BUSY Hartlepool workers are being encouraged to take a lunch break and support food retailers at one of the region’s busiest shopping centres.

The Break for Lunch campaign has been launched at Middleton Grange Shopping Centre to support the dozens of food outlets located within it.

Well-known chains including Marks and Spencer, Boots, BHS, Wetherspoons, Subway, Greggs and McDonalds as well as independent retailers such as The Galleries, Kwicksnax, Necita’s Coffee House, Blyth Butchers, Ayres Butchers, Sandwich Express and Mariners Fish Restaurant are all participating in the initiative, which will see different lunch offers promoted to customers every day.

Middleton Grange Manager Mark Rycraft said: “The Break for Lunch initiative has been launched with the dual purpose of attracting more visitors to the Centre and encouraging workers to have a proper lunch break away from their desks.

“The time people spend away from their desk or workplace helps to increase their productivity and encourages them to eat properly too, and in turn supports the many food retailers which are found here in the Centre.”