City Centre Management
Southend City Centre
Southend is the seventh most densely populated area in the United Kingdom outside of the London Boroughs. It is served by two National Rail lines, running from Southend Victoria north out of the city into London Liverpool Street and west from Southend Central into London Fenchurch Street. The city centre has a range of top retail names plus independently-owned shops to choose from. There are two covered shopping centres, the Royals and the Victoria, that anchor each end of a busy High Street. A perfect place to meet friends and enjoy some retail therapy.
Southend Business Improvement District
Southend BID was formed in 2013 out of a very successful city centre partnership organization. Businesses voted with a firm yes for the Southend BID to act on their behalf. Businesses expressed a strong desire to work together to ensure that the city centre and seafront can make the most of their combined potential and remain ahead of the competition.
The BID delivers a range of benefits to the city centre and seafront such as:
- popular cultural events, such as Christmas lights switch-on and Italian Festival
- improved marketing, advertising and promotion to attract new visitors
- helping Southend win the prestigious Purple Flag award for its excellence in evening economy management
- Street Rangers to welcome visitors, as well as assisting the Police and business in cutting crime and anti-social behavior
Their website gives details about the services that businesses in Southend voted for and you can download the Southend Business Plan.
City Centre Events
Southend City Centre can hold a variety of events. You can hire sites daily or weekly for promotional exhibitions, charitable and community events. Site Areas:
- Victoria Circus
- Royal Square
- City Beach
- Fronting - Lloyds TSB *charity area only
- Other
For contact details or to find out more information please visit our webpage.
City Centre Markets
General Weekly Market
Southend General Market is located on Southend High Street, on the northern side of the railway bridge and has been operating since October 2013 and has grown to over 20 stall holders, totalling 45 pitches. The market is made up of a range of traders including Homeware, Ladies Clothing, Shoes, Bags and Mobile Accessories, Plants/Garden Ornaments, Gifts, Jewellery, and Bread and so much more.
The General Market is currently run every Thursdays, and 2nd and 4th Saturdays of every month. This market currently does not accept traders that process (i.e. cooking) food on the stall.
If you are interested in having a stall at the General Market please go to the Markets in Southend page.
Christmas Market
A small number of Christmas concessions are invited to trade on our High Street during the Christmas period (from mid-November to Christmas Eve). If you would like to find out more information and/or to apply for a Christmas stall in the High Street please see the Markets in Southend page.
City Centre Security
CCTV (Closed Circuit Television System)
We have 167 cameras which cover most of the City Centre.
Images are recorded digitally and held for no more than 31 days in accordance with the Data Protection Act (unless needed as evidence). Data is only released for authorised use e.g. in Court by the Crown Prosecution Service via the Police.
Under the terms of CCTV Data Protection Legislation, you can access CCTV footage which has recognisable images of yourself.
City Link Radio
The City Link Radio system is used by the businesses in the City Centre to help develop a safer trading environment. More than 100 City Centre and Seafront businesses share important information through the use of this radio system in order to try to detect and prevent crime.
The system links directly into the CCTV control room as well as the City Beat section of the Police, including the new Community Police Support Officers.
For further details please contact ShopSafe Radio on 0870 600 2006.