The state of Clacton seafront is nothing short of a disgrace and does not help to pull in the visitors. That's the claim of one of the town's longest-established businessmen, who has called for a major improvement before it is too late.
Richard Westwood, who runs Westwoods in Station Road, Clacton, said he thought the seafront looked as though it was no longer cared for.
"The general maintenance and cleanliness, the state of the shelters and other issues need attending to," he said.
"This needs to be done before the seafront slips into the sea."
Mr Westwood said if he did not have a business and a home in the town, he would not give the area a second look.
"We do still have some tourists who come here and I wonder what they think of one of our most important aspects," he said.
"It is absolutely appalling and I have never seen it so bad in all my years here."
Mr Westwood's stinging attack was made at the annual meeting of Clacton Chamber of Trade held at the Lyndale Lodge Hotel yesterday
He admitted it was the first time he had attended for 35 years but had done so because he was so disappointed with the state of the town.
Helen Kinnane said that work had been carried out on the seafront when a lottery grant was handed over but it had gone down hill since then.
Mr Westwood said one of the biggest problems was Clacton did not have a town council as did other areas in Tendring and it meant it lacked representation.
Published Tuesday, April 8, 2003
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