Inside 'UK's poorest town' where locals are plagued by dog mess and litter
The UK's 'most deprived town' is filled with gutted homes, streets lined with poo and litter and locals say they've had enough.
It's raining hard as I get off the bus in Jaywick, a seaside town in Essex known as the "poorest place in the UK". I'd travelled from Clacton-on-Sea, where some blokes at the bus stop thought I was someone else. When I arrived, I saw lots of litter and gardens full of rubbish, rusty sheds and places that looked old but there's more to this town than you first think.
"The numbers don't lie about Jaywick being a deprived area," says Kevin Barnes, who runs the Sunspot Cafe. "But the community doesn't feel deprived." We're having coffee in his cafe inside the new market and business centre. He tells me that numbers can trick you. "You'll find here in Jaywick that the community is friendlier than anywhere you've ever been," he says.
"All of the seaside towns have different issues a lot of them have the same issues busy in the summer and quiet in the winter. Jaywick used to be a booming seaside destination," he adds, saying the town gets busier when it's holiday time. He knows Jaywick isn't perfect, but like everyone else I meet, he loves his town a lot.
Jaywick, often labelled as one of the UK's toughest areas, is home to a tight-knit community striving to overcome its challenges, reports the Daily Star. These issues were recently highlighted following the tragic death of 68-year-old Esther Martin, who was savagely attacked by dogs.
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Massive community group efforts are going in to clearing Jaywick up (Harry Thompson)Walking down an alleyway near the seafront, I encounter three houses charred from fire, their walls broken and structures collapsed. These back alleys, once holiday homes now permanent residences, are some of Jaywick's most dilapidated areas. Dog mess and litter are common sights, with front gardens filled with hoarder's junk and windows covered in newspapers.
The town is riddled with massive potholes and poor drainage has led to large pools of water accumulating due to the grim weather. At first glance, it seems like a forgotten town a sentiment echoed by local resident Kevin.
Despite the challenges, many locals are working hard to improve their community. There are several initiatives in place, including a Neighbourhood Watch, a monthly social club, community centre meetings and litter pickers.
The people of Jaywick have been burned by reports in the past (Harry Thompson)Bradley Thompson, an independent West Clacton and Jaywick Sands councillor and chairman of the Community Forum, is playing a key role in these efforts. He's tackling issues like litter by acting as a go-between for local community groups and Essex Council. "It's loads of little groups that all do their own little bits for the community," he shares over a cuppa at the Community Forum.
One major issue they're addressing is fly-tipping. "Dealing with the fly-tipping. It's from years [of] people dumping down here just seeing a plot of land rather than going to the tip...Or putting it on the seawall and leaving it for the council to deal with."
Bradley's wife leads a team of 15 litter pickers who are clearing up rubbish by the tonne. "People take pride in their area... There's certain roads now that are looking after themselves it's about education and helping them out."
"There's loads of little groups that all do their bit for the community," Bradley adds, noting that the council has also been working to fix the road network's poor drainage.
Jaywick has been dubbed the most deprived town in the UK (Harry Thompson)Bradley, a local councillor in Jaywick, doesn't fit the typical image of a town official. He was caught off guard by a reporter's visit today, explaining he had just woken up. Dressed in grey tracksuit and sporting a large face tattoo, his dedication to improving the area is evident.
"Jaywick's got some problems," he admits. "But when [some news outlets] have come down in the past they've only gone to the roads they want to and ended up with people with various mental health issues [who] I would class as deprived (a word he says he doesn't like to use) and need a lot of help and guidance."
The Forum, a local community centre, has walls lined with supplies for those in need. They even allow locals to use their tumble dryer if they're struggling with energy bills.
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"Various different parts of town do have their own issues," Bradley acknowledges, noting that previous reports have focused on the roughest areas while ignoring the rest.
Remains of burned houses still stood (Harry Thompson)"I do think it has been misrepresented because a lot of the buildings have been left derelict and land owners have left land there, I believe waiting for the opportunity to sell because Jaywick is a prime bit of land right next to one of the best beaches."
He mentions that a Healthy Homes Team has been funded over the last few years to tackle the "bad landlords" that had been neglecting parts of Jaywick.
The media's recent obsession with this place has left a mark on the locals. There's a deep mistrust of the press everywhere you go.
Many media outlets and YouTubers have come here to portray life, often focusing on drug addiction, poverty and neglect. This negative coverage has made the people of Jaywick wary of talking to reporters, something I experienced first-hand.
Open plots are covered in garbage (Harry Thompson)Those who did talk were cautious at first, while others, including those at the community centre, refused outright. They explained they'd promised to protect those who had been made to feel foolish in the past from reporters. Trust, it seems, has been broken beyond repair.
But what really stood out was the locals' readiness to help others. Bradley kindly offered me a lift back to the station, and Essex Pedal Power a group that's given over 950 bikes to those in need wouldn't speak on record but still welcomed me in for a warm cuppa.
As I prepared to head home, I thought it fitting to visit a couple of the village's pubs often the best way to gauge a place. I started with a quick half of Fosters at the Broadway Social Club, a cosy spot with pool tables where halves cost just £2.
Even though everyone turned to look at me in silence at first, the people here were incredibly lovely and made me feel very welcome. Feeling content, I headed over to the Three Jays, a delightful pub with large windows inviting warmth and light inside, alongside reasonably priced Guinness for £4.40. The place was quite busy for a Wednesday afternoon, but it wasn't gloomy at all. I observed workmen enjoying their lunchtime pint while playfully interacting with the staff, others were involved in a lively game of pool. A couple seemed engrossed in a pleasant conversation by the bar, and around the corner, there was friendly chatter amongst people from various age groups - truly indicative of a community coming together.
Reflecting back on my morning visit to the Sunspot Cafe, I remembered what Kevin had told me: "People are always surprised and shocked to find you'll be taking a walk along the promenade and everyone says 'hello, good morning, how are you?' They look out for each other."
And I found Kevin to be completely right. Although Jaywick is grappling with numerous issues now, its spirit of togetherness resonates strongly. And if this sentiment shared by the locals is anything to go by, Jaywick certainly has the potential to overcome its struggles.
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