TRADERS have reported a bumper Easter bank holiday as thousands of people flocked to the seafront as an annual biker event rolled into town.
Huge crowds turned out on Southend seafront today as glorious sunshine beamed down for the 16th annual Southend Shakedown.
The fundraiser sees hundreds of bikers converge on Western Esplanade and the Golden Mile to raise money, this year for the NSPCC charity.
A steady stream of bikers flooded into the town throught the day while mass crowds walked along the seafront.
Paul Thompson, who runs Pebbles One Cafe in Marine Parade and is the chairman of the Southend Sea Front Traders’ Association, said: “It’s been a very busy bank holiday. There were thousands of bikers here and a lot of families and it’s been a really good day.”
Derek Jarvis, Southend Council’s cabinet member for tourism, said: “From a visitor point of view to see so many people here enjoying the seafront, I can’t think that’s anything but a good thing for the town.”