A PROPERLY run and well-organised shakedown event would have “huge benefits” to businesses and the tourist in Southend, it has been claimed. 

After a successful “unofficial” Southend Shakedown yesterday, calls are growing for an official event to return to the events calendar next year with the support of Southend Council and police. 

Kevin Buck, Southend councillor responsible for highways, transport, and parking, says the unofficial event will act as a “dry run” for an official return next year. 

Mark Usher, 50, of Rylands Road, Southend, said: “It’s only one day a year and it brings a lot of money into the city. The council has spent loads of money trying to stop it, when they could have put all that effort into running it properly.”

Echo: Supporter - resident Mark Usher says the event 'brings money into the city'.Supporter - resident Mark Usher says the event 'brings money into the city'. (Image: Ben Shahrabi)

Shakedown regular Peter Tilley came from Grays to see the bikes on show this year.

Peter, 77, said: “This event brings thousands and thousands of people into town. If the authorities put their heads together, they could exploit it and make a fortune for the city.”

Echo: Regulars - Peter Tilley and Jacky Osborne came from Grays to see the bikes on show this year. Regulars - Peter Tilley and Jacky Osborne came from Grays to see the bikes on show this year. (Image: Ben Shahrabi)

Jackie Cockbill, 67, from Great Wakering, said: “The council’s cutting its nose off to spite its face.

“Normally, the seafront would be heaving with more bikes. People are hard-up at the moment. Something like this brings people together.

“It brings people in from all over, even other countries. They would need hotels to stay at, which would have a knock-on effect.”

Martin Richardson, owner of the Happidrome arcade on Marine Parade, described the council’s barricades as “the biggest April Fool’s Day joke”.

Echo: Visitors - Denise Style, Mark Summerhayes and Jackie Cockbill support the Shakedown.Visitors - Denise Style, Mark Summerhayes and Jackie Cockbill support the Shakedown. (Image: Ben Shahrabi)

He said: “It’s costing all this money to put up the barriers and have security. Why not just give that money to the organisers?

"This should have been a vibrant Bank Holiday Monday, but we’ve seen a massive impact on trade. The anti-fun council has taken the award for the biggest April Fool’s Day joke.”

Mr Buck added that work is underway for an event in 2025. 

He said: “The police were there because of issues we’ve seen at previous Shakedowns with anti-social behaviour from a very small number of people. I went down myself and thought the level of policing and council control was about right. Nobody was stopped from having a good time.

"Part of the measures put in place are a dry run for a Shakedown event I’m working with the committee of volunteers for next year.”