Southend has always been a large, busy and vibrant area. 

We have gone back in our archives to look at Southend in the 1970s and 1980s.

It was a time were the now city had a very different flavour.

The High Street scene may be familiar, but these pictures from the Echo archive show a selection of shop names which have long disappeared.

But there are also familiar brands, such as Boots and Marks and Spencer, which remain in Southend to the present day.

Out images also look at the seafront across the town decades. 

So scroll through some of our favourite images of what it was like to live in Southend in the seventies and eighties.

Echo: Southend High Street in 1985Southend High Street in 1985

Echo: Southend High Street- 1975Southend High Street- 1975

Echo: Southend High Street 1978Southend High Street 1978

Echo: Taken in 1970s. The swimming pool is still under the casino, now owned by GentingTaken in 1970s. The swimming pool is still under the casino, now owned by Genting

Echo: Southend High Street in 1979Southend High Street in 1979

Echo: People queue for the Odeon cinema in SouthendPeople queue for the Odeon cinema in Southend

Echo: Southend High Street in 1982Southend High Street in 1982

Echo: Southend High Street in 1978Southend High Street in 1978

Echo: Southend High Street in 1977Southend High Street in 1977

Echo: Western Esplanade in the 1980s with Peter Pan's on the left. Picture taken outside the old Fisherman's WharfWestern Esplanade in the 1980s with Peter Pan's on the left. Picture taken outside the old Fisherman's Wharf

Echo: New Year’s Eve party held at the Southend-based Zero Six proved to be a hit in 1986New Year’s Eve party held at the Southend-based Zero Six proved to be a hit in 1986 (Image: Newsquest)

Echo: Marine Parade, Southend - late 1960s or early 1970sMarine Parade, Southend - late 1960s or early 1970s

Echo: Pier Hill looking towards the Kursaal in the 1970sPier Hill looking towards the Kursaal in the 1970s