Eastbourne businesses react to a second UK-wide lockdown

The changes – that started November 5 – mean that pubs, bars, cafes and restaurants have had to close their doors again. Takeaways and deliveries are permitted.

This comes four months after the end of the first UK-wide lockdown, and since then the industry had to operate under the 10pm curfew limitations too.

Gre/eat restaurant owner Vicky Kotsiou said, “The second lockdown is absolutely devastating from a business perspective, and our thoughts are with our fellow small business owners and their teams.

“We’re thrilled to see yet again that people of Eastbourne choose to eat local and support local! Let’s power through this lockdown together and hopefully have a great Christmas season in December.”

Lucy Hancock, owner of The Art House cafe, said, “It’s truly heart-breaking and we feel as though we’re back to square one again. Since reopening in July and offering a food delivery service during lockdown, we have been rebuilding the business back to full strength and staffing levels prior to lockdown.

“All of our November events have either been cancelled or rescheduled. Luckily we have strong community support to help rebuild again, but I must confess it’s exhausting and takes its toll on our business and staff.

The Art House and Gre/eat are both offering takeaway services.

Ben Divis, manager of La Locanda Del Duca, said, “We are really sad about the second lockdown but we understand that it’s necessary. We put safety of our customers first. We will be closing for this month, hoping to reopen in December.”

Mugshots Cafe, owned by Kiran Kaul, said, “It’s a challenging environment for all and a balancing act, but we remain positive and understand how crucial lockdown is to help keep the virus at bay. We hope as a business we can rise to the challenges and become stronger as a result!

“Mugshots will be operating a takeaway service to try and keep business ticking over and cover rent and utilities which are our priority in order to come out the other side.”

Perfectly Brewed, owned by Laura Fuller, said, “With only being open for less than a year it’s news you never want to hear.

“I have to adapt very quickly to this new world we live in to keep my business afloat. You never know what’s around the corner now.

“With Christmas fast approaching we just hope the local people of Eastbourne support local independent businesses so we can all survive the rest of the year.”

Perfectly Brewed is also offering a takeaway service.