Message from Murray Foster, Chair of Southend Business Partnership 

If you are getting depressed by daily media coverage of international and national challenges, then book now! for the antidote: our next Briefing event being held on 25 June, with a focus on various forms of “investment” in our city! Appropriately, this will be held at Genting Casino, which has undergone a multi-million-pound refurbishment. It will be a great opportunity to view its new look facilities and hear from a range of keynote speakers, including Genting Casino and Swedish based Stille AB Group who have acquired our locally based Surgical Holdings. I’m also delighted that The Event Co, a UK and global events company, will join us, having recently expanded and created an HQ presence at Southend Airport Business Park. Southend-on-Sea City Council will also be presenting on navigating the planning process for commercial premises to achieve successful outcomes and the availability of funding for bringing empty business premises back into use.  

With two bank holidays upcoming in May, search out what’s on in Southend by visiting VisitSouthend’s website for a vast range of events. If by any chance you want enjoyment further afield then our London Southend Airport has a much-expanded range of destinations

In last month’s newsletter we highlighted Southend United FC. Our city team are finalists of the FA Challenge Trophy on 17 May at Wembley Stadium with now 20k+ tickets already sold to SUFC supporters! What’s more, the team also secured top tier position in National League for the play-offs, although unfortunately lost 1-0 to Scunthorpe in the first knockout game. Best wishes to Kevin Maher, team and staff in the quest for the FA Trophy on the 17th.

The good news theme continues with our South Essex Colleges Group set to benefit from some £2.5m government funding to improve facilities and support learners across their campuses including our Southend Campus.

Looking ahead, the long overdue investment in Leigh Port is on the verge of proceeding. Funding is in place for this, although this has been impacted by construction inflation costs. Whilst there have been some false dawns, our council’s current expectations are now for delivery starting late 2026 through 2027. This project is to encompass the construction of a new quay and resurfacing of the port area assisting our fishing and tourism sectors.

I must also recognise the great collaborative work within our city. A big thank you to Caddies Southend for hosting our recent SBP Executive meeting and to presenters WeCraft (Lazy Days Festival), Greater Essex Careers Hub, Harp (new High Street presence), Hays Recruitment and Iceni Projects/ Bellway Homes.

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

Find opportunities for council contracts

Tuesday 12 May 10am to 11.30am Online event

This workshop will explain how to source and bid for Public Sector contracts (training provided to local businesses and the Voluntary and Community Sector)

The Central Digital Platform is an online portal which will make it easier for suppliers to find and bid for contracts, and for buyers to meet their transparency commitments under the Procurement Act 2023. Suppliers must register in order to be able to view and bid for opportunities. Register your business here.

Book your place at the webinar

Southend Business Partnership Briefing

Thursday 25 June 7.30am to 10.30am

Genting Casino Western Esplanade, Westcliff-on-Sea SS0 7QY

The focus of this briefing will be on the various forms of “investment” in the city.

• 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 - Networking and visiting the marketplace.
• 10.30am - Close

Find out more and book your place

Your Business. Their Future. Our Community.

The Greater Essex Careers Hub would like to invite employers to share their expertise to inspire and inform the next generation. By sharing insights into career pathways, you can help students understand how their interests can turn into real opportunities.

In response to the Government’s newly launched Modern Work Experience, the Hub would like to work with businesses to offer a more flexible approach, moving away from the traditional placements, in favour of shorter, less resource heavy, more inclusive experiences such as workplace visits, employer-led projects, and in-school activities.

If you are a business that would like to get involved, contact us for more information.

Email: careershub@southend.gov.uk

visit:- https://greateressexcareershub.co.uk/

Staff Security Awareness Training

Ensure your staff are fully aware of current and emerging cyber threats

Employees are the first layer of cyber defence in any business, so it’s essential to ensure they can spot common cyber security issues or risks.

The training is aimed at those with little or no technical knowledge and delivered in small, succinct modules supported by real-world examples relevant to the business’s context.

Wednesday 13 May at 12pm

Tuesday 26 May at 10am

Tuesday 9 June at 2pm

Wednesday 17 June at 10am

Thursday 25 June at 10am

Book your free place

Match Trading Grant of up to £4,000

Develop your community business through a specialist programme of support

With a group of others like you, you will learn from the experts, and each other, to grow your community business. You will also receive a Match Trading™ Grant that combined with the learning programme will support you to develop trading income streams and build a resilient community business.

Find out more

Here to help you start, fund and grow a better business

The Virgin StartUp Community is a place for founders to connect, share, learn, and grow. Explore membership options and sign up today.

• Funding to start and grow
• Accelerator programmes
• Founder community 
• Inspiring events
• tools and resources

Find out more

Your Phone is a Film Studio

Using Short Video to Grow Your Business

Thursday 14 May 2026 10:00am online

Your smartphone is more powerful than a camera crew - you just need to know how to use it! In this session, join experts Garry Lee and James Adam, along with Amy Johnston, guest expert from BT and Small Business Britain to show you exactly how to create short videos that stop the scroll and turn viewers into customers.

Book your place

What wellbeing looks like for employers right now

You know how important people are to your business. When people are living with a mental health issue they can experience good days and bad days and their productivity can fluctuate. On their bad days they can lose focus and find tasks difficult to complete. They may even need time off, which can harm their performance and your profitability.

We give self-employed individuals, and staff working for SME employers, no cost advice and support to cope with any issues that are playing on their mind. By letting your employees know about the nine months mental health support that Able Futures provides at no cost to them, you can support mental wellbeing at work.

Find out more

Small Business,

Big Giveaway

Enter now for your chance to win £10,000 cash to invest, expand, or simply reward your hard work.

If you’re a small business owner or self-employed in the UK, we want to hear from you! We’re giving away £10,000 to one lucky winner so they can grow their business. 

In association with HSBC UK, this opportunity is open to both FSB members and non-members, giving all small business owners in the UK a chance to expand their business. 

Find out more

AXA Startup Angel competition

The AXA Startup Angel 2026 competition offers UK entrepreneurs a chance to win £25,000, mentoring, and business insurance to launch or grow their startup.

• top two winners receive:
• £25,000 funding to launch or scale their business
• one year of business insurance from AXA
• mentoring from the AXA Startup Angels
• 50% off AXA Health business insurance
• access to a mental health and resilience webinar

Link to sign up: AXA Startup Angel competition

Link for info: AXA Startup Angel competition prizes 2025 | AXA UK