English seaside city once mocked as ‘worst place on EARTH' is now dubbed ‘California of Britain' amid £16million revamp

Scottish Sun

08-05-2025

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ONE of the UK's most infamous seaside towns is now being dubbed the 'California of Britain' ahead of a £16million transformation.
Locals have previously slammed the tourist destination for being rife with "drug gangs", leading them to feel unsafe and fearful of stabbings in their own town.
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Southend-on-Sea has a divisive reputation
Credit: Getty
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Some locals have slammed the town for being the "worst place on Earth"
Credit: Getty
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On the other hand, some tourists have compared it to California
Credit: Alamy
Southend-on-Sea is just an hour from London, but locals have long felt that the waterside town is a far-cry from the glitz and glamour of Britain's capital.
In July last year, videos emerged of thugs fighting with machetes emerged online - fuelling the perception that Southend-on-Sea had become an unsafe place to live due to "drug gangs".
One terrified local even described the town as the 'worst place on Earth' on TripAdvisor.
However, the town is set to undergo a £16 million transformation which officials hope will give the former tourist hot-spot a new lease on life.
Ahead of the transformation, one tourist noted that the streets were remarkably clean and even compared the beach to the legendary Venice Beach in California.
LGabor, the reviewer, said: "It's in the UK, but if you are there, you feel like you went to the USA.
'It is similar to Venice Beach in America and has a very nice pier with a train on it!"
The biggest change set to arrive in Southend is the construction of a "green oasis" at the Marine Parade.
The new attraction will feature a series of rain gardens, a large green space complete with a short stream and several canopies.
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Ahead of the transformation, Labour's cabinet member for climate, environment and waste outlined her hopes for the project.
Lydia Hyde said: "We're continuing to work with key partners to make sure the project protects our environment and is delivered in a cost-effective way."
She also expanded on how the Marine Parade will be developed and explained the phased approach to the scheme.
The cabinet member said: "This will focus on the junction at Hartington Road and Seaway, where we'll be realigning kerb lines to create a rain garden that collects and stores surface water runoff.
"Phase two - the north side of Marine Parade - and phase three - the south side of Marine Parade - will follow, and we'll continue to share updates as the project progresses.
"We'll be working closely with stakeholders to minimise disruption and make sure the programme doesn't impact the summer season."
The remaining £14.8 million of the £16 million total has been funnelled into reviving Southend's Leigh Port - which once saw huge shipments arriving on a daily basis.
Top 10 worst seaside towns in the UK
Which? Travel has revealed the top 10 worst seaside towns in the UK.
Southend kicks off the list, which features some of the most popular tourist destinations in the UK.
Which? surveyed thousands of holidaymakers for the study, before working out which places were disliked the most.
The list includes: 10. Southend-on-Sea
9. Fleetwood, Lancashire
8. Great Yarmouth, Norfolk
7. Blackpool, Lancashire
6. Clacton-on-Sea, Essex
5. Skegness, Lincolnshire
4. Bognor Regis, West Sussex
3. Burnham-on-Sea, Somerset
2. Mablethorpe, Lincolnshire
1. Bangor, Gwynedd
The money will be used to install a new quay wall, refurbish the quay itself and to demolish a small craft club.
Also, a new surface and trade waste drainage system will be created and the downstream channel from Leigh Port's to Lower Leigh Creek will be dredged.
This will increase the berth of the port, which, in turn, will ease traffic congestion, while also reducing flood risks and improving water quality.
Locals hope that these changes will attract more tourists to the once-bustling town.
However, despite their anger towards Southend's state of disrepair, locals are proud of where they come from.
Dave Cook, 72, told The Sun Online: "It's beautiful in the winter, we're lucky to have it.'
Celebrities including Gary Barlow, Tyson Fury and Michelle Keegan have also been known to frequent the town.
Luxury eateries including Jamie Oliver's hit restaurant and Roslin Beach Hotel's dining hall have also received rave reviews in a boost for the town.
One happy customer took to TripAdvisor to share their enthusiasm about the Roslin Beach Hotel.
They wrote: "First-class restaurant, easily the best in Leigh.
"I had the chef's signature tasting menu, and everything was faultless."
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The town has several incredible amusement arcades
Credit: Alamy
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There are several historical buildings in Southend too
Credit: Alamy