A group which represents traders and businesses in Clacton is to be relaunched in a bid to restore an extra sense of pride and community in the seaside resort.

Two key figures have stood down from Clacton and District Chamber of Trade and it is felt the time is right for a revamp.

New secretary Teresa Stephenson has been in talks in an effort to bring in fresh faces and ideas.

Among those involved in the initiative is Tendring councillor Pierre Oxley, who represents the St Paul's ward of Clacton.

"The chamber has always done a good job in looking out for the interests of traders in the town but its greatest strength was in the 1980s and it is time to move forward," he said.

"It is no disrespect to those who have led it in the past, but we are looking to bring a bit of new life to the chamber to get more firms, businesses and shops involved in what is going on in their town."

Mr Oxley said that one of the first things being considered is Clacton in Bloom for 2005, which ran successfully for several years but was then dropped.

Published Monday August 9, 2004

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