Residents living on a “deserted” holiday island say they are living in a 1960s “time warp” that visitors have abandoned.
Canvey Island in Essex used to be a thriving holiday destination with a booming tourist economy.
The island once attracted big names from show business to delight crowds of day-trippers, including Edwin Starr, Freddie Mercury, Tommy Cooper and Shirley Bassey.
But years later, Canvey’s star has faded and “forgotten” locals have criticized it as a “crime-ridden hellhole” with no “soul”.
While in its heyday excited crowds thronged its fun-filled streets and flocked to its beaches, its promenade is now dominated by empty buildings.
One man told MailOnline: ‘I can’t take it anymore. It’s hell on earth. I’m moving to Kent. It’s a garbage dump.
Gold Mine attractions on the once-bustling Canvey Island boardwalk are closed
Canvey Island has a small number of shops in the town centre, but many have closed.
Canvey Island has an overall crime rate of 86 crimes per 1,000 people, figures show (pictured, construction is underway on the town’s seafront)
But while not all locals are disdainful of their hometown, it was criticized online and voted one of the 153 most depressing places in the country according to the website iLiveHere’s annual survey.
Crime statistics show the island is among the five most dangerous medium-sized towns in Essex.
It has an overall crime rate of 86 crimes per 1,000 inhabitants, which places it below the general rate of 83 per 1,000.
Roger Thomas, 81, has lived in the city for 55 years. He said: “It has become a crime-ridden hellhole.” It no longer has a soul.
“I don’t have the strength to move, otherwise I would get out.” It’s so sad. He used to be charming. He was lively, very busy with tourists and always packed.
‘Now more people leave than enter. I don’t feel safe on the boardwalk. It’s awful.
The other month a friend of mine was assaulted at knifepoint.
Another said: “He’s stuck on a time limit.” It’s like living in 1970. There are very few attractions to come here.
Canvey Island used to be a thriving tourist destination in the 1960s, but this has since changed.
Locals say shops are closing one after another on Canvey Island as visitor numbers dwindle.
Retired demolition worker Chris Taylor, 72, defended the island and harshly criticized those who had criticized it.
‘Everything is abandoned. It’s one empty store after another. It’s always really cold too, but I guess I can’t complain too much about that.
“He used to have Britain’s biggest stars here to perform, but now he’s dead.”
Kim Pattimore, 64, who works at Fantasy Island Arcade near the boardwalk, said improvements were urgently needed.
She said: ‘It’s a lot quieter than it used to be. It is very limited and empty. It needs investment and we need fewer empty stores.
‘It’s still very old-fashioned. We get a lot of people from the East End of London who come here because they love how old and stagnant it is.’
Ryan Parker, 33, said he was about to move off the island after living here for three years.
The builder said: ‘I can’t take it anymore. It’s hell on earth. I’m moving to Kent. He is a garbage man.
Big names who performed on the island include Freddie Mercury, Tommy Cooper and Shirley Bassey, but mainly tribute acts now appear.
Many locals say Canvey Island is a “crime-ridden hellhole” with no “soul”
Carol Campkin, 77, with friend Sue Hill says Canvey Island needs a remake
Canvey Island’s crime rate of 86 crimes per 1,000 people is higher than the overall rate of 83.
‘People don’t care anymore. we feel abandoned. It’s like they want to throw all the garbage here and then forget about it.
‘Look at all the graffiti, look at all the abandoned shops and empty units. It is also the charity shop capital of Britain.
Retired demolition worker Chris Taylor, 72, defended the island and harshly criticized those who had criticized it.
He said, ‘What are you waiting for? I bet the people complaining are all spoiled brats anyway.
‘They want everything in life to be handed to them on a plate.
‘What do you expect? Where do you think they’ll move to, New York?
Dame Shirley Bassey (pictured with then Prince Charles) performed on Canvey Island
Queen legend Freddie Mercury performed on Canvey Island during the UK’s tourist boom.
‘It’s crazy. Canvey does what he says. “People need to shut up.”
Carol Campkin, 77, added: “It needs a remake. It’s cheap and cheerful.
At the beginning of the 20th century, Canvey Island was home to only 300 people.
It later became a popular seaside resort with fairground rides and food stalls. The complex was created by businessman Frederick Hester and included a massive boardwalk and pier, as well as winter gardens and monorails, although many of these were destroyed over the years.
In the 1960s, thousands of people still flocked to the Essex town each year. It was seen as a place where people went to rest on deck chairs, eat jellied eels and stroll through the pleasure gardens.
David Blackwell, leader of Castle Point Borough Council, which includes the island, said: “Yes, it has declined after 20 years of Conservative administration, the new independent administration will address some of that by spending almost £5 million this year on Canvey.”
‘£1 million to renovate the shopping centre. £1.5 million to modernize the community centre. £1.5 million for a new seafront cafe. £800k worth of new all-weather sports pitches, £100k worth of new play equipment for the park.
“Canvey has a bright future under our administration. I have lived here all my life and campaigned for improvements as opposition leader and now I am in a position to be able to do something about it as council leader.”