SOUTHEND’S beloved airshow should make a triumphant return to the seafront to boost trade and bring “millions of pounds” to the city’s economy, traders have insisted.

Following the success of the Clacton Airshow on Thursday and Friday, traders are reigniting calls to bring back the annual seafront spectacular.

Southend councillor Kevin Buck admitted there is a huge appetite among residents and traders, but a lot of work would be needed to make the dream a reality.

Initial conversations have taken place with Southend Airport about how it could help with an airshow, but as things stand airport bosses are pushing at “commercial expansion”.

The Southend Airshow ran for 27 consecutive years between 1986 and 2012 when countless residents would descend on the seafront to see planes perform tricks and whizz through the air.

Martin Richardson, owner of the Happidrome Arcade on Southend seafront, said having an event like the airshow would benefit the whole city and claimed the “Clacton Airshow brought in more than £10 million to the local economy”.

He said: “We are disappointed and frustrated when we see the success of the Clacton Airshow as it is something everyone in Southend would benefit from.

“We have got seven miles of fantastic beaches, you would see planes the whole way, so we can incorporate everything. This includes having statistic car cruises, stalls across the seafront for local businesses. It would then benefit restaurants, hotels, and the High Street.

“Businesses are all willing to step up and do their part. But it needs a local authority to be the head of it. They have the resources, manpower, and time to get involved.

“Everyone would gain from it.”

Last weekend, the Red Arrows and multiple other planes were based at Southend Airport for the Eastbourne Airshow.

The Southend Airshow was once the largest free aAirshow in Europe and was held each year at the end of May.

Mr Buck, Conservative councillor responsible for highways, transport, and parking, added: “I would like to would like to see the return of the airshow in some form in Southend, personally. “I have had preliminary talks with the airports but due to the commercial expansion of Southend Airport, it would be more difficult for them to support being a host of the airshow. There is an appetite to see some form of airshow return to Southend. It is just how that would work. But it would have great benefits.”