As you may have read in the press, Hawkin’s Bazaar (owned by the Tobar Group) went into administration last week, on the 30th of December 2011. Today, it looked as if stock was being packed into cardboard boxes, ready to be moved out to clear the shop. The collapse of Hawkin’s Bazaar comes a few days after lingerie firm La Senza, Barratts Priceless shoes and D2 Jeans have been similarly affected.

Site of Hawkins Bazaar, Southend January 2012

Continuing to wall the length of the High Street, it’s sad to note how many stores now stand empty – some because of branch moves, such as Boots, Barclays and New Look, and others by the ongoing financial mess that we’re in.

Here a few photos of Southend High Street, taken today, starting with First Choice Holidays, close to the Southend Central railway bridge:

Site of First Choice Holidays, Southend January 2012

A few doors away, the remains of HPJ Jewellers, the chain that collapsed in 2011:

Site of HPJ Jewellers, Southend January 2012

Next, the site of the large Mothercare store that closed in 2011. Being next to the now-empty New Look, the section of the High Street between Clifftown Road and the railway bridge looks a little bleak.

Site of Mothercare, Southend January 2012

Next to Marks and Sparks, the defunct Linens Direct, which was being used as a pop-up Christmas Bazaar shop, and is now empty:

Site of Linens Direct, Southend January 2011

Just opposite, the site of long-abandoned MK One clothing:

Site of MK One, Southend January 2011

For many, the saddest site on the High Street is that of the former Woolworths and T.J Hughes store. Here’s a shot taken this afternoon, just opposite the two freshly vandalised metal benches.

T J Hughes Site, Southend in January 2012

There have been other departures in the last twelve months too, such as SAKS Hair and Beauty. It seems we may also lose the Cheltenham & Gloucester on the London Road, as well as Lloyds Bank on the London Road, Leigh, should proposals go ahead for some of the Lloyds Bank assets to be acquired by the Co-operative Bank.

So, Southenders… what do we think may be in store for Southend High Street in this new year? Any predictions for who may join or leave our High Street in 2012? Please add your predictions below, and we’ll see how well you did this time next year.

Here’s hoping for a happier new year, everyone…

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 original Southend Woolworths, that was forced to close at the start of 2009.

T.J Hughes on Southend High Street Closed in August 2011

Saks Hair and Beauty Closes

The salon just off the High Street on Alexandra Street closed for business on Wednesday the 17th of August. Customers were informed by text message that Saks had closed.

One of the team here at the Sarfend website was a regular at Saks, and it’s a shame to see them close their doors for the last time. We’re in contact with some of the team from Saks. If you were a customer of Saks and are looking to get in touch with the Southend firm’s former senior stylist Katie Dunbar, note that you can get in touch with her via her new webpage: Katie Dunbar Hair Stylist.

Saks Hair and Beauty in Southend - Closed in August 2011

We have no information on what’s planned for the TJ Hughes site. We suspect it’ll remain empty for a while, but when the retail economy starts to pick up, hopefully the high-profile high street location will again see shoppers looking for bargains.

While we’re here – there is a new addition to the Southend-on-Sea high street – a sweet shop, opposite Marks and Spencer. Makes a change from mobile phone retailers and coffee shops…

Southenders – It pays to shop around!

One of our team wanted to get their hands on the 3DS on the day of launch (as he’s a gadget king), and although everything’s cheaper online, he went old-school to get the 3DS on the High Street. If you’re thinking of doing the same, take a few minutes to do your homework, to get a decent offer.

Being loyal to High Street store GAME, our team member tried them first (he’d even pre-ordered, although availability doesn’t seem to be a problem anywhere). A quick look on the GAME website reveals their price to be £197 with free delivery (Compared to £187 at Amazon.co.uk). GAME’s price instore? £219 – £22 more expensive than their own website!

Our chap spoke to one of the staff at the Southend-on-Sea GAME store, to see if a deal could be done – but nope… for being loyal to your high street store, you’ll pay an extra 10%.

Now fair cop, many high street stores can’t or won’t price match against Internet websites (even their own sites), but it’s possible to pick up a Nintendo 3DS in Southend for £197 – All you do is reserve at Comet online, then pay the online price of £197 instore – Southend, Rayleigh and Basildon stores all had stock on launch day – Link: Nintendo 3DS at Comet.

Other stores in the High Street were more keen on doing a deal. In the end, GameStation at the Victoria Shopping Centre worked out best. Although they couldn’t match the console price, they were up for discounting a game to make the total price right… and by taking out a loyalty card, we got a further £6 off! Well done to Brian, the manager of the Southend-on-Sea GameStation for keeping the customer happy, and making the sale. They also offer some decent trade-ins on any old Nintendo kit you may have lying around, although we did get a decent deal at CEX on the high street against an old Nintendo DS.

