‘People want to get their clothes off’: naturists catch eye of UK businesses
Justine Drury did not want to upset the fishers, but her customers wanted to swim naked.
“And if that’s what the people of Nottingham city want – if that’s their way of connecting with nature – then who am I to stand in their way?” said the co-owner of the WholeHealth swimming club. “But we did have to think of the fishermen. They are quite old school.”
Accordingly, the first ever skinny dip at Colwick Lake last year was held before the fishers arrived for the day. The 5.30am event was, said Drury, awash with enthusiastic naturists.
“We’re now thinking of having an event every month,” said Drury, a former headteacher. “We held the first event because we’re a socially responsive company, but we’re going to make it a regular thing because it makes good business sense; when we hold these skinny dips, we’re inundated.”
Mainstream companies are increasingly realising that catering to the “buff pound” makes sound business sense. Andrew Welch, from British Naturism, said venues now regularly hold their own naturist events after having hosted a one-off occasion with his organisation.
“The buff pound is definitely something that businesses are increasingly aware of,” said Welch, who is busy organising this weekend’s annual Great British Skinny Dip.
“They hold one event alongside us and then realise it’s a great commercial opportunity: if they put on something a bit unusual at a time of the week when they wouldn’t usually be open or have many customers, they get a guaranteed crowd.”
Rachel Weick, of Bare West Events, agreed. “Most venues want a slice of the action once they’ve seen events in the flesh – excuse the pun,” she said. “If, for example, you’ve got a lovely garden, then it’s a no-brainer; people want to get their clothes off in
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