Southend-on-Sea Borough Council - Quality of Life
Southend-on-Sea offers a great variety of development and business opportunities. With fast road and rail links with London and the motorway network, together with corporate and charter flight access to Europe from London Southend Airport, the town has the scope and the opportunity to attract investment to its industrial, commercial, leisure and tourism sectors.
The town provides an attractive environment for families relocating to the area, providing a wide range of residential property from starter homes to executive marine residences.
Southend has seven miles of award winning beaches, 650 acres of public parks, offering activities from horse riding to basketball, an 18-hole pay-and-play public golf course as well as two local museums, a woodland and nature reserve.
There are 12 state maintained secondary schools, including mixed comprehensive and bilateral schools. There are also four single sex grammar schools, among the top 10 performing schools in the county.
There have been significant levels of public and private sector investment in the further and higher education sectors, with The University of Essex state of the art Southend campus, close to the brand new South East Essex College in the town centre.
Located in the Thames Gateway South Essex regeneration area, Southend is a key economic driver of the borough and the region. Significant levels of public and private investment in regeneration and growth has enabled the redevelopment of the town centre area, and there will be future regeneration in other public realm areas.
Housing
The town offers an attractive location for anyone wishing to relocate to the area providing a wide range of residential properties. Across the borough there is housing to suit all needs, from starter homes and new builds, Victorian family houses and flats to exclusive marine residences.
Recent new build projects in the town have helped to further develop the residential offer available in Southend.
House prices in Southend are below the All England and Wales average, and in August 2009, the average house price was £140,588 compared to £155,968 nationally.
Education
Southend has a rapidly expanding HE & FE education sector, with the £53 million South East Essex College (SEEC) campus completed in 2005 and the new University of Essex, Southend campus opened in 2007.
SEEC and the University of Essex offer a single ladder of educational progression from A-levels and BTECs through to Foundation, Honours, Masters degrees and PhDs. The venture brings together a respected top ten research-based university with a successful and innovative further education college.
Southend can offer vocational training with SEEC and Prospects, working in partnership with businesses to deliver innovative training courses and apprenticeships. Similarly, SEEC`s status as an NSA for creative and cultural skills founder college further develops learning in Southend and its relationship with business.
There are 12 state secondary schools, including mixed comprehensive and bilateral schools, and four single sex grammar schools - among the top 10 performing schools in the county.
Culture
Culture is very important for Southend as it bids to be the UK Capital of Culture 2013.
Research conducted by the Arts Council has revealed a significant concentration of creative and cultural businesses located in the borough, particularly around Leigh-on-Sea. The relocation of Metal Culture, the renowned arts group, has further enhanced Southend`s reputation as a creative and cultural hub of the East of England.
Southend is home to one of the largest theatres in the region, the Cliffs Pavilion, as well as Palace Theatre. The two theatres are run in partnership.
There are four buildings in Southend which make up the museums service: the Central Museum, Southchurch Hall, Prittlewell Priory, and the Beecroft Art Gallery. There is also the Focal Point Gallery in Southend library and commercial galleries and exhibitions around the town.
Recreational Activities
Southend has a wealth of recreational activities available to local residents and visitors. There are seven miles of award winning beaches, the world`s longest pleasure pier, a theme park, a sea life adventure centre, Southend marine activities centre plus much more - and this is only the seafront.
Across the borough, Southend has 650 acres of public parks, offering activities from horse riding to basketball, public and private golf courses, museums, woodland and a nature reserve.
Southend high street offers a wide choice of shopping and is anchored at either end by two shopping centres. Just down the road, in Leigh, individuals can find independent stores while exploring the traditional old town.
