Newark Town Council proposed taking Newark-on-Sea urban beach event out on tour as part of 25/26 budget

A council is exploring the idea of taking a popular town centre beach event out “on the road”, to different wards and towns across the district.

Newark Town Council is currently in the process of reviewing its proposed budget for the next financial year — alongside a 5% rise in its share of council tax — before a decision is due to be made on January 29.

Last year, the council agreed to buy the equipment needed to run the popular Newark-on-Sea urban beach event in Newark Market Place, reducing costs in the long run by removing the need to rent.

With this came a freedom to make changes and additions which could offer a benefit to the town, whether socially or economically.

The idea of touring the beach came after members of the public said that accessing the beach was not always practical for some members of the community who live in areas which are further away.

Initially it is proposed that the beach could visit a number of wards in around Newark, in addition to the town centre, and if successful could act as a model to then rent the beach out to neighbouring towns and authorities as a potential new revenue stream.

A total of £12,000 has been budgeted for the beach this year, with £1,500 to cover staffing costs.

David Moore praised the idea, saying “we’ve got it, so could it be used elsewhere and generate income?”

Committee chairman, Barbara Corrigan, said: “Having the potential to go out on tour and put the beach into different neighbourhoods, I see that as a great thing.

“It means we have the potential to reach out further than the town centre in terms of events.”

Jack Kellas was more critical of the idea, saying that taking the beach out of the Market Place would remove its original purpose of attracting visitors to the town centre.

“I think we are losing sight of what the beach is for,” he said.

“Part of it is about pride of place and bringing people into town, which helps economic growth — people visit cafes and restaurants and everything is in one place.

“By taking it out of the town, it dilutes it a bit and doesn’t bring the same benefits.

“My point is, it’s not just about ‘being nice’, it’s also about drawing people in.”

He also questioned where the beach could realistically be placed in the two neighbourhoods suggested as potential locations for a pop up, Cleveland Square and Yorke Drive.

Irene Brown, who represents Yorke Drive in the Bridge Ward, agreed that the beach was best placed in the town centre.

Neil Ross was more positive, and said: “This time last year we didn’t think we would be able to have a beach at all.

“But we made the brave decision to buy all the equipment and as a result we are no longer renting for just ten days, we have the flexibility to extend it for longer and could put it out on the road if we chose.”

Others suggested that the logistics would need “ironing out” first, including Sophie Dickinson, who said the idea “could benefit the community more than the economy, and that’s not necessarily a bad thing.”

Diane Ledger added: “If we budget for it, then we have the option in case we do decide to go down this route.

“If we don’t, then those funds could be used elsewhere, such as providing transport.

“So, if we can’t bring the beach to them, we can bring them to the beach.”

What are your thought? Would you like to see the beach come to your town or neighbourhood? Email newsviews@newarkadvertiser.co.uk