Message from Murray Foster, Chair of Southend Business Partnership

A date that should already be in your diaries is our next Briefing on the morning of Thursday 9 October, when we will return to the Maritime Room Cliffs Pavilion. The focus of this event will be around Artificial Intelligence and other technological advances, with keynote presenters including:

• AI Guys an AI automation agency empowering your business with intelligent automation.
• Wild Bookkeeping based in Leigh on Sea, harnessing the power of artificial intelligence to transform bookkeeping.
• Space East, who are developing a thriving, innovative and engaged community of cross-sector businesses keen on exploring how their capabilities and expertise can access the opportunities presented by the £17.5bn UK space sector. The presentation will also include funding sources and advice for businesses looking to innovate and make the most of space technologies. Book now!

By way of local updates since our last newsletter: -

• Airport Business Park - Subject to planning permission being granted a further investment of £150m will be made by developers HBD for an additional 9 new industrial and logistics units comprising 70,911 sq ft.
• Adventure Island – Southend’s seafront theme park has been recognised by VisitEngland with a top award for its outstanding visitor experience with an amazing overall quality score of 94%. There was further success at UK Theme Park Awards with three top honours for Best Seaside Park, Best Value Theme Park and for Best Social Media Content.
• Genting Casino – significant building work continues into its second phase involving replacing the Casino roof as well as extensive refurbishment with new facilities comprising an investment of some £9.8m. This popular venue remains fully open with a planned grand reopening in Spring 2026.
• Better Queensway project – phase one contracts have been signed off for preparatory work in relation town centre roadways, pedestrian and cycle pathways. This is to enable in due course the building of much needed quality dwellings and affordable housing.
• Pride in Place Impact Fund - Shoebury is to benefit from up to £20m Government Funding over the next 10 years to revive high streets, parks and public spaces.

Our SBP Executive met 9th September with many thanks for Essex Police hosting at their Southend Police Station. The focus included a presentation on Southend-on-Sea City Council’s evolving new Local Plan for our City – click here to “Have Your Say” on the proposed preferred approach with options. Essex Police also presented to us on two upcoming proactive initiatives relating to our City centre. Our Executive members provided updates from Barclays Bank, Ayers & Cruiks, Trafalgar Theatres and Southend City BID.

Don’t forget searching out what’s on in Southend by visiting VisitSouthend’s website for a vast range of events. For example, Southend City Fireworks are back and lighting up the skies every Saturday night from Saturday 27 September to Saturday 15 November 2025, the 15th is also the date for the Christmas Light Switch On. Also, a heads up on a new Southend Food and Drink Festival running from 24 October to 2 November, organised by Southend City BID and sponsored by Southend Theatres.   

In signing off please encourage others to sign up for our free monthly newsletters which provides a wealth of information such as below to over 2000 recipients.

Southend Business Partnership Briefing

Thursday 9 October 7.30am to 10.30am

Maritime Room, Cliffs Pavilion SS0 7RA

The focus of this event will be Ai in the workplace

• 7.30am - Registration will begin.
• 7.30am to 8.30am - Networking, light breakfast, and marketplace.
• 8.30am - The business briefing keynote speakers will start.
• 10.00am - Continue networking and visiting the marketplace.
• 10.30am - Close

Book your place

AI Accelerator: Introduction to AI and Digital Tools

Friday, 10 October 10am to 3pm

Launchpad Southend Airport Business Park Rochford SS4 1YH

Join us for a full-day, hands-on Digital Tools and AI Workshop designed to help professionals streamline workflows, boost productivity, and confidently integrate AI into their daily operations.

Whether you're just starting your digital journey or looking to deepen your AI integration, this workshop offers practical insights, peer learning, and expert guidance to help you drive meaningful change.

These workshops have been organised by Southend-on-Sea City Council, hosted by Launchpad Southend and delivered by GoodChangePeople

Book your place

An evening for Entrepreneurs

Friday 17 October 6pm to 9pm

Essex Influencers 10 Market Place Southend-on-Sea SS1 1DA

Gives you the chance to network in a relaxed setting, surrounded by good vibes, like-minded people and a special guest influencer!

