DEPRIVATION and a worsening visible drug problem left Southend city centre in turmoil, a Guardian columnist says.

Writing in the Guardian’s Opinion section, Tim Burrows says that despite being named a city over a year ago, little has changed in Southend.

He says parts of the city centre have “become bywords for deprivation” while lamenting a worsening and visible drug problem across the city.

Mr Burrows says there was great hope as Southend was named a city, with a host of ambitious projects whipped up such as the regeneration of the iconic Kursaal building or the Airport music festival featuring Damon Albarn and Africa Express.

However, with the festival delayed and no end in sight for the Kursaal saga, locked into a 200-year lease with no break clause, that energy and hope has fizzled out, he says.

Mr Burros laments how Southend, “a place once famous for its nightlife now goes quiet in the evening”.

With much-loved clubs and pubs closing left right and centre, the city is fast losing its iconic venues he says.

On top of that, Southend United are “on the brink of collapse” having fallen out of the Football League, leaving little for residents to take pride in.

He further claims a “toxic culture war” in the council, with parties taking aim at each other grass verges, public art where “point-scoring often takes precedence”, means little looks set to change.

Is he right?

What are you views?

Let us know in the comments.