A decade after the controversial documentary 'Benefits By The Sea' painted a bleak picture of Jaywick, Essex, as Britain's most deprived town, locals are hoping for a brighter future. Despite lingering grievances about the documentary's focus on hardship, significant investments and community initiatives are underway to revitalize the once-thriving seaside resort. However, challenges remain, with some residents expressing concerns about persistent deprivation and crime.
IT was the shocking documentary that introduced Brits to the “closest thing this country has to a shanty town".has acquired a notorious reputation over the years - once branded the most deprived place in Britain, a ghetto where half of adults are out of work and the average income is just £360 a week.
Meanwhile, over the summer families were forced into temporary accommodation after a suspected arson attack ravaged 10 properties in the area.Aaron Taylor, 32, opened the local Sun Spa tanning salon in May 2024, but he worries that not enough is being done to stop the village going to the dogs. He said: “I think the show was good and bad for Jaywick. It showed that we’re all on benefits even though we’re not.“They should have come to see the people that work and own their own houses and businesses and it’s sad they didn’t do that.
Social services were called to my house afterwards. They made it seem like because I was on benefits, I was the biggest scum in the worldHe said: “I’m very proud of that because we discuss all the problems that need fixing, like the potholes and the fact there are no streetlights and people don’t feel safe walking around.
Yet the neat row of bungalows lining the still-magnificent beach are a reminder of Jaywick's fall from grace, blighted as they are by a burned-out building and a few front gardens filled with junk.
Jaywick Benefits By The Sea Deprivation Regeneration Essex Community
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