Capitalise on growth around London Southend Airport
Southend has a rapidly expanding economy with over £130 million invested in the airport alone in the last three years by its private owner.
House prices are 6% below the national and 9% below the regional average, so lend themselves to a good yield potential for property investors. With multi-million-pound regeneration and expansion programmes underway Southend is set to see some major employment growth. There’s a particular opportunity to provide housing for employees at the two new business parks that are being developed near Southend Airport. Over 7,000 jobs will be created over the next 10-15 years with the construction of over 100,000 sqm of space for business & commerce.
4,000 of these jobs are expected to be created at MedTech Campus, a new medical technology centre developing cutting edge equipment in association with Anglia Ruskin University.
Southend is already popular with city workers, with great access to London and East Anglia, by a choice of road and rail. Being in the commuter belt, there is a high demand for rental properties in the area. That means Southend property investment is right for you if you're looking for a commuter belt property for your portfolio. Southend is also a popular destination for day-trippers and holidaymakers; over 6.4 million visits each year.
The vibrant tourist industry contributes around £200 million a year to the town’s economy. The total economy of Southend is an impressive £2.64 billion per annum.
Find out more with a Southend Property Investment Guide.
Economy & Employment
As well as a thriving tourist industry Southend-on-Sea is seeing massive growth in aviation and medical technology.
Southend’s economy is founded on sterner stuff than sand. HMRC are major employers in the area, the central VAT offices are located there and it’s a hub for card services.
A three-way local partnership including Anglia Ruskin University is developing new employment space adjacent to the airport to support the medical technology sector. The wider site has potential to provide for over 7,000 jobs. This builds upon the longstanding presence of Olympus KeyMed and Southend University Hospital.
Advanced engineering within the aviation maintenance repair and overhaul area is growing due to recent airport investment.
The Southend-on-Sea City Deal aims to increase entrepreneurship and establish a one-stop-shop for business support. This will drive jobs growth and increase business start-up rates.
Responding to high levels of demand for space, the redevelopment of Victoria Avenue and areas in the centre of Southend is also planned.
Investment
Southend is a major player in regional innovation and expansion.
Southend’s economy is founded on sterner stuff than sand. HMRC are major employers in the area, the central VAT offices are located there and it’s a hub for card services.
A three-way local partnership including Anglia Ruskin University is developing new employment space adjacent to the airport to support the medical technology sector. The wider site has potential to provide for over 7,000 jobs. This builds upon the longstanding presence of Olympus KeyMed and Southend University Hospital.
Advanced engineering within the aviation maintenance repair and overhaul area is growing due to recent airport investment.
The Southend-on-Sea City Deal aims to increase entrepreneurship and establish a one-stop-shop for business support. This will drive jobs growth and increase business start-up rates.
Responding to high levels of demand for space, the redevelopment of Victoria Avenue and areas in the centre of Southend is also planned.
Transport
Air: London Southend Airport is a 6-minute train ride from the town centre. Stansted is only 1 hour away with Luton, Heathrow and Gatwick all reachable within about 1 1/2 hours.
Rail: Excellent services run from the borough, with 9 stations servicing The Fenchurch Street and Liverpool Street lines into London.
Road: Conveniently located on the A127 and near the A13, there is a choice of routes to the capital and the rest of Essex.
Bus: An excellent commuter service is operated to London from the borough, as well as regular services to more local areas.
Education
Schools: 28 primary, 12 secondary, 5 independent.
Notable institutions include Southend High School for Boys, 11 to 18 years. Southend High School for Girls, 11 to 18 years. East 15 Acting School, training for film, TV, theatre and radio.
Higher Education: South Essex College is one of the largest higher education provisions in the country.
In 2008, it was rated and recognised as a good college with a number of outstanding features by Ofsted.
The college offers services through its Business Development Team, and leads The NOVA Partnership for Apprenticeships and Skills, consisting of 13 education and training providers.
The University of Essex also has a Southend Campus. Facilities at The Gateway Building focus on boosting the economy. It features a dental school and a business incubation centre.
Shops & Leisure
Shopping: Retail is buoyant in Southend-on-Sea. The town has a bustling high street boasting above average occupancy.
There are two major shopping centres as well as the high street stores. The Victoria Shopping Centre underwent a £24 million refurbishment in 2014. There’s a newly introduced weekly market, and the town boasts one of the largest Waitrose branches in the UK.
Leisure: Southend has over 80 parks and 14 conservation areas as well as the seafront attractions which include a Ferris wheel.
If the flashing lights and robotic bleeps of amusement arcades are not your things you’ll be pleased to know that Southend’s creative and cultural sector is growing. As well as a wide and varied programme of offerings at the Clifftown Theatre, internationally renowned arts organisation Metal is developing significant cultural programmes from its base in the town.
