Southend Pier has been closed as of Tuesday the 6th of September 2011, as a result of an impact by a barge. High winds on Tuesday caused the 80 foot barge  that was being used by contractors doing work on the pier, to crash into the end of the pier. For more, see the video [...]

This week sees two stores on Southend High Street close their doors for the last time. TJ Hughes Closes After being on the High Street for only a year, the T.J Hughes bargain department store closed on Tuesday the 16th, with the loss of 60 jobs. The store was, of course, the site of the [...]

A quick reminder to anyone in the Southend-on-Sea area that gets Anglia TV that we’re just about a week away from the Anglia Digital TV Switchover. Here’s what you need to know: Get your TV from the Anglia region? The Sudbury transmitter covers a large chunk of South Essex and the analogue services will be [...]

Low-cost airline Easyjet has announced that it will be flying from London Southend Airport from next year. As locals will know, Southend Airport is expanding, the new control tower is up and running, and the airport railway station on the Liverpool Street line is due to open in July. There’s also plans for an airport [...]

Roads around Hamlet Court Road in Westcliff are closed this morning as a result of a major fire on Hamlet Court Road. The fire appears to have started at 9:20pm last night (Sunday the 8th May 2011), and has destroyed a deserted shop. It’s the site of the former Londis and Budgens, next to the [...]

Results coming in for the AV (Alternative Vote) Referendum seem to be showing a pretty clear “No” to changing the UK’s election system (as expected). If you’re interested in how the people of Southend voted in the 5th May 2011 referendum, here are the results: 38% of the people of Southend turned out to vote [...]

A quick reminder that the Sarfend Visitor’s Book Signing Event takes place tomorrow, Thursday the 18th of November 2010. We’d like to encourage all of our site visitors and forum regulars to visit Southend Pier, where The Worshipful the Mayor of Southend-on-Sea, Councillor Ann Holland will be signing the Sarfend Visitors Book at 1pm. We’ll [...]

The local community news website, Longpier.com, has announced that it will close today. In a final post, Goodbye to Longpier, the site’s owner James Harrod cites a lack of local sponsorship and problems with engagement of a  fellow journalist, as the prime reasons for the decision to close the Southend website. With so few local [...]

Police have closed off access to Southbourne Grove from the London Road. Five police vehicles are in attendance at this time (1615 Friday 03 Sept). There is no access to Southbourne Grove, causing delays on the A13 London Road around that junction. We’ve just been told that the incident in question relates to a raid [...]

Emergency vehicles on scene at junction of Prittlewell Chase, Kenilworth Gardens and Southbourne Grove at 7:50pm Saturday 14 August 2010. Taxi plus one other car involved. Three fire vehicles in attendance with cutting gear. Two ambulances, plus two police units in attendance. Police have closed westbound traffic along Kenilworth Gardens and are manually controlling the [...]

Blogging live from a serious incident at Southend Central Station 2300 Tuesday 10th August. In attendance, four fire engines, one ambulance, two rapid response vehicles and seven police cars. Clifftown Road closed. c2c trains suspended. Just seen two police officers leading away a man in handcuffs. At least 6 fire brigade personnel inside railway station. [...]

Live from the Freedom of Southend Parade, Southend High Street, 17 June 2010. The 1st Battalion The Royal Anglian Regiment, back from their third tour of duty in Afganistan are currently marching down Southend High Street, being cheered by thousands of locals. The troops have just been inspected by the Mayor, the Deputy Colonel of [...]

Crowds are gathering in Southend High Street for this afternoon’s parade to welcome home soldiers from the 1st Battalion The Royal Anglican Regiment, back from their third tour of duty in Afganistan. Crowds started gathering at around 11am, with many waving the Union Jack. The parade is expected to start at 1230. The scene from [...]

Locals in Leigh-on-Sea wondering what the commotion in the Eastwood Boulevard / Cavendish Gardens at the moment, note that two fire engines from Southend station are in attendance at a fire on waste ground off Nelson Road, next to the old Albany Laundry site. Smoke is billowing from what looks like a blue hut or [...]

Thanks to one of our regulars for pointing out that we’ve not posted a summary of the results of the 2010 elections. We’re sure you know the results, but a recap never hurts. In the General Election: Southend West: 46% of votes to Conservative. David Amess MP remains Rochford and Southend East: 47% of votes [...]