STAYCATIONS have seen a rise in popularity in the last year during the pandemic and the top locations in the UK have now been revealed.

The Covid-19 pandemic has meant that more people are choosing to stay put for their holidays and a study by gambling.com has found the places where the most money is spent.

The study looked specifically at where people are spending their cash within the retail and leisure industries.

A total of 11 parts of Sussex made it into the top places for staycations, with spending figures then compared to pre-pandemic levels.

The Argus:

Data reveals that Rother District, which includes Rye, Robertsbridge and Battle, is the best performing for retail spending.

The district has had a 13 per cent increase in retail spends from the pre-Covid numbers.

The study looked at spending in restaurants, cafes, shopping, museums, libraries and cinemas.

Rother has also seen a 56 per cent increase in money spent in parks and public gardens.

Hastings had the highest increase here with 133 per cent since pre-pandemic levels.

The Argus:

Wealden district saw a two per cent decrease in retail but a 67 per cent increase in park spends.

Spending on retail in Crawley decreased the most, putting it at the bottom of the table with minus 23 per cent, despite this the town had a 64 per cent increase in park spending.

Here's how other Sussex spots did:

  • Adur District had a three per cent decrease in retail spends from a pre-Covid level, but a 64 per cent increase in people spending in parks, holiday parks and public gardens
  • Arun District has had an four per cent decrease in spending in retail and has seen a 22 per cent increase in leisure spends
  • Chichester has seen a five per cent decrease in retail spends, but have seen a 69 per cent increase in park spends
  • Eastbourne has had a ten per cent decrease in retail spending from before Covid, however they have had a 70 per cent increase in people spending in leisure
  • Lewes district have seen a ten per cent decrease in retail spends from pre-pandemic levels, but they have had a 91 per cent increase in park spending

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