Category: Blog

Council leaders have agreed to bolster the budgets for a series of exciting projects in Clacton and Jaywick Sands.

Earlier this year, Tendring District Council (TDC) entered a new Community Regeneration Partnership with the Government, after the authority was awarded £19.7million by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government to help regenerate the areas.

The money was initially allocated across 15 projects, chosen by Government ministers after a detailed review from officials into Clacton and Jaywick Sands. These projects are being delivered by TDC, Essex County Council and the NHS.

On Friday, TDC’s Cabinet agreed to reallocate additional budget to seven of the schemes.

Ivan Henderson, TDC Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Economic Growth, Regeneration and Tourism said: “Reallocating the funding means we are able to boost a string of brilliant projects which will make a huge difference to residents and businesses in Clacton and Jaywick Sands.

“Making changes at this comparatively early stage means we can move away from projects that have turned out not to be feasible and put the money into projects which have clear benefits.

“The same amount of money which was ringfenced for Jaywick Sands remains committed to that area.

“We are already seeing the real-life impact on the Community Regeneration Partnership but I am excited to see even more progress in the coming months.”

An extra £1.2 million has been added to the budget for the Jaywick Sands Open Spaces project, to improve up to ten public spaces within the area and identified within the Jaywick Sands Place Plan. Residents now have the opportunity to co-design enhancements to areas across the village. The new budget for this project is £3.2 million.

Plans to bring Martello Tower E in Clacton back to community use has been allocated an additional £1.5 million, bringing the budget up to £3.5 million, and £400,000 has been added to a project to create a new venue in TDC-owned buildings on Clacton seafront, raising the total budget to £900,000.

Additional funding has also been added to the plan to install solar panels at Sunspot, TDC’s business centre in Jaywick Sands, reducing bills for tenants who are mainly local entrepreneurs. An additional £50,000 has been committed to the scheme raising the total budget to £200,000.

Other projects to receive additional funding are:

• An additional £100,000 to extend the scope of an initiative to tackle long-term vacant buildings in Jaywick Sands to include work on the Enterprise Centre to support TDC’s Healthy Homes team, raising the total budget to £300,000
• An additional £750,000 to a project to improve Clacton Leisure Centre raising the budget to £3.75 million
• An additional £150,000 added to a fund where Jaywick Sands businesses can apply to make improvements to their shopfronts. A significant amount of budget has already been taken up by business owners
• An additional £2.5million to the Clacton Town Centre Public Realm project which aims to enhance the route between the town centre and the seafront, raising the total budget to £3.8 million. This project is being led by Essex County Council.

The additional money has been reallocated from two other projects in the programme.

There are still ongoing discussions about extending the walking and cycling route from Tudor Fields to Jaywick Sands, though initial ideas around its use for vehicle evacuation during flooding have been reconsidered due to feasibility concerns.

It is hoped the project can now be delivered for £1million rather than the £2.5million originally allocated while still improving the link between the two areas.

Councillor Henderson added: “We remain committed to addressing concerns around flooding in Jaywick Sands and have called for £100 million of national flood funding to help us with this.

“It has become clear that this site is much more suitable for walking and cycling.”

Work investigating the purchase and repurpose of a building in Clacton town centre into a community and cultural space is no longer being pursued due to market constraints.

The Community Regeneration Partnership has already awarded grants to three local groups to purchase brand-new minibuses for community transport initiatives, with one already on the road. Businesses in Clacton, Jaywick Sands and Holland-on-Sea have also received funding to make significant improvements to their shopfronts.

Essential sea defence works have been completed at The Naze in Walton reinforcing protection for the unique coastal environment.

The project focused on replacing damaged gabion baskets at the north-east corner of the area and installing new gabions behind Crag Walk.

These measures will help prevent tidal erosion and protect the fragile cliffs and surrounding habitats for at least the next decade.

The works, which took around five weeks to complete, were carried out by Coastal Defence Contractors Ltd at a cost of £70,000. Funding included a £50,000 contribution from Tendring District Council (TDC) and £20,000 from the Naze Protection Society.

Councillor Adrian Smith, TDC’s Cabinet Member responsible for Coast Protection and Engineering, said the scheme was another vital step in safeguarding The Naze and championing our local environment.

“The Naze is one of our district’s most treasured landscapes – rich in wildlife, geology, and history, and enjoyed by residents and visitors alike,” he said.

“Without these defences, the sea would continue to erode this special area, putting habitats, heritage, and even homes at risk.

“This work ensures we can protect and preserve The Naze for future generations.”

The gabion baskets – wire cages filled with stone – act as a barrier against the force of the tide, reducing erosion and stabilising the coastline.

