The group has not called for the Southend Pass, which allows for three hours parking in various zones across the borough for an £8.50 monthly fee, to be axed. Mr Cox added: “The money for the Southend Pass is already allocated for a year so lets the outcome of that. “The principle of the Southend Pass is sound but it does need tweaking.” Paul Thompson, from Southend Seafront Traders’ Association, said: “Visitors are coming to Southend as they are unaware of the hiked pricing charges. The problem is that these visitors will not come back, and they are telling us they are being ripped off by Southend Council.”
The lateral flow testing centre can be found in Twenty One, Pier Approach, Western Esplanade. Anyone can walk in and get tested for Covid-19 without an appointment - with bosses hoping many people will take advantage of the facility over Easter. The test site is for people who are asymptomatic, meaning they don t have any of the known symptoms of Covid-19 such as a temperature, a new continuous cough and a loss of taste or smell. Seafront businesses have backed the new testing site which helps to protect the safety of the community. Marc Miller, managing director of the Stockvale Group which includes Adventure Island and Sealife Adventure said: Twenty One is another great addition to all of the safety measures we have put in place across Southend. If any members of staff or residents decide on their day out that they want to get tested, they can come here.