Sidmouth: MP launches website to give East Devon's pubs a boost

Several Sidmouth pubs are featured on a new website created by the East Devon MP Simon Jupp, to help promote 'the great boozers in the area'.

Simon Jupp's site eastdevonpubs.co.uk contains a map with links to each pub's website, and a gallery of photos.

It already includes the Swan, the Anchor, the Volunteer, the Balfour Arms, the Bowd Inn and the Blue Ball in Sidford.

But Mr Jupp is inviting local residents to contact him via the website with recommendations for any pubs not already featured – and the landlords of pubs already on the site are welcome to send more photos.

He explained he had created the site to give the local pub trade a boost following many months of being unable to open due to Covid-19 – it's thought 473 pubs in England and Wales have closed since the start of the pandemic.

He said: "I've always loved a proper pub and here in East Devon we are lucky to have many to choose from.

"It's so important to do what we can to support them during this challenging time for the hospitality sector.

"I have been talking with many pub landlords in my constituency and helped them gain access to Government grants, or obtain licences to create or extend their outdoor drinking areas.

"I don't just want our local pubs to survive, I want them to thrive, which is why I've launched this website dedicated to the pubs of East Devon. Cheers!"