A High Street has been brought to life with a fun event – and a longer-lasting transformation.
More than 3,000 people enjoyed the free Easter event held in Dovercourt town centre on Saturday (30 March), which included a climbing wall, trampolines, teacups ride and fairground stalls hosted on Orwell Place – the former derelict Starlings site that was transformed by Tendring District Council (TDC) into a car park and used for public events.
Local bands, singers and a dance school supported the event by treating visitors to live entertainment, whilst an Easter egg hunt around the town, provided the chance to explore decorated shop fronts as part of a window display competition for businesses, boosting trade.
The Easter event was a chance to demonstrate a fragment of the work delivered so far through the government’s national High Street Accelerator Pilot Programme – which has seen bunting and hanging baskets displayed around the town, jet washing, and window cleaning of shop fronts. In addition, some empty businesses were decorated with photographic wrapping, showcasing the iconic attractions of Historic Harwich.
These improvements were chosen by representatives from the local community, businesses, and property owners who form the High Street Accelerator Partnership – chaired by Paul Milsom, owner of the Pier Hotel in Harwich. Supported by TDC, this forum determine how funds are best spent for the long-term revival and regeneration of Dovercourt High Street.
Mr Milsom, who also chairs the town’s Tourism Group, said: “The accelerator forum has brought together a group of passionate people who care about improving our town centre – and I think the work done so far demonstrates that.
“These quick wins show what is possible with some belief and will pave the way for greater transformations in the future which we are excited to work up.
“A wonderful time was had by all at the Easter event, and it was fantastic to see so many people turn out and explore everything the High Street and wider town centre has to offer. We hope people keep coming back to this historic town to enjoy everything it offers.”
Mike Carran, Assistant Director for Economy, Culture and Leisure at TDC, added: “There was a fantastic atmosphere at the event which was filled with families coming together to enjoy the town centre – which was brilliant to see.
“We hope this reinvigorates people’s interest in the town centre and sees people return in the near future.”
The Accelerator programme, announced in early December last year, means the High Street Partnership will receive £237,000 to spend by March 2025; £50,000 of this must be committed by the end of March 2024 to unlock further funding. The £50,000 spent has delivered the transformation work around the High Street and the free Easter event, and commissions for new wayfinder signs, tourism maps and a new and improved website to replace Historic Harwich (with the inclusion of Dovercourt) all coming soon.
