Much-loved biker event makes comeback

The biking event made its debut in the 90s and has a track record of attracting people from all over the country to the seafront

Thousands of bikers are expected to line the seafront after a popular event that started in the 90s has been resurrected after a three-year break.

Southend Shakedown made its debut at the Essex seaside city's famous pier on Easter Monday 1998 and a range of riders on scooters and more powerful two-wheelers are due from across the country.

Mark Wilsmore, 67, one of the organisers, said it had always been about bringing people together and giving back to the community.

Organisers have asked attendees to bring Easter eggs to the free event so they can donate them to food banks. He said giving to charity had been a staple part of the event since the 90s.

Scores of bikers turned up at the seafront in 2006 when this picture was taken

Mr Wilsmore said: "We want to make the experience of Easter better for those in crisis."

Before foodbanks took off in the UK, the organisers used to donate the chocolate to a children's hospice in Southend.

A picture from the event in 2008

After three years of uncertainty about the event's future, a £100,000 cash boost from Southend-on-Sea City Council's budget has funded the rally's return.

Mr Wilsmore is also managing director of the famous Ace Cafe bikers' haunt in north London, which is one of the key organisers for the event.

He hoped there would be a big turnout and added: "London loves its days out at the seaside.

"London will be emptying and visiting the seaside I'm equally sure. It's all fingers crossed; it's all subject to the weather.

"Speaking as a motorcyclist, we get up in the morning, we look out at the weather and if it's good we think 'yippee'."

Mr Wilsmore has been riding since he was 17-years-old and said the attraction was simple: "It's the thrill."

He said the event had always been popular, but they had to take a step back due to a lack of funding.

Hundreds of bikers staged an unofficial rally on the seafront in 2024 in protest against the event's cancellation.

But this year, people can expect "all that is associated with the seaside and a fun day out," the biker added.

He said there would be stalls from bike-related groups talking about road safety and different types of biking gear.

There would also be a live band and DJ playing from noon until 17:00 BST.

Mr Wilsmore said: "Late Roger Glover was instrumental in getting it all started in 1998.

"It was his constant badgering of me and leading me to the council that put the thing on the map in the first place."

Matt Dent, the council's cabinet member for culture, tourism and business, said: "We are proud the city is hosting another weekend of events that residents and visitors to Southend can enjoy.

"Shakedown is a much-loved event, we said we'd bring it back – and we have."

Parking

The council said a section of Marine Parade would be closed to traffic between Three Shells and The Kursaal.

Alternative access to Hartington Road and Pleasant Road would be maintained for residents, businesses and emergency services.

The council has also urged people not to park on pavements, block footways or obstruct emergency access routes.