SOUTHEND'S beloved annual firework displays have "taken a hit" because of controversial seafront evening parking charges, a trader has claimed.

According to Martin Richardson, owner of the Happidrome Arcade, residents are “slowly driving” along the seafront to watch the fireworks rather than parking up and supporting seafront businesses.

His claims come as Conservative councillor Kevin Buck called for a debate at next week’s council meeting urging the administration to lift the 6pm to 9pm charges during the low season.

The annual fireworks are currently running every Saturday after being organised by seafront traders in the Seaside Partnership.

Mr Richardson said: “The seafront is now absolutely dead. The fireworks have taken a hit from it as they are not free anymore, as you have got to pay for parking.

“People were just driving along the seafront slowly watching fireworks instead, not getting out supporting businesses. Before these charges, people turned up at 6pm with free parking, and spent time on seafront, visiting and supporting businesses.

“We knew it was going to have a big impact.”Kvin Buck'Big impact' - Kevin Buck (Image: Kevin Buck)

According to Mr Buck, traders have already suffered throughout the summer with many “closing early” as a result and urgent changes must be made to stop them suffering in coming months.

He is calling for charges to be lifted in “low season”, however Daniel Cowan, leader of the council, has insisted seasonal parking charges will be included in next year’s council budget regardless of the motion.

The charges came into effect on July 1 after Labour and Independent councillors hijacked the former Conservative administration’s budget proposals.

Mr Buck said: “The damaging effects of excessively high parking charges is nothing new and is well known and well documented. I have spoken with the majority of the businesses along the seafront and all without exception, report a downturn in evening trade due to these charges and many are now closing early as a result.

“It is also impacting staff, who also have to now pay these charges.”

In response Cowan, said: “The Conservatives are calling for immediate changes to our parking regime with absolutely no plan on how to pay for it. This fiscal irresponsibility is why we have inherited a mountain of issues and why services suffered so badly over the summer.

“We announced on the March 5, 2024 that we would introduce seasonal parking charges so all they are doing is asking us to do something we are already programming into the next budget.

“They have got none of their own ideas so they’re wasting time trying to pass Labour’s ideas off as their own.”