Coronavirus

[Oracle]

Everyone is different.
Stereotypes are not helpful.

Some live for the weekends spent in country, whilst they exist in cities just to pay bills. I am not one of those, but I have known a few. They may spend less time there, but it is still their spiritual home. Not all are fortunate enough to have income in the country, but second home owners pay rates just like every one else.

Perhaps I’m unusual but I’ve made substantial donations (and helped with fund raising ) for some of the village halls/local projects In communities I visit occasionally. Indeed many such projects beg for tourists to help fund them.
It’s a two way street.

But it isn’t just about rude signs, there have been many of them. Or shops deciding they are arbiters of who they will choose to serve. Nothing excuses drawing pins on roads to frighten cyclists away ( seriously!). I’ve heard so much inflammatory rhetoric from some areas I will never set foot there again, and I hope nobody else does.

Like the Barcelona’s whose out of control youngsters , with apparent complicity of authorities tell tourists to “go home” I hope they turn into the derelict ghost towns, they deserve.

I will second everything JohnK says, from a small rural community in the heart of Wales.
I think one of the big misunderstandings about second homes holiday homes is that they prop up local business and bring money to the area. They may bring some summer money to a community, pubs, local shops, cafe but there is a downside.

They don't live in the community, so the majority do not contribute to the local community - help with local shows, celidhs, parties, orginsing quize nights - they may attend but there is more to a community than attending, you need to be a part of it.
A house that is occupied 100% by a family also contributes to the local businesses, the pub, the cafe, the shops and it does so 365 days a year, not just weekends or summer months. So which is better for the community? And a family may have kids to go to local schools (they all close down now), maybe the church, the clubs, jobs, care for elderly neighbours, there's many ways a resident home is better for a community than a holiday home.

Some people with these homes put themselves out and really help over the years and are accepted, but I fear most don't and contribute little to the core of a (half empty) village, they take and think a few ££s is giving.