🔵 £40M Spent to Improve Southend

Good morning, Southend. It’s been a while, I hope your 2025 had gotten off to a good start!

I took a break over the holiday period (there also wasn't as much going on), but now we should be back with weekly newsletters. Check out the You May Have Missed section at the bottom where I’ve added news stories and events from the past few weeks.

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Let’s get into it… in today’s Southend Spotlight:

• Southend’s Airport’s latest holiday destination ✈️

• Thousands of children benefit from toy drive 🧸

• The Shrimper’s latest signing ✍️

Don’t forget to check out the upcoming events list at the end of this email and to forward this email to anyone you know that may be interested.  

— Tom McCloud

HIGHLIGHTS
💷 Council Investing Millions in City Improvements

Southend Council has announced a £40M capital investment for major projects, including housing and road repairs. An extra £2.5M will go toward fixing pavements in 2025/26, and £1.5M more will be allocated for road resurfacing, adding to existing budgets.

About £5M will kickstart the £20M Better Queensway scheme, aiming to build 1,700 new homes in the city centre. The project also includes filling in the underpass and creating a new dual-carriageway from the town centre to the seafront, expected to be completed by 2027.

Council leader Daniel Cowan said this infrastructure work has already attracted interest from developers after previous setbacks. Additionally, funds are earmarked for civic improvements like a new inclusive playground at East Beach, signage upgrades, and a feasibility study for the cliffs and Never Never Land.

See all the details here: on the council’s website 

🎁 2,990 Children Benefit from Toy Drive

In the lead-up to Christmas we shared information about Southend’s annual you-drive, which allows children in difficult circumstances receive a gift that they otherwise may not.

A total of 4,391 toys were donated, creating 2,990 wrapped gifts with over 628 meters of wrapping paper used.

Donations came from residents, schools, and businesses like Argosy Toys, Toys ‘n’ Tuck, Thorpe Hall School, and Corin Underwriters, among others.

🎤 Lazydays Festival Lineup Announced

The Lazydays festival in Southend is back this July with a stellar lineup, including The Lightning Seeds, Katy B, Ellie Sax, Example, and Soul II Soul.

Local artists like Leanne Louise and The Trusted will also perform, with 20 more acts to be announced.

✈️ Southend Airport’s Latest Destination

Beginning 3rd April 2025 Southend London Airport will begin daily flights to Newquay.

Flights will be priced at £59.99 and with a flight time of less than an hour, will be a great alternative to driving for approximately 6 hours.

Are you planning to use this new route? What other routes would you like to see introduced? Reply to this email and let me know. I know I’ll definitely be taking a Cornish trip this summer ☀️

THE BLUES
⚽️ Roots Hall North Bank Reopens

The Solopress North Bank reopened this season, for the first time since the 1990’s, allowing Roots Hall to host Southend’s largest crowd in over five years.

Significant work was done to meet safety requirements, and fan feedback during the trial phase has already led to improvements like better access to facilities and removing seat-move fees. Further input will help shape plans for the North Bank ahead of the 2025/26 season.

🧤 Nathan Harness Signs on Loan  

Last week Southend United announced the arrival of goalkeeper Nathan Harness on loan from MK Dons.

The 24-year-old has signed an initial one-month deal following Zach Jeacock’s recall to Lincoln City, allowing the Shrimpers to strengthen the goalkeeping department.

This term Nathan has made three appearances in cup competitions for MK Dons, and also spent a month on loan at Wealdstone.

Welcome to the Shrimpers, Nathan!

Latest Results

• Wednesday 15th Jan

  • Boston Utd 0-0 Southend Utd (Suspended)

• Saturday 18th Jan

  • Southend Utd 0-3 Barnet

Next Games

• Saturday 25th Jan — 15:00

  • Dagenham & Redbridge vs. Southend Utd

• Tuesday 28th Jan — 19:45

  • Southend Utd vs. Flyde

Current Position

Thanks for reading this week’s Southend Spotlight.

I hope the start of your year has been good so far, and once again Happy belated New Year’s!

— Tom McCloud