Tourism boss admits Harwich snub for Clacton (From Harwich and Manningtree Standard)

Tourism boss admits Harwich snub for Clacton

3:00pm Saturday 23rd February 2013 in Harwich and Manningtree News By Helen Barnett

DISTRICT leaders have admitted tourism failings saying they previously focussed too much on Clacton.

But Tendring Council said they saw Harwich as the “great opportunity” for the district at a Question Time event on Tuesday, February 19.

The public meeting at Dovercourt’s Park Pavilion was a chance for residents to raise concerns with their district leaders.

Deborah Rich, of King’s Head Street, Harwich, said residents felt like they were the poor relation to Clacton, and questions were asked about how to boost tourism.

Alan Goggin, portfolio holder for tourism, said: “One thing I would say we have been guilty of in the last years is the Tendring effort has focused on Clacton and it hasn’t focussed on the really wonderful places Harwich has.

“What must be frustrating for the people of Harwich is seeing the big boats come in and there are vehicles out there waiting to whizz them off to Colchester or London. We have to come up with an alternative.”

He added it was down to the people of Harwich to shout about their history and raised an idea to have a dedicated town councillor responsible for tourism.