SOUTHEND’S legendary Shakedown event will return to the city’s seafront next week, after a three-year absence.

The annual event has drawn thousands of bikers to the seaside destination for more than two decades.

Covid caused it to be cancelled for the last two years, but organisers are “really chuffed” it will be held on Easter Monday.

Adam Ball, chairman of the Southend Shakedown Association, said a lot of time and energy was going into bringing Shakedown back.

The 47-year-old said: “We’ve now had the confirmation of the road closure and it will be held from 10am until 5pm. The places for bikers will be on a first come, first served basis.

“We are not doing any tickets, or anything like in the past. We expect to see about 6,000 bikers come down on the Monday.

“We are very excited, and it’s been so much hard work. The last one was held in 2019 but we are delighted and really chuffed to bring it back for 2022.

“We’ve lost several committee members and lost resources too, so it’s not been easy at all.”

The annual event was originally organised by Ace Cafe and ran for 18 years until it was cancelled in 2017. But enthusiasts from across the country returned with their motorbikes, scooters and mopeds in 2019 for what was known as the Southend Shakedown Resurrection.

Mr Ball predicted the event will help draw in lots of trade for seafront and town centre businesses.

He added: “The bikers are so pleased about the return too, and the reaction online has been great. It just shows how much people want this back.

“We will have a main stage and various bands and musicians entertaining the event-goers. It’s very much for the whole family, and everyone is very welcome to attend.

“It is such a big thing for Southend and is as much for the city as it is the bikers.”

Mr Ball said there will be parking for bikes at a number of spots on the seafront, and organisers expect the usual spectacle to return to the seafront.