A GROUP of independent business have banded together to hold their own Christmas lights switch on in Shoeburyness.

In absence of an official Southend seafront Christmas lights switch on this year, businesses on West Road are taking matters into their own hands.

Damian Wood, owner of Foxgloves Garden Shop, has teamed up with his neighbouring business owners to host a Christmas lights switch on of their own this Saturday at 5pm (November 13).

“A few of the local business have got together to try and improve the road through a few projects,” explained Damian.

“We have installed planters along the road to spruce it up and we are currently trying to raise funding to rejuvenate the area further, because it has gone downhill in recent years.

“We can brighten up the area. All I keep hearing from the locals is that this place has gone downhill and that it used to be such a nice place.”

He added: “We have a few empty shops, and I want to see them filled up with new traders to breathe life into the road. If we can give the area a bit of a buzz more independent businesses will move in, hopefully.”

Mr Wood opened his gardening store just four months ago.

He says the event, at which Rochford and Southend East MP James Duddridge will be the guest of honour who switches on the lights, will feature food and drink from local businesses, such as Indian restaurant The Polash.

Southend’s official Christmas lights switch on event this year has been scrapped in favour of a 12-event programme including a light up Southend art trail, a walkabout character day, a youth festival and a carols sing-a-long.

The event was also cancelled last year as a result of coronavirus pandemic restrictions.

Mr Wood said: “It’s nothing like the size of Southend’s official Christmas switch on events, but hopefully, without the official event running this year, it will draw a good crowd and boost trade.

“It will be a very nice event, but it’s not quite going to be Southend seafront sized,” he quipped.

“We want to bring this community together and also get locals shopping with independent shops. West Road rarely gets any press although it is a road that is mainly independent businesses who have been in the area for decades.”