FEATURE
Cluniac Monks.
Still, Southend is cautious that the recent revival will
live up to its heyday, given the affordability and
options to travel further afield, as Phipps commented:
“The development of the package holiday changed the
attendance to the seaside and probably always has,
however there seems to be more desire to live in
coastal locations, particularly in Southend, which is in
commutable distance to London.” There is a sense it
has benefited the local community rather than
alienate it. “There are more families coming to
Southend to visit the pier and also the pleasure
attraction Adventure Island. There is an influx of
artists and craftspeople moving to the area for more
affordable studio space, and a keen desire to engage
with the seaside and the estuary. I personally think
this has improved communities, and ensured they
A Pick of Some
Great British Seasides…
Brighton
for its ‘anything goes’ attitude, the hip vibe and
residents, classic pier and kitsch resort - the
winding Laines with its boutiques where you can
pick up vegetarian shoes or flea market finds. The
self-proclaimed gay capital with lots of pro-green
credentials.
Bournemouth
touted as the next silicon city, one of its big
attractions is the pier to shore zipline over its
sandy beaches.
Salcombe
for fantastic shellfish, the regatta and sandy
beaches
St Ives
has always drawn lots of artists in its ‘St Ives
School’ scene
Skegness
where the first ever Butlin’s resort originated back
in 1936; it fell into decline during the low-cost
airline boom but it has recently shown glimmers
of positive regeneration alongside a remaining
kitsch appeal.
continue to become more diverse.
“This has positively affected Southend. Rather than
being ‘well off’ Londoners, it is a case of those who
work in London and who would like more affordable
living costs, and the opportunity to escape the city,
moving to the area and commuting into London. The
artist influx in the area has seen more diversity and
more offer to younger creative people within the area
who may not have felt there were many opportunities
here previously.”
She views how investment goes hand in hand with
the associated nostalgia flourish, itself boosting
popularity and improving the reputation of seaside
towns. They have reverted back to a positive image:
“People seem to be embracing and appreciating the
beauty and interest of our coasts and coastal towns.
There is more desire to travel around our country as
well as visiting others”.
Brits & Breaks
16.6 million
Brits took domestic
seaside breaks in England in 2016
More than one in four (43%)
overnight holiday trips to the
seaside in England in 2015 were in
the South West
On average Brits holidaying at
the seaside spend
£251 per trip
One third of all
domestic seaside
holidays use camping
/ caravanning for
accommodation
Source: Visit Britain / Visit England - information refers to England domestic tourism only