Southend Airshow return idea excites residents in Essex city
A seafront airshow that once attracted crowds of up to 400,000 people could return under new plans to boost tourism.Enthusiasts used to marvel at aircraft including the Red Arrows during the annual spectacle in Southend-on-Sea, which was scrapped in 2013.Several attempts have failed to revive the famous show, but leader of the Labour-run city council, Daniel Cowan, said he was "confident" it could soon return.BBC News visited the Essex city to find out what residents and businesses thought about the prospect.
Chris Payne is hoping the airshow's return will help to boost trade at his confectionary shop, The Rockery.He says many seafront traders have become "desperate" for footfall to increase in the area."Everybody is really struggling down here, so we need these events back," the 62-year-old says.Mr Payne still remembers the glory days of the airshow and how jam-packed the city - then a town - became.He recalls: "If I looked out the front now and it was airshow day, I wouldn't be able to see anything except people. "It was the most people I'd seen before, I've never seen so many people."
The event ran for 28 years until 2012, before it was cancelled due to financial concerns at Southend-on-Sea City Council.It was typically held on the spring bank holiday weekend, across the Sunday and Monday.Deanne Follett, a 38-year-old bartender, says it brought "the busiest times" for the pub she works at."It's great for business, everyone here wants it back," she says. "It's an amazing day for families with lots going on."I've got really brilliant memories of the airshow."Her feelings are echoed by Vernon Parker, who used to be among the huge seafront crowd as a youngster.Now aged 60, he explains: "It's great, it attracts so many people to Southend."Anything that attracts people to Southend to spend their money - and anything for the residents to do at the weekend - is good."
During its heyday, displays at the show included a Battle of Britain memorial flight, Tornado GR4 and the only remaining airborne Vulcan bomber.Volunteers raised £220,000 for it to return in 2015, but then abandoned the project due to rising costs.Speaking to the BBC from an inflatable boat on the beach, Carl Smith, 50, and Deanna Barrett, 42, say it would be "amazing" to see the show successfully revived."I used to bring my boy every year," recalls Mr Smith, 50.Ms Barrett adds: "We're a city now so we should look to bring more tourists in."
The excitement follows council leader Cowan meeting with the chief executive of London Southend Airport, Jude Winstanley, to discuss the event's return.Cowan explains the airport will work with the council "if and when the time is right".He says: "If the city supports their airport to grow, I'm confident that we can get to a point where it is possible to bring the airshow back."Mr Winstanley says the airport has to prioritise its recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic, which caused a dramatic drop in passenger numbers.However, he adds: "In principle, once we are meeting our growth objectives, we'd be open to working on the practicalities of how we might host the airshow again."
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