We live in UK’s best seaside town – our troubled neighbour needs to copy us

A “wonderful” seaside town in Essex which has kept its “charming” character has a “can-do” spirit that a popular resort a few miles down the road desperately needs, locals have said.

Leigh-on-Sea is a 15 minute drive from Southend-on-Sea but a world away from the resort’s hustle and bustle, according to people who live in the coastal town.

Vicky Tabiner, 49, has lived in Leigh for seven years and moved to the town to get out of London. She hailed Leigh’s schools, how safe it is and its proximity to the capital, which is less than an hour away by train.

Much of the town’s population work in London and spend their money in Leigh, unlike nearby Southend-on-Sea, which takes slightly longer to reach the capital by train and has a workforce which is mainly based locally.

Leigh boasts a number of schools, including private school, St Michael’s, independent Saint Pierre and West Leigh Junior School, rated “outstanding” by Ofsted.

The average house price in Leigh was £454,228 over the last year, according to Rightmove, which said most properties sold during the last year were semis, selling for an average price of £479,145.

Locals in the town were full of enthusiasm for Leigh on a chilly November afternoon, hailing its cultural scene, tranquility and bustling High Street.

Russell Campbell, 55, used to live in Basildon, but has been in Leigh for eight years and loves the place. He said: “I like the people here. I like the art here, the music, and I like that it’s by the sea. I just like the whole feel about it. It’s quite arty. The people here are creative.”

Mr Campbell hailed the town’s wide choice of eateries as well, recommending The Sandbar, The Greedy Breakfast, The Boatyard, Stop the World Cafe and the Crooked Billet pub.

Tom Darwood, 78, was visiting Leigh from his home in Thorpe Bay. He said: “Leigh has a cultural life which other towns like Southend don’t. It’s a wonderful place. Some talented people have emerged from here.”

This includes Dame Helen Mirren, who was brought up in Leigh-on-Sea, and the author, John Fowles, who wrote The French Lieutenant’s Woman and was born in the town.

Husband and wife, Linda and Leslie Catling, hailed Leigh’s friendly and sociable locals. Celebrated as the “Banksy of Leigh” for her knitted postbox toppers, Linda, 78, said: “We absolutely love it. It’s one of the nicest places we’ve lived in.”

Leslie, also 78, said the town can get congested at times and feels more intense the closer you get to Southend-on-Sea, Leigh’s larger neighbour to the east.

Paul Craig, 74, from the Wirral, visits family in Leigh. He described it as a quiet place, adding: “It’s a break from home. I’m a Wirral squirrel. It’s countryfied here. We’re minutes away from the countryside.”

Consultant, William Bouverie, 81, said Leigh has managed to retain its charm, while other places haven’t. He said: “It’s always been a nice place. It still has a nice, friendly atmosphere. I’ve nothing bad to say about it.”

Mr Bouverie was speaking in Broadway, Leigh’s main shopping thoroughfare, which unlike a lot of UK high streets is largely free of big retail chains.

The route is lined with eateries, cafes and independent shops, including Crave Bakery, butcher’s T. Harrison, The Fancy Fox Patisserie, Fives record shop and florist’s, Pom Pom, to name a few.

Lisa Spencer, Pom Pom’s owner, said: “We love our independent High Street. It’s vibrant, friendly and creative. There’s a strong sense of community.”

Leigh’s retail offer appears to pale in comparison with Southend’s, which locals and business owners have said is a shadow of its former self.

Anna Firth, the former Conservative MP for Southend West and Leigh, said “bustling” Leigh has kept its character, arguing its example could benefit Southend.

She said: “It’s a wonderful catalyst for independent shops, which is all part of its charm… There’s a real pride in Leigh. People stay here and invest in their properties.

“There’s a big community spirit here. There are two thriving yacht clubs within 300 yards of each other. What really helps is Leigh’s can-do spirit.

“That same can-do, ‘let’s make the most of what we’ve got’, spirit is desperately needed just down the road in Southend.”