ANY council wanting to see its towns improve needs to learn to look through the eyes of a visitor.

Having spent several months working in Clacton, I have had the chance to see both what works in the the town, and what gives the place a poor reputation.

There are gems – the gardens along the seafront; the fountain (when it works); packed beaches and the pier; tens of thousands of people heading in for the airshow.

But aside from the plus points, the town’s streets are filthy and there appears to be nothing to mark Clacton as being unique.

Clacton’s raison d’etre appears to be entertaining the masses from London’s East End in summer or providing a home for Britain’s aging population.

Yet what is there to draw people in throughout the year, and appreciate the town?

The answer is not to redirect John Betjeman’s bombs away from Slough to raise the town to the ground; it is to identify what is good and build on that success.

Celebrate the town’s history. And before anyone suggests Clacton-on-Sea has no history, take a trip to Saltburn in Cleveland for its Victorian festival.

Like Clacton, it was built as a Victorian seaside resort. Yet it has successfully celebrated its heritage.

Back in Clacton, imagine you are a visitor and try looking for the tourist information centre. It is not in the town centre, so I looked for the signs pointing the way. Suffice to say, I could find none.

To visit the weekly market, you need to discover it in a car park off a side street on the right day. Why not put it in the revamped Pier Avenue where people can see it and use it?

How about monthly farmers’ markets, again on Pier Avenue and other events right in the heart of the resort running through the year. A museum, some street art? Nothing lavish, just something to widen interest. Even some historic information boards showing people are proud of the town.

Add some signs pointing the way, visitors like those touches.

And please, if you ignore everything else, ensure the streets are clean - the new pavements are a disgrace.



Tendring Talk is an irreverent, controversial and unofficial look at local life. The views here do not represent those of the Gazette, or of Newsquest, its parent company.