Southend seafront back open for business but business boss says safety is number 1

The recent surge in visitors will come as a major positive for businesses, despite some onlookers being critical.

Positive - Martin Richardson 

Government guidelines remain in place due to the coronavirus pandemic, but Martin Richardson – the Happidrome Arcade owner – insists Southend must ease back to normality.

Speaking of the weekend, Mr Richardson said: “It was like a typical Sunday. It wasn’t overcrowded and the traffic was flowing.

“This is the benchmark. The economy needs to get going and we can’t afford to be shut for too long.

“We are making sure what we are doing works. It’s about working together.

“This town survives on tourism. The safety of the public is the number one priority and we are looking after people coming here.”

The increased number of people visiting Southend, thanks in large part to the searing temperatures in recent days, has been met with criticism from some quarters of the community.

But seafront trader Paul Thompson stresses people need to return to the seafront in order to stop businesses going bust.

“Everyone has been in lockdown for eight weeks and we’re hearing from government that the worst of the virus has passed,” said Mr Thompson.

“There have been no new Covid-19 cases in Southend for four or five days now and people are realising they are fine if they keep to the guidelines and stay two metres apart.

“We are looking to get our economy going again. It’s really important to get up and running.

“Everyone is aware of the situation and social distancing. I haven’t seen many people not doing it and, on the whole, everyone is doing what they’ve been told to do by the government.”

Southend Council has been working to ensure residents and day-trippers alike continue to follow the government guidelines in place.

Martin Terry, Southend Council’s Cabinet Member for Community Safety & Customer Contact, is pleased with the progress being made along the seafront.

“The reality is the Prime Minister, two weeks ago, said people could go where they wanted and sunbathe in the park or on the beach,” added Mr Terry.

“We know we will get people visiting here because it’s a tourist destination and we have prepared as much as possible.

“There are council staff out and about giving the message to stay safe and distant.

“Our businesses are down on their knees and we are working with them to get back up and running.

“I don’t think there is anything else we can do. It’s a matter of us speaking to people and reminding them to be safe.”