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Southend-on-Sea is a resort town in Essex, England. Since April 1, 1998 it has been a unitary authority. The town is located on the Thames estuary roughly 40 miles (65 km) east of London. It is bordered to the north by Rochford District Council and to the west by Castle Point District Council.
History
Originally the south end of the village of Prittlewell, the town became a popular seaside resort for Londoners during the Victorian era. Due to its proximity to London and easy access by train, the town's economy has largely been based on tourism ever since. The town boasts the world's longest pleasure pier at 1.25 miles (2 km) long. Over the years the pier has suffered fires and ship collisions, but has been repaired each time.
However, with the decline of traditional British sea-side resorts, from the 1960s onwards much of the centre of Southend was developed as a centre of commerce. Customs and Excise are major employers in the town, and the central offices for the collection of VAT continue to be located here. Over the next few years Southend is planning the opening of a new university which it is hoped will regenerate the somewhat flagging economy in the region.
Since 1980 the MP for Southend East and nearby Rochford has been Sir Teddy Taylor (Conservative). The MP for Southend West has been, since 1997, David Amess (Conservative).
The town's coat-of-arms bears the motto 'Per Mare Per Ecclesiam' which translates into 'By the Sea and By the Church', reflecting Southend's historic position betwen the Church at Prittlewell and the sea as in the Thames estuary.
Transport
Rail
Southend is served by two railway lines. A branch of the Great Eastern Railway, currently operated by 'one' runs from Southend Victoria railway station and Liverpool Street railway station via Rochford, Rayleigh and Billericay.
The other line, the London Tilbury & Southend Railway, currently operated by c2c runs from Shoeburyness in the east of the borough, travelling west through Southend Central railway station to Fenchurch Street railway station via Benfleet, Basildon or Tilbury and Barking. Two services each weekday evening terminate at Liverpool Street instead.
Road
There are two main A-Roads connecting Southend with London and the rest of the country, the A127 (The Southend Arterial Road), via Basildon and Romford, and the A13 via Tilbury and London Docklands. Both are major routes, however within the borough of Southend, the A13 is primarily a single carriageway local route, whereas the A127 is entirely a dual carriageway.
Buses
Local public transport is served by two main bus companies, Arriva, Serving Southend (formerly the council owned Southend Transport) and First Thamesway (formerly known as Eastern National). An agreement between the companies means that they will accept each other's return tickets and local rovers. They also jointly operate a coach service to Victoria Coach Station under the Greenline brand. There is also a National Express coach service to Liverpool, which operates daily.
Southend Airport
London Southend Airport supports scheduled flights to Jersey on summer Saturdays. The new terminal and rail station planned for 2006 operation will almost certainly lead to a greater range of destinations becoming available from the airport. Discussions are already being held with interested airlines. Developed from the former military airfield at Rochford it also supports an important mix of engineering activities related to aviation and pilot training, corporate and recreational flights.
Education
Secondary Schools
In 2004 Southend remained one of the areas of the UK that retain the grammar school system and has four schools of this type, all of which are single sex schools. Additionally there are two single sex schools assisted by the Roman Catholic church. The other 6 main-stream secondary schools in the area are all mixed sex comprehensive schools.
Further and Higher Education
A number of secondary schools in the area offer further education, but the largest provider of further education is South East Essex College [1] (http://www.southend.ac.uk/), which is currently building a new campus in the centre of town.
Currently SEEC offer a limited number degree course matriculated by the University of Essex. The university's centre in the town is currently a single builing on the High Street [2] (http://www.essex.ac.uk/essex/). The University, however, has plans to build its own centre in Southend, located next to the new College campus on the site of the old Odeon cinema. The University notes that 'South Essex is probably the largest conurbation in the country without a significant higher education presence'. This future development will change this.
Entertainment and Culture
Seafront Attractions
The town is well known for its seafront attractions. Already mentioned is the famous pier.
The Kursaal theme park, was one of the earliest theme parks, built at the opening of the 20th century. It closed in the 1970s and much of the land was developed as housing. The entrance hall, a listed building is now a bowling alley.
Adventure Island theme park, straddling the pier remains open and is a popular attraction with children.
The cliff gardens and Victorian Bandstand were a popular attraction however slippage in 2003 has made much of the cliffs unstable and the bandstand has been removed for safe keeping. The council has expressed its desire to re-erect the bandstand however no suitable location for it has yet been found.
Currently (Autumn 2004) being built is a new very modern Cliff Lift at the base of the High Street linking with the new pier entrance. The older cliff lift, a short funicular railway is located a few hundred metres away, is currently closed due to the cliff slippage.
Theatres
There are three theatres in the town.
The oldest is the edwardian era 'Palace Theatre'. Due to financial troubles the theatre has had to close a number of times in recent years. It currently shows plays from professional troups and repetory groups, as well as some comedy acts. The theatre has two circles and is noted for having a very steep rake. Part of the theatre is a smaller venue called "The Dixon Studio". This is used for more intimate performances.
The Cliffs pavilion is a larger building and is able to host different forms of show including musical concerts, and performances on ice.
The final and most recent theatre is the New Empire Theatre. Located in the former ABC Cinema, it is, unlike the other two theatres, privately owned. It is used far more by amateur dramatic groups.
See also
Thames Gateway, UK topics
Towns within the Borough of Southend
Chalkwell, Eastwood, Leigh-on-Sea, Prittlewell, Shoeburyness, Southchurch, Thorpe Bay, Westcliff-on-Sea
Theatres
There are three theatres in the town.
The oldest is the edwardian era 'Palace Theatre'. Due to financial troubles the theatre has had to close a number of times in recent years. It currently shows plays from professional troups and repetory groups, as well as some comedy acts. The theatre has two circles and is noted for having a very steep rake. Part of the theatre is a smaller venue called "The Dixon Studio". This is used for more intimate performances.Is due to close again in Oct.05 financial cut from the local council. SEE http://teaup.port5.com
The Cliffs pavilion is a larger building and is able to host different forms of show including musical concerts, and performances on ice.
The final and most recent theatre is the New Empire Theatre. Located in the former ABC Cinema, it is, unlike the other two theatres, privately owned. It is used far more by amateur dramatic groups
External links
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