This is Dorset -- It's the Jurassic Coast show that is knocking even more lumps out of its rivals than the winter landslips are taking from its famous cliffs, and locals reckon ITV's Broadchurch will bring a tourism windfall too. Last week's episode four of the police drama featuring some of the West's most dramatic landscape, pulled in 7.2 million viewers, and with many following on "catchup" the total number of viewers is expected to be nine million. The twists and turns in the whodunit which stars David Tennant and Olivia Colman try to track down the killer of a schoolboy found dead on a beach have proved a hit with Ladbroke's as punters bet on who killed Danny. And that is all good news for West Bay – the Dorset resort where much of the series was shot. Portishead and Clevedon also feature as the fictional Dorset town of Broadchurch, while some scenes were filmed at the Bowlish Hotel, in Shepton Mallet; as well as part of the Western Daily Press offices in Bristol. Shopkeeper Jack Marshall, played by David Bradley is the hot suspect at the moment. Jessica Bridge of Ladbroke's said: "This is the most exciting whodunit since Lisa shot Phil in EastEnders. "Punters are desperate to know the culprit and the money suggests the Reverend has been rather unholy!" And while a town full of potential murderers might seem like the last place to take a holiday, tourist businesses in West Bay beg to disagree. Steven Jones, aged 40, general manager of the Bridport Arms, said: "I'm already taking bookings on the Broadchurch deal we are offering. It's perfect to have this wonderful landscape on screen at the start of the season, with blue skies and cliffs, with Easter approaching." Steve Tucker, manager and joint owner of Ellipse café where some of the scenes were filmed, said: "It's great. We are getting specific Broadchurch coach parties coming in." His café is running a charity draw to guess the killer and a special supper to raise money for Julia's House children's hospice. A building round the back of the café was turned into the police station, and staff, including Pippa Horton, aged 19 from Beaminster a shift supervisor, played extras. Julie Price, who serves fish and chips at the Tea Caddy a colourful red and white building near the harbour, recalls that when Nick Berry's Harbour Lights series was filmed at West Bay the extra surge of visitors eventually tailed off, but all hope there will be lasting legacy from this, and visitors Alan and Cathy Olley, from Buckinghamshire reckoned the Jurassic Coast is a star with millions of years of glamour appeal.
Reported by This is 1 hour ago.
This is Dorset -- It's the Jurassic Coast show that is knocking even more lumps out of its rivals than the winter landslips are taking from its famous cliffs, and locals reckon ITV's Broadchurch will bring a tourism windfall too. Last week's episode four of the police drama featuring some of the West's most dramatic landscape, pulled in 7.2 million viewers, and with many following on "catchup" the total number of viewers is expected to be nine million. The twists and turns in the whodunit which stars David Tennant and Olivia Colman try to track down the killer of a schoolboy found dead on a beach have proved a hit with Ladbroke's as punters bet on who killed Danny. And that is all good news for West Bay – the Dorset resort where much of the series was shot. Portishead and Clevedon also feature as the fictional Dorset town of Broadchurch, while some scenes were filmed at the Bowlish Hotel, in Shepton Mallet; as well as part of the Western Daily Press offices in Bristol. Shopkeeper Jack Marshall, played by David Bradley is the hot suspect at the moment. Jessica Bridge of Ladbroke's said: "This is the most exciting whodunit since Lisa shot Phil in EastEnders. "Punters are desperate to know the culprit and the money suggests the Reverend has been rather unholy!" And while a town full of potential murderers might seem like the last place to take a holiday, tourist businesses in West Bay beg to disagree. Steven Jones, aged 40, general manager of the Bridport Arms, said: "I'm already taking bookings on the Broadchurch deal we are offering. It's perfect to have this wonderful landscape on screen at the start of the season, with blue skies and cliffs, with Easter approaching." Steve Tucker, manager and joint owner of Ellipse café where some of the scenes were filmed, said: "It's great. We are getting specific Broadchurch coach parties coming in." His café is running a charity draw to guess the killer and a special supper to raise money for Julia's House children's hospice. A building round the back of the café was turned into the police station, and staff, including Pippa Horton, aged 19 from Beaminster a shift supervisor, played extras. Julie Price, who serves fish and chips at the Tea Caddy a colourful red and white building near the harbour, recalls that when Nick Berry's Harbour Lights series was filmed at West Bay the extra surge of visitors eventually tailed off, but all hope there will be lasting legacy from this, and visitors Alan and Cathy Olley, from Buckinghamshire reckoned the Jurassic Coast is a star with millions of years of glamour appeal.
Reported by This is 1 hour ago.