Covid-19 pandemic impacts the town

2020

The Covid-19 pandemic brought unprecedented disruption to Littlehampton, closing the beach during the initial lockdown, shutting the shops, restaurants and the amusement park, and halting the community events that bring the town together. The subsequent recovery saw a surge of domestic tourism as foreign travel restrictions drove visitors to the English coast, and Littlehampton's beaches and harbour area experienced record visitor numbers during the summers of 2020 and 2021. The pandemic accelerated changes to the high street, with some businesses closing permanently and others adapting to new trading patterns.