Book your place

Leigh-on-Sea Business Expo

Tuesday 21 October 8am to 12pm 

Belfairs Methodist Church Hall, Eastwood Road North, Leigh-on-Sea SS9 4NG

The second Leigh-on-Sea Business Expo is being organised by Southend-on-Sea City Council - Business-on-Sea in partnership with Leigh-on-Sea.com

It will provide a marketplace of local businesses and services.

This event is open to residents and businesses, so please pop in during the event at any time.

Book your place to attend

AI in Practice: How to use AI & Automation to achieve great results

Thursday 6 November 9:30am to 12:30pm

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

What We'll Cover:

• AI Tools You Can Use Today – accessible platforms for content creation, automation, and workflow optimisation that integrate easily with existing systems.
• Simple Automation – connect platforms to eliminate repetitive tasks and streamline operations from enquiries to reporting.
• Live AI Demonstrations – see ChatGPT, Claude, and other tools in action, including advanced features and effective prompting techniques.
• Real Business Applications – examples across customer service, marketing, sales, administration, and social media management.
• Quick Wins & Implementation – immediate, low-cost opportunities to start using AI in your business today.

Book your place

Free funding webinar: Raise funds through Christmas shopping

Thursday 30 October 12.30pm to 1.15pm

Funding help for community groups and other good causes

Join easyfundraising’s free webinar to learn a simple way to raise unrestricted funds through supporters’ online shopping this Christmas. 

Book your place

Win £5,000 to help your business thrive on the high street.

This year, six inspiring independent retail businesses will each receive a £5,000 grant,
plus expert design support and marketing tools to help them grow with confidence.

Apply for Realising the Remarkable – a cash grant programme by Enterprise Nation and VistaPrint by 30 October to win a grant and marketing support.

Apply now.

Business rates valuation account

The Valuation Office Agency encouraged businesses to sign up for a business rates valuation account ahead of the next revaluation, which comes into effect on 1 April 2026.

Business rates are based on the ‘rateable value’ of a property, which is updated every three years to reflect changes in the property market. The upcoming revaluation will be based on rental values as of 1 April 2024.

By registering for an account, businesses can check the details held about their property, understand how their valuation was calculated and estimate future bills.

This helps with planning and ensures the information used to calculate rates is accurate. Businesses can also use the account to challenge their current valuation but must do so by 21 March 2026.

Find out more

Tee off and tech talk

Thursday 23 October 5.30pm to 9pm

13 Alexandra Street Southend-on-Sea SS1 1BX

Join Revive at Bunker 19 for an evening of food, drink, golf, darts, and a bit of techtalk!

Revive is delighted to announce the next Tee-Off and Tech Talk event, where we’ll be networking, practicing our backswing, and enjoying drinks and a buffet.

The topic we'll be diving into during a short panel discussion is 'sustainability without the spin: what local businesses are doing - and what you can do too'

Book your place

2 day free start-up business course

Wednesday 5 and Thursday 6 November 10am to 11.30am

Towngate Theatre, Basildon, SS14 1DL or ONLINE

Thinking of starting your own business?

Learn the essentials, get practical tools, and gain the confidence to take your first big business steps.

Book your place.

Exploring work experience opportunities

The Job centre invite local businesses and organisations to support jobseekers by offering short-term work experience placements. These are aimed at individuals with little or no work history, including young people and those returning to work.

Work experience helps jobseekers gain confidence, build skills, and understand workplace routines—key steps toward sustainable employment. It also gives employers the chance to benefit from fresh perspectives and untapped potential.

A typical placement lasts around 2 weeks, with full support from Jobcentre Plus. There’s no cost to your business, and we’ll work with you to tailor placements to your needs.

Contact us.

Bright ideas market

Sunday 7 December

Young Entrepreneurs event at Garon Park—a unique opportunity for young people to explore the world of business, creativity, and enterprise.

Whether they already run a small business or want to dream one up from scratch, this event gives them the chance to showcase their ideas, sell to the public, and learn from real-world workshops on branding, finance, marketing, and more. It’s a safe, youth-only space where they can build confidence, gain practical skills, win prizes and even make their own money.

Register interest or request more info