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Message from Murray Foster, Chair of Southend Business Partnership
Following on from our highly successful October Briefing event at Maritime Room, which featured AI and other tech development, we have another date for your diaries; the morning of Thursday 12 February at South Essex Colleges, Southend Campus. BOOK NOW! The focus of this briefing will be the dynamic sector of audio communication, including reflections on challenges and opportunities in the current economic climate. Keynote presentations will feature: -
Folded Wing – Music is at the heart of this award-winning independent audio house, producing top tier music podcasts, programmes and events since 2006.
Radio Essex – Independent radio station broadcasting to an Essex audience from The Icon Building on Southend’s seafront
Ruark Audio – Family-owned importing and exporting business established in 1985 producing award winning sound systems with a mission to create design icons of the future.
South Essex Colleges Group - Our Further, Higher and Adult Education College will highlight their broad range of creative courses including linking into audio communication sector.
By way of local updates since our last newsletter: -
- Southend City Business Improvement District – great to see our BID Rangers team being honoured with a CSAS Award for their outstanding contribution to Essex Police Community Safety.
- Greater Anglia (GA) - GA which serves our Southend Victoria line stations has been named Rail Operator of the Year at the National Transport Awards 2025.
- Premier Inn – this national hotel chain’s recently approved planning application will see a major expansion on their Eastern Esplanade hotel involving 49 additional bedrooms including a refurbished restaurant available for guests.
Don’t forget searching out what’s on in Southend by visiting VisitSouthend’s website for a vast range of events including a significant range of entertainment at our Southend Theatres. Southend City Fireworks are back and lighting up the skies every Saturday night from now until Saturday 15 November 2025. The 15th is also the date for the Christmas Light Switch On.
If by any chance you want enjoyment further afield then our London Southend Airport has expanded its winter routes with a further six new destinations making it their biggest winter schedule since 2019, offering a mix of city breaks, winter warmth and ski slope access.
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.
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2026/2027 Budget Briefing for the Business and Voluntary Sector
Businesses and voluntary groups are invited to hear from Joe Chesterton (Executive Director for Finance and Resources) and councillors, about the council’s budget plans for 2026/27 and beyond. This is your chance to have your say on the council’s budget ahead of formal decisions being made.
Book your place
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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.
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Remembrance Day at Southend Council
Tuesday 11 November, 11:30am to 3pm
Join Southend Council for Remembrance Day. It's a chance to learn more about the Armed Forces community. All are welcome!
Event structure
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11:15 Arrival & coffee
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11:30-12:30 Session 1: Panel discussion
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12:30–13:00 Lunch (provided for those who register)
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13:30–14:30 Session 2: Invited speakers
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14:30–15:00 Questions & closing remarks (senior council member)
- Prebooking is essential
- The Mayor of Southend will join us for lunch and for the second session.
- Please bring £1 if you’d like to purchase a poppy
- Those paying for a donated ticket: please note this money will be added to the poppy purchase pot.
Book your place
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Toy Drive
Ensuring local children have a Christmas present to open this year.
The Council is excited to announce the launch of its annual Toy Drive for 2025.
What can you donate?
New toys only
From babies to teenagers up to the age of 18
Vouchers (cinema or shops)
Selection packs
Pens, pencils and colouring books
Toiletry sets
If batteries are required for toys, please include them
Any questions or to arrange a large donation, please contact our elves:
01702 215841 toydrive@southend.gov.uk
Find out more
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Business Engagement on Queensway Improvements
Drop-In Session: Thursday 28 November 2pm to 5pm
Jubilee Room, Civic Centre, Victoria Avenue. SS2 6ER
Join us for a drop-in session to learn about the transformation of the highway and what it means for you and your business.
- Discover upcoming road closures and diversions
- Explore the major improvements planned for the area
- Ask questions and share your thoughts with the project team
No need to book, just drop in!
Any questions? Please email: - CharlotteBarker@southend.gov.uk
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Southend Business Partnership Briefing
Thursday 12 February 7.30am to 10.30am
South Essex College Luker Road Southend-on-Sea SS1 1ND
The focus of this briefing will be on the dynamic sector of audio communication including reflections on challenges and opportunities in the current economic climate.
- 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
Find out more and book your place
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Innovation Funding webinar
Thursday 27 November 12.30pm to 2pm
The Innovation Grant Mentoring Programme is a fully funded initiative supporting SMEs across Norfolk, Suffolk, and Essex. To date, it has helped businesses secure £3.1 million in innovation funding and continues to offer tailored mentoring and bid coaching at no cost to participants.
Book your place
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Bringing apprenticeship training to Southend-On Sea
As an Essex based training provider, Get Set UK are invested in helping local businesses in developing their workforce through Government Funded Apprenticeships. Covering subjects such as Business Admin, Content Creator and Early Years, we are able to support a wide range of businesses in recruiting apprentices or upskilling current staff.
Find out more - Get Set UK Apprenticeships
Contact:- Darren.marshall@getsetuk.com or 07957 075490
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The South Essex Business Expo
Thursday 12 March 10am to 3pm
The Brentwood Centre CM15 9NN
We are really pleased to announce a partnership between all the South Essex Councils, Brentwood, Rochford, Southend-on-Sea, Basildon, Thurrock, Castle Point and Essex County Council along with Global, DS Group and Networking Essex.
What we hope to achieve is the biggest business expo in South Essex.
Find out more
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Airbnb Invites UK Applications to its Best of Britain Fund
The new fund aims to:
- Help support the British hospitality sector that is facing increasing financial pressures.
- Inspire more Brits to travel beyond the usual hotspots within the UK to typically lesser visited areas of the UK, helping communities attract more overnight trips.
Sole traders, registered businesses, charitable organisations, and publicly funded organisations can apply for grants of £25,000, £50,000 or £100,000 to be allocated from February 2026.
Find out more
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Find out more about the Southend Business Partnership and what we do.
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