Until 2020, the Tour de Tendring was a staple part of the district’s event calendar. This is a mass participation cycle ride, which started and ended in Dovercourt, looped around the district and attracted in excess of 1200 riders. Although the Council part funded the event in its earlier years, this was subsequently withdrawn, with the existing management company (Bike Events) continuing with a scaled down event.
The event was not able to run in 2020 or 2021 due to the series of national lockdowns and although discussions have taken place with the event company since, the Tour de Tendring has not as yet been reinvigorated. Officers have been discussing the viability of reinvigorating the Tour de Tendring for 2024 and following discussions with the organiser, they have confirmed that if the Council is able to contribute £4,000, they can run the event in 2023. They are also looking for a similar contribution from another stakeholder.
In order to increase the potential for attendances, the organiser can also operate the event with a start and finish in both Dovercourt and Clacton on Sea. This has the potential to increase the rider numbers, local impact and future viability of the event. The exact locations will be finalised shortly.
The running of quality events is listed in a number of Council strategies, including the approved Tourism and Creative and Cultural Strategies. The Council organising and facilitating a quality events programme was set out in those policies, to both impact on the local economy and support quality of life for local residents. This event also has the potential of increasing local activity levels and supporting charitable organisation, through riders raising money for local causes.
There is also an opportunity to supplement the mass participation bike ride, with a wider programme of events at the start/end locations in Clacton and Dovercourt. The match funding can be used towards an Arts Council bid, which if successful, can provide a quality cultural offer which could include street performance and live entertainment to supplement the bike ride at the start and end locations and encourage visitors to stay in the local areas and visit our local business offer.