With Brits still grieving the loss of a huge Butlin’s resort some 41 years later, one rundown UK seaside town has revealed its £60 million plans to transform itself back to its former glory
Ambitious plans to transform one of the UK’s ‘worst’ seaside towns are well underway, as it stitches up the Butlin’s-size hole that epitomises its downfall. In the post-war holiday boom, Clacton-on-Sea was in its heyday, attracting swathes of travellers from up and down the nation.
Lured in by an award-winning pier, funfair rides, and a golden sand beach touted as a jewel in the crown of the ‘Essex Sunshine Coast’, this bustling resort was the perfect place to escape the city and relax. Clacton was also revered for homing one of the first Billy Butlin’s sites – which opened its doors in 1937.
Boasting a huge outdoor pool, funfair rides, a ballroom dancing hall, bowling green, and unbeatable entertainment – the resort cemented Clacton as the place to go for affordable family fun. However, when cheap package holidays to Spain infiltrated the travel market – Butlin’s profits plummeted, resulting in the site closing its doors in 1983.
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More than four decades later, and locals are still grieving the once insatiably popular resort. The Facebook page Butlin’s Clacton Holiday Camp has 2,700 members – and members are still frequently sharing their memories of the site.
Earlier this month, user Danny posted a series of pictures of his mum, who worked at the Butlin’s resort from 1977. “I went there many times – I loved it,” he wrote. “They should never have taken Butlins away from Clacton.”
In the comments section, dozens of users agreed the site should never have closed. “Butlin’s was a truly British institution that was used by many if not all working-class folk in its day,” one person reflected. “We took the kids there several times because we could just about afford it. This would be the late 70s through 80s. The kids still talk of it now.”
Another user added: “They are the best memories I could ever wish for and I think it’s the one Butlin’s they should have never closed!” while a fourth penned: “I went there as a kid. My brother used to love making the models whilst me and my sister did 3D paintings. The man in charge was lovely. I painted a gold rose with a black background. I was so proud of myself. My favourite holiday. You’re so right, they should never have got rid of it.”
Since Butlin’s closure, things have continued to go downhill for Clacton. In fact, earlier this year, it came joint fourth-last with Skegness in Which?’s league tables of the best UK seaside towns. Harshly marked with a 48 per cent overall destination score, survey participants gave Clacton just two stars for its seafront/ pier, and one star for its scenery. Clacton’s beach and parking availability boosted its rating up slightly, but shows its reputation is struggling.
However, the town is certain it can turn things around with a £60 million regeneration project funded by the government. Speaking exclusively to the Mirror, Councillor Ivan Henderson, Deputy Leader of Tendring District Council and Cabinet Member for Economic Growth, Regeneration and Tourism, said: “Tourism is absolutely vital to Clacton’s economy, and while there are no active conversations with private sector investors to bring back a Butlin’s-style resort, we’re focused on building a vibrant, year-round destination that celebrates our seaside heritage while looking to the future.”
The politician said he was ‘incredibly proud’ of events like the Clacton Airshow, which draws in around 25,000 visitors and shows demand for the seaside town is present. “It’s not just about one weekend or just the summer holidays though – following on from millions of pounds of private sector investment over recent years and a £36 million pound coastal defence scheme completed in 2019 – we’re investing in our town’s future with exciting projects like transforming a historic Martello Tower into a cultural venue, creating a new seafront arts space, and improving the town centre to encourage people to stay longer and explore more,” he added.
“I’ve been pleased to work with the Clacton Coastal Tourism Group, whose passion and ideas are helping shape a bright future for the town as well as the Clacton Town Board, which has been set up as part of the Government’s Plan for Neighbourhoods programme, which alone will see £20million invested in Clacton over ten years. We’re making real progress – and we’re inviting residents, businesses and visitors to be part of that journey.”
With millions of people still visiting Clacton and the Essex Sunshine Coast every year, Cllr Henderson believes it is still a wonderful place to visit. In his words, it is a town with a ‘proud past and even more exciting future’.
While holidaymakers won’t be able to spend a weekend with the iconic Red Coat staff, there remain more than 20 holiday parks across the Tendring district. This includes two Parkdean Resorts, and a Haven Holiday Park.
Does Clacton-on-Sea actually deserve to be called the UK’s ‘worst’ seaside town? Have your say in the comments section below
