SEASIDE TOWN RUN BY CHILDREN 

Lyme Regis: A little English town – on the south-west coast – that is seemingly unremarkable. 


In visiting the pastel-coloured town however, you begin to notice the town has an extraordinary characteristic: It is run by an adolescent workforce. 


You may think this is absurd, exaggerated or even possibly unfeasible but it is simply true.


During the summer holidays, 65% of the people working in the local businesses - from Highstreet cafes to hotels - are under the age of 18. 

As a 16-year-old-local, I personally cannot enter a shop without being waited on or assisted by another young individual (regularly a school colleague). 


A simple trip to the shop entertains a trail of greetings; I return home exhausted, better describing my travels as a social outing rather than an errand! 


Even tourists note the prevalence of young workers within the community. 

Since discussing this phenomenon with town residents, it is clear how the youth’s creeping domination of the labour force has fostered greatly varied opinions.


Which, predictably, may prompt the questions, how has this happened? Should we step in to prevent it, and, more urgently, how is this affecting the children and the operation of the town? 

Several happy onlookers answer these questions reassuringly.

They say that working small jobs at a young age (Referring mainly to service jobs) provides children with a good understanding of a working life. 


Millie Gee (a 16-year-old waitress at the local restaurant Swim) revealed her job allowed her to be “More social and develop social skills”. 

Many argue this may be the solution for disgruntled teenagers. Millie certainly agreed as she went on to remark about the positive experience of her employment. 


Indeed, she suggested that working bred a newfound respect and understanding for those in similar positions: “I now feel so sorry for these people […] working changed my perspective”.


Equally, parents feel that this renewed appreciation has led to less arguments at home, as their children are more considerate. 


In allowing their kids to work, some adults say, children feel they belong more to their community; a good tactic to get them away from screens and towards something productive. 


Tracy Gentle, the Education Manager to Luton Council adds that “children who work, can meet like-minded young people”, reiterating that working provides a good chance for socialisation.

Nevertheless, many are opposed to child labour despite its positive principles.


In particular, An interview with Penny Solway (a 17-year-old working at local restaurant, Largigi), highlighted how “young people might focus too much on earning money and not enough on education”. 


According to the most recent global estimation (provided by UNICEF and ILO), many children struggle to balance child labour and school simultaneously, which “compromises their education”.

Whilst summer jobs and full-time labour differ greatly, similar concerns regarding education can be applied. 


Gee, regarding this, described how she felt her “12-10:30” shift, “was lots of pressure” and similar shifts to younger children, could be “mentally exhausting”, which may possibly result in unproductive working time and a decrease in grades.


By way of support, The Global estimates 2020 report illustrates that “children […] involved in child labour have lower levels of academic achievement and are more likely to drop out prematurely”. 


What's more, (and somewhat more crucially), some adults feel that adolescents are taking jobs away from people who would otherwise get the work and critically undercutting them in terms of pay.

They argue, unemployed adults should be prioritised, which when looking at Lyme’s workforce, is clearly not the case. 

As a friendly, well-functioning seaside town, Lyme Regis has evaded inspection so far. 
But perhaps, a deeper dive is required - for the well-being of the children and the future health of business’s further down the line.