Southend ranked as one of the worst seaside resorts in Which survey

The annual survey saw Southend rated the eighth worst seaside place out of more than 115 resorts.

It got an overall customer score of just 56 per cent.

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This customer score was calculated using a number of different areas of a seaside resort, which were rated out of five stars by more than 3,000 visitors.

Southend was given just two stars in the areas of beaches, the seafront/pier, the food and drink, shopping, and value for money.

It was then given just a one for the scenery and peace and quiet in Southend.

The city was rated a three out of five for its tourist attractions.

Anna Firth, MP for Southend West, said this is far from the truth, and believes Southend is up there with the best in the UK.

She said: “I absolutely do not agree with Which?’s survey that Southend is one of the worst seaside resorts in the UK. Far from it.

“Our seven miles of stunning beaches, award-winning pier, incredible places to eat and drink, fabulous theatres showing world-class entertainment, amusement arcades, attractions like Adventure Island and Sealife Adventure, the wealth of independent businesses in Old Leigh and on the Broadway, our incredible historic sites such as the London Shipwreck, and of course our community spirit, is all second-to-none.

“I really don’t think anywhere can claim to have it all in the same way that Southend does.”

In recent weeks Southend has been named as The National Pier Society’s official Pier of the Year for 2023.

Southend resident, Lesley Taylor, 56, added: “I am very surprised to hear this as Southend is amazing.

“We have a lovely seafront, theme park, bowling, the pier, open top buses, and generally it is clean and tidy.

“Plenty of car park spaces, although in my opinion, it is too expensive, but overall, I think Southend has a lot more to offer than most seaside areas.”