City centre management

Business and entertainment

Central Southend is an attractive prospect for business owners.

This is because it is:

  • the tenth most densely populated district in the United Kingdom (excluding London boroughs)
  • served by two National Rail lines, running from Southend to both:
    • London Liverpool Street
    • London Fenchurch Street

The city centre provides a diverse consumer choice. It is home to:

  • top retail brands
  • independently owned businesses
  • a twice-weekly market
  • two indoor shopping centres - The Royals and The Victoria
  • seven miles of seafront including the longest pleasure pier in the world

The seafront also offers a range of hospitality and entertainment based businesses including:

  • pubs and clubs
  • sports bars
  • an escape room
  • a climbing facility
  • two art galleries
  • a planetarium and museum
  • amusement arcades
  • crazy golf

Southend Business Improvement District

Southend BID Ltd was a company that formed in 2013 to represent central Southend businesses.

By working together, BID businesses aim to ensure that Southend:

  • makes the most of its potential
  • remains one of the UK's most popular seaside destinations

The BID delivers a range of benefits to the city centre such as:

  • popular cultural events, such as the Christmas Lights Switch-On
  • improved marketing, advertising and promotion to attract new visitors
  • support in helping Southend win and retain the prestigious Purple Flag award for its excellence in night-time economy management
  • a team of Street Rangers to welcome visitors, deter business-related crime, and assist police or council teams in dealing with anti-social behaviour

The Southend BID website provides:

  • detail on the services that businesses in Southend voted for
  • a downloadable copy of the latest business plan

Southend General Market

The Southend General Market, which began in 2013, is located at Southend High Street north of Clifftown Road. It operates every Thursday and Saturday.

More information can be found on our Markets in Southend page.

Christmas Market

Each year, the Council offers an opportunity to trade in the fortnight leading up to Christmas. This is available to both:

  • existing traders
  • new applicants

Stall types that we typically accommodate include the traditional:

  • chestnuts
  • mulled wine
  • Bavarian sausage

Plus a range of cultural cuisines, gift options and more.

If you are interested in applying for a stall during Christmas, please go to our Markets in Southend page.

Contact switchboard and out of hours

Telephone: 01702 215000

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