Message from Murray Foster, Chair of Southend Business Partnership

Our next Briefing will be held at South Essex College, Southend Campus, on the morning of Thursday 7 November, linking to a focus on encouraging international trade. Please click here to book. Currently our speakers are from South Essex Colleges Group and DP World. DP World will also be highlighting their recently announced £1bn investment into the expansion of their container port just upriver from our city, creating the potential for around another 400 jobs! By the time of this Briefing, we will know the content of the much-trailed Autumn Budget (30 October) making this Briefing event’s Q&A not one to be missed!

Stop press re Budget: Inevitably views will differ and evolve on the latest Budget but I have chosen to include two early assessment summaries from a business perspective, the first being from FSB and the second from BCC. I have also linked one from a community viewpoint, CAB, I thought these were important to include as a prime focus of the Budget is stated as growing the economy, whilst at same time enabling a start to be made in improving the resilience of public services.

Do you live, work, visit or study in Southend? Whatever your circumstances or experiences, they are relevant to the City's Vision and direction. By taking part in this survey before the closing date of 22 November you can help to shape the refresh of the City's Vision. Plus, you can win some great prizes in the optional prize draw. https://yoursay.southend.gov.uk/southend-on-sea-city-vision

Local good news for retail includes the announcement that B&M are expected to occupy in early 2025 the vacant former Wilko outlet in Victoria Shopping Centre. Also access to and from our City at Fairglen Interchange on A127 seems destined to receive £49m of funding for significant junction improvements. However further afield the long awaited and much needed new Lower Thames Crossing seems becalmed again!

Seasonal upcoming free City events include the highly popular Seafront Fireworks being held every Saturday night to 16 November – plus the Christmas Light Switch On events taking place, also on 16 November.

In signing off, please encourage others to sign up for our free monthly newsletters, which provides a wealth of information below including this time a shout out for recruiting “on call” firefighters for the Shoeburyness Station of the Essex County Fire and Rescue Services.

Southend Business Partnership Briefing 

Thursday 7 November 7.30am to 10.30am 

The Pod, South Essex College, Luker Road Southend-on-Sea SS1 1ND

• 7.30am - Registration will begin.
• 7.30am to 8.30am Networking, light breakfast, and marketplace.
• 8.30am - The business briefing keynote speakers will start.
• 10am Continue networking and visiting the marketplace.
• 10.30am Close

Book your place

What’s your vision for Southend?

Do you live, work, visit or study in Southend? Whatever your circumstances or experiences, they are relevant to the City's Vision and direction.

By taking part in this survey, you can help to shape the refresh of the City's Vision, plus you can win some great prizes in the optional prize draw.

Closing date 22 November

https://yoursay.southend.gov.uk/southend-on-sea-city-vision

Essex Manufacturing Alliance Networking

Tuesday 19 November 2024

Anglia Ruskin University, Chelmsford CM1 1SQ

This free event is designed to bring together businesses from every corner of the manufacturing sector—whether you're involved in production, logistics, supply, or any other part of the chain. We aim to create an environment for collaboration and strengthen connections between local manufacturers, suppliers, and innovators.

Book your place

YES Network Chapter 5

Friday 20 December 10am to 12:30pm 

One Hub Southend-on-Sea SS1 2JY

Join a network of active and successful young entrepreneurs with their final event of the year. Come along and meet special guest speaker, 22 year old business owner, Jayson Churn in the Logistics industry.

Book your place

Volunteer at schools in Southend-on-Sea

Schools in Southend are looking for volunteers from the business community to support their careers programmes. To find out further details regarding the support require, and how you can get involved, email LauraBramley@southend.gov.uk

St Thomas More School Southend

• 6 Feb 2025 - Year 10 Mock interviews
• 5 March 2025 - Year 8 Mock interviews
• 17 to 21 March 2025 - Year 10 work experience placements
• 30 June to 4 July 2025 - Year 12 work experience placements

About us.

Boost Your Business with AI

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is already transforming the way businesses work. South Essex Advanced Technical Skills (SEATS) is offering two online courses

AI Governance and Prompt Engineering

Both courses are City & Guilds assured and award a digital badge.

Both courses are 100% online with flexible start dates, making them easy to fit into busy schedules.

Visit www.seatshub.org/ai-online-courses or email claire.hickeyem@seatshub.org for more information.

Greater Essex Business Board

Are you an inspirational business leader? Do you want to influence future investments to support growth in Essex, Southend and Thurrock?  Join Us

Information for prospective candidates can be found at https://www.essex.gov.uk/business/greater-essex-business-board and will be live from Monday 21 October 2024, deadline for applications is 7 November 2024

Essex County Fire & Rescue Service are looking to recruit on-call firefighters to assist their Shoeburyness operation

Currently, they are recruiting residents who live and work within 5 minutes of the station – they are required to provide at least 90 hours per week availability, although this may change in the coming months.

In the first instance, please make contact with kerry.taylor@essex-fire.gov.uk 

Essex Business Partnerships host several networking meetings in the Southend area.

General networking at The Launchpad, Rochford is held every third Wednesday of each month 8am to 10am

Construction networking is at the The Black Box Brewery, 18-19 Aviation Way, Rochford, Essex, SS2 6UN on the first Tuesday of each month 4.30pm to 6.30pm

Supporting Women in Business is at Scott's Kitchen, Scott’s of Southend Garden Centre, 5 Sutton Road, Rochford, SS4 1HJ from 10am to 12pm on the fourth Tuesday of the month

Find out more

How can you support Hamlet Court Calling?

Are you able to volunteer on a regular or ad-hoc basis?

If you feel you can then please fill out the form to be added to our HCC Volunteers Group!

Follow us on social media by searching #hamletcourtcalling

Find out more

SHOW UP does theatre differently.

Are you looking to treat your staff for Christmas?

Have you thought about a ticket to our brilliant all-female pantomime CINDERELLA.

We also have one remaining sponsorship opportunity. Email Rachel on info@showupproductions.co.uk for more information on how you can support our production, and check out our kickstarter here