Hastings, East Sussex, has been identified as the 14th most deprived local authority in England, according to recent data from the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government. Barry Ashley, who operates the Grumpy Cook café, noted the challenges faced by the community, highlighting the prevalence of boarded-up shops and children showing signs of hunger. He attributes these issues to past government austerity measures that have reduced public services and local authority budgets, resulting in a feeling of neglect among residents.
Despite these challenges, Ashley’s café offers a unique model where patrons can pay what they afford, or eat for free, which he believes provides dignity to those in need. Hastings Borough Council, however, describes the town as a “great place to live, work, and visit,” while acknowledging the unique challenges faced by many coastal towns. They assert that Hastings has experienced significant investment from both local and central government and that ongoing projects aim to improve economic conditions and job opportunities.
Opinions from residents differ regarding the deprivation data. Jordan Walid feels that the data does not represent the community accurately, asserting that Hastings has a strong community spirit. Similarly, Lucy Brett expressed surprise at the deprivation statistics, indicating that her impression of the town was more positive than the data suggested.
Yasmin Ibison from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation pointed out that factors like unemployment, high housing costs, and declining holiday patterns contribute to the area’s economic difficulties. She emphasized the importance of community involvement in addressing these issues, suggesting that empowering residents can lead to a greater sense of ownership and pride in their locality.
Overall, while the data indicates significant deprivation, many residents and activists highlight community strengths and the importance of engagement in fostering positive change.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c5yd592g8mlo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss