Southend Council is hoping to give an extra boost to tourism with the launch of a new parking scheme that provides coaches with free parking and a welcome reception.

The ‘Coaches Welcome’ scheme will give coaches free parking at the Gasworks Car Park when they book in advance and arriving tourists will get a warm welcome from the visitor information team who will advise them on local events and activities.

The announcement comes just one week after members of Southend council’s Development Control Committee gave approval for the former gas works site to operate as a car park for up to five years.

James Courtenay, councillor for growth, said: “The coach industry plays an important role in Southend’s visitor economy, bringing scores of visitors to our town in a single vehicle at prices that are affordable to families.

“We are delighted to be working with the CPT [Confederation of Passenger Transport] and the coach sector to encourage more visitors to Southend. We are continuing to work with the local business community and will be developing a coach drivers’ pack with the BID to really roll out a first-class Southend welcome.”

Andy Warrender, from the CPT, said the trade association is “delighted” by the council’s announcement.

“The Gasworks is ideally situated and allows coaches to park up safely and securely within walking distance from many of the town’s key sites and attractions,” he said.

“In addition to boosting the local tourism economy, coaches help to alleviate congestion – a single coach can remove up to 30 cars from the road - improve local air quality, free up valuable road space and therefore provide quicker journey times for all road users.

“Southend has demonstrated a clear understanding and commitment to coaches, drivers and, most importantly, their passengers and we congratulate them on the launch of this new initiative.”

Southend currently welcomes more than 6.5 million visitors each year and in 2017 the council laid out a ten-year strategy, dubbed Destination Southend, with the ambition of becoming England’s leading coastal tourism destination by 2027.

Encouraging coach tourism is a key part of that strategy, with plans for dedicated parking facilities as well as more pick-up and drop-off points close to the seafront.

Jacqui Dallimore, chair of Southend Tourism Partnership, also welcomed the scheme and said that encouraging coaches can help encourage tourists to visit all year round.

“I’m delighted to see the council and coach industry working closely together to ensure Southend remains an attractive destination for coach operators and their passengers alike,” she said.

Coaches can access free parking at the Gasworks with immediate effect if they book in advance by calling the visitor information centre on 01702 215620. The car park is open from 8am until 8.30pm.