SOUTHEND’S legendary seafront shakedown event will not be going ahead this summer following "safety concerns". 

Organisers have confirmed that the Southend Shakedown will not take place this year, with the group turning their attention to 2024 to make sure the event can take place in all its glory.

Adam Ball, chairman of the Southend Shakedown Association, feared there would be “too many issues behind the scenes to run the 2023 event safely”.

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Southend Shakedown usually draws up to 10,000 bikers to the city and is hugely popular among the community, with residents heading to the seafront to marvel at the bikes.

The 2022 event was the first one staged since the Covid pandemic struck.

Mr Ball said: “We got the event on last year, with relatively short space of time, and whilst the public think it went well we did have issues behind the scenes, one being the lack of volunteers, which impacted the running of the event.

“When we went back to the authorities, we need to do extra things for the future events, and unfortunately, we couldn’t get that all sorted for 2023. So, we have stepped back, we will go back to the drawing board, get new people involved, and try to move forward.

“It was a hard decision to make, but safety is a priority, and we need more people to ensure that, as one of our own volunteers was injured last year.

“I have seen some are planning to come down for an ‘unofficial event’ and the city of Southend is open to visitors, so if they want to do that, we can’t stop them.

“However, we urge if visitors want to come down and hold walls of the road, to be respectful.”

The annual event was originally organised by Ace Cafe, and ran for 18 years until it was cancelled in 2017.

Enthusiasts from across the country returned on their motorbikes, scooters, and mopeds in 2019 for what was known as the Southend Shakedown - the Resurrection.

In last year’s event a volunteer was left with a leg injury following an incident at the Shakedown.  

Martin Terry, councillor responsible for public protection, added: “Following last year’s Southend Shakedown we provided some feedback to ensure a safe public environment and while it is a shame the event is not taking place in 2023, I am sure everyone will welcome its return in 2024.

"Southend-on-Sea is a regular destination for bikers all year round, and we are expecting a larger number on what would have been the event date, so partners are meeting to discuss how it is best to manage this for everyone’s safety.

"In the meantime, to the bikers planning to visit the seafront that day and as with all road users in our City, we would urge them to drive sensibly, park sensibly and have a nice time.”