Matt Dent, Councillor for Kursaal Ward, was invited onto Vanessa Feltz’s show on BBC Radio London this morning (Friday 22nd May) to speak about the situation around Southend seafront this bank holiday weekend.

Matt says: “My message to the show’s listeners was simple and straightforward: Southend will still be here when COVID-19 is over, and will be ready to welcome Londoners. But for now, think of your health, think of your loved ones, and don’t visit Southend this bank holiday weekend.”

You can hear the full interview by clicking here.

The “Don’t visit Southend” message has already been widely publicised by the council, including on TV news, and this boost on a popular radio show listened to by a large number of Londoners is very welcome and timely. Our thanks to BBC Radio London and Vanessa Feltz – let’s hope the broadcast has a positive effect for our town this weekend with fewer people swarming to our beaches than would otherwise be the case. As noted on this site and extensively elsewhere, our council is already doing everything that it can within its legal powers to try and keep our town’s residents safe from infection.