So, shame on you GAME. The lesson here, is if you’re a canny shopper, and prepared to do a few minutes homework, it’s easy to beat GAME at their own game.

Southend GAME store on 3DS Launch Day - Shop around for a better deal!

 Any experiences of getting a bargain in Southend? Let us know…

Southend Shakeaway opens in the Victoria Shopping Centre on Saturday 19th March 2011 at 1pm and we’re told that they’ll be giving away the first 50 milkshakes free.

The ShakeAway chain was established in 1999 and sells over 150 flavours of Milkshakes and hot drinks. A quick look at their site reveals that there’s a 10% discount for Uni, NHS, Army and Emergency Services (with valid ID). There’s also some interesting looking items on their menu, such as a Ferrero Rocher Milkshake (which appeals to us), as well as some odd items such as Jaffa Cake, Jammie Dodgers, Jelly Babies, Farleys Rusks and Sugar Puffs. The mind boggles.

Anyhoo – if unusual milkshakes are your thing, try for a freebie this Saturday…

All day today, Saturday the 5th of February 2011, there are a number of activities taking place to celebrate the Chinese New Year. The day’s events kicked off at 11am with a short speech by the Mayor of Southend, then an impressive display of Chinese lions dancing for the gather crowds outside and inside the Victoria Shopping Centre.

Chinese New Year 2011 celebrations kick off in Southend-on-Sea

Events include acrobatics in the Victoria Shopping Centre, lantern-making for the kids in The Royals, Origami, Tai Chi, Chinese Opera face painting, and a lantern parade on the high street at 4pm. The day wraps up at 4:10pm with a Chinese Lion Dance and a Firecracker Finale in York Road at 4:30pm.

Day’s New Year festivities are supported by the South Essex Chinese Association and Southend Radio.

Happy New Year, all!

According to a report in the Echo, the coffee company’s plans to take over the amusement arcade at 37 The Broadway, Leigh-on-Sea are set to be approved, as no complaints have been received from neighbouring properties.

Changes to shops on Leigh Broadway always cause controversy – for example: opposition to the Tesco Express on the old Woolworths site, the demise of Grindleys bookshop, use of Estuary as a bar, and the arrival of the amusement arcades, which are now to be replaced by Costa.

Principle objections to Costa’s arrival seems to be that there are enough coffee shops on Leigh Broadway already, and that arrival of a chain may harm the independent coffee outlets already on the Broadway.

On the pro side, it’s a new business coming to Leigh, and the two branches of Costa on Southend High Street always seem busy, indicating an apparent local demand.

Site of new Costa Coffee on Leigh Broadway, taken Feb 2011

Is the arrival of Costa to Leigh Broadway a good thing, or another nail in Leigh’s shopping heritage? Have your say here…

Woolworths, closing down

TJ Hughes is a discount department store, and offers a range of products across home, textiles, beauty & fragrance, menswear, lingerie, toys and electrical.

Work started at the site several weeks ago, as captured in the following picture:

TJ Hughes Coming Soon

Ahead of the opening, manager of the 24,00 square foot Southend store, Marc Rutland, said: “Opening the new store in Southend is an exciting prospect for us. We are looking forward to welcoming as many people as possible through the doors, and it is shaping up to be a great day. “

TJ Hughes Open

TJ Hughes Southend opened its doors to the public on Tuesday 24th August 2010 at 9am, with a ribbon cutting ceremony performed by Miss Southend-on-Sea.

If you happen to be at the Odeon end of Southend High Street between today, the 29th of July, and Sunday the 1st of August, you’ll find a mini-arena, photo booth, a friendly Sky chap with a loud microphone and a tent demo’ing the latest offering from Sky – the Sky 3D service that’s launching in October 2010.

There’s lots of people with clipboards keen to sign you up to Sky, as well as to capture your personal details for Sky’s mailing list. You’ll also be able to pick up a goodie bag with a handy “Sky, Believe in better” notepad, a Sky Digital Switchover pen, and a leaflet for the good people of Canterbury in Kent.

It seems that last week, the roadshow was in Canterbury, and their goodie bags have yet to “switch over” to the Southend-on-Sea leaflets. D’oh, as Sky One’s Homer Simpson would say.

Sky Roadshow in Canterbury? Nope Southend!

Still, if you’re considering switching to Sky, want to know what 3D TV looks like, or just fancy a free pad ‘n’ pen, pop down to the Sky Roadshow on the High Street before Sunday afternoon.

