Southend Council aware of 'unofficial' Shakedown event

More than 2,200 people have responded to a Facebook event titled “Not the Southend Shakedown 2024” with more than 200 marked as attending the event scheduled for April 1.

The shakedown biker rally traditional sees hundreds of bikers ride to Southend on the Easter bank holiday Monday and line the seafront.

However, last week the committee announced that a variety of issues surrounding “a lack of resources” and “waterlogging” has led to plans for a 2024 event on East Beach scrapped.

Southend Council say they are aware, and have been liaising with the police, businesses, and other partners to ensure plans are in place to support all of our visitors over the Easter weekend.

Matt Dent, Labour councillor responsible for the Kursaal ward, said: “I don’t it is an issue. It is disappointing organisers didn’t feel able to run the event this year as it is a fantastic event locally.

“We want it to continue in the future.

“Individual bikers are always welcome in Southend, providing everyone behaves sensibly as I am sure they are would.

“Shakedown always brings business to the city and even without an official event we always welcome anyone who wants to come to Southend for day out.”

Essex Police confirmed they will have a cross-force policing plan in place in Southend over the whole Easter weekend, as they normally would, and with the possibility of this event going ahead factored in too.

James Courtenay, councillor responsible for community safety and public protection, added: “We are aware of reports that an unofficial event may take place on 1st April 1, 2024 with a large number of bikers visiting.

“The council is liaising with the police, businesses, and other partners to ensure plans are in place to support all of our visitors over the Easter weekend.

“The area is covered by extensive CCTV and there is a Public Space Protection Order in place to deal with anti-social behaviour.”