With Alimento’s, Onshore Cafe, Cafe on the rocks and Coffee Cat all closed at some stage last week, the Esperance Visitors Centre received a number of queries by tourists looking for a coffee.

Esperance Regional Tourism Association chairperson, Heather Gee, said she was disappointed at the cafes that chose to close over the Christmas period.

Mrs Gee said while she understood that staff might enjoy a break over the Christmas period, she felt more planning should go into this so that shops could remain open.

“I feel that Esperance is becoming more of a tourism orientated town, but it is very embarrassing to have guests come back complaining that they can’t even find a place to have a coffee,” she said.

While yesterday’s Summer Cruise Festival saw Alimento’s and Onshore Cafe remain closed, cafes that did open reaped the benefits.

According to Bella manager, Laura Florisson, the cafe was as busy as it has ever been.

“We were flat out. Even though we were only open reduced hours, we still made well over a normal day’s takings,” Ms Florisson said.

“Our coffee machine was at capacity all day.

“At the Christmas and New Year period a lot of businesses take a break, but they should realise that it’s also when people are coming on holidays.

“It was definitely worth our while staying open and I would encourage the other cafes to support our tourism industry and remain open during the tourist season.”