LEVELLING UP
“If that’s what levelling up means, putting extra resources in to help people improve their skills and improve their lives, then definitely Clacton is in need of that.”
Clacton resident
The Levelling Up White Paper set out the strategy to rebalance the economy at a national scale. It created broad missions to spur policy action until 2030, commitments to devolve power to local leaders, and plans to kickstart a regeneration revolution. But action also needs to come from below.
Our research programme Levelling Up in Practice gives local policymakers the tools to do exactly this.
Based on quantitative data and qualitative evidence from conversations with local political leaders, businesses, educationalists, community organisers, and members of the public, it seeks to guide policymakers in levelling up the UK’s left-behind places.
Our previous interim reports in the Levelling Up in Practice programme have looked at Oldham in Greater Manchester, South Tyneside in the North East, Walsall in the West Midlands, and Barry in Wales. This research note covers our analysis, findings, and initial recommendations to level up the town of Clacton-on-Sea in Tendring, Essex. These are based on focus groups conducted and meetings with local businesses, local leaders, and community organisations.
The town of Clacton in Essex has enormous potential to deliver on levelling up goals. Its proximity to the freeport in nearby Harwich is expected to generate jobs and incentivise entrepreneurship in industries like logistics and transport. The Clacton Air-Show attracts around 250,000 visitors each year, and the local Pier has long been a staple for domestic tourism.
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