The August the Eat Out to Help Out scheme delivered nearly 100,000 discounted meals across Hastings and Rye.

The Government backed scheme was designed to encourage people back out to our restaurants, pubs and bars to get those businesses back on their feet after they had been forced to close as a result of the Coronavirus lockdown.

The grand total of meals served locally under the scheme was 96,000 over the four weeks that the scheme ran. It offered discounts on meals from participating restaurants on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays throughout August. Local MP Sally-Ann Hart says it is a clear demonstration of the residents in Hastings and Rye using, “…the community spirit that was utilised in the darkest days of the pandemic to support the NHS, to now go out and support local businesses.

“Thank you to everyone who made use of this scheme, you helped to keep our hospitality sector going,” she said today.

And Borough Councillor Rob Lee says: “It’s been a great response to the scheme locally thank you Rishi Sunak, it’s been enjoyed by residents, visitors and businesses here.”

Meanwhle Mrs Hart has pledged to continue to lobby and work with Ministers to ensure her constituency will receive the funding and support it needs to get over the economic impact that Covid-19 has had.