Clacton could become a major conference centre if a project to take over two large buildings on the seafront comes off.

Colchester Institute is transferring its residential higher education courses from Clacton to Colchester, which will free up the former Grand Hotel and the Towers.

Tendring councillor Frank Baker believes it will provide the ideal opportunity for the town to unlock Government cash and establish itself as a centre for conferences, rather than see the site turned into flats.

Although Mr Baker is upset at the loss of the higher education courses in the town, he said he felt it was a chance not to be missed.

"If these buildings can be secured and used as a conference centre, then the district achieves a range of benefits," he said.

"A seaside location is always attractive. The recent successful Labour party conference was a two-day event for more than 300 people, which successfully utilised the college facilities and helped fill hotels and guesthouses."

He told members of the full council on Tuesday night that Government money had been promised for seaside towns aiming at new markets such as the conference trade.

And the new revised assisted areas had been drawn up with Tendring having been granted enterprise grant status.

"This new grant will aid those investing in job creation and projects involving innovation," he added.

"The Government places considerable emphasis on partnership working and sustainable development. A conference centre fits well into this type of activity."

Mr Baker said the benefits would be immense and included off-season income, new jobs for the district and a much-needed development at the eastern end of the seafront.

He said: "With residential higher education being lost this council's objective must surely be to obtain the most benefit it can from the change.

"The conference business could not just replace this loss but potentially be of greater and more secure long term benefit."

Mr Baker called for a feasibility study and the idea will will be discussed again by the regeneration committee.

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