A PETITION to “Save Southend seafront” from another weekend of road closures has been launched by furious business bosses. The closure of Western Esplanade to stop car cruisers using the Golden Mile as a drag strip left businesses “empty” and sending staff home. Bosses have claimed that senior police officers told traders and councillors at a joint meeting on Monday that the seafront “doesn’t need to close”, due to the introduction of 50 police officers on the seafront this summer. The petition urges Southend Council not to re-introduce the seafront closure this weekend. READ MORE: The Echo revealed plans for another illegal car meet on Saturday evening, just a week after another event was cancelled because of the road closure.