AN influx of Londoners fleeing the capital has contributed to a huge increase in house prices in Southend, a property expert has insisted.

New figures have revealed house prices in Southend have risen more than any other city or town in England in the last decade.

Prices in Southend have skyrocketed by 68 per cent over the last ten years taking the average price of a home to £287,7171.

The average house size has also decreased by -1 per cent decrease, the study has claimed.

Mike Gray, managing director of Dedman Gray Estate Agents, says the rising prices can be attributed to Londoners moving to the town.

The capital itself has experienced the third sharpest rise in house prices in England, soaring by 67 per cent in a decade.

“We have noted an increase of 20 or 25 per cent on applicants and buyers from London looking to move this way,” Mr Gray said.

“Some of these people have been price-led and others have been drawn to the area as they are no longer needed to be in the city five days a week for their work, they can commute a couple of days from Southend and work from home the rest of the time.”

However, rising house prices has been a trend stretching back further than the pandemic and Mr Gray says this has been led by improvements made to the town.

He said: “Not only prices have increased quite dramatically in the area, Southend as a destination has also become more popular for several reasons.

“Some of these being accelerated by the growth of London Southend Airport, the expanding college and universities in the town and the improved c2c line from Shoebury to Fenchurch Street.

“Also, since the pandemic started the open space and seven miles of seafront have also added to the appeal of the area.”

While rising prices may create problems for younger first time buyers, Mr Gray says positive steps have been taken to provide new cheaper flats to accommodate those looking to purchase their first home.

He added: “One of the challenges that comes with any area when prices are rising steeply, is the first-time buyers’ market. Fortunately, this has been helped by the transformation of areas like Victoria Avenue and the old college where a large number of new development projects have been brought forward which has brought over 600 new flats to the market.”