A ten-year £20million regeneration project has got off to a colourful start with the launch of the new ‘Love Clacton’ campaign.

Earlier this year the Government confirmed Clacton will receive a share of a £1.5billion fund as part of its Plan for Neighbourhoods programme.

It will see up to £20million invested in the town over ten years, with the vision being directed by the Clacton Town Board and supported by Tendring District Council (TDC).

As part of the project, a dynamic new ‘Love Clacton’ website has been launched to showcase the exciting regeneration schemes that are taking place, while colourful banners have been installed on lampposts across the town.

George Kieffer, the independent chairman of the Clacton Town Board, said: “We’re really excited to start work on making Clacton an even more vibrant and thriving seaside town.

“We want to build on Clacton’s strong sense of identity and ‘Love Clacton’ is all about that -we want people to join us in championing our town and help us to achieve that goal.

“Together, we will be celebrating Clacton’s history while forging a bright future - and the new website will help us take residents on that journey with us by sharing news about the brilliant regeneration projects that will be taking place.”

Councillor Mark Stephenson, Leader of TDC, said the Plan for Neighbourhoods will build upon TDC and Essex County Council’s development of a series of high-quality public realm projects.

“Clacton has a bright future ahead of it and ‘Love Clacton’ will help us shout about it from the rooftops,” he said.

“The Plan for Neighbourhoods provides Clacton with the tools to regenerate the town – and we want everyone to be part of it.

“The programme fits perfectly with Our Vision, the council’s corporate plan for the district - we want people to be able to take pride in our town and to attract visitors and encourage them to stay longer, while working with our partners to improve quality of life for our residents.”

Work has already taken place on a number of projects, including empty shops having their windows wrapped in bright designs, featuring Clacton’s beach, the seafront gardens and beach huts, to improve the look of the town centre and encourage footfall.

The Clacton Town Board was set up to bring together community leaders, local businesses, the community and voluntary sector, education and health services, the Police Fire and Crime Commissioner, and TDC, to develop a strategic vision for the town.

To find out more about the work of the Clacton Town Board and the ongoing regeneration schemes in Clacton, visit the new website at loveclacton.org.

Issued on behalf of the Clacton Town Board

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