England’s most ‘deprived’ seaside town is getting a colourful carnival this summer

‘Most deprived neighbourhood’ is a prize no town wants, but Jaywick in Essex has been lumped with the title four times. The seaside village near Clacton first received the label in 2010, and its status was reaffirmed in 2015, 2019 and again in 2025. 

Jaywick’s status as one of the country’s most down-on-its-luck neighbourhoods remains despite a major regeneration project. The local council launched a consultation in 2023 over plans for a £120 million makeover of the area, which is expected to take 20 years to finish. 

But now Jaywick locals have something more immediate to look forward to, as the seaside village is getting its own carnival. Held on Saturday July 18, locals will gather at the Sunspot business centre at midday. A procession, which will start a couple of hours later, will weave its way down Broadway and loop back on to Meadow Way.

So, what can we expect from Jaywick Carnival? Well, we’ve been told there’ll be majorettes twirling batons, plenty of food and live music from 3pm. Plus, local pubs, including the Never Say Die, will host live bands and events to take the celebrations into the evening. 

Local resident Dannell Dreelan said the carnival’s organisers will use the event to ‘show everyone what Jaywick has to offer’.

A carnival isn’t the only positive thing that Jaywick has welcomed in recent years. The village has also opened a new covered market and business centre, as well as unveiled a community bike scheme that sees bikes loaned to residents for their commute.

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