SOUTHEND was "buzzing" and had a "good feel about it" seafront traders have said, as visitors flocked to the city to bask in the scorching sunshine. 

Day-trippers headed to Southend in their droves over the weekend as sizzling temperatures soared to more than 20 degrees. 

Seasiders wasted no time in venturing down to the beach to top up their tans, while families with young children enjoyed the vast entertainment Southend has to offer.

Unsurprisingly, Adventure Island proved a particularly popular attraction for those with youngsters. 

Bosses at the attraction said: "We have been choc-a-bloc from the get go. As always when the sun comes out, so do the visitors."

Although the great weather did draw in an influx of visitors, some businesses in the city feel the weekend was not quite as busy as it could have been.

Some suggest this could be a result of the cost-of-living crisis, train strikes, or even the price of parking in Southend. 

Echo: Struggles - Happidrome owner Martin Richardson is hoping for a busy summer seasonStruggles - Happidrome owner Martin Richardson is hoping for a busy summer season (Image: Ben Shahrabi)

Families can find themselves paying up to £25 for a day of parking in the city, for example.

Martin Richardson, owner of the Happidrome Arcades, said: “It's the same as every year when the sun comes out - the visitors come. 

“The numbers are a little bit lower, but you've got to add in all the context which goes with it.

"The biggest complaint we hear from the customers is the price of parking.

Echo: Beach - The sunny and warm weather saw people flocking to Southend's beachBeach - The sunny and warm weather saw people flocking to Southend's beach (Image: Newsquest)

“People don't want to sit for two or three hours in a hot, sweaty car to come to the beach, so they'll choose local parks.

“But short of that, the sea has been busy, it's been buzzing and had a good feel to it.” 

Holly Hackett, team leader at Clarkes restaurant, echoed Mr Richardson's points.

She said: “It has not been as busy as we would’ve like it, and to be honest, I expected a little more. 

“I heard there was a car meet happing in the area, so hopefully that will be good for us.

Echo: Popular - Clarkes restaurant was buzzing during lunchtime and in the early afternoonPopular - Clarkes restaurant was buzzing during lunchtime and in the early afternoon (Image: Newsquest)

“The Bank Holiday weekend last week, that was a very good one for us and we’ll probably have the hottest summer we’ve had so far, so I’m hoping the best for my team here.”