THE SUN is shining brightly in Hastings and Alison Nicholls should be serving flocks of school children whose only tough decision is whether they want a bubble gum ice cream or the mint choc chip.
But instead - despite this being the half term holidays - the ‘Doughnut Queen’ owner has not served a single customer all day.
She blames the cost-of-living crisis for making her £3 treats too expensive for most families and says the past summer has been the worst she has ever seen.
The area's council leader is now warning that huge numbers of people can no longer pay rent, forcing over 1,000 locals in the East Sussex seaside town to seek temporary accommodation.
More fortunate residents tell The Sun their house prices have doubled in less than a decade as DFLs - meaning 'Down From London' - rush to snap up properties, either to live in or to rent out as Airbnbs.
Alison, 58, said: “Hastings is still a lovely old school bucket and spade destination for families.
“We have caravan parks at both ends of the beach and people will come here from far and wide to enjoy your quintessential British holiday - and that’s the market we cater for.
“But it’s been a bad summer for ice cream sellers. I’ve been doing this for four years and I’ve never seen it so bad.
“In June, people weren’t spending money because they didn’t have any. We kept saying, ‘Don’t worry it will be better in July.’
“But July and August were hard because the weather was so bad.
“Now I haven’t sold a single ice cream all day and it’s the half term holidays.
“The cost-of-living crisis is biting. People come here, look at the prices, and say, ‘£3 for an ice cream? How can you charge £3 for an ice cream?’
“Four years ago, I was charging £1.80 for the same scoop, but prices have gone up so much I should be charging £3.50 really.
“I hate putting prices up - and it upsets me when people complain - but what can you do?
“These are uncertain times we are living through."
Read more: www.thesun.co....
The Sun newspaper brings you the latest breaking news videos and explainers from the UK and around the world
Become a Sun Subscriber and hit the bell to be the first to know
Read The Sun: www.thesun.co.uk
Like The Sun on Facebook: / thesun
Follow The Sun on Twitter: / thesun
Subscribe to The Sun on Snapchat: / 1633225139
Негізгі бет Our historic seaside town is being ruined by ‘DFLs’ - we could go bankrupt & end up housing homeless
Пікірлер: 63