SOUTHEND’S popular weekly fireworks bonanza is expected to bring thousands of visitors to the town each weekend this autumn.

The free fireworks will run for seven weeks on Saturday evenings at 7.30pm, starting from October 5 until November 16.

The final display coincides with the Christmas lights switch-on.

The displays, which last half an hour, are organised by the Southend Business Improvement District (BID) team and are aimed at boosting the economy by keeping people in the town centre on a Saturday evening, after they may normally have gone home.

They had previously been paid for by the town’s seafront traders’ association, but were passed on to Southend BID team in 2012.

Martin Richardson, owner of Happidrome arcade, said: “Seven weeks’ worth of fireworks on a Saturday evening is good for us as it gives us an extension of our winter for trade.

“But the main part is giving something back to the public.

“It’s a free event so works well and is well looked after by the BID.

“People have this misconception that it’s Southend Council who pays for and run the event but it’s the seafront traders who pay through their BID.

“It boosts the economy of the town which is main thing that needs to happen.

“You’ll get people come down to the town early in the afternoon to do some shopping and they’ll wander down to the seafront for the fireworks, then down to us for ice cream and donuts.

“It’s a fantastic thing done by the BID and long may it continue.”

Jodie Leigh, posted on Facebook: “People moan about the spending on these which I totally get, but this is all we have left of our old Southend.

“We were lucky enough to have the bikers back this year, but many of our favourites are still gone, including the air show.

“Our fireworks down the seafront are something for families of all ages to look forward to.”

Paul Thompson, former chairman of Southend Seafront Traders’ Association, said: “It’s a fantastic event and always very popular.

“It brings in a vast amount of people in for the evening, not only to the seafront but also to the high street as well. “Council car parks get filled – it’s generally a well-attended event.”

Several budding photographers also relish the opportunity to take some breath-taking photographs.