Southend-on-Sea - pleasant surprise

A visit to Southend-on-Sea with Isabel and the two dogs.   I found that Southend was no longer the rapidly dying seaside town I visited more than twenty years ago.  The place has had a makeover.   And this was such a pleasant surprise.   I realise that Southend still has a problem with deprivation and a high level of social housing, but there are signs of a thriving town, with commercial parks, offices and plenty of busy shops.   

On a sunny summers day the shopping area and seafront were bustling with people, of all cultures, having a marvellous time.   There were new buildings everywhere, the main shopping street was pedestrianised, there was a large theme park on the foreshore, and plenty of restaurants and cafes.   We were impressed.

Isabel and the dogs, standing among the shoppers on the pedestrianised shopping street.

On the second day we found a quiet plaza off the main street which had an excellent cafe with tables and chairs outside.  And it was shady.   We had the dogs to consider.   The plaza also included a small grassed area, and was surrounded by new and very impressive buildings: the University of Essex and The Forum, an ultra modern library and learning zone.

The train station was close by, and I was amazed by the number of day trippers who came by train from London; just like it used to be, years ago, when a day trip to the seaside was an event people planned for and took every summer.

At the bottom of the pedestrianised shopping street, there is a lift to take people to the pier, which is the longest pleasure pier (2.16 km) in the world. or down to the theme park and promenade.   It was all very well done.

The photograph below shows the promanade, under the footbridge to the pier.   There were still plenty of games arcades, so popular in British seaside towns, on the other side of the street.  And they looked prosperous too.

A view over the theme park.

The beaches were crowded with people, mostly fully clothed.  This was certainly not the south of France, where beach clothing must be as brief as possible.

Isabel and the dogs, sitting happily on the wall.

The beaches contain gravel and sand.  A bit hard to sit on.   The background view in the photograph below shows the theme park, and the start of the pier.

Isabel and I certainly enjoyed ourselves, so much to see.  We were a bit limited by what we could do, due to having the dogs with us.   The dogs seemed quite happy.    We continually tested the pavement to make sure it was not too hot for for their feet,   They certainly received plenty of attention from people, which they loved, and there were new smells to investigate plus a few old ice creams to lick off the pavement.

I wonder if Southend-on-Sea received EU money to help regenerate a dying town.   So much for Brexit.