Town gradually opens to visitors

Hastings has started to cautiously welcome visitors again, as the next stage of the lockdown easing came into effect on Saturday 4th July. As well as hairdressers being able to open, the town's vital tourism and hospitality sector also took an important step forward as pubs, cafes and restaurants were able to serve customers inside, accommodation providers and campsites were able to welcome guests after over three months of lockdown, and some of the town's tourist attractions reopened.
 
Cllr Colin Fitzgerald, deputy leader and lead councillor for tourism at Hastings Borough Council, said :- "Saturday was a big day for the town's visitor economy, which supports over 6000 jobs normally and generates around �360m annually.
 
"Amongst the attractions to reopen was our own West Hill Lift, now 129 years old. It had been closed since July 2019 because it needed work on its main drive wheel. This was carried out over the winter, and was returned in time for Easter, but then Covid-19 struck of course, and we weren't able to reopen it then.
 
"But it opened on Saturday, and it was great to see it being used again.

"But not everything is open yet, and it is only right that we are cautious. The attractions that were open have reported that business was steady, rather than really busy, which I think is good. It most definitely isn't business as usual, and we're asking visitors to respect, protect, and enjoy. Respect our local communities, any specific guidelines we and our partners have put in place; protect yourself and others, by taking sensible precautions; and enjoy your visit by going off the beaten track, if everyone heads to the same hotspot it is impossible to stay socially distanced."

Pics show the very first passengers to use the West Hill Lift (complete with face coverings, of course) on Saturday, after its closure for almost a year, and a lift arriving at top station on Saturday.