Leafy town dubbed 'Lesbian Capital of the UK' revolts against unruly tourists

Residents suggest that there is not enough parking and a worrying sense that visitors are prioritised over locals.

Parking remains difficult for locals even in mid-October, with the summer crowds long gone.

Drivers circle round the town centre, with one resident joking: "You can spend longer finding somewhere to park than enjoying your coffee."

Ben Oliver, who moved from Sunderland in March 2020, told The Daily Express: "It's a beautiful place with a strong community, and you can see the moors from here. But town parking can get difficult, and because of the tourists it attracts, prices go up.

"Weekends are the worst. Sometimes you just give up trying to park and walk in from the edge of town.

"It's great that people visit because it brings life and money in, but it also means locals get squeezed a bit.

"You notice it most when you're trying to rent or buy. Prices shoot up because everyone wants a piece of it. In summer, the streets are packed, and you end up avoiding the centre altogether until things quieten down."

The town does boast independent boutiques in its market, which retail assistant Jess Wild rained praise upon.

She said: "It's an aesthetically beautiful place, and the shops have a strong sense of community.

"Everyone knows each other, and there's real warmth here. But there's not too much diversity in the type of shops, as there are too many eating places catering to tourists. Still, it's a lovely place to live."

The town has seen a surge in cafes and restaurants, which while it has kept the town vibrant, it has come at a cost.

Miss Wild explained: "You used to see more quirky little stores. Now it's coffee shops and brunch spots. It's what visitors want, but it changes the feel of the place."

"You can't blame people for wanting to come, but it changes the atmosphere.

"When you've got crowds lining the canal and queues outside every cafe, it stops feeling like a small town and more like a weekend attraction. It's lovely, but it can be a bit much."

Many people drive in from nearby towns to enjoy what the town has to offer.

Michelle and Tom Holroyd added: "We come about once a month from Halifax.

"We always go to the Old Gate pub, the food's fantastic. There are great charity shops and antique shops too.

"We're both ex-Scouts, so we love walking in the countryside around here. When there are big events on, we take the train instead of driving, it's easier."