Southend: EastEnders return to take over south Essex seaside

Cast and crew have been in town for most of this week with filming in Adventure Island, on Southend seafront and on East Beach Shoebury.

Families stopped to watch the filming on the beach and seafront. Wendy Smith, 41, from Southend said: “It was so exciting and I love seeing stars and celebrities in our home town like this.

“I love the show and enjoyed watching them filming here. I haven’t seem them filming before but did know they were in town for a few days.

“There were so many crew teams and vans and tents all set up for the show. It’s good the weather held up for them but I bet they were cold in and out of the sea.”

Brian Tilley, 76, from Shoebury was walking his dog when he noticed the stars and production teams on the beach.
He said: “I think it helps put us on the map even more and I hope they stay here and use our businesses. 

“I look forward to seeing the storyline unfold later in the year on TV. I have never seen such big production and crew teams, with huge vans and vehicles and many tents.”

Marc Miller, managing director of Adventure Island said: "We welcomed the Eastenders team with open arms and made life as easy as possible for them and they for us. Whatever they requested we said yes!

"Having experience on several occasions over the years we appreciated the benefits in marketing terms for Adventure Island in particular and Southend City in general.

"I remember thirty years ago one of the characters Mark Fowler who was on the missing list had been working on the go kart track all summer. The episode aired New Year’s Day to twenty odd million viewers and even two years after customers were asking if Mark still worked for us!

"Altogether this is another major boost for the town and seafront I think we were dead lucky they chose Southend City this time around.

"Also To give credit where credits due the council also pulled all the stops out to enable ease of operation it was a real team effort."