"Alcohol misuse needs to be dealt with for Clacton to thrive" local business owners say
Business owners claim “there's no incentive for other businesses to come here"
Local Clacton businesses have said drug and alcohol misuse needs to be dealt with as a priority if Clacton is to thrive.
Extending rate relief for small businesses, improving parking, and more incentives for businesses also need to be looked at to improve the economic outlook of the seaside Essex town, say business owners.
The area has already attracted large sums of investment – including a successful £20 million bid to help level up Clacton.
The money will be used to create: a new library and learning space; a café; a community and commercial building; and 28 homes.
It will also contribute to improvements to the multi-storey car park on the site of Carnarvon House and the town library.
But despite money being directed at the area residents say "more fundamental incentives to the economy" are needed.
Pressingly, locals said they were concerned antisocial behaviour was hampering Clacton’s fortunes.
While locals feel antisocial behaviour has increased in Clacton, Essex Police said the number of incidents has fallen by almost half in the Tendring district over the past two years.
It said community policing and town centre teams are conducting high-visibility uniformed patrols and plain clothes deployments in Clacton town centre and the surrounding areas.
Whilst businesses say the problem of public drunkenness and drug use, especially during the daytime, is "persistent" and "needs further action".
Peter Serghiou, who works at the fish bar in West Avenue said: “Some are here at 9am and they are already half cut by then.
“They go to the telephone box, do their drugs. It’s a massive problem. They fight between themselves, I’ve never seen them do anything to the public it’s just between themselves."
“But they drink on the street and sometimes throw up in the street, it’s disgusting. The police turn up, move them along and ten minutes later they come back.”
Louise Shaw, owner of the tattoo parlour Lou Lou’s added: “The drinking is the pet hate round here. It’s horrific and it’s embarrassing.”
Public Spaces Protection Order
Essex Police have said there is a public spaces protection order (PSPO) in Clacton town centre and along the seafront to help tackle antisocial behaviour, such as street drinking and begging, which may deter people from visiting.
Officers continue to focus on reports of motorbikes being ridden illegally, antisocial behaviour and damage to beach huts, the force added.
Locals, Anthony and Sue Griffiths from Walton, agreed that the number of closed-down shops was an issue.
Anthony said: “We are disillusioned with the whole thing. As pensioners, we are just trampled on. We are just a rung on the ladder for people. Clacton needs to be revitalised.”
Sue said: “When you come into the town there are loads of boarded-up shops and they are big shops. There’s not one supermarket in the middle of town. They’re all on the outskirts of town.”
Donna Tidiman of Clacton Angling conceded her business was less affected by the changing nature of retail due to the shopping habits of anglers who fish all year round.
She added: “But for other businesses such as those who deal in fashion the demographic is changing and the demographic that is coming in don’t want to spend because they want cheap stuff.
“Clacton needs to up its game. If you go to other seaside paces, like Brighton it’s buzzing all year round.
Rate Relief
She also said more businesses could be given rate relief from the government.
Donna said: “We have 100 per cent rate relief but there are businesses who don’t get full rate relief.
Eligible ratepayers with a rateable value of £12,000 or below will receive 100 per cent relief.
If eligible ratepayers have a rateable value between £12,001 and £15,000, relief will be available on a scale from 100 per cent to 0 per cent - where every £30 rateable value equates to one per cent
Eligible ratepayers with a rateable value between £15,001 and £50,999 can have their rates liability calculated using the small business non-domestic rating multiplier only.
“There is no encouragement or incentive for other businesses to come here. We need some help and investment.”
Patricia Bonnett, who runs gift shop Utterly Different Gifts said: “What do I want from the Labour Government? More help for businesses especially micro businesses and more funding for start-ups."