TWELVE exciting festive events have been announced for the town centre to boost business this Christmas.

Southend Bid is running the spectacular from November 20 until Christmas Eve, which will also see local ‘heroes’ celebrated for their work over the year, and a special winner will be announced.

Organisers say it will be a boost to the town after the “disappointment that surrounded Christmas 2020” when Covid stopped plans.

The events include a light up Southend art trail, a walkabout character day, a youth festival and a carols sing-a-long.

A vintage Christmas flea and crafts market, animatronics and street theatre performances will also be part of the fun.

Businesses have welcomed the addition to the events calendar and hope it will draw in extra trade.

Joan Tiney, owner of The Borough Hotel on Southend seafront, said: “I think this is brilliant for the town and visitors but I wish they would do more on the seafront too.

“It will be good to see the town centre bustling again at this time of year but we also do need some of this on the seafront.

“I think High Street businesses will benefit from this and it should bring in people from Rayleigh and even as far as Dagenham.”

Anthony Tomassi, owner of Tomassi’s Cafe and Restaurant in the High Street, said he thinks having something different in the town is an added attraction.

He added: “There will be so much going on with the fireworks on the seafront too.

“I think it’s a marvellous efforts from the Bid.”

Suzanne Gloyne, Bid manager, said: “Christmas is a magical, inspiring time for the entire family; it brings us together, reminds us of what’s most important and with beautiful decorations, performances and music, Southend becomes truly mesmerizing.

“We wanted to put on great events to give residents, visitors and businesses a Christmas they deserve, especially after the disappointment that surrounded Christmas 2020.”

The schedule will be: Southend’s Shining Star on November 20, Come as yourself, leave as an elf on the same day, light up Southend art trail from November 20 to Christmas Eve, a digital interactive window from the same dates. A walkabout character day will be on November 21, a youth festival on November 27, a Christmas carols sing-a-long will be on the same day. A vintage Christmas flea and crafts market will be on November 28, Christmas animatronics on December 4 and 11, and Christmas crafts on the same dates.

Street theatre performances will be held on December 5 and Christm