Author: Sarah Daniells

Cashless Car Park Payments
Take the time and hassle out of paying for and extending your parking stays in the area by using MiPermit.

What is MiPermit?
MiPermit is a cashless parking system which is already been used by over 2 million customers. For more information visit www.mipermit.com

What are the benefits?
Time – MiPermit removes the time and hassle of finding, queueing for and using cash/card machines in car parks.

Extend your Stay – You can extend your parking stays anytime, anywhere without having to return to your car park or worrying about receiving a Penalty Charge. The Extend Your Stay feature also cleverly selects the best value tariff for the whole of the existing and new stay combined.

Expiry Reminder – You can request a 20-minute text message reminder that your parking stay is due to expire, costing only 10 pence in car parks managed by us.

Exclusive Parking Offers – Access exclusive parking offers which are unavailable when paying by cash and card.

Map – The MiPermit App includes a map of where your car is parked – ideal if you’re visiting an area you’re unfamiliar with. For a full list of UK locations where MiPermit can be used, visit mipermit.com.

Pay in advance – Pay for your parking either on arrival at a car park, or up to seven days in advance. Please note that paying in advance does not guarantee a parking space.

In partnership with VisitEssex we’re excited to launch the Summer 2020 campaign celebrating the re-opening of many of Essex’s well-loved attractions and hidden gems.

Each week VisitEssex will be updating information on where to visit, including what’s open, the best times to visit and how to visit safely.

Follow their social channels where they will be providing you with inspiration to help you avoid the crowds and discover incredible new places in your county to create your own adventures and shape lasting memories.

In these strange times there are plenty of reasons to stay local and plenty of ways to have ‘great adventures, close to home’.

For more information visit their website at www.visitessex.com

Clacton Pier has been crowned Pier of the Year in what its director called a “perfect morale booster” at a difficult time.

The attraction reopened to the public on July 4 as lockdown measures were eased, having been closed since late March.

It was today named as pier of the year by the National Piers Society, pipping second-placed Clevedon Pier and third-placed Brighton Palace Pier.

The society said the award recognised a decade of improvements made by Clacton Pier’s owners, brothers Billy and Elliot Ball.

Billy said: “We were delighted to come runner-up last year and to go one better this year really is the icing on the cake.

“This has been an incredibly difficult time for all 61 piers around the country and to pick up the award is the perfect morale booster for us.

“We are truly grateful to all those who voted for us and thank them for their faith in us.

“To top the list ahead of such great attractions as Brighton’s Palace Pier is a real accolade and will spur us on to even greater things.”

Clacton Pier opened in 1871 and was lengthened to 1,180ft in 1893 with the addition of a theatre and pavilion.

The National Piers Society said it is the largest pleasure pier in Europe by surface area, covering 6.5 acres.

When the brothers bought the pier in 2009, just two of those acres were in use.

It now boasts many rides including a helter-skelter and two-tier adventure golf course, with a new rollercoaster and log flume due to be added.

Tim Wardley, chairman of the National Piers Society, said: “Seaside piers have long been prime generators of inward investment to the resorts they serve and are the beating hearts of seaside communities.

“The millions of pounds invested in Clacton Pier by Billy and Elliot are a demonstration of their commitment to both the tourist industry and their home town.

“I wish them every success as they continue to work hard to bring an all-weather, year-round attraction to Clacton.”

 

 

Source/credit – Clacton & Frinton Gazette  July 2020.

Stay Alert – Control The Virus – Save Lives

Tendring District Council (TDC) are continually monitoring the current situation on Coronavirus (COVID 19) and are following information and advice published by the government. Please monitor the TDC website (www.tendringdc.gov.uk) for any official announcements.

For the latest advice and guidance on the Coronavirus (COVID19): Stay alert to stay safe.
Gov.uk– Guidance from the government in response to coronavirus
Gov.uk– Guidance for households with a possible coronavirus infection
Gov.uk– Government’s guidance on staying alert
Testing – guidance, where and how to get tested
Gov.uk – Guidance on shielding
Support for the extremely vulnerable– Register for coronavirus support on GOV.UK if you have a medical condition that makes you extremely vulnerable to coronavirus. For example, you’ll be able to ask for help getting deliveries of essential supplies like food.

NHS – For health information and advice on coronavirus.

Essex County Council – Information and updates on Schools, Libraries and Adult Social Care

mentalhealth.org.uk – Tips on how to look after your mental health

All public toilets run by Tendring District Council (TDC) are now open.

The facilities had been closed during lockdown in line with Government regulations, and since restrictions were lifted TDC had been working on plans to re-open them safely.

Initially 12 toilets in seafront locations were opened to provide amenities for people using seafronts.

Now further measures have been put in place to allow all of the authority’s toilets to be re-opened.

To allow for the additional safety measures opening times will be different, with toilets opened from 10am until 8pm – with the exception of the facilities in Connaught Avenue, Frinton, which will open at 8am.

