Eat Out to Help Out has showcased just how many great places to eat there are in Rother Valley

However, I am pleased to note that in Rother Valley it is ‘business as usual’ for our fantastic local businesses and attractions.

I have used the parliamentary recess to make the most of summer here in Rother Valley by visiting businesses all over the constituency.

This has been an especially exciting prospect thanks to the Chancellor’s Eat Out to Help Out scheme.

It has been a real treat for my family and me to enjoy such a variety of food and drink throughout Rother Valley, and as many of you have pointed out on

Facebook, a treat for my waistline too.

I commend the warm welcome and delicious food served up across the board, including at The Café at the Corner in Swallownest, The Greasy Spoon in Thurcroft, The Red Lion in Todwick, the Black Lion in Firbeck, The Parish Oven in Thorpe Salvin, the Little Mester in North Anston, The Blue Bell Inn in

Harthill, Cuppa N Cake in Swallownest, and the Aroma Coffee Shop in Dinnington to name but a few.

I strongly urge the community to continue the momentum of the Eat Out to Help Out scheme by supporting these brilliant restaurants, pubs, and cafés in the weeks and months ahead.

Rother Valley has an impressive offering beyond food and drink, too, and our local shops and businesses have certainly been keeping me busy. I have been meeting business owners and employees to listen to their feedback regarding the Government’s coronavirus support and to see what I can do for them going forward.

I encountered resilience, resourcefulness, and positivity at each business I visited, be it Julie at Lounge Hair in Todwick, Tammy’s face masks in Thurcroft,

Bailey’s Body Art in Maltby, or Annie’s Emporium in Thurcroft.

Each of these businesses has helped to bring a sense of normality back to Rother Valley and build back our local economy.

The coronavirus pandemic means that many constituents have been holidaying locally.

As a result, many of us have realised what a great destination Rother Valley is for all the family.

We have Gulliver’s Valley Theme Park, Aston Springs Farm, Tiny Town Role Play Centre, Roche Abbey, and Rother Valley Country Park for family days out, and my in-laws had a superb summer holiday at Waleswood Caravan and Camping Park.

I cannot recommend these attractions highly enough.

After the hardships of the past few months, it is clearer than ever that our local businesses are a lifeline and a prized asset.

We are very lucky to live in an area with such a thriving sense of community and entrepreneurialism.

It is our duty to support our businesses as much as we can in order to protect jobs and create opportunity in every corner of Rother Valley.

Alexander Stafford is MP for Rother Valley.