Southend seafront 'Sierra Leonean family day' could be held

An event permit application has been submitted to Southend Council for a “Sierra Leone Family Day Outing” to be held along Eastern Esplanade.

The application is proposing the event to be held on August 3, 3034, between 10am and 7pm.

It would include a day of “food, music, and games” with a capacity of 500.

Matt Dent, Labour councillor responsible for culture, tourism, and business, welcomed the application.

He said: “Southend are a local economy that is built on tourism.

“Anything that is going to bring people to Southend is a boost for that, and I welcome it.

“Any event application will be assessed.

“But I still think it is a good sign that people want to hold these events and come to Southend.

“I think it shows we still have the events pull in terms of location.”

The application comes after the new Labour-led council released its aims for the city, which included boosting trade and tourism by hosting dozens of big events throughout the year to attract residents from across the county.

The Labour, Lib Dem, and Independent administration wants to introduce “20 weeks of events on the Southend Pier” and at least “six major events across the city” – every year.

The application states: “Sierra Leonean cultural family fun day has been a key, perennial part in the lives of Sierra Leoneans in the diaspora for decades.

“The idea behind this cultural family day event is to bring Sierra Leoneans together as a family fun day retreat to the seaside, enjoying our food, music, and games.

“A throwback replication of the outings back home in Sierra Leone.

“The event has mostly been penned down to the first Saturday in August, when the summer season is at its peak time.

“Over the years of this family cultural fun day, many Sierra Leoneans mostly travelled with coaches and national rail just to soak in the camaraderie of friendship and laughter whilst travelling to and from the beach and enjoying a wonderful day.”