Local elections 2026
The upcoming local elections on Thursday 7 May are your chance to choose who represents your neighbourhood and helps shape decisions that affect everyday life in our city. Here’s what you need to know ahead of polling day.
Our Southend
A monthly newsletter with exclusive content, top stories, events and information about how residents can get involved across the Southend-on-Sea community to help build a city to be proud of.
Southchurch Road - full closure
Essex & Suffolk Water has confirmed that the next phase of works to connect newly installed pipes will require a full closure in both directions on Southchurch Road, between Queensway and Nicholson House. Work is expected to take place up until 1 May.
The Halloween Parade is back!
Southend's much‑loved Halloween Parade will return in 2026 for its sixth year, and for the first time ever it will take place on Halloween night itself - Saturday 31 October.
View our photos
See photos from events and news items across the city on our official Flickr account.