The Essex seaside resort that’s ‘completely empty’ off season in winter – Essex Live

Clacton on Sea is completely different from its often crowded self when it goes into winter. According to MyLondon reporter Lea, the only thing she heard towards the promenade's chip shop is the sea violently pounding the coast as opposed to the crowds of sunbathers, seagulls stealing chips, and children begging for ice cream.

Clacton is an option for many people who want to trade the everyday hustle and bustle for the beach. It has a pier, a tonne of fish and chip shops, and all the arcades that can entertain visitors to their heart's content.

However, a typically booming tourism sector has once again come to a standstill in November. Candy Corner, a candy store fortunate enough to occupy the prime space at the pier's entrance, has not done a lot of business lately.

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"Some days are worse than others," its dejected employee says. "On a rainy day like today, Ive had 13 customers. On a good summer day, I get more than 100."

Things were grimmer across the road at Ice Cream and Chips at the Pavilion as Lea went to check out the venue opposite the Candy Corner. "We do get a lot less people," the server admitted with a forlorn shrug.

"Today Ive had two, and Ive been open since 10 am. So yeah, a lot less." As the server gently sank back down onto her chair, Lea wished she hadn't eaten lunch just so she could buy something.

The server's disappointment followed Lea as she strolled along the beach. The whole town was riddled with a certain portentous silence that sat like a blanket upon her shoulders as she attempted to find another open shop.

Lea had little luck, and was soon approached by an equally bewildered tourist. While she was looking for answers on Clacton's dormant period, he was simply looking for some food.

"I fancied going to the seaside and one of the closest to me is Clacton," he said. "Ive been during the season and it was full of people and everything was open. I was expecting at least something to be open.

"But when I got here I realised everything is closed. Theres not much to do and its actually very sad how sad it looks in the off-season. There were no other tourists, the beach was empty, and there were only two shops open. I couldnt even get fish and chips.

"The upside of visiting Clacton in the off-season is the gorgeous beaches are empty and if youre driving there are no parking problems. For someone who just wants to enjoy the sea, its the perfect time to visit.

"But if youre visiting with kids or family, I wouldnt recommend it - it looks dodgy and everything is closed." Lea said his judgment of Clacton as 'dodgy' is perhaps unfair, but not unfounded.

Neighbouring Jaywick has often been named England's most deprived area and Lea thinks its off-season feel might partly explain why the area gets a bad rep. According to Lea, while Clacton-on-Sea is the place to be in summer, closed shops, shuttered restaurants and bars, and empty beaches make up the town's winter tapestry, and an overarching feeling of waiting for better days lingers.