A COMMUNITY group which was set up to support residents in Jaywick has announced its closure, with "great sadness". 

The Jaywick Sands Community Land Trust, based at the Broadoak Centre, launched to improve the area and offer a hub-like space for locals.  

The uniting hub in which the team moved into, at the Broadway and Beach Way junction, had previously been an eyesore building which housed a snack bar and amusements.

Since turning around its fortunes, however, the charity has been able to use the space to help residents in a variety of ways, including using the site as a food bank. 

Clacton and Frinton Gazette:

Sadly, however, trust bosses have now announced they will be closing the centre and the charity down in April, leaving residents in shock at the sudden news. 

In a statement, they said: “It is with great sadness and after much debate and deliberation the trustees of Jaywick Sands Community Land Trust have to inform you all of the closing down and winding up of our much-loved charity by the end of April. 

“We will continue to run the foodbank until Easter 2024, closing for the very last time at 12.30pm on Good Friday, March 29, stock permitting. 

“The charity shop will stay open until 12.30pm April 26.” 

Clacton and Frinton Gazette: Chairman David BoothChairman David Booth

David Booth, who is the chairman of the Jaywick Sands Community Land Trust, said making the decision to shut down the charity has not been an easy one.

He said: "I have spent the last 18 months trying to negotiating a new lease with no luck and no success.

"Unfortunately the landlord has decided to put the building on the market. We have tried to raise the funds to buy it but we have not been able to and now we are out of time.

"So, we now have no suitable premises to use. I have been fighting for this and had sleepless nights in order to try and keep it going because I know how badly Jaywick needs this.

"It is heartbreaking and I don’t have the words to describe how sorry I am to the people of Jaywick."

He added: “It has been my absolute pleasure to work with everyone who have been volunteers both past and present over the last five years, also alongside a very talented group of officers and trustees. 

“Jackie and I thank each and every one of you. You are and have been both our and the community's heroes. 

“I know I speak for you all when I say it has been our very good fortune to have spent the last few years helping the community of West Clacton and Jaywick Sands. 

“We will miss each and every one. Thank you."

Clarification 

An earlier version of this article incorrectly stated Mr Booth had said: "The decision to shut down the charity has now been an easy one." This sentenced was incorrected. It should have said: "The decision to shut down the charity has not been an easy one." We apologise for this error.