finding the root of poor bathing water quality is said to be "complex.".
The spokesperson continues, "Despite a 50% decrease in sewage discharges on Yorkshire's coastline, Scarborough South's classification dropped from'sufficient' to 'poor' in the 2022 bathing season.
Surfers Against Sewage, a national advocacy group, has demanded that sewage discharges into UK bathing waters cease and be reduced by 90% by 2030.
The Environment Agency claims that by enforcing regulations and holding polluters accountable, it is working to safeguard and enhance bathing waters.
Action cannot come soon enough for individuals like Mr. Crawford, the owner of a surf school.
He predicted that many people would be affected by this. Just that I was hit the hardest first.
. "
