BUSINESSES claim they have missed out on thousands of pounds after travellers set up on Canvey seafront.

A convoy of travellers set up in the grounds of the closed Admiral Jellicoe pub on Wednesday.

Another group also set up on land in Western Esplanade at the same time.

Some seafront traders were forced to close due to concerns about the travellers.

Jamie Price, who owns The Fish Barr, in Eastern Esplanade, said: “We hired a private security firm to stop them coming in.

“It cost us £500.

“However, the biggest thing was the loss of trade.

“People didn’t want to come down to the sea front because the travellers were there.

“It is supposed to be one of the busiest times of the year, but it was one of the quietest we have had it.

“I reckon we lost up to £5,000 with the lack of trade and the cost of the security firm.”

He praised Castle Point Council for their quick response in moving the travellers along.

There have previously been calls for bollards to be installed to protect the island’s green spaces from travellers setting up there.

The travellers moved off on Saturday, leaving rubbish strewn across the field.

However, Colin Letchford, a member of Friends of Concord Beach, quickly set to cleaning up the mess.

He said: “I went down to check on the benches we have put there after the travellers had gone and thankfully they haven’t been damaged.

“I got my litter picker and went down there and started picking up the rubbish.

“Malcolm who is one of the street cleaners with Pinnacle saw me and he came over to help even though he wasn’t working that day.

“Then two residents also came out to help us.

“It was great to see the Canvey spirit coming out.

“The area was clean all ready for people to enjoy it on Sunday morning.”

Three years ago, travellers caused chaos after setting up camp at the seafront.

There were brawls and armed officers were even called to the field off Labworth car park following reports a man had been seen with a gun.