SOUTHEND should bring back Never Never Land and the illuminations to help seafront trade boom as businesses grapple with the effects of Covid-19.

The call comes after it was announced that Blackpool Illuminations will stay lit for an extra two months to boost tourism trade hit by the pandemic.

Seafront trader Paul Thompson and Philip Miller, owner of Adventure Island, called for weekly firework displays to restart as well as the re-opening of Never Never Land.

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The pair also called for a return of Southend illuminations - a famous light show dating back to the 1930s which used to dazzle daytrippers on Southend’s Golden Mile.

Echo:

Calls - Paul Thompson has called for action

Mr Thompson 46, owner of Pebbles One Cafe on the seafront, said: “I think the council could open up the seafront traffic contraflow system and turn back on the fountains.

“We could start the fireworks displays at the end of September as the evenings would be dark enough for it.

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“I think the council needs to get the town back open, it would be fantastic to have an events programme for the seafront and town to drawn people in.

“We need to do something about it, Blackpool is, so what is our council doing about it.

“We also need the pier back open to the public and think if something is not done soon this summer will be a total washout.

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Spectacular - Southend's fireworks

“I’d also like to see the illuminations back in Southend, it would be easy to do, cost effective and would draw in thousands of people.”

Mr Miller added: “It would be fantastic for the town’s commerce if the council supported bringing the illuminations and even Never Never Land back as a way of extending the life of the town’s trade throughout the autumn.

“It would be boom time for the hotel guest house accommodation businesses, Leigh and Southend shopping would fly and of course my part of the world, the seafront would have a second renaissance.

“It would go one hell of a long way to revive the town’s fortunes without spending millions and millions of pounds.”