The town didn’t have a pub until 26 years ago – but it has now shut down
For years, Essex’s ‘perfect’ seaside town held off on one big change to its high street. Frinton-on-Sea, known for its ‘no frills and no noise’ charm, only accepted its first pub onto Connaught Avenue 26 years ago.
But now, as The Lock and Barrel seeks new tenants, Frinton is back to having no pub, while it remains temporarily closed. For some business owners and managers on the ‘Bond Street of Essex,’ there’s been a noticeable difference in the street with the temporary closure.
While the seaside town took some time to accept the pub opening in 2000, some say that the pub is now part of community life in Frinton. With a small number of places to enjoy socialising of an evening, one business owner says they feel Frinton is now missing something.
Ben Wright, 39, of Wright’s Deli, said: “The pub’s good for the community. It brings people together. Any shop open down here adds to the to the avenue. The pub being shut is not ideal for the avenue because it’s not just a pub. Like any shop or any premises down here, if it’s shut, then it doesn’t bring people in.”
Frinton-on-Sea ranked highly(Image: Getty Images)
Agreeing the pub is now part of Frinton’s town culture, Ben added: “It adds to the community feel and just adds to the general well-being of the town.”
“Maybe 20 odd years ago the pub was not accepted because people didn’t want drinkers hanging around and stuff. Nowadays, people are generally speaking more conscious of their drinking. There was a buzz next door [at The Lock and Barrel] and you could hear people drinking and talking and that’s gone, which is a shame. We don’t want shop shutting.”
Sam Leathers, 39, of Cake Kitchen said: “Even though some people didn’t want it in the first place, it has been it has been missed.” He says that while he is not often able to enjoy Frinton’s social scene, there’s not much to be missed on most days. Sam said: “On weekdays, there’s nothing really, not at all. But weekdays like, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, there would be.”
Jane, 60, who wished to be anonymous, said: “The pub’s had a big impact. Every town should have a pub because that’s like a main hub for people. I’ve had customers in and they’ve asked if there’s a pub in here. I have to say ‘We have got one, but it’s unfortunately it’s closed.'”
“Frinton used to be very twee, and there still is a lot of old Fintonians, but I think there are a lot more people moving down this way. It’s a shame that there isn’t a hub here for people to go to.” Jane says that while it took some time for the pub to be accepted, it’s now part of the community life. She added: “It’s definitely had an impact on social life.”
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