By reinforcing vulnerable sections, the scheme helps maintain access to Crag Walk and supports the long-term management of the site.

Ian Davidson, Chief Executive of TDC and Chairman of the Naze Management Board, added his thanks to all involved.

“This project demonstrates what can be achieved through partnership working. I am grateful to our contractors, staff, and the Naze Protection Society for their commitment to protecting this remarkable area.”

The Naze and Walton Backwaters are designated as Sites of Special Scientific Interest and are home to rare species and important geological features.

Jaywick Sands’ Sunspot business centre is continuing to energise local entrepreneurs — providing the space and support for bold new ventures that benefit the whole community.

The latest startup at the Tendring District Council-run (TDC) centre to take flight is Flappy Joe’s, a health-focused fast-food diner offering affordable, healthy meals free from additives, seed oils, and processed ingredients.

Founded by Joanne Campbell, the business was inspired by her experience as a parent of children with food intolerances and aims to make clean, nourishing food accessible to all.

“Flappy Joe’s is about helping people feel better through food,” she said.

“We’re passionate about offering genuinely healthy meals that support gut health and reduce inflammation, without compromising on taste or affordability –

“We’re committed to using fresh, health-promoting ingredients, no additives, preservatives, or processed foods, while keeping everything flavourful.

“Healthy eating shouldn’t be a luxury – many people on lower incomes struggle to access wholesome food, so our menu is designed to be simple, affordable, and nourishing.”

The eatery, which is expected to open in January, will offer meal deals for children and adults and is working with local organisations to distribute free food vouchers to vulnerable families.

The Sunspot, which is celebrating its two-year anniversary, has become a thriving centre for retail, office space, and community events.

All but one of the 24 commercial units are now rented out, and footfall to the seafront has increased eightfold over the past year.

The development includes a covered market, café, event space, and a community garden, and has hosted regular boot sales and public events.

It is ideal for entrepreneurs taking their first steps, start-ups looking to grow or established businesses looking to expand and reach a new market in a fantastic location.

It is currently home to a range of businesses, including Bistro at the Sunspot café, Buddies Barbers, Rainy Bakes bakery and Spotty Dotty and Friends dog groomers.

Councillor Ivan Henderson, TDC’S Cabinet Member for Economic Growth, Regeneration and Tourism, said: “The Sunspot is powering a new generation of entrepreneurs in Jaywick Sands. It’s giving people the tools to grow their businesses and make a real impact on the community.

“Flappy Joe’s is a brilliant example of how innovation and social value go hand in hand, and we’re proud to support ventures that improve lives and raise aspirations.”

The Sunspot has earned national recognition, including the Institute of Economic Development’s Social Value Champion of the Year 2024 and the Planning Award 2024 for Best Use of Brownfield Land in Placemaking.

To discover more about the Sunspot – or to register your interest in renting the one remaining business unit – go to www.sunspotjaywick.co.uk.

Clacton Airshow is flying high after being shortlisted for a prestigious national accolade – the National Outdoor Events Association (NOEA) Regional Event of the Year Award.

The nomination is a proud moment not just for the event, but for Clacton itself – showcasing the town as a vibrant, welcoming destination to an estimated 200,000 visitors in 2025.

The popular airshow, organised by Tendring District Council (TDC), has become a summer staple, delivering an estimated £12million annual boost to the local economy.

The NOEA Awards shine a spotlight on the very best in the business – and Clacton Airshow’s nomination places it among the elite.

The winners will be revealed at a glittering ceremony at the Roman Baths and Pump Rooms in Bath on 26 November.

Ivan Henderson, TDC Cabinet Member for Economic Growth, Regeneration and Tourism, said he was delighted that the airshow has been recognised by the UK’s leading outdoor events body as one of the best regional events in England.

“We’re absolutely thrilled to be shortlisted – it’s a real feather in our cap and a proud moment for everyone involved in making Clacton Airshow such a standout event,” he said.

“Clacton Airshow is more than just a display – it’s a celebration of aviation, heritage and community, and a showcase of everything that makes Clacton so special.

“It’s a chance to shine a light on the town’s energy, creativity and spirit – and to share that with visitors from across the country.

“This recognition shows that what we’re building here in Clacton is being noticed nationally – and that the town continues to grow as a place of opportunity, pride and aspiration.”

This year’s Clacton Airshow featured everything from the roar of the Red to the sparkle of twilight fireworks, with historic warbirds, cutting-edge aerobatics, and a bustling ground show.

For the first time, the event was also livestreamed, bringing the action to thousands more across the UK.

Clacton Airshow will return in 2026 on Thursday 27 and Friday 28 August, promising another unforgettable celebration of aviation and seaside fun.