Essex FM gets Heartbroken

Essex FM, owned by the massive UK radio group Global Radio is set to be re-branded.

Global Radio has plans to re-brand 29 of their UK commercial radio stations either to "Heart" or to "Galaxy", and Essex FM will reportedly be rebranded to be "Heart". Also set to go, is Kent radio station "Invicta FM".

The loss of the Essex FM identity could take up to 18 months to take effect. Possibly not good news for Essex listeners who've grown up with Essex Radio / Essex FM brand since 1981. More on Essex Radio's history.

Not happy to see the loss of Essex FM? Comments welcomed below...

Online protest as BBC withdraws football commentary

Local radio station BBC Essex, is set to reduce its live commentary of both Southend United and Colchester United's games for the forthcoming 2008/9 football season.

Southender Gary Bullock told us: "From a Southend perspective, last season's home gate averaged over 8,000. With travelling fans averaging a creditable few hundred, that leaves over 7,000 avid supporters who, for reasons such as other commitments or financial considerations, will not now be able to enjoy the excitement of a Saturday afternoon's sport. Even more supporters will suffer as the financial burden of spiralling fuel costs make the prospect of regular away travel simply too expensive. Considering the nature of the Corporation's funding I would have expected a more community-friendly approach to broadcasting schedules.

A member of Shrimperzone.com, a Southend United fansite, has instigated an on-line petition to press the BBC to reconsider. www.petitiononline.com/bbcessex/petition.html.

Got a comment? Add it below.

Southenders mad for iPhone

Apple's new 3g launched this morning, and queues started forming at the Southend o2 store on the High Street.

At opening time, there were at least 70 good folk queuing to get their hands on this new phone.

Overheard in the queue...

Passer by: "What's everyone queuing for?"
Queuer : "The new 3G iPhone from Apple"
Passer by "Oh, are they free?"
Queuer: "I wish"

... At which point, the passer by rolled her eyes, laughed, and passed by... giggling.

It's only a phone, Southenders!

If you're desperate for a 3G iPhone, try your luck ordering online at o2 or Carphone Warehouse

Hooters coming to Southend

US restaurant chain Hooters, known for cladding their waitresses in orange hotpants and low-cut tops, is coming to Southend.

Planning permission has been granted by the council for Hooters to open at the old MVC site, close to Sainsburys and the Odeon - there's a pic of the site here. Source

There's an anti-Hooters petition, and a Bring on the Hooters petition - Guess which one's winning?

Southend Radio has launched

The new local radio for Southend-on-Sea launched this morning. The station broadcasts on 105.1FM, from studios next to the Adventure Island Theme Park, close to Southend Pier.

The new station is staffed by a number of names from former Southend-based radio station Essex FM, including Mike Porter, Tracie Young, Ben Payne, Tracy Cooper, Nick Hull and Adrian Fox.

With the slogan "Playing Just Great Songs", the station went live on Friday the 28th of March 2008, following weeks of test transmissions consisting of the sound of waves sloshing against the shore.

The station kicked off at 8am, with breakfast show presenter Mike Porter and newsman Nick Hull. In the first link, Mike told listeners that this morning, the "colour of adrenaline is brown", played a station jingle, remarked that the toilet roll holder in their new building only dispenses one sheet of toilet paper at a time, before kicking off with the first song: Chris Rea's On The Beach.

More on Radio in Southend
Any comments on Southend Radio? Leave them below, or in our forum

Victoria Shopping Centre - Nearly ready

The Victoria Shopping Centre re-development is nearly complete. This Easter weekend, they're holding a series of events, to give you the chance to look over the £21.5 million redevelopment. Pop down and take a look - more at http://www.victoriasc.co.uk

Southend Radio - Starts March 2008

Southend Radio has started test transmissions on 105.1FM today. The tests consist of various Southend-related noises, plus an announcement of the station's name.

