Saturday night was the last fireworks display along Southend seafront after a 7-week run. Was it the very last? Emily Michie reports.
This was number seven of a set of free firework displays provided by Southend Bid, an organisation supporting local business and tasked with creating projects to keep the city safe.
But despite the big turnouts and all-round excitement, local businesses have raised concerns about whether the displays will contine next year.
For example, Uncle Tom’s Cabin, a sea-front eaterie, tweeted: ‘Enjoy them whilst you can as there is uncertainty about future displays in 2023.’
This follows Southend Bid failing even to mention fireworks in their latest plans for the area. And the organisation has just confirmed they have secured a five-year term from 2023 to 2028 to continue their work.
The (final?) display was launched from a barge in the Estuary, east of Southend Pier. So everyone on the shore got great views.
Families have flocked to the free event at weekends. Many travelled from outside of the area to visit the seafront and Adventure Island, the theme park which was lit up and opened on Saturday night, offering half price tickets from 5pm.
It was clearly an enjoyable event as multiple attendees took to Twitter to share images and opinions of the evening. One wrote:
‘So glad we got to go to Southend for the final night of the fireworks’
and another tweeted ‘Brilliant fireworks tonight in Southend’.
The display came after the Christmas lights switch-on along the high street which was accompianed by musical performances on a main stage run by BBC Essex and multiple activities such as a Santa’s workshop and a craft market.
Jordan Gray, a comedian and singer from Essex, turned on the lights at 6pm. She explained how special the moment was:
‘This is where I live, where I got married. All my favourite people are from Southend. I can’t believe the turn out. It’s amazing.’
Essex police reported that the evening ran smoothly without any incidents and thanked staff from Basildon and Southend for giving up their time to support the city.
The fireworks are clearly a popular event among locals and visitors looking for a low-cost high-fun Saturday evening with the family, especially with the cost-of-living crisis happening at the moment. Hopefully they will remain in Southend for as long as possible and local businesses’ concerns are put to rest.
Rising East contacted Southend Bid but no one was available for comment .
Photo and footage taken by Emily Michie.
Edited by Clarisse Cornish.