Michael Talbot, TDC Cabinet Member for Environment, welcomed the news.

“We understand there has been some frustration that our public toilets had been opened on a limited basis, but this has been necessary to make sure we have the appropriate safety measures in place both for the public and our staff,” Councillor Talbot said.

“I am glad that we can now open all of our public toilets, which we know are important for many people visiting our seafronts and town centres – particularly as non-essential retail outlets can now re-open.”

Toilet users are being reminded to maintain social distancing and to follow instructions about maximum numbers or closed cubicles at all times, and to ensure they wash their hands after using the facilities. Visit our website for advice and information, including toilet opening times at www.tendringdc.gov.uk/coronavirus.

The public are also asked to be polite and courteous to cleaning staff while carrying out their role – which may involve them asking people to leave or wait while cleaning is done.

Councillor Neil Stock OBE, TDC Leader, added: “Our toilet cleaners have a tough enough job to do as it is without facing abuse from the public, but sadly a minority feel it is acceptable to do this.

“It is completely abhorrent and unacceptable, and our staff have rightly been instructed to walk away from any such situation. So if anyone does abuse our staff, we may be forced to close toilet facilities as we will not be able to clean them.

“So please remember to #BeKind and respect those who are working hard to provide facilities for the general public.”

Seven beaches in Tendring have been handed prestigious awards by Keep Britain Tidy as the district increases the number of its Blue Flags.

Beaches at Brightlingsea, Dovercourt Bay, Harwich, Frinton, Walton-on-the-Naze and the town’s Albion beach, and Martello Bay in Clacton have all been given Seaside Awards in recognition of their quality.

In addition the beaches at Dovercourt Bay, Brightlingsea kept their Blue Flag status – while Walton-on-the-Naze has been newly awarded the top title.

It means all Tendring seafronts have kept their accreditation or improved it.

Councillor Alex Porter, Portfolio Holder for Leisure and Tourism at Tendring District Council (TDC), said the awards reflected just how important seafronts are to the area.

“Our beaches right around the district are a brilliant asset, not just for residents but also for tourists and the whole tourism industry,” he said.

“We recognise this and invest so much in them – from our Beach Patrol service in the holidays, improvements to our seafronts and promenades, or even creating beautiful new beaches as we did in Holland-on-Sea, with improved accessibility from the cliff stabilisation scheme.

“This recognition is a great advert for the Essex Sunshine Coast, and it should be remembered it is not easy to keep, let alone gain, Blue Flag and Seaside Award status.

“We will continue to look after our beaches for the benefit of all and, when it is safe to do so, welcome all visitors back to our wonderful coastline.”

Councillor Neil Stock OBE, TDC Leader, added: “Following government’s announcement yesterday relaxing social distancing measures from next month, we are fully committed in preparing our leisure and tourism sector to get back to business from 4 July.

“If you are thinking about taking a break in the summer time why not consider the welcoming Essex Sunshine Coast.”

Keep Britain Tidy’s Deputy Chief Executive Richard McIlwain said: “The success of the Tendring coastline in reaching the very high standards demanded by both awards is testament to all those who have worked so hard to protect and improve our beaches – from beach managers and volunteers to local people and businesses.

“When you enjoy a trip to a beach flying an international Blue Flag or Seaside Award, you know you are on one of the safest, cleanest and very best in the country.

“This year, with the pressure on local services created by COVID-19, we would urge anyone visiting this fantastic beach to help out by taking their rubbish home with them and leaving the beach as they found it.”

The Clacton Airshow, Essex’s biggest event, has been postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The decision to postpone this year’s event, due to be held on 27-28 August, was taken by organisers Tendring District Council (TDC) after much consideration around visitor safety and in line with the Government’s current recommendations.

However the Airshow will return in 2021, on 26-27 August.

Running for 28 years, Clacton Airshow attracts around 250,000 spectators over the two-day event. It has become the number one most-visited event in Essex, and brings a huge annual boost to the local economy.

Alex Porter, TDC Portfolio Holder for Leisure and Tourism, said the decision to postpone was a disappointing one to have to make, but the correct move.

“Although lockdown restrictions have recently started to be eased, there is no possible way to maintain social distancing with more than 200,000 visitors gathering along our seafront,” Cllr Porter said.

“We recognise that lockdown restrictions may change further in the coming months, but under the published recovery plan it does not look likely we would be able to go ahead. Furthermore, the Airshow takes a lot of planning, and though we have held off a decision for as long as possible we are now at the point where we either plunge headlong into organising, or postpone.

“The Clacton Airshow will return in 2021 and we look forward to welcoming visitors back to our beautiful district when it is safe to do so.

“We are now talking to local businesses and tourism providers about how we go back to business and the best ways to reignite the tourist economy – such as trying to extend the season into the Autumn to give businesses an opportunity to flourish.”