Hastings hit the national news earlier in the summer when our lifeguards started giving out free sun tan lotion. Although common in America and Australia, this was believed to be the first time free sun tan lotion had been given out in the UK.
The idea came from Brian Murdoch of IT&C Ltd, a St. Leonards-based toiletries - and sun tan lotion! - manufacturer. Hastings Council jumped at the offer, and the lifeguards were soon equipped with Factor 15 and Factor 25! The News Release announcing the offer coincided with the hottest weekend of the year and was picked up by virtually everybody.
The Sun, Daily Star, Daily Express and Daily Mail all ran the story, with lots of positive comments - and pictures of various lifeguards posing as members of the public! But it didn’t stop there, as Radio 1, Radio 5, Sky TV and ITN all broadcast live from Hastings beach. ITN reported that Hastings was hotter than Honolulu, in their early evening broadcast that was seen by many millions of viewers.
The town’s tourism business is thought to have benefited considerably from all of the very positive publicity - not just because of the free sun tan lotion offer itself, and the fact that the weather was seen to be brilliant here, but because Hastings & St. Leonards was portrayed as one of the leading resorts in the country. This is sure to have encouraged past visitors to return to the town, and prompted new visitors too. After some of the negative publicity about Hastings & St. Leonards in the past, this really positive coverage really was worth its weight in gold. And all because of a phone call from Brian, some sun tan lotion and the hottest weekend of the year!
Back to top of page...
< Light Bright and Breezy | Making Our School Routes Safer >
This page last updated: 15/10/2001