The owners of The Seaspan pub in Clacton-on-Sea have completed a major external renovation with the help of a £20,000 grant from Tendring District Council. The funding, provided through the council’s shopfront improvement scheme, allowed the family-run business to accelerate its repair plans and refresh the look of the property on Wash Lane.
Chris Wilson, who owns the pub alongside his wife, Stephanie, and mother, Rachel, said the grant has had a massive impact on the business. The trio purchased the venue after falling in love with it during their first visit, and the recent works were finished just as they reached their one-year anniversary of owning the site.
The building itself holds historical interest for the area, having once served as part of the Butlins estate. During its peak, the property provided lodgings for performers who travelled to work at the holiday camp.
According to the council, this project is one of 79 supported across the district through various government funding streams, with more than £720,000 in total grants awarded to small businesses to help improve the appearance of local high streets. While the programme has seen high demand, causing the local authority to pause applications in most areas, funding remains available for businesses in Jaywick Sands through the Tendring4Growth team.
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