Families and day trippers have been praising seafront businesses for keeping them safe during their visit, as the Covid lockdown eases.

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Popular - Adventure Island is still a big hit 

Thousands of people are enjoying days out on Southend seafront today with plenty of families spending the day at the beach and at Adventure Island.

Visitors - Plenty of families enjoying days out at Adventure Island 

Outdoor areas of pubs were also busy with plenty of social distancing and Covid regulations in force. As the sun shone on the seafront families told the Echo how well our top business have been doing to ensure they enjoy a safe day out.

Echo:

Social distanced - Beach goers stayed far enough apart from others 

With it being the third weekend since the latest easing of Covid lockdowns day-trippers are keen to get back to their favourite Southend attractions, pubs and restaurants.

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Distanced - Visitors making space while enjoying drinnks on the seafront

Mum-of-three Kerry Smith, 31, of Southend said: “We’ve had a great day and we all feel very safe. Adventure Island is doing a good job and staff are checking everyone going in with the track and trace.

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Daytrippers - Families having a day out on Southend's famous seafont

“Lots of staff are wearing masks too which is good and comforting. I’ve also seen lots of the workers cleaning the rides and surfaces today too. I’ve also spoken to other parents and families who said the same.”

Grandmother-of-one Edna Green, 57, of Canvey said pubs and restaurants are also working hard to make people feel safe during their visit.

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Safety - Visitors seating outside and enjoying a meal or seaside snack

She said: “They’ve all got top notch cleaning regimes which is good to know and helps to put your mind at ease. Bosses at the venues and takeaways are also making sure there’s no crowding and not too many people there or in one place.

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Feeling peckish - Visitors queue social distanced for seaside snacks 

“People are also being respectful and mindful of social distancing – while there are lots of people here it’s good to see they are still keeping to the rules.”

Beach goers were also keeping to social distancing and staying far apart from each other.

Echo:

Top attraction - Adventure Island always draws large numbers of visitors