The on-air date for the station is understood to be 28th March 2008

Talking Heads at the New Empire

Threelance Theatre Co. present Alan Bennett's 'Talking Heads'. These classic monologues from the writer of recent hit 'The History Boys' were first presented on Television in the late eighties. They became instant classics and are now being presented locally for the first time. Threelance Theatre Co. were set up in 2005, since then they have presented classic comedies and thrillers, winning Best Production in 2005 for 'Abigails Party', and have recently won awards for 'Gaslight' as well as staging a box office sell out run of 'An Inspector Calls' last year. They will be presenting the monologues 'A Chip in the Sugar', 'A bed amongst the Lentils' and 'Her Big Chance'. performances take place between Thursday the 22nd and Saturday the 24th March at 7.45pm, in the Mezzanine Theatre, upstairs at the New Empire Theatre.
Tickets are only £5.00 as part of the Theatre's Five pounds Theatre Season. Call the box office on 01702 353577 monday to saturday 11.00am - 5.00pm

Southend to become a 'Repect Zone'

Tony Blair has announced that Southend-on-Sea is to be one of 40 UK towns and cities to become a 'Respect Zone', which seems to mean that extra money will be supplied to provide parenting classes, tackle truancy and advise the public on taking action against so-called "neighbours from hell".

Full details: Independant Online article

New Empire Threatre Spring/Summer 2007 schedule

Information on the New Empire Theatre's Spring and Summer 2007 schedule, has been added to our site. See http://www.sarfend.co.uk/newempire.html

A victory for c2c passengers

Last night, c2c's management backed down. After their flawed new timetable was condemned by passengers, c2c has decided to return to their original timetable in January 07. More at www.c2cuser.co.uk

New c2c timetable

On Monday 11th December 2006, c2c introduced a new timetable, and passengers have been suffering the consequences - long delays and crowded trains, ever since.

Passengers are dreading the return of the misery line, and changes to the timetable just one week later have made little difference. If your journey has been messed with, you may want to sign the petition at www.petitiononline.com/c2c - nearly 4000 protest signatures so far.

For more on this story, see our c2c forum

The Evening Echo website is covering this to, including details of a passenger protest at Fenchurch Street 6pm today (Monday).

You may also want to sign up to the unofficial c2c mailing list

Get your voice heard, and let's not return to the misery line!

Skating in Southend High Street

Southend town centre is hosting an Ice Skating Rink from 22 November 2006 until February 2007. This can be found outside the Odeon cinema at the top end of the High Street

Solar power for Southend

Thanks to Nita from Southend Solar scheme for getting in touch with this. They provide grants for up to £1500 for the installation of Solar Hot Water systems, with prices starting at around £2,500. This offer is open to anyone who owns their home and lives in the borough of Southend. There is also the possibility that you can get a home assistance loan, if you are on a low income or qualifying benefits. It is possible for everyone in Southend to help to reduce carbon emmisions and protect the environment for more information about the scheme and your eligibilty call 0800 0966356 (there are more details on the Southend Council Web)

Plans for the pier development on hold?

Epic World Leisure, the local firm with plans to revitalise Southend Pier, has had to withdraw its plans, to avoid rejection by Southend Council. This is yet another setback in plans to get the pier back to a major tourist attraction, and once again leaves the future of our pier 'open'. We'd love to get some comments on your thoughts about the pier, and what its future may have in store...

Read the full story

Improv comedy 15 Sep

A quick reminder that improv group Quirkish Delight are playing this Friday night (15th Sept) at The New Empire Theatre, Alexander Road, Southend at 8.00pm. Tickets £5 in advance from the box office on 01702-353577.

Podcast online. Exclusive Pier Interview

In July 2006, the Southend Podcast team were given an exclusive presentation of Epic World Leisure's plans for the redevelopment of Southend Pier, complete with a rollercoaster, brand new trains, extreme sports, restaurants a conference centre, and much more. As a pilot for our series of upcoming podcasts, we've just uploaded a 15 minute exclusive interview with Epic World Leisure's Chairman, Tony Garner. If you're interested in the future of the pier, and of our town, listen to the interview online, or download it as an MP3.

Go to www.southendpodcast.co.uk

Southend Bikeathon this September

The Southend Bikeathon takes place on Sunday September 10th 2006. Come along, join in the fun and raise funds for Leukaemia Research. Top individual and team fundraisers will be presented with trophies at an awards presentation evening.

More information at www.southendbikeathon.co.uk

Southend Pier to re-open

The Pier head is to open on 5th August 2006 for the first time since the fire. More

Marine Plaza given go-ahead

A £100 million development has been approved by Southend Council. The Marine Plaza the Dizzyland site, opposite the Kursaal. Plans include hotel, casino, nightclub, business conference centre and other residential and leisure facilities. The development represents "a significant focal point of the Thames Gateway initiative"