To celebrate Easter and King Charles III’s upcoming coronation, Southend City BID have festooned the high street with beautiful spring bunting. Installed on the 4th of April, this décor stretches 900m, ensuring Southend’s city centre looks appropriately regal.
Southend City BID’s bunting showcases a light, bright colour scheme of red, white, blue, orange, yellow, and green. This is one of several projects the committee are overseeing to attract visitors this spring, as they work to position Southend as an ideal destination for those looking to shop, eat, entertain children, and sightsee. For example, a coronation-themed virtual trail will soon be live throughout the high street for families to enjoy.
Suzanne Gloyne, Southend City BID Manager, is delighted with the appearance of this bunting:
‘Our bunting looks fantastic once again this year; it is a colourful, joyful addition to our high street and we’re sure everyone will love it!
Our entire committee were excited to decorate the city ahead of King Charles’ coronation and nothing felt more fitting than traditional bunting. Us Brits have a fascination with bunting that doesn’t seem to be rivalled anywhere else in the world and has become an iconic decorative accessory in the UK.
We hope this bunting will attract shoppers, diners, and families, in turn supporting local businesses. The high street looks more welcoming, happy, and colourful than ever which is always wonderful to see.’
Of course, Southend City BID’s efforts to enhance the high street in time for the coronation are not limited to bunting. Their team are also hosting a ‘Clean for the King’ event on the 1st of May, whereby businesses are being encouraged to join Southend City BID in litter picking, sticker removal, and making their shop fronts sparkle for the monumental royal event.
Antony Tomassi, owner of Tomassi’s, is one BID member taking part in this clean-up event. He says:
‘For the coronation weekend we are decorating our shop front with Union Jack bunting featuring King Charles, as well as some internal bunting.
I think bunting on the high street always adds to a sense of occasion when you are shopping. It is a fantastic way to celebrate this important occasion whilst also helping to promote the city centre.’
If you are a business wanting to get involved with this initiative, and/or would like support decorating your shop front, visit www.southendbid.com and contact their team directly.