Cuts, covid and community in Blackpool: ‘There’s no such thing as a hopeless case’

Mark and Abbie Butcher run Amazing Graze, a pizzeria which hands out free food and advice to those who need it in Blackpool.
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One of the poorest parts of the UK, with jobs seasonal and dependent largely on tourist income, Blackpool has been left reeling from the pandemic and the restaurant has seen heightened levels of demand it is struggling to cope with. As the government pursues its hallmark ‘levelling up’ policy, Mark and Abbie question what the slogan actually means as they deal with the effects of the £20 cut in universal credit on some of the town’s most vulnerable, and prepare for the challenging winter ahead.

You can donate to Amazing Graze (a registered charity) here ► https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/amazinggraze

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#Covid #Coronavirus #Community #Austerity #UK #Blackpool

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27 COMMENTS

  1. When we went, we were the only two Aussies in the place on a wet windy Thursday night in early May….we were served by Danny, and Alfie played us INXS and Prince!

    When we arrived, the guys welcomed us in…I was wearing shorts….I asked if it was ok to come in wearing shorts….

    Alfie said "that's alright, we like white legs in Blackpool" ( I am quite pale).

    Then Alfie clicked his fingers in Danny's direction and said "music, maestro!"

    That's when the INXS and Prince kicked in.

    This is a fantastic service, essential for so many peope in the local area…and the group that run it are just brilliant 💚💜

  2. I order food from Pizza Grazie all the time and always add a couple of pay it forward pizzas. It's great what they do, great food and it's nice being able to share the food with others.

  3. I feel bad for the true residents of Blackpool, as businesses do not put money back into the town, all local councils see is money, not helping the residents. I bet that the council members have big wages, company cars, all expenses paid for by Tax payers money, a big bonus at Christmas, a big party at Christmas all paid for by tax payer cash, big houses with subsidised mortgages from the tax payer, a closed shop union, clothing allowance, child care allowance, paid holidays, free travel on the transit system,. need I go on???…. get real people the council do not care about you unless it's voting time. dothefivedothefive dothefivedothefive does the council clear the snow off of your path? are you taxed on rubbish collection, do they fight for your rights on bedroom tax? do they lobby against the rising cost of food? No they fill their bank account with your money.

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