Some tips:

• Do: Get £3 in cash for taking a 3 minute survey on your viewing habits by the ladies with clipboards
• Do: Enter the draw for a Sky+ package (if you’re OK handing over your address, that is)
• Do: Say hi to the lovely promotion girls Emma, Heidi and Anna (tell them we sent you!)
• Don’t: Sign up to Sky at the roadshow! The “Free Sky+ box” quoted on the Canterbury leaflet is also available online, but you get a £25 Marks and Spencer voucher if you sign up online (or £50 if you go HD) – Sign up online and get a voucher at www.sky.com/shop for a better deal
• Don’t: Forget the free pad and pen

For details of how the Digital Switchover affects Southend, go to www.southendswitch.co.uk

At at 7am, the queue already numbers 50.

Update: By 8am, queues continues to grow to at least 150. o2 staff came to inform those beyond a certain point, by our estimate, those after position 70, that queuing would be at risk, due to stock levels. Some waited it out, but many abandoned their quest for the latest shiny new smartphone.

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 the Royal Anglian Regiment, the Lord Lieutenant of Essex and the High Sheriff of Essex. The troops are now marching down the centre of the High Street towards the seafront.

The freedom of the borough of Southed is awarded to people that have rendered outstanding service to the community, and is the highest award that the council can make.

Here are a couple of pictures, live from the scene.

Update: See our forum for more photos and discussion: sarfend.co.uk/cgi-bin/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1276785742

The clock arrived (12 monthe late) at the top of the High Street as a celebration of the dawn of a new millennium. It was based on a design by a local schoolgirl.

Over the last nine years, the clock has been a) temperamental and b) controversial, and it’s hardly been a reliable timepiece – failing to keep the right time despite repairs, and rarely rotating as designed. There was talk of moving it to an indoor location, to protect the poor thing from the weather.

Well, it seems that time is finally up, and Southend Borough Council are set to remove it – at a cost to us of £5,000.

There’s some discussion in our forum on the fate of the clock – feel free to join in.

Going to miss the clock? Comments please!

My mission today was to take back a faulty Joggler to the o2 store in Southend – you know – the one that’s been on the High Street for years near the corner of Clifftown Road.

This is what I found.

So, I checked the o2 website on my mobile, in case it’d moved. No… it should be there – 91-93 High Street, Southend-on-Sea. But it wasn’t. So I called the number listed, 01702-432077, but no answer.

Very helpful girl in a nearby shop told me they’d closed down, and as there was no “we’ve moved” sign… looked to be the case. What was an o2 shop now seems to be a closed unit with old computer monitors, junk, and “space to let” signs in the window.

So – A call to o2. No – it’s definitely there, I was told, and I should go to o2.co.uk for a map. They were adamant that 91 High Street, the empty shop I was at, was right in front of me, and still a going concern.

About to give up, I thought I’d try some local knowledge, and put in a call to o2 Basildon. Steve, nice chap, informed me that the shop’s moving – and should be back next week, close to Clintons. At least someone at o2 has a clue!

So now I know… And hopefully, so does anyone else looking for o2 in Southend in the next few weeks…

o2 – They’re better, connected, apparently…

Following a Health and Safety review undertaken for the council in September, it was identified that the market, and the 22 shops based there, would have to close. Three days notice was given before the closure.

The report cites rotted roof timbers, the need for re-wiring, the lack of a fire alarm and substandard glazing.

Apparently, the council is in discussion with traders regarding the future of the site, and possible relocation, but it’s feared that many shops will shut for good. Many are speculating that, rather than taking remedial action and re-opening the market, the site may be sold, or turned into a car park.

York Road Market 29 Oct 2009

Comments on the future of the market welcomed…

These chaps have been queueing for the new Apple iPhone 3GS, which goes on sale today.

The new phone, an update on last year’s 3G version, offers a faster processor, a 3 Meg camera (still low compared with most smartphones), better battery life, video recording and a digital compass.

Below is a photo of the queue this morning…

… compared to the queue for the iPhone 3G in July 2008…

Those queueing today are likely to be interested in the new 32Gig version – the cost? £275 plus £35 a month for 18 months – That totals £890 for a phone. Those queuing last year that bought on an 18 month contract will also have to pay around £245 to buy out their old contract and upgrade.

More on the iPhone: UK iPhone details

Woolworths has been trading in the UK for nearly 100 years, and its departure from the High Street marks a sad day in Southend’s retail history. The news leaves around 75 Woolworths Southend employees looking for work.

Zavvi’s days too are numbered. Zavvi was a management buy-out of the Virgin Megastore brand, and it seems their shut-down is also largely down to the Woolworths closure, as much of Zavvi’s stock was sourced from Woolworth’s supplier.

You have to wonder what other big High Street names could be next to fall, and what our High Street may look like a year from now.

Woolworths Closing Down Sale, Southend (December 2008)